What is a puppy blues?

'Puppy blues' is a term used to describe the negative experiences and feelings that some people experience after bringing home a puppy. After the immediate euphoria of the fluffy bundle of fun wears off, many puppy owners (and particularly first-time dog owners) are left feeling overwhelmed and without support.

How long does puppy blues last?

A: Puppy blues don't have a timeline. They can last for days, weeks, or even months and you might even experience them every time you introduce a new dog to your household. For many people, the feelings of puppy depression resolve once you settle into a routine and your puppy has made progress with basic training.

Why am I sad after getting a puppy?

You place a tremendous amount of pressure on yourself to raise your puppy well and give it the best possible start to life, and this pressure and level of expectations for our pup, can lead to post puppy depression.

Is it normal to get the puppy blues?

The puppy blues are actually really normal. A puppy will totally change your lifestyle, which can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Once you get a puppy, you realize that your schedule has to revolve around her now.

Is it normal to feel regret after getting a puppy?

It's not unusual to feel annoyance, frustration, even regret after getting a new puppy. It's okay to think about whether your puppy is a good fit for your household, or if you may actually need to return or rehome them. The truth is, you're probably not going to love your new puppy right away.

Puppy Blues 101

What is the hardest puppy age?

Stage 5: Adolescence (6 – 18 months) This can be the most difficult time during a puppy's development – adolescence. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour.

Why is raising a puppy so hard?

There is so much you're trying to teach your new puppy, that it can feel overwhelming: house-training, sleeping through the night, not to nip, not to chew, and all the other household rules you've established. Add to that a puppy's natural curiosity and energy, and you might start to feel as if he'll never get it.

When can I start leaving my puppy alone?

In general, you can leave a healthy puppy home alone when they are over 10 weeks old. However, this doesn't mean letting puppies roam free around your home. Before your puppy reaches this age, you can start crate training. This helps ensure that your puppy will be ready to handle being in a crate while you're at work.

How common is puppy regret?

“I am the one who has to completely take care of everything even though everyone else promised they would,” says one dog owner when asked if they had regrets about getting a dog.

What is the 3 3 3 rule when adopting a dog?

Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.

Why do people regret getting a puppy?

It's not uncommon for new puppy owners to experience a period of regret about getting a dog. This is because puppies are really hard work – something that often takes new puppy parents by surprise. A survey of first-time dog owners commissioned by Our Family Dog found that most people struggle with their new puppy.

Is it harder to raise a puppy or a baby?

Here's the thing, though — when it comes to raising cute, helpless, and needy creatures, raising a puppy is way harder than raising a baby.

How long does puppy regret last?

How Long Do the Blues Last? This really depends on the person, but the blues should go away once you are able to gain some control over the situation. Generally the first two or three weeks are the hardest. This is when you are getting little sleep and you are still working on potty training.

How do you calm a puppy blues?

Is the first week with a puppy the hardest?

However, there's no getting away from the fact that the early weeks with a new puppy are hard and they will most likely leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and questioning your sanity.

What is second dog syndrome?

In dogdom, there's a turn of phrase called, "Second Dog Syndrome". This describes the process of adding another dog to the home quite well, but not necessarily in a positive light. As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right.

Can a puppy not like you?

But all in all, sometimes a dog might not like you that much no matter what you do. "You're not best friends with everyone, so you shouldn't expect your dog to love everyone they meet. It's normal for dogs to have different levels of enthusiasm for different people," said Sueda.

Should I watch my puppy all the time?

New puppies need a ton of supervision during the first few months, which means that first-time puppy owners must be on duty 24-7 until your puppy understands where to potty and what to chew (and not to chew).

How do you survive a puppy stage?

Is it cruel to crate a dog while at work?

Adult dogs shouldn't be left in crates for more than 6-8 hours. Puppies of 17 weeks and older can handle up to 4 or 5 hours in a crate at a time. Leaving a dog home alone in a crate longer than this can hurt their mental and physical health.

What should I do with my puppy all day?

Different dog breeds have different energy levels and rates of growth; the growth plates in their joints close at different ages. But do schedule play and exercise time into your puppy's day: a walk around the neighborhood, playing with toys, and time spent bonding go a long way toward expending energy.

Should I leave water in my puppy crate while at work?

Limiting access to water can help prevent accidents, but if you'll be gone for more than just a few hours at a time, it's a good idea to make sure your dog has water. You can get a drip-free water bottle for your dog's crate that works similarly to a hamster bottle.

What is the hardest thing to train a puppy?

The “Winner” is

The hardest part of dog training is doing nothing. It's standing like a statue, not saying anything, not doing anything, while your dog acts a fool. She's barking, jumping, biting at the leash. If you're in public, it's embarrassing and you want to make her stop.

What should you not do when raising a puppy?

How do you punish a puppy for biting?

Instead of giving your puppy time-outs for hard biting, start to give him time-outs every time you feel his teeth touch your skin. The instant you feel your puppy's teeth touch you, give a high-pitched yelp. Then immediately walk away from him. Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds.