Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 23:34     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
It’s been six years now - we had a Covid puppy. It was a great family bonding experience, but the first couple months were pretty hard. Unlike all of these people who used bells to train their dog to signal… we have a little dog (13 pounds) who trained us to take her out when she jumps up against the front or back doors. When we don’t respond fast enough, comes to one of us and jumps on us and tries to signal us to follow her. I think she may be a pretty smart dog. I should have trained her better, but least she is fully housebroken and a very good natured dog. We crate trained, but she gets free range most of the time now… and sleeps on our bed.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 18:37     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, and it was worse than a newborn.


I am expecting my first later this year, but have had two puppies. This encourages me! I remember being so depressed with both of them, feeling like my life was over.

It got so much easier once the dog could peacefully be in their crate. Prioritize crate training for sure.


You'll do great! I had raised 3 puppies before I had my kids (one set of twins) and people thought I was a pretty chill first time mom of newborns. It's not exactly the same (obviously! Before a hater jumps on me for drawing any kind of comparison) but I did feel a little more like, "aaand here we go again!" Knowing it was painful but temporary and I had kiinda done it before, I was at least going in with some training wheels on. I wasn't shook to my core about the sleep deprivation and lonely late nights up at 3am. At least I didn't have to put on snow boots and a down coat to stand on a Manhattan street corner waiting for a pee in 5 degree weather! Congrats mom, you got this!
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 18:28     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:Yes, but I don't work so I could spend all my time potty training and teaching manners for as long as necessary.

Our puppy was 11 weeks when we brought him home. He was leashed to me during the day so I could expedite potty training (observe his signs and rush outside) and in a small crate at night to prevent accidents, since they don't pee where they sleep. At first, I got up every few hours during the night for potty breaks - and in doing so, realized that bringing home a puppy in January during an Arctic Blast was a b a d i d e a ! Ha.

Potty training was quick and successful. He's a sled dog, and so leash manners, on the hand, have never stuck. He's 8 and still thinks he needs to pull us because we're on a sled...
I also foster puppies to place them for adoption and they've all potty trained and learned to be docile on leash rapidly. Apparently it's just my dog who has problems on leash.

If the puppy bites or does something they shouldn't, say NO! very loudly and disagreeably and withdraw your attention from them (turn your back, literally, after having removed whatever it is they're not supposed to interact with). They will get it. Spray bitter apple on furniture legs to prevent teething there. Cut nails to avoid gouge marks on your hardwoods if they want to dig.



I didn't do that and my dog stopped biting. I just gave him a toy to chew when he wanted me. And I didn't shout NO!
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 18:25     Subject: Re:Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, and I just posted in the forum about his ongoing biting and growling and if there are any methods I haven't tried to help with that! Spoiler alert: I've tried all the "gentle" methods for a month.

The problem is likely that you are trying 'all' of them instead of being consistent with one. Also, a month isn't enough time . Your puppy is a baby puppy, not a rebellious teenager or a smart allecky adult dog . Your other post gives it's current age as 12 weeks . If you are considering resorting to physical punishment for a 12 week old puppy, please reconsider and consult an actual expert, in person, and actually follow the advice that you are given. You sound like you may be in over your head.

This
Plus I don't know what kind of doodle you got, most of the ones I've met were not the sharpest tool in the box (read - takes longer to learn anything) and kinda neurotic; I wouldn't do any physical corrections on a nervous puppy, it's a recipe for disaster


You can review training videos from well-known trainers with decades of experience online. 90 percent recommend some sort of physical touch or at least holding their collars to stop rough biting. Then when they know what not to bite (skin), you present them with what they can bite (toys).

Not for a.12.week old puppy. Also, online videos are not sufficient. That poster needs actual help.
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 15:23     Subject: Re:Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, and I just posted in the forum about his ongoing biting and growling and if there are any methods I haven't tried to help with that! Spoiler alert: I've tried all the "gentle" methods for a month.

The problem is likely that you are trying 'all' of them instead of being consistent with one. Also, a month isn't enough time . Your puppy is a baby puppy, not a rebellious teenager or a smart allecky adult dog . Your other post gives it's current age as 12 weeks . If you are considering resorting to physical punishment for a 12 week old puppy, please reconsider and consult an actual expert, in person, and actually follow the advice that you are given. You sound like you may be in over your head.

This
Plus I don't know what kind of doodle you got, most of the ones I've met were not the sharpest tool in the box (read - takes longer to learn anything) and kinda neurotic; I wouldn't do any physical corrections on a nervous puppy, it's a recipe for disaster


You can review training videos from well-known trainers with decades of experience online. 90 percent recommend some sort of physical touch or at least holding their collars to stop rough biting. Then when they know what not to bite (skin), you present them with what they can bite (toys).
Anonymous
Post 04/07/2026 10:26     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:Yes, and it was worse than a newborn.


