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Post Puppy Depression!
I’d always seen myself as “cat person”; you know, when people ask ‘are you a dog or a cat person’? That was until we got a dog – then I was smitten. But having a puppy, well, that’s a whole new ball game.
I’d found a breeder and as if the planets had aligned she’d said there would be a pup just for us. I spent 8 weeks preparing for “Ted’s” arrival. But as we drove to pick him up a surge of panic hit me. Ted would be my 4th dog but it was decades since I’d had a puppy. Reliably I’m told that it’s just like having a baby, you FORGET the pain! Within weeks ‘post puppy depression’ had crept up on me. What had I done?
Hello ‘Puppy Blues’ …
Anxiety – constantly! Was I doing it right? Was he ok? Were my other dogs ok with this ‘interloper’?
Overwhelmed by the tasks ahead – toilet training, recall training, socialisation.
Sleep deprivation & insomnia; night after night – my precious fur ball was turning me into a zombie.
Loss of freedom – he cries when I leave him so I haven’t been shopping for a week and my social life has dried up!
Everybody has advice and opinions – I’m confused and conflicted.
Am I’m starting to resent my precious fur ball?
At one point I confess I even thought ‘I can’t do this; Ted will have to go back’.
Puppies are testing; they are hard work. It’s the reason so many find themselves in rehoming shelters. I was so worried about getting it right, I got some of it wrong – you know, the bit about allowing myself (a bit) of me-time and some sleep! But it does get better, of course it does; they grow up and they learn the ropes.
My advice?
Don’t take on advice from too many sources. Google is wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
Find yourself a great trainer. They’ll be a wealth of knowledge with endless ideas to overcome hurdles. Our trainer mopped up many of my tears and helped us gain confidence and a routine.
Set realistic goals. Focus on all the great stuff you have achieved with your pup and make each little milestone a celebration. (I have a sneaky air punch when Ted wakes for the toilet and it’s light outside.)
As I type this my two rescue dogs and the pup are snoozing peacefully together, hurrah! Perhaps ‘post puppy depression’ is becoming doggie-topia?!
Charlie Knight
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