This is such a great video and brought back to me how very difficult the first month or so of having a puppy was. I didn’t get my pup on a whim - I was really well prepared, her house training and general training was going really well, she was a great pup but I was still very depressed - can’t really explain it! Of course now I love her so much and can’t imagine life without her. Hang in there anyone who’s having a hard time
God this is me! I’m in it right now! We had had our GWP for a little over a week and I’m depressed fantasizing about giving her back to the breeder. I’m blown away I had no idea feel this way about getting a puppy! I have a two kids a year old and a 4 year old, and it is non stop! I’m on here looking for hope ❤
@@kadystaton1043I’m in the second week with my 12 week old Golden retriever Also feeling guilty for going as far as researching the process to rehome my pup It’s been a difficult and depressive experience for me
Honestly how come that this channel is not more popular?! I searched whole wide web for information on getting a dog from a shelter. I never had a dog in my life so I want to be really prepared. And your channel is so good and well informed. I've learned a lot from you. Sooo thanks for all those videos. Also you have amazing eyelashes - so jealous
You're a really good person with a dry sense of humor. I have depression as well and my life was saved by an old, lumpy, neglected family dog. I like the line "something that doesn't suck." Thanks for being "something that doesn't suck" in a world that kinda does.
I love you man. For the last few days I've been thinking I was going insane with my new puppy and I had a thought of returning him to the breeder. I searched for people sharing their stressful puppy stories to see if anyone was in the same boat. And I found your website. You helped me a lot to calm down and keep trying. I'm still having problems with my puppy but I'm hoping for the best. Thank you so much!
I gave my do to the humane society, he was adopted the next day. I was so stressed all the time, I felt like I was losing my mind. I lived with the guilt for over a year. I wish I would've seen these videos, before I gave him up. Now I see that I was not alone, in how I felt. Thank you!
It's nice to hear this from an experienced dog owner. The progress isn't linear, some days its two step forward, one step back. Other days its one step forward, two steps back honestly. When i was doin research prior to getting my puppy, only ONE video i saw mentioned the stress/puppy blues. Not enough people talk about this.🖤
You are so correct and so many trainers use dogs that are highly food motivated and known to be exceptionally intelligent. There is little on the internet about dogs who come late to socialization or are older and were not properly socialized and that is because it is challenging and would make trainers who are selling their programs look bad.
In the WTFWIT phase right now with a 4.5 mo. collie. She is doing very well overall, but the management of 2 dogs is often less than fun. I'm doing training, several pack walks every day, etc. I'm a bit depressed now, but my issue is more the tendon pain in both elbows from working with her so. I'm prone to tendon issues and they scare me!!
Just wanted to write a huge thank you for the great tips and honest transparency about the journey. First time puppy owner here and I had no idea how tough the adjustment would be. Your channel has truly been a god send, so just wanted to say thanks!
G'day from Australia. I love your videos and your dogs. Getting a puppy is a real learning curve. I got my first puppy, Max my German Shepherd, way back in 1991. I met Max's mom who was very friendly, but not Max's dad as he was at work as a security dog when I got Max. I set Max's bed up in the Laundry Room, so I could isolate him in this room at bedtime, what a huge mistake that was. By the third sleepless night, he was in my room and things were a lot better he slept through the night, knowing we were together. looking back now, even though Max has now passed away to old age. I would handle bathroom training a lot differently, so he didn't pee on my carpet. I would walk Max every day down the street and to some vacant land nearby where there was a nice dirt bike trail we could follow. I would take him off his lead so he could explore as we walked along and even as a puppy he would catch up with me. It was a long trail and eventually, he would lay down as it was too much for him. I would give him some water and Pick him up in my arms and carry him home. That is where our unbreakable bond was cemented. With his little, but big front paws on either side of my shoulders, I would talk to him in a soothing voice as I carried him home as he panted. From time to time I would look at him, he was so adorable, with his black and tan markings. I was amazed as he listened intently to me as if he was taking in every word I was saying to him. He would lick my face as I would gently rub his floppy ears that were starting to stand upright. It is little moments like this that make the challenging times, so rewarding. He had a thing for puddles too after it had been raining, barking at the water and jumping in it with his front paws as the water splashed him only to bark at it and repeat the process over and over. I made it my mission to socialize him with different people and dogs from a puppy and he went on to be a wonderful companion and a well balanced trained dog. Dogs are a lifetime investment. Max was extremely intelligent, as all German Shepherds are. I knew before getting him, he requires a lot of exercise and well as mental and physical stimulation. fetch the ball and or frisbee where his favorites. At home, I not afraid to admit it, I would pretend to be a dog, get down and bow like a dog and bark at him and then we would have a race who would reach the other first, he always won and we would play wrestle and Max would lay on his back and enjoy a good belly rub. His front paws would be slightly bent in a relaxed position as his belly was rubbed and one of his hind legs would move like he was trying to kick start and old fashion motorbike. All these moments of being with each other for 14 wonderful years far outweigh the puppy challenges we had in the beginning. Kong feeding toys did not exist in 1991, but I have two large ones now. I have retired from work and I have decided to get a rescue German shepherd from a shelter in 2020 once I return home from my USA vacation.
You rock. Thanks so much for admitting all of your problems to us. It makes everything way less scary for me. I already know i'm going to screw things up, it's just nice to know that it won't be because i'm a bad person, it'll just be because we're all normal.
it's because nearly all of us do NOT hire a competent trainer! Very few folks get a real trainer and the dog suffers. Baby-talk and pretending a dog is a person or toy is nonsense. It's a lower animal and closer to a fox,wolf,coyote than any other animal. Treat it like an animal... respect, correct handling, not making excuses and asking for qualified help. Training is what we do FOR a dog... not TO him.
I got your video on my feed providentially while struggling across the WTFDIGI phase. I very much appreciate to see the messy, frustrating, extenuating side of raising a puppy because it places everything into a new perspective and helps embrace the chaos and enjoy both the process and the canine partner you’ve just got.
“Why would you get such a difficult dog when you know you’re prone to depression? You’re not good enough for this dog.” HUGE OOF. The crazy thing is, I don't even think my puppy is an especially difficult puppy. He's not an EASY puppy -- my last two were easy -- but he seems to have a very standard suite of terrible puppy qualities. But...I have depression. And not just that, I have pretty severe sleeping issues even at the best of times, waking up dozens of times every night for no reason whatsoever. Add in puppy sleep-dep and I'm living an ugly recipe for things going nowhere good. He's only a little over nine weeks old. When I think about how long it could be before I get to rest again, the days ahead seem to do that telescoping cinematic effect, stretching and spiraling out infinitely. I'm struggling to see how I'm going to make it through the next week; the next month may as well be a fairy tale. It's hard not to despair. It's hard to imagine a day when he fits. I know one day I'll look back and feel so very glad that I stuck things out...but right now, especially pre-full-vaccination, the days feel impossibly long, the nights impossibly short, and the work impossibly difficult.
This video, along with the "How To Adopt" 3 part video series, is invaluable!!! These videos could literally reduce the amount of dogs at the shelter who are being given up and many euthanized, not to mention the rich and rewarding relationship that we can share with our dog for the rest of its life ♥️ Something that can hardly be replaced 🧑💓👧♥️🐶🦴 I'm just getting back into the dog training field and I look forward to watching more of, and recommending, your videos 😀 Thank you for being real, authentic, and easy to listen to. And for sharing your struggles with depression in the midst of puppy training. Very encouraging 🙂
THANK YOU for your transparency! I needed this. We are new puppy owners. We adopted a 7 week old Goldador 4 weeks ago and I feel like she's going to eat us alive and some days there is no light at the end of the tunnel. My life has been hijacked by a dog! But then we see how effective the early work we've put in is and we see hope. Thanks for this video!
I've been going insane questioning why in the hell I agreed to get this puppy. I am 44 and for 43 years I thought I was an animal lover. And to be fair to myself I do love cats a lot. And I love other people's puppies and dogs. This is giving me some hope that I might actually still be an animal lover even with respect to my own puppy.
Great tips. Here are some that worked for our toy breed companion purpose dog (not a working dog like a herding or guarding dog). After a month, we turned the corner on our four month old puppy. At first I was dismayed, thinking the pup just couldn't learn but then persistence with three minute training sessions every hour he was awake with lots of food rewards for every positive behavior we wanted, whether laying down ("good down" and treat) or doing command training, and tons of verbal praise and petting of his hind flanks and it eventually started coming together for him. Crate training made the biggest difference for our sanity and is so worth doing. You will hear protests but you can get through those with patience if you are able to let your pup know you are still around at first. I would just walk by without looking. Also tons of rewards for going outside worked great. Using the command "Potty" worked- there are a ton of videos about all this online- just do those and also learn dog body language so you can see signs of stress, etc. We also had zero tolerance of any biting. Would immediately say Ouch in a hurtful way and stop all play for around two minutes, repeat as needed and make a fist when playing with a pup- protects your fingers and they don't like it. He learned fast that any biting meany no play, no treats. Capturing is excellent for behavior training. You live with a treat bags around your waste for a couple of months and reward, reward, reward. Soon it is imprinted on their brain. I ignored negative behavior. Fed on a loose schedule with no food after 5 pm and bedtime at 9 pm. Always had water available and also set timers for pee and poop- AND always used the word Potty when going to and through the door we used to go do his business. Socialization- we also had the challenge of late arrival for socialization. We took it slow- no flooding through forcing interactions with anything or any other dogs. Drove to parks and just sat in the car watching people and other dogs come and go while feeding treats. I reserved half his daily food for high nutrition treats. Sometimes we did five minute sniffy walks. No leash training- just sniffy walks. After a couple weeks of listening to urban noises, seeing other people at closer and closer range, he became comfortable with sudden loud noises and a variety of people. Dogs when we were on a walk where a different matter- he was reactive, defense, growl and bark, not play bark even though he had a play buddy (relatives new puppy). I tackled that by feeding him treats as soon as I saw he saw another dog. After a solid two weeks of that several times a day, he now thinks seeing a dog is a happy thing and wants to meet or follow. I just repeat, repeat, repeat every training multiple times a day. Training is brain work and that is good for any dog.
I have been a dog groomer for 12 years and had 3 dogs as an adult. I felt like I failed all of them, especially the two I got as puppies. They were very difficult dogs their entire life. Reactive. Biting. One was aggressive. I made mistakes in their puppyhood before I became a groomer. After they passed from old age, it took me a year to get the courage to get another puppy. I had 12 years of knowledge now, but still that puppy phase is so important for the rest of their life I didn’t want to screw it up again. I finally got another puppy because the puppy fever was killing me. I named her Hope, because I had hope that I could try again and get the dog of my dreams. The first 3 days were awful. I definitely had the wtf did u do phase. I stayed consistent and now 8 days later she has learned SO FAST and has cut out many of the bad behaviors she was doing. She may develop new behaviors as she gets older but what you’re talking about needs to be talked about more!!!
I'm getting a Finnish Lapphund just before Christmas. This will help. I'm overwhelmed by the information (and should really be focusing on end of term tests and papers rather than puppy training videos) and keep forgetting how awesome dogs are and why I am getting one. Last time I had a puppy was in 2005 (time flies) so my mom did all the hard work.
This video is spot on! I decided to get another Golden (pictured) after a long time of not raising a puppy. I had forgotten just how taxing it can be both mentally and physically. But now, almost two years later, it's definitely been worth all of the early trying times. Now it's finally time that I can start repairing my window trim, door jams, etc. that were all chewed to pieces in spite of having numerous chew toys available. LOL
Watched this twice already as I brace myself for eventually adopting a high-drive dog. Might have a 7 month husky/shepard/lab mix rescue within the next week. thanks for sharing your journey. And as a fellow high functioning man with depression this hits close to home.
We have a husky/malamute shepherd/rottweiler, this is soooooo what we've been through. She's 14 weeks now, got her at 7 weeks. Hope your puppy plans worked out!
My son died everybody said get a dog now I’m like do they fkn hate me!!!??? Now on top of grief I have this 😭 frustration and I’m losing my fkn mind! You don’t know how much this was needed 🤗
I really really needed this! Thank you so much for being REAL!!! New and first time puppy owner and I am absolutely struggling!! I deal w depression and anxiety and having a new puppy has heightened this beyond!! She also has coccidia which we are currently treating and having to keep her isolated, is creating a whole new set of problems!! I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel! We have had her for almost 2 months now and I want to throw in the towel every single day! I keep going for my kids but at what point do I choose my mental health over a puppy?! 😢
Thank you so much for this video! I have an almost 4 month old puppy for about 3 weeks now and I am very much in the wtf did I just do phase right now. I also suffer from depressive episodes and I'm going through one now. I know things will get better and you sharing your story helps. Thank you!
