Puppy Blues: Coping With Overwhelm, Anxiety And Regret About Puppies
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- If you are feeling overwhelmed with your puppy, you are not alone. Puppy Blues is a real thing! It’s anxiety; it’s depression, it’s overwhelm, it’s sadness, it’s regret that you have a puppy. My approach to puppy overwhelm is very much taken from my approach to competing at a world championship, and I believe it’s this approach that saves me when things might seem too much.
If you have a puppy, we have a playlist for puppy essentials to help you with the first few days, weeks and months - htps:// • Puppy Essentials with ...
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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If you have a puppy, we have a playlist with the essentials to help you with the first few days, weeks and months - htps://th-cam.com/play/PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5.html
I was recovering from chronic mental health issues esp anxiety with OCD, had just moved house and everything still in boxes, and was on my own with an 8 week old puppy having only ever had adult rescues before with no clue what I was doing. (Thank God I was off work!). It was beyond puppy blues, I had a full mental health relapse and was struggling to cope on a daily basis for the first 4 weeks, especially with the biting and the sleep issues. Many people just didn't get it at all and very few offered to help. The anxiety is starting to improve now and we are settling into a routine and training is going well. This podcast helped so much because it usually makes me laugh out loud, so thank you!
There is little doubt it wasn't the best start to my boy either, but as you say, all I can do is do what I can today and learn.
How are you doing now mentally, and physically with your puppy?
Absolutely spot on! My pup is 8 months old now, but there were some tough times earlier on when I felt like everything was so out of control and I was exhausted from lack of sleep. I felt like I was letting my puppy down and failing her as well as neglecting the needs of my older dog. Luckily I found Susan Garret, learned to focus on the now - the puppy in front of me, and realised I didn't have to teach everything right away. I joined Home School the Dog which gave me clear direction and binge watched the podcasts. I'm so proud of where my puppy is at now, she's a real joy!
I got it when my boy was a puppy. It gets soo much better, now i can’t imagine live without him❤❤
I used to Be very much living in the now, learned how not to worry about the future or past. I had some depression for couple of years before that. I dreamt of a Puppy and obsessed about having a puppy and now that I have one I feel horrible. Extremely stressed, that I am doing stuff wrong even though I listened to Susan's advice for months to prepare. And I just want to cry all the time even though that puppy is quite well behaved. I started with worries about her health and now that she is starting to Be very noughty with biting and whailing I worry that it is my fault and that I will not Be able to cope. I thought This will bring me happiness not sadness and anger. 😭
Hi! Remember, you're doing the best you can with what you know, and you seem to have a pretty normal puppy with normal challenges. Even puppy blues is a normal thing 💙
Just keep following Susan's philosophy, focus on small steps towards what you want, and also remember that progress is not linear, you can totally do this! ❤️
You've probably already seen the videos, but just in case, here's our Puppy Biting playlist for you: th-cam.com/video/6WpFeiJUxTQ/w-d-xo.html&pp=gAQBiAQB
I’m in the EXACT same boat. My puppy has been home for one whole day and I’ve had many calls with my parents - some coming to the conclusion that I might be better off giving him back to the breeder. I did an incredible amount of research and had a lot of training planned and it all flew out the window because he’s not interested in treats yet (I don’t think he can even see them with his 8 week old eyesight). So I’m sitting here with a crying dog feeling awful about taking him away from his family and litter even though it’s something I’ve dreamt about my entire life (getting a puppy not taking him away from his family). Anyways I’ve put the training on hold and focusing on getting him settled I think we need to bond a bit more before we do more training but even so - I lived alone and have for a long time and really enjoyed it. I thought having a puppy would be great to grow together with and bring me out of my shell but it just feels like I’m losing everything about my previous life and I can’t do anything about it (at least until he’s older and trained). The thought of being in this agonizing depression and anxiety every time he wakes up from a nap multiple times a day for months scares the hell out of me.
Yes great podcast, I did go through some puppy blues until I realized I had to deal with the present...ie my boy was a poop eater and fretted over this thinking I had done something wrong with early training until Susan coaches help me by dealing with the present which meant first management then intro games like IYC and others that changed what he had value for....which was me! So gratefull for the help and directions from Susan's coaches
Thank you, Johnny, we love to read this! 💕💕💕💕💕
Going through this atm as I have a pup who hasn't taken to alone time yet. 15 more days before I go to work to help him learn how to be safe alone. I did 1 week of sleeping on the bed as that's just how most of my dogs have been but will be starting square 1 with a crate and then a pen during the day.
Thanks Susan, on day 2 - I needed this 😢
I wish I had this before a puppy arrived but lucky for me I found your podcast and then your TH-cam and joined Home School, and next Wag Nation and then Recallers and next year am going to join your agility programs as it looks so fun and I know with you we learn properly and have success. Can not thank you enough for appearing when we needed it most.
Wow Susan, this helped me so much today. I experienced puppy blues this week and this video changed how I see myself and my puppy. Thank you for this powerful pearl of wisdom.