I am expecting my first later this year, but have had two puppies. This encourages me! I remember being so depressed with both of them, feeling like my life was over.

It got so much easier once the dog could peacefully be in their crate. Prioritize crate training for sure.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2026 22:43     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
We got a little Maltese puppy last year. It had been 20 years since I’d had a puppy. She’s been so sweet. No trauma like my rescues had. She just adores everyone and has never growled or bitten. I’m in awe of how she thinks everyone is wonderful and will love her too. (As opposed to dogs who have been beaten who dislike toddlers and strangers). Now that I see what it’s like raising a dog from a puppy, I don’t think I could ever do another rescue. I loved my last dog to pieces but man the anxiety and neurotic behavior got to me.

I know everyone says dogs chew, but I think that might be a big dog thing. My dog hasn’t chewed anything yet.

Walking a dog every hour was the worst part. She didn’t need tiring out and wasn’t insane energy either. Loves to play inside with her stuffies.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2026 22:27     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:My puppy was frighten of everything and wouldn’t eat and was very shy. He stayed in his playpen and didn’t want to come out. We ended up getting his brother 2 weeks later and he was much happier. I’ve had them for 2 years now.


Oh this is so sweet. How wonderful that hat you could take them both!
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2026 22:18     Subject: Re:Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes, and I just posted in the forum about his ongoing biting and growling and if there are any methods I haven't tried to help with that! Spoiler alert: I've tried all the "gentle" methods for a month.

The problem is likely that you are trying 'all' of them instead of being consistent with one. Also, a month isn't enough time . Your puppy is a baby puppy, not a rebellious teenager or a smart allecky adult dog . Your other post gives it's current age as 12 weeks . If you are considering resorting to physical punishment for a 12 week old puppy, please reconsider and consult an actual expert, in person, and actually follow the advice that you are given. You sound like you may be in over your head.

This
Plus I don't know what kind of doodle you got, most of the ones I've met were not the sharpest tool in the box (read - takes longer to learn anything) and kinda neurotic; I wouldn't do any physical corrections on a nervous puppy, it's a recipe for disaster
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2026 22:07     Subject: Re:Have you brought home a puppy?
Anonymous wrote:Yes, and I just posted in the forum about his ongoing biting and growling and if there are any methods I haven't tried to help with that! Spoiler alert: I've tried all the "gentle" methods for a month.

The problem is likely that you are trying 'all' of them instead of being consistent with one. Also, a month isn't enough time . Your puppy is a baby puppy, not a rebellious teenager or a smart allecky adult dog . Your other post gives it's current age as 12 weeks . If you are considering resorting to physical punishment for a 12 week old puppy, please reconsider and consult an actual expert, in person, and actually follow the advice that you are given. You sound like you may be in over your head.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2026 21:02     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
We just got our 5 month puppy last week. Never had pets before, and we were exhausted. Thanks for sharing the experience, it give me some hope.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2026 14:40     Subject: Re:Have you brought home a puppy?
Yes, and I just posted in the forum about his ongoing biting and growling and if there are any methods I haven't tried to help with that! Spoiler alert: I've tried all the "gentle" methods for a month.
Anonymous
Post 04/04/2026 20:47     Subject: Re:Have you brought home a puppy?
First puppy we brought home during the pandemic. It was hard even though everyone was home. But it was kind of like a newborn except they have a lot more energy and chew everything. But it brought with it so much joy and something really positive for everyone to focus on.

Fast forward to now. We just adopted a second puppy and the first thing we said was, “I guess we forgot how much work it was.”

But they learn and grow and it’s fine, you just have to be ready for some frustration and tons of patience, knowing that after a while they “get” things and it all becomes easier.

Do NOT get a puppy if you or the people in your house are particularly impatient or freak out with messes or a chewed shoe.

Anyway we love our dogs and to us it was worth it going through the puppy stage twice to have two amazing dogs that give us companionship and joy.
Anonymous
Post 04/03/2026 10:04     Subject: Have you brought home a puppy?
We've had a puppy for 10 weeks (she's 4.5 months now) and I think she's far easier than a baby. Maybe she's a good puppy, or my kids were just terrible newborns, but she sleeps well (in her crate) and is mostly housebroken (maybe one accident/week at this point). Key for my sanity was gating off a safe place for her to be when we can't have eyes on her. No shoes are safe in our house when she is out of her pen, but otherwise, she doesn't get into much trouble. She's also relatively happy for long stretches in her pen, so we can leave her alone for up to 4 hours before she needs a break. Between middle school aged kids and two adults, its been a pretty smooth transition.