@@bellanirk6659 Yes, so much better! He is now 2 years old and he is the best!!! I would say looking back that the turning point when things started to get better was when he was about 6 months old.
As someone who's currently considering a Malinois pup, it's been tough to find good information that covered not only the puppy's needs, but also the owner's mental health and adjustments. What a great video. Thanks!
Amazing video! Thanks for making it. You're awesome and the best part of this channel is that your videos are REAL. I feel much less alone in this dog adventure.
I really appreciate you showing a realistic view into your journey, not just the troubles you had with your puppy directly, but the struggles you went through personally. I am debating on getting a puppy from a breeder in a few months and I wanted a nitty gritty view into what the first few days, weeks, months are like but found a lot of “THEY’RE SO CUTE! SQUEEEEE!” and that wasn’t helpful. I’m definitely dog eating (hehe) your video so I can circle back to it if I do get a puppy.
This is great content which others on TH-cam neglect a bit. And it’s also probs 10 times harder- this wtf puppy phase for those in single dog home situations. They don’t have another dog to occupy the puppy. But hang in there it does get better.
It’s not the sprint it’s the marathon . I had a hell beast of a Rottweiler puppy 10 years ago.she wasn’t my first Rottie either. But this girl outsmarted me at every turn. she is now 10 and has been a great dog for most of that time. I do wish however, that I’d had your advice then..you’re doing a great service to dogs and their overwhelmed people. Thank you !
I went on Greenfield puppies and got an aussiedoodle for 195 and she has bad diarrhea and I have been worried pleqse make more videos this is so helpful
Thank you for sharing your experience. I needed to here this as we are going through the WTFWIT phase in just the first week. I have a lab/pit bull mix and he’s a little shark, but I’m keeping the faith.
This is REALLY helpful! I'm bookmarking it to watch again when I get my own puppy in a few years. Thanks for recording a few months of information for the rest of us to learn from.
This is the most real video I've seen. It's based on a longer period of time vs the 1 week people tell about. I'm getting a puppy in 2 weeks. And I know for sure that no matter how long I've been getting myself ready for this, I know that I'll never be ready for the sleepless nights. Can't wait to bring her home though!
Wow it's been years since I last saw you active on TH-cam!! Glad you're back and making more videos :) Did you name her after River Tam from Firefly? She's freaking adorable!!! I'm so sorry to hear about Jonas' passing :( Have a fantastic day!!!
Thank you so much for showing the realities and the not so glamorous side of bringing home a new dog. I appreciate your realness in general. So many of the videos I’ve watched show dogs that are so responsive, right away, with their training. I just brought home an 8 month old Corgi four days ago. I totally fell into the trap of thinking we were immediately going to be best buds. I’ve been anxious that he doesn’t like me. Your articles and this video really helped me chill out.
Thanks for making this video. You did a great job because sometimes I felt you were speaking directly to me and about me experiences with my new puppy. I hope I can get through this well, and I'm feeling more confident after watching this.
Very good video and I admire your effort logging your challenges. I have a 16 weeks old pup and definitely recognize many of the problems you were having. We recently did some IPO protection work with a very experienced decoy who was able to read the limits of the pup perfectly. She got to get really mad at the decoy but without going into overload and that was probably the best bonding experience we have had so far - it was amazing. These dogs are not ordinary family dogs. They have to experience what they were bred to do and they will excel at it even from an early age.
Thank you for this video. It gives me a better perspective. Great editing, material, information and encouragement. I needed this today. I’ve been crying hard! What tha heck was I thinking?! I’ve had such wonderful dogs in the past. This one is dealing me a time. I’m going to keep at it. Thank you so much!!!!
*What a brilliant video!* ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you so much for going to the trouble of documenting all of these minor and potentially major issues, with a view to helping your viewers avoid some of them, and take the others in their stride. I’m not a dog owner (as yet...) but I came to your channel because it’s obvious that you know what you’re talking about, and are very good at passing on your knowledge and experience very effectively and engagingly. You’ve helped me to make a much more informed decision about the practicalities of rehoming a dog. 🤝 *MUCH OBLIGED!* ✌️😎
So, you and your blog are my new heroes/favourite things/things that keep me sane when my new shelter dog drives me nuts. Make all the videos ever please. And write all the things. I don't know if you can tell, given my clearly wonderful English **TERRIBLE** but I'm also a writer and - though this is a wanky thing to say - your writing voice is hilarious and great. Just keep doing stuff. It's good. Yeah.
Thanks i never knewn there was such a thing as the regret part. i did however feel less than when i thought to myself about placing him w another owner.. . only seconds tho i felt if for 30 second a couple times. so thanks the video was spot on for my situation here. . . i bought puppy during my low grade depression and tried to play if off as ill be fine. he was fine sleeping the night in a box next to my bed. (2lbs) after the third night it was wimmpering and whing but i heard to disregard and they will get the idea. i had a create and a playpen. i used the playpen for sleeping but again the crying started. i gave in and ordered those steps for the older dogs or puppy to use and now he sleeps at the foot of the bed.(his choice) not near my belly area or my face but at the foot. i leave night light near his potty pads and he will use them - he trained himself after two nights to use this area. with only two mishaps. but i learned to limit his space and it will help and it did. it was a huge plus to see the cat and other dog in the video as failed to recognize its a process for them all. i love this time with him and know it waill change once he gets older. again i didnt realize what i was up against. but you video restored my hope. . great job. keep them coming your pup is beautiful
Oh God, I just saw this and it made me want another puppy. I don't have space, I don't have money and I don't have the mental energy for another puppy. I want another puppy. God damn it.
This is a fantastic video ! Thank you so much ! I'm planning on adopting a junior dog this year, and even though it wont be a puppy, this video explains soooo much
My family is in the "why the f did I do this" stage right now and watching your video helped us see that things will get better. We just have to do the work. Thank you!
Great video man, thanks. Long game is correct. I thought at around the 5 month mark I would definitely end up strangling my Vizsla pup. He’s my best mate now.
This video seriously got me in the feels! You hit on everything I am feeling, so I appreciate seeing and hearing about the magical other side. Thanks for sharing this, my mental health has also suffered and we are definitely in the "what was I thinking phase" but I just keep going, one day at a time.
Thank you so much for being real and sharing your experience. A friend sent me this video because I’ve been really struggling in the first 2 months with puppy. I could really relate to what you said around 24:00. Thank you 🙏🏽😊
Of course, breed choice makes a difference as well. A person who gets a Malinois or a Kelpie, or any o the intense working breeds HAS to know it'll be a different experience than raising, for instance, a Rough Collie or a Standard Poodle, both breeds which are made up of individuals who are usually 1000x easier to raise.
