Anonymous
Post 03/02/2025 11:26     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:We just adopted a puppy and despite doing so much research and sticking to a strict training schedule, I am miserable and overwhelmed. I took off two weeks from work to acclimate the dog. She gets up multiple times a night (which I expected) so I am getting no sleep, and when I try to crate her for even fifteen minutes she barks her head off which can’t go on since we have neighbors. We are taking her out every hour and there are still accidents in the house.

I feel like my life is over and I’ll never be able to leave the house again. Please tell me it gets better or I will have to find a better home for her. I have had dogs before and they were not this difficult.


It totally gets better, but it can take a few months. I"m sorry. I had always adopted dogs around 1 year old, so that they were young but out of the puppy phase. I decided to get a puppy during COVID because we were home and I wanted my son to experience the whole thing about having a dog. Big mistake. It sucks the life right out of you. I will never get a puppy again. However, my terror-pup has grown up into a wonderfully well behaved, loving dog. Hang in there.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2025 07:29     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
This feeling of overwhelm is so common that there is a term for it -- "puppy blues."

I remember when my dog was a puppy, about two months after we got her, I was so exhausted and overwhelmed that my husband came home from work one night and I announced that I was checking into the Ritz to sleep, and get away from the dog, because I couldn't take it any more.

We got over that hump, my dog settled into adulthood eventually, and she's now the light of my life and had been for many years.

You will get through this, and you aren't alone in feeling this way. Puppies are very hard.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2025 07:24     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
You will love your dog soon and not be able to imagine life without. After this stage!
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2025 07:10     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


Eventually kids can use the toilet and get their own drink of water.


The answer to dogs getting their own drink of water is right there.

(Kidding! We keep the lid down, I promise)
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 21:35     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


Haha- I thought infants were much less frustrating and easier than our puppy. Overall, I think kids are easier than dogs. Eventually kids can use the toilet and get their own drink of water. My dog is six and I'm never getting another dog again. This one has always had a lot of anxiety and it's stressful.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 21:27     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
The biting goes away around 6ish months when their baby teeth fall out. They calm down around a year or so. I will never get a puppy again though. Too much work. I'd be happy to get a 2-3 yr old from a breeder.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 18:17     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


Oh, it gets so much better! Eventually you have a calm, well trained adult dog and total amnesia about the puppyhood time, thinking they were so cute and you maybe want another one.

This is good for a laugh, though: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopzig/video/7071384848526609706?lang=en


Hah! OMFG, that's brilliant. It's exactly like that, innit?

They're worth it, OP. The puppy phase passes, just like the newborn phase. You'll forget all about it, even enough to get another puppy some day.

Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 17:51     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


The dog is ten times harder than my kid. Hang in there.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 16:48     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


Oh, it gets so much better! Eventually you have a calm, well trained adult dog and total amnesia about the puppyhood time, thinking they were so cute and you maybe want another one.

This is good for a laugh, though: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopzig/video/7071384848526609706?lang=en

So true about pulling out all the cleaning supplies
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 12:09     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Puppies are so cute but exhausting. It took us a year and a half to truly enjoy having a dog but yeah, it does get better!
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 12:00     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


Oh, it gets so much better! Eventually you have a calm, well trained adult dog and total amnesia about the puppyhood time, thinking they were so cute and you maybe want another one.

This is good for a laugh, though: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopzig/video/7071384848526609706?lang=en
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2025 11:25     Subject: Please tell me it gets better
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It gets so much better. I hear you, OP. I thought the puppy stage was much harder than even having newborns. At least babies don't destroy your house! Some things that helped me were puzzles/snuffle mats/ things that would keep a puppy engaged. Remember that a tired dog is a good dog. Getting puppy comfortable in the crate during the day will help a lot, too. We would feed whole meals out of puzzles rather than a dog bowl. The crazy stage passes, but it does take a while.


Thank you!!

I do not yet have children, but want to, and this had me questioning my ability as a parent as well, hah.


Crucial difference is that babies are born sedentary and without teeth. For sure babies are work but they aren't the same level of chaos as a puppy. If you're anywhere near Rockville, check out puppy parties at Your Dog's Friend, or really any of their classes.