"What is the one thing I can do to bring my puppy (dog) joy?" What a great question! I want to ask myself every morning and night. And when I get overwhelmed, I know where to come. :)
This is a good video she is very kind to do this. Thankyou many blessings
I just got my 11 week old puppy 4 days ago, and I’m struggling physically. I’ve felt sick the entire time and I’m currently writing this in tears. I’ve been working with her every day trying to teach her things, and her wins bring me so much joy, but I’m having sever regret. I know it will pass, but I already have it in my head that if in 2 weeks if I don’t stop feeling sick, I’ll rehome her. That makes me feel even worse. I already struggle with anxiety and depression but I feel like I’m breaking myself.
She chose me as her person, so wherever I go, she’s right there. I’ll get my bf to take her in another room with her when he gets home from work to get her used to him, but as soon as she sees me, she whines. 😫
Oh god the exact same is happening to me. The struggle is real, I feel like I can't live anymore, I have 0 energy, no sleep, no motivation to teach her becauae I am so tired. How is it going now for you?
Also I am curious on how you are doing 2 months later
@@calebscott7994 I know you asked the Op, but if you are interested in my update since I went though the same: don't give up, it's like day and night. I am actually enjoying my puppy now. It has been tough and there have been a lot of frustrating days, but there is new progress each week and the puppy blues is slowly dissapeating. Once you start to work on a routine the anxiety slowly goes away. Feel free to ask if you have any questions 😊
@@zi6803 thank you so much. I’m a college student living in the dorms and it’s extremely hard to do, especially when I have literally everything else going on. I’ve given up on working because I can’t leave my little Doug alone for hours on end
@@calebscott7994 I feel you. My life revolves around the puppy and work and pretty much nothing else. It can be overwhelming, but now I don't experience the panic and anxiety as I did the first month and a half. The thing is - invest into training a lot of time now, so that you will have an easier time later on. However also be aware that things will not be fun from the start, like taking the puppy to a dog friendly cafe or restaurant will be stressful at start, but later on it will be much easier. I had a very demanding puppy, she was pissing and shitting everywhere, refusing to eat, barking like crazy, afraid of her own shadow, afraid of the outside world, afraid of people, health issues like bloody diarrhea and so on. Now every issue is fixed to around 80%, and my stress levels are much better lol
This made me feel so much better. I love my lil puppy :')
Sleep deprivation is horrible. People saying “ I told you so” isn’t helping. In my case this puppy has on and diarrhea issues since 8 weeks, shes 19 weeks now. My sadness/anxiety probably is making her worse. The guilt , the exhaustion. I dont want people looking at me like im a bad person. But I have full regret
@romeo7smith463 all those things can be hard for sure, hang in there 💙
Did your vet run a fecal test? She might have something like Giardia. Very common intestinal parasites in a naive puppy immune system can cause diarrhea. That would for sure make everything much worse for you to cope with.
Me and my family are with puppy blues…me its becouse i cant sleep i feel exausted for clean pee, i close my eyes i only see pee! Then i think she’s never gonna learn to poppy outside …
She is with me at 10 days and my daugther think that she never gonna have a life…can travel…i just dont know i have this fellings, its so sad
Going through this now,it was a long hard consideration to get a puppy,one of my dogs isn’t very other dog friendly,due to being attacked when younger,I’ve worked so hard with him,and he’s heaps better,after some I’m scared of that running yappy little thing,he’s actually played with him,after 6 weeks,then we’ve had major set back,he pinned him to the floor and scared him,it wasn’t just a telling off,and it happened as I’d turned away,puppy wasnt doing mad crazy bouncing or anything,so no idea why it happened,pup has been up to him in controlled way,rolled on his back,been ignored,but I’m thinking what if it happens again? Are we the right people(I’ve had puppy breed since the 80s,swapped to cockers,got chance of my heart breed again)now I’m just was it the right choice? Should we return him to the breeder ,who will find him better people? 😢
Hi Lynn, have you seen Susan's episode on introducing a new dog or puppy? It's full or help for you: th-cam.com/video/XO41pfU_Us8/w-d-xo.html
1st day of having husky puppy,age 2 months old, damm it’s hard , it doesn’t listen 😢.
Hey everyone. I need some help...
I love dogs and always dreamed of having one.
I got this beautiful 4M old Labrador and let me tell you guys something. It’s been an absolute hell. Don’t get me wrong, I like the dog. But it’s been a real challenge.
I never expected that owning a dog was going to be this time consuming. I can’t find time for myself even if I tried and because of that, I’m beginning to develop panic attacks…
I feel like the worst person in the world, but I’m thinking of giving my dog away.
If I’m being totally honest here, because of all the stress and the panic attacks, I’m beginning to dislike the dog. I truly don’t know what to do and need some guidance.
My goal here is to give this dog the life that she deserves. So please, help me.
Hi Bruno, we're sending big hugs. Please, give yourself grace, you're also doing the best you can, just like dogs. A good place to get started is our Puppy Essentials playlist: th-cam.com/video/rUIX5qW85tU/w-d-xo.html&pp=gAQBiAQB
Please, give the training a try and let us know how you and your beautiful pup are doing with it. If you're interested in joining one of Susan's classes, there's also a Valentine week special open just until tonight, it's a great opportunity to get started with Susan's training: dogsthat.com/y/love-wn/
That helps , not necessarily just for pups , but anxiety for what ifs. Adult what ifs for my wonderful bff 👍❤️🐾🫶