I can SO relate to the "What The **** Was I Thinking" phase! I adopted a 1 yr old...So, not an actual brand new puppy. And he came with dog reactivity and (fear related) people activity. The dog reactivity has been FAR more intense. And, although I worked my last dog through her dog reactivity, and everything turned out fine and dandy, I have been going INSANE with this new dog. Some of the biggest reasons: Because my normal routine is different, I have to be more alert and attentive again...I have depression (also) and anxiety. So, normally I need a nap during the day to recharge...Couldn't do that for the first 2 and 1/2 weeks AT ALL. And, with my anxiety and stuff, I startle very easily. And it'll be quiet for a while in the apt (no one walking down the hall, no dogs or people in the front yard out the balcony slider) and then, all of a sudden, the dog will freak out, barking. And it scares the sh** out of me. The loud noises stress me out. I actually had a full-blown anxiety attack a few afternoons ago. And the last "big" reason is his reactivity walking outside. He is a 45/55 pound dog, but he CAN pull! And his reactivity has actually made me afraid to go out for walks or take him outside to potty. I've been working on his reactivity with him, so mostly his reactivity toward dogs has lessened a little, but Yeah...These are the things that I've been experiencing. And it's all just to say, I validate you and you validated me. I just felt compelled to share. haha.
Thank u for Sharing! I had a struggle with our amstaffpuppy (7 years ago thou) and remember the pain 😂I also suffer from depression and I remember how it just became to much some days. But it worked out and today we have a great dog, but the work was hard until it paid off! I found your channel becouse I want to adopt a dog sometime soon, and you give very good information, so thanks from Sweden ! 👍👍
I really like the way you speak and how honest you are telling us your experiences! Tahnk you for another great video, your adopting a dog series is helping a lot in my choice of a rescue dog!
I am 17, I got a German Shepard mix from the shelter. He is so smart and so good. He does well at home but he growls and has really really bad fear aggression. I feel like I’m letting him down and not helping him. I don’t know how to help him
Such a helpful video :) I am getting a puppy in 3 weeks and I am rly excited about having a dog but I am really not looking forward to taking care of a puppy. I wanted to get an older dog but there werent a lot of them available so eventually when I found a puppy that seemed to fit me well, I settled. I guess it will be a teaching moment for me as well as the puppy, but I am still scared xD
love love love! I'm planning on getting a puppy in 2018, my first ever dog! and your articles and video have been incredible to look through and learn from! please keep it up! I love your nerdy take on dog care! :P thank you!!!!
This is a great video and to be completely honest it is refreshing to see the perspective of a young guy raising a puppy and offering very sound and practical guidance without the floofy cute cringey behavior of many female TH-cam dog channels.
I lived with a reactive dog for nearly 8 years until died within a few hours, miss her to death but not the reactivity..wish had seen this video before may have helped me help her. Sometimes a reative dog is just luck of the draw maybe from the breeding, yea was depressed also.
Lol it took maybe half an hour for my boy to settle in and start the trouble when we brought him home, but even then he wasn't a destructive dog(worst things he did were chew the leg of a stool and the corner of the counter, and both were easily fixed) he was 12 weeks when we brought him home and he is 16 months now and couldn't be a better dog for me! He's a boxer/amstaff/bloodhound/German Shepherd/sib husky who looks like a German Shepherd sib husky mix with floppy ears and a bit of extra loose skin around his neck, he's black with a white throat marking, chin and 2 white toe patches, and people think he is a lab lol
I'm just going to add, my buddy loves the vet, and while he fights like mad over a shaver, he apparently 'calmly sits and waits for shots' vets words not mine she's told me he is perfectly behaved when they need to do something and is trying to give kisses during shots
I NEED HELP !! My 4 month old female Boston Terrier has terrible Witching hour behavior almost every night. I have tried walking her 2 times a day once in the morning and once in the evening . I try to get her to nap in her crate during the day and once after dinner but nothing seems to help. She gets so wild , zoomies ( that doesn't bother me too much ) and biting and nipping ( that really bothers me) . She doesn't love going on neighborhood walks just yet and she can get VERY over excited by being in a setting with lots of stimulation...other dogs and unfamiliar surroundings. She loves people and during the day she is pretty much a good pup. Any suggestions would be appreciated. ! I give her chew toys, lick mat and sometimes that works but sometimes she's just unhinged. HELP !!! Should I try to play with her during that time , tug of war, chasing the flirt pole? I worry that doing those things will make her over stimulated and then she'll never calm down during the rest of the night.
Jake, you are THE BEST dog person on TH-cam by a country mile.
This is such a great video and brought back to me how very difficult the first month or so of having a puppy was. I didn’t get my pup on a whim - I was really well prepared, her house training and general training was going really well, she was a great pup but I was still very depressed - can’t really explain it! Of course now I love her so much and can’t imagine life without her. Hang in there anyone who’s having a hard time
God this is me! I’m in it right now! We had had our GWP for a little over a week and I’m depressed fantasizing about giving her back to the breeder. I’m blown away I had no idea feel this way about getting a puppy! I have a two kids a year old and a 4 year old, and it is non stop! I’m on here looking for hope ❤
@@kadystaton1043I’m in the second week with my 12 week old Golden retriever
Also feeling guilty for going as far as researching the process to rehome my pup
It’s been a difficult and depressive experience for me
Honestly how come that this channel is not more popular?! I searched whole wide web for information on getting a dog from a shelter. I never had a dog in my life so I want to be really prepared. And your channel is so good and well informed. I've learned a lot from you. Sooo thanks for all those videos. Also you have amazing eyelashes - so jealous
You're a really good person with a dry sense of humor. I have depression as well and my life was saved by an old, lumpy, neglected family dog. I like the line "something that doesn't suck." Thanks for being "something that doesn't suck" in a world that kinda does.
I love you man. For the last few days I've been thinking I was going insane with my new puppy and I had a thought of returning him to the breeder. I searched for people sharing their stressful puppy stories to see if anyone was in the same boat. And I found your website. You helped me a lot to calm down and keep trying. I'm still having problems with my puppy but I'm hoping for the best. Thank you so much!
Same here, I feel like he's the only one who talks about it. Definitely made me feel a little more normal :)
How is the experienced going/went for both of you guys? 😊 I am thinking of getting one and worries about this part 🙈.
@@lauragonz34 me right now I’m week 3 with mine
Me right now at week 3
@@bellanirk6659 You will be fine I promise! My pup is 3 now and I can't imagine living without him. Good luck!
I gave my do to the humane society, he was adopted the next day. I was so stressed all the time, I felt like I was losing my mind. I lived with the guilt for over a year. I wish I would've seen these videos, before I gave him up. Now I see that I was not alone, in how I felt. Thank you!
It's nice to hear this from an experienced dog owner. The progress isn't linear, some days its two step forward, one step back. Other days its one step forward, two steps back honestly. When i was doin research prior to getting my puppy, only ONE video i saw mentioned the stress/puppy blues. Not enough people talk about this.🖤
You are so correct and so many trainers use dogs that are highly food motivated and known to be exceptionally intelligent. There is little on the internet about dogs who come late to socialization or are older and were not properly socialized and that is because it is challenging and would make trainers who are selling their programs look bad.
In the WTFWIT phase right now with a 4.5 mo. collie. She is doing very well overall, but the management of 2 dogs is often less than fun. I'm doing training, several pack walks every day, etc. I'm a bit depressed now, but my issue is more the tendon pain in both elbows from working with her so. I'm prone to tendon issues and they scare me!!
Just wanted to write a huge thank you for the great tips and honest transparency about the journey. First time puppy owner here and I had no idea how tough the adjustment would be. Your channel has truly been a god send, so just wanted to say thanks!
G'day from Australia. I love your videos and your dogs. Getting a puppy is a real learning curve. I got my first puppy, Max my German Shepherd, way back in 1991.
I met Max's mom who was very friendly, but not Max's dad as he was at work as a security dog when I got Max. I set Max's bed up in the Laundry Room, so I could isolate him in this room at bedtime, what a huge mistake that was. By the third sleepless night, he was in my room and things were a lot better he slept through the night, knowing we were together. looking back now, even though Max has now passed away to old age. I would handle bathroom training a lot differently, so he didn't pee on my carpet.
I would walk Max every day down the street and to some vacant land nearby where there was a nice dirt bike trail we could follow. I would take him off his lead so he could explore as we walked along and even as a puppy he would catch up with me. It was a long trail and eventually, he would lay down as it was too much for him. I would give him some water and Pick him up in my arms and carry him home. That is where our unbreakable bond was cemented. With his little, but big front paws on either side of my shoulders, I would talk to him in a soothing voice as I carried him home as he panted. From time to time I would look at him, he was so adorable, with his black and tan markings. I was amazed as he listened intently to me as if he was taking in every word I was saying to him. He would lick my face as I would gently rub his floppy ears that were starting to stand upright.
It is little moments like this that make the challenging times, so rewarding. He had a thing for puddles too after it had been raining, barking at the water and jumping in it with his front paws as the water splashed him only to bark at it and repeat the process over and over. I made it my mission to socialize him with different people and dogs from a puppy and he went on to be a wonderful companion and a well balanced trained dog. Dogs are a lifetime investment. Max was extremely intelligent, as all German Shepherds are. I knew before getting him, he requires a lot of exercise and well as mental and physical stimulation. fetch the ball and or frisbee where his favorites.
At home, I not afraid to admit it, I would pretend to be a dog, get down and bow like a dog and bark at him and then we would have a race who would reach the other first, he always won and we would play wrestle and Max would lay on his back and enjoy a good belly rub. His front paws would be slightly bent in a relaxed position as his belly was rubbed and one of his hind legs would move like he was trying to kick start and old fashion motorbike. All these moments of being with each other for 14 wonderful years far outweigh the puppy challenges we had in the beginning.
Kong feeding toys did not exist in 1991, but I have two large ones now. I have retired from work and I have decided to get a rescue German shepherd from a shelter in 2020 once I return home from my USA vacation.
You rock.
Thanks so much for admitting all of your problems to us. It makes everything way less scary for me. I already know i'm going to screw things up, it's just nice to know that it won't be because i'm a bad person, it'll just be because we're all normal.
it's because nearly all of us do NOT hire a competent trainer! Very few folks get a real trainer and the dog suffers. Baby-talk and pretending a dog is a person or toy is nonsense. It's a lower animal and closer to a fox,wolf,coyote than any other animal. Treat it like an animal... respect, correct handling, not making excuses and asking for qualified help. Training is what we do FOR a dog... not TO him.
THANK YOU FOR BEING REAL ABOUT THIS PROCESS. OMG, YOU SAVED ME FROM THROWING IN MY TOWEL.🐶💙
I got your video on my feed providentially while struggling across the WTFDIGI phase. I very much appreciate to see the messy, frustrating, extenuating side of raising a puppy because it places everything into a new perspective and helps embrace the chaos and enjoy both the process and the canine partner you’ve just got.
Totally inspiring. Thanks for sharing... I'm glad to know that surviving the first couple of months is hard for everyone, not just me!
“Why would you get such a difficult dog when you know you’re prone to depression? You’re not good enough for this dog.” HUGE OOF.
The crazy thing is, I don't even think my puppy is an especially difficult puppy. He's not an EASY puppy -- my last two were easy -- but he seems to have a very standard suite of terrible puppy qualities. But...I have depression. And not just that, I have pretty severe sleeping issues even at the best of times, waking up dozens of times every night for no reason whatsoever. Add in puppy sleep-dep and I'm living an ugly recipe for things going nowhere good.
He's only a little over nine weeks old. When I think about how long it could be before I get to rest again, the days ahead seem to do that telescoping cinematic effect, stretching and spiraling out infinitely. I'm struggling to see how I'm going to make it through the next week; the next month may as well be a fairy tale. It's hard not to despair. It's hard to imagine a day when he fits. I know one day I'll look back and feel so very glad that I stuck things out...but right now, especially pre-full-vaccination, the days feel impossibly long, the nights impossibly short, and the work impossibly difficult.
You are a kick. I appreciate your wisdom, wit, and that you don’t speak in youtube cadence.
She’s the most gorgeous pup i think you have just got overwhelmed by it all and glad things have improved for you.
This video, along with the "How To Adopt" 3 part video series, is invaluable!!! These videos could literally reduce the amount of dogs at the shelter who are being given up and many euthanized, not to mention the rich and rewarding relationship that we can share with our dog for the rest of its life ♥️ Something that can hardly be replaced 🧑💓👧♥️🐶🦴
I'm just getting back into the dog training field and I look forward to watching more of, and recommending, your videos 😀
Thank you for being real, authentic, and easy to listen to. And for sharing your struggles with depression in the midst of puppy training. Very encouraging 🙂
THANK YOU for your transparency! I needed this. We are new puppy owners. We adopted a 7 week old Goldador 4 weeks ago and I feel like she's going to eat us alive and some days there is no light at the end of the tunnel. My life has been hijacked by a dog! But then we see how effective the early work we've put in is and we see hope. Thanks for this video!
I've been going insane questioning why in the hell I agreed to get this puppy. I am 44 and for 43 years I thought I was an animal lover. And to be fair to myself I do love cats a lot. And I love other people's puppies and dogs. This is giving me some hope that I might actually still be an animal lover even with respect to my own puppy.
Great tips. Here are some that worked for our toy breed companion purpose dog (not a working dog like a herding or guarding dog). After a month, we turned the corner on our four month old puppy. At first I was dismayed, thinking the pup just couldn't learn but then persistence with three minute training sessions every hour he was awake with lots of food rewards for every positive behavior we wanted, whether laying down ("good down" and treat) or doing command training, and tons of verbal praise and petting of his hind flanks and it eventually started coming together for him.
Crate training made the biggest difference for our sanity and is so worth doing. You will hear protests but you can get through those with patience if you are able to let your pup know you are still around at first. I would just walk by without looking. Also tons of rewards for going outside worked great. Using the command "Potty" worked- there are a ton of videos about all this online- just do those and also learn dog body language so you can see signs of stress, etc.
We also had zero tolerance of any biting. Would immediately say Ouch in a hurtful way and stop all play for around two minutes, repeat as needed and make a fist when playing with a pup- protects your fingers and they don't like it. He learned fast that any biting meany no play, no treats.
Capturing is excellent for behavior training. You live with a treat bags around your waste for a couple of months and reward, reward, reward. Soon it is imprinted on their brain. I ignored negative behavior. Fed on a loose schedule with no food after 5 pm and bedtime at 9 pm. Always had water available and also set timers for pee and poop- AND always used the word Potty when going to and through the door we used to go do his business.
Socialization- we also had the challenge of late arrival for socialization. We took it slow- no flooding through forcing interactions with anything or any other dogs. Drove to parks and just sat in the car watching people and other dogs come and go while feeding treats. I reserved half his daily food for high nutrition treats. Sometimes we did five minute sniffy walks. No leash training- just sniffy walks. After a couple weeks of listening to urban noises, seeing other people at closer and closer range, he became comfortable with sudden loud noises and a variety of people. Dogs when we were on a walk where a different matter- he was reactive, defense, growl and bark, not play bark even though he had a play buddy (relatives new puppy). I tackled that by feeding him treats as soon as I saw he saw another dog. After a solid two weeks of that several times a day, he now thinks seeing a dog is a happy thing and wants to meet or follow. I just repeat, repeat, repeat every training multiple times a day. Training is brain work and that is good for any dog.
I have been a dog groomer for 12 years and had 3 dogs as an adult. I felt like I failed all of them, especially the two I got as puppies. They were very difficult dogs their entire life. Reactive. Biting. One was aggressive. I made mistakes in their puppyhood before I became a groomer. After they passed from old age, it took me a year to get the courage to get another puppy. I had 12 years of knowledge now, but still that puppy phase is so important for the rest of their life I didn’t want to screw it up again.
I finally got another puppy because the puppy fever was killing me. I named her Hope, because I had hope that I could try again and get the dog of my dreams. The first 3 days were awful. I definitely had the wtf did u do phase. I stayed consistent and now 8 days later she has learned SO FAST and has cut out many of the bad behaviors she was doing. She may develop new behaviors as she gets older but what you’re talking about needs to be talked about more!!!
Thank you for this! It should be required viewing for anyone getting a new puppy or adopting a shelter/rescue dog!
I'm getting a Finnish Lapphund just before Christmas. This will help. I'm overwhelmed by the information (and should really be focusing on end of term tests and papers rather than puppy training videos) and keep forgetting how awesome dogs are and why I am getting one. Last time I had a puppy was in 2005 (time flies) so my mom did all the hard work.
Loved the Firefly joke. Sad smile.
This video is spot on! I decided to get another Golden (pictured) after a long time of not raising a puppy. I had forgotten just how taxing it can be both mentally and physically. But now, almost two years later, it's definitely been worth all of the early trying times. Now it's finally time that I can start repairing my window trim, door jams, etc. that were all chewed to pieces in spite of having numerous chew toys available. LOL
Watched this twice already as I brace myself for eventually adopting a high-drive dog. Might have a 7 month husky/shepard/lab mix rescue within the next week. thanks for sharing your journey. And as a fellow high functioning man with depression this hits close to home.
We have a husky/malamute shepherd/rottweiler, this is soooooo what we've been through. She's 14 weeks now, got her at 7 weeks. Hope your puppy plans worked out!
Did u do it?
My son died everybody said get a dog now I’m like do they fkn hate me!!!??? Now on top of grief I have this 😭 frustration and I’m losing my fkn mind! You don’t know how much this was needed 🤗
I really really needed this! Thank you so much for being REAL!!! New and first time puppy owner and I am absolutely struggling!! I deal w depression and anxiety and having a new puppy has heightened this beyond!! She also has coccidia which we are currently treating and having to keep her isolated, is creating a whole new set of problems!! I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel! We have had her for almost 2 months now and I want to throw in the towel every single day! I keep going for my kids but at what point do I choose my mental health over a puppy?! 😢
Thank you so much for this video! I have an almost 4 month old puppy for about 3 weeks now and I am very much in the wtf did I just do phase right now. I also suffer from depressive episodes and I'm going through one now. I know things will get better and you sharing your story helps. Thank you!
Hey I’m at week 3 with a my puppy. Did it get better for you?
@@bellanirk6659 Yes, so much better! He is now 2 years old and he is the best!!! I would say looking back that the turning point when things started to get better was when he was about 6 months old.
I’m still working on fear issues. Thanks for the encouragement.
As someone who's currently considering a Malinois pup, it's been tough to find good information that covered not only the puppy's needs, but also the owner's mental health and adjustments. What a great video. Thanks!
dont do it!
I know but she's so adorable and smart and so worth it. My heart melts every time she sits and says please.
Wow thanks for this video. I have a GSP puppy and it's driving us crazy. Thanks for sharing your journey, it feels so reassuring and positive!
Amazing video! Thanks for making it. You're awesome and the best part of this channel is that your videos are REAL. I feel much less alone in this dog adventure.
I really appreciate you showing a realistic view into your journey, not just the troubles you had with your puppy directly, but the struggles you went through personally. I am debating on getting a puppy from a breeder in a few months and I wanted a nitty gritty view into what the first few days, weeks, months are like but found a lot of “THEY’RE SO CUTE! SQUEEEEE!” and that wasn’t helpful. I’m definitely dog eating (hehe) your video so I can circle back to it if I do get a puppy.
I am literally crying at the end of your video. This video deserves 100 times more like.
This is great content which others on TH-cam neglect a bit. And it’s also probs 10 times harder- this wtf puppy phase for those in single dog home situations. They don’t have another dog to occupy the puppy. But hang in there it does get better.
I got two 7week old pug puppy’s and It’s been really hard
It’s not the sprint it’s the marathon . I had a hell beast of a Rottweiler puppy 10 years ago.she wasn’t my first Rottie either. But this girl outsmarted me at every turn. she is now 10 and has been a great dog for most of that time. I do wish however, that I’d had your advice then..you’re doing a great service to dogs and their overwhelmed people. Thank you !
I have depression and have been afraid to have a dog. You are an encouragement.
I went on Greenfield puppies and got an aussiedoodle for 195 and she has bad diarrhea and I have been worried pleqse make more videos this is so helpful
Thank you. Simple as that but I mean it so much.
Bro,
nice stuff!
please dont stop. Contiune making those videos we are all looking for !
Thank you for sharing your experience. I needed to here this as we are going through the WTFWIT phase in just the first week. I have a lab/pit bull mix and he’s a little shark, but I’m keeping the faith.
Well done to you dude they are a very high maintenance dog regard training and the like, it takes a special dedication
Man oh man !!! I SOOOOOO needed to find your videos !
This is REALLY helpful! I'm bookmarking it to watch again when I get my own puppy in a few years. Thanks for recording a few months of information for the rest of us to learn from.
This is the most real video I've seen. It's based on a longer period of time vs the 1 week people tell about. I'm getting a puppy in 2 weeks. And I know for sure that no matter how long I've been getting myself ready for this, I know that I'll never be ready for the sleepless nights. Can't wait to bring her home though!
Wow it's been years since I last saw you active on TH-cam!! Glad you're back and making more videos :) Did you name her after River Tam from Firefly? She's freaking adorable!!! I'm so sorry to hear about Jonas' passing :( Have a fantastic day!!!
Thank you so much for showing the realities and the not so glamorous side of bringing home a new dog. I appreciate your realness in general. So many of the videos I’ve watched show dogs that are so responsive, right away, with their training. I just brought home an 8 month old Corgi four days ago. I totally fell into the trap of thinking we were immediately going to be best buds. I’ve been anxious that he doesn’t like me. Your articles and this video really helped me chill out.
Thanks for making this video. You did a great job because sometimes I felt you were speaking directly to me and about me experiences with my new puppy. I hope I can get through this well, and I'm feeling more confident after watching this.
Very helpful videos. Thank you. I’m glad your work is available years after first posted.
Very good video and I admire your effort logging your challenges. I have a 16 weeks old pup and definitely recognize many of the problems you were having. We recently did some IPO protection work with a very experienced decoy who was able to read the limits of the pup perfectly. She got to get really mad at the decoy but without going into overload and that was probably the best bonding experience we have had so far - it was amazing. These dogs are not ordinary family dogs. They have to experience what they were bred to do and they will excel at it even from an early age.
Thank you for this video. It gives me a better perspective. Great editing, material, information and encouragement. I needed this today. I’ve been crying hard! What tha heck was I thinking?! I’ve had such wonderful dogs in the past. This one is dealing me a time. I’m going to keep at it. Thank you so much!!!!
*What a brilliant video!* ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you so much for going to the trouble of documenting all of these minor and potentially major issues, with a view to helping your viewers avoid some of them, and take the others in their stride. I’m not a dog owner (as yet...) but I came to your channel because it’s obvious that you know what you’re talking about, and are very good at passing on your knowledge and experience very effectively and engagingly. You’ve helped me to make a much more informed decision about the practicalities of rehoming a dog. 🤝 *MUCH OBLIGED!* ✌️😎
This is a fabulous video. Thanks for a realistic view of training of a adopted young dog. Everyone adopting should be required to watch it.
Excellent video! Bravo! You're a terrific pet owner. Such patience & love.
Thank you for your honest pure video
So, you and your blog are my new heroes/favourite things/things that keep me sane when my new shelter dog drives me nuts. Make all the videos ever please. And write all the things. I don't know if you can tell, given my clearly wonderful English **TERRIBLE** but I'm also a writer and - though this is a wanky thing to say - your writing voice is hilarious and great.
Just keep doing stuff. It's good. Yeah.
Thanks
i never knewn there was such a thing as the regret part. i did however feel less than when i thought to myself about placing him w another owner.. . only seconds tho
i felt if for 30 second a couple times. so thanks the video was spot on for my situation here. . .
i bought puppy during my low grade depression and tried to play if off as ill be fine.
he was fine sleeping the night in a box next to my bed. (2lbs) after the third night it was wimmpering and whing but i heard to disregard and they will get the idea. i had a create and a playpen. i used the playpen for sleeping but again the crying started. i gave in and ordered those steps for the older dogs or puppy to use and now he sleeps at the foot of the bed.(his choice) not near my belly area or my face but at the foot. i leave night light near his potty pads and he will use them - he trained himself after two nights to use this area. with only two mishaps. but i learned to limit his space and it will help and it did. it was a huge plus to see the cat and other dog in the video as failed to recognize its a process for them all.
i love this time with him and know it waill change once he gets older. again i didnt realize what i was up against. but you video restored my hope. .
great job.
keep them coming
your pup is beautiful
Oh God, I just saw this and it made me want another puppy. I don't have space, I don't have money and I don't have the mental energy for another puppy. I want another puppy. God damn it.
But this video is beautifully real and I love how the ugly is wonderfully presented as well as the baby steps, and then strides forward :))
This is a fantastic video ! Thank you so much ! I'm planning on adopting a junior dog this year, and even though it wont be a puppy, this video explains soooo much
please dont do it!
My family is in the "why the f did I do this" stage right now and watching your video helped us see that things will get better. We just have to do the work. Thank you!
Great video man, thanks. Long game is correct. I thought at around the 5 month mark I would definitely end up strangling my Vizsla pup. He’s my best mate now.
This is So Great ! Thank You
Forgot to say LOVE LOVE LOVE The best training puppy i have ever seen . BRAVO
This is very helpful for people like me Thank you for sharing
This video seriously got me in the feels! You hit on everything I am feeling, so I appreciate seeing and hearing about the magical other side. Thanks for sharing this, my mental health has also suffered and we are definitely in the "what was I thinking phase" but I just keep going, one day at a time.
Great video. So much to learn!! Having my afghan hound puppy in June. Looking forward to it!!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for being real and sharing your experience. A friend sent me this video because I’ve been really struggling in the first 2 months with puppy. I could really relate to what you said around 24:00. Thank you 🙏🏽😊
Idk how many times I’ve watched this video. LOVE IT!! River is amazing. Happy it all turned out well for you! xx from Sweden
Yup! Thanks for making this video 😊
Of course, breed choice makes a difference as well. A person who gets a Malinois or a Kelpie, or any o the intense working breeds HAS to know it'll be a different experience than raising, for instance, a Rough Collie or a Standard Poodle, both breeds which are made up of individuals who are usually 1000x easier to raise.
Thank you for showing us your training with your puppy. Very helpful
I can SO relate to the "What The **** Was I Thinking" phase! I adopted a 1 yr old...So, not an actual brand new puppy. And he came with dog reactivity and (fear related) people activity. The dog reactivity has been FAR more intense. And, although I worked my last dog through her dog reactivity, and everything turned out fine and dandy, I have been going INSANE with this new dog.
Some of the biggest reasons: Because my normal routine is different, I have to be more alert and attentive again...I have depression (also) and anxiety. So, normally I need a nap during the day to recharge...Couldn't do that for the first 2 and 1/2 weeks AT ALL.
And, with my anxiety and stuff, I startle very easily. And it'll be quiet for a while in the apt (no one walking down the hall, no dogs or people in the front yard out the balcony slider) and then, all of a sudden, the dog will freak out, barking. And it scares the sh** out of me. The loud noises stress me out. I actually had a full-blown anxiety attack a few afternoons ago.
And the last "big" reason is his reactivity walking outside. He is a 45/55 pound dog, but he CAN pull! And his reactivity has actually made me afraid to go out for walks or take him outside to potty. I've been working on his reactivity with him, so mostly his reactivity toward dogs has lessened a little, but Yeah...These are the things that I've been experiencing. And it's all just to say, I validate you and you validated me. I just felt compelled to share. haha.
Thank u for Sharing! I had a struggle with our amstaffpuppy (7 years ago thou) and remember the pain 😂I also suffer from depression and I remember how it just became to much some days. But it worked out and today we have a great dog, but the work was hard until it paid off! I found your channel becouse I want to adopt a dog sometime soon, and you give very good information, so thanks from Sweden ! 👍👍
Thank you so much, this video made me feel so much better!!!! ❤️
I really like the way you speak and how honest you are telling us your experiences! Tahnk you for another great video, your adopting a dog series is helping a lot in my choice of a rescue dog!
What an amazing video. This is the most honest and thoughtful video about puppy raising I have ever seen. Thank you so much. Well done dude! :)
Your puppy is very lucky to have you :)
I am 17, I got a German Shepard mix from the shelter. He is so smart and so good. He does well at home but he growls and has really really bad fear aggression. I feel like I’m letting him down and not helping him. I don’t know how to help him
Such a helpful video :) I am getting a puppy in 3 weeks and I am rly excited about having a dog but I am really not looking forward to taking care of a puppy. I wanted to get an older dog but there werent a lot of them available so eventually when I found a puppy that seemed to fit me well, I settled. I guess it will be a teaching moment for me as well as the puppy, but I am still scared xD
My question with "look at that," doesn't it train her to stop what she's doing and look at things instead of ignoring them?
love love love! I'm planning on getting a puppy in 2018, my first ever dog! and your articles and video have been incredible to look through and learn from! please keep it up! I love your nerdy take on dog care! :P thank you!!!!
What a great honest video. Your inspirational. Hats off to you my friend. And your puppy is gorgeous 👌
Just happened upon the videos. Great tips , Very informative! Great job👍
Absolutely phenomenal video. So much good information. Absolutely love your channel
Your video saved me man
This is a great video and to be completely honest it is refreshing to see the perspective of a young guy raising a puppy and offering very sound and practical guidance without the floofy cute cringey behavior of many female TH-cam dog channels.
Thanks so much for your candor, great advice and encouragement. Really enjoyed!
Would it have made it any easier getting her at a younger age? If so what differences would it have made?
I lived with a reactive dog for nearly 8 years until died within a few hours, miss her to death but not the reactivity..wish had seen this video before may have helped me help her. Sometimes a reative dog is just luck of the draw maybe from the breeding, yea was depressed also.
shes so cute
Awesome, great work.looking forward too seeing more.
you're so fucking awesome man! I love your page, my puppy is going to grow up being a model dog citizen thanks to you :)
Lol it took maybe half an hour for my boy to settle in and start the trouble when we brought him home, but even then he wasn't a destructive dog(worst things he did were chew the leg of a stool and the corner of the counter, and both were easily fixed) he was 12 weeks when we brought him home and he is 16 months now and couldn't be a better dog for me! He's a boxer/amstaff/bloodhound/German Shepherd/sib husky who looks like a German Shepherd sib husky mix with floppy ears and a bit of extra loose skin around his neck, he's black with a white throat marking, chin and 2 white toe patches, and people think he is a lab lol
I'm just going to add, my buddy loves the vet, and while he fights like mad over a shaver, he apparently 'calmly sits and waits for shots' vets words not mine she's told me he is perfectly behaved when they need to do something and is trying to give kisses during shots
I NEED HELP !! My 4 month old female Boston Terrier has terrible Witching hour behavior almost every night. I have tried walking her 2 times a day once in the morning and once in the evening . I try to get her to nap in her crate during the day and once after dinner but nothing seems to help. She gets so wild , zoomies ( that doesn't bother me too much ) and biting and nipping ( that really bothers me) . She doesn't love going on neighborhood walks just yet and she can get VERY over excited by being in a setting with lots of stimulation...other dogs and unfamiliar surroundings. She loves people and during the day she is pretty much a good pup. Any suggestions would be appreciated. ! I give her chew toys, lick mat and sometimes that works but sometimes she's just unhinged. HELP !!! Should I try to play with her during that time , tug of war, chasing the flirt pole? I worry that doing those things will make her over stimulated and then she'll never calm down during the rest of the night.
Welcome to parenthood, best job ever , don’t worry too much, you get the dog you need , not the one you want;)