Coping with the new puppy blues
You will no doubt have heard about new parents having the ‘baby blues’. Did you know the ‘puppy blues’ is a thing too? Here’s some advice about coping with the puppy blues.
It’s not uncommon for first-time puppy owners to experience what some describe as ‘puppy depression’. Having a new puppy can be extremely demanding. If you’re not prepared for the sleepless nights and puppy potty training problems, you may get the new puppy blues.
I got a puppy and now I regret it
If you are starting to feel like you regret getting a puppy, ask around or just ask Google. You’ll find you’re not alone. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting a puppy. But the reality can come as a bit of a shock. People often describe parenting (the human kind) as one of life’s best kept secrets. It can be both the most rewarding and yet challenging jobs of our lives. It’s just the same for first-time puppy parents. Don’t beat yourself up if you feel like you want to wind the clock back to your pre-puppy days. Of course you would like a full night’s sleep and not to be clearing up puddles and poo!
When do puppies get easier?
The good news is that having a puppy does get easier but it does require plenty of patience and understanding. Which of course is easier said than done when you are feeling sleep deprived. The first few days with your new pup will be the hardest. This is while they adjust to their new home and life away from their litter. Once your puppy feels more settled they will feel less anxious about sleeping alone. You in turn should start to feel less anxious about your new puppy.
- Here’s 4 common new puppy problems you may be experiencing and what to do about them.
Like children, puppies need to develop and learn. This doesn’t happen overnight. Be prepared to deal with unexpected puddles in the house or chewed belongings for a while yet.
Your puppy will also go through a teething stage. Yes, puppies lose their teeth just like babies and will need something to chew on to soothe their gums. This is when you need to make sure shoes, children’s toys – and anything else that doesn’t go well with dog teeth marks – is packed away and provide suitable alternatives such as:
- Puppy safe natural chews like goat or beef hide
- Kongs
- Toppls
- Different textured toys
Others read What to buy for a puppy.
How long does it take a rescue dog to adjust?
The ‘puppy blues’ is not just limited to puppy parents. It is also common among adopters too. It can take a while for an adopted dog to adjust to their new home, particularly if they have had a traumatic experience or have not really been trained. If you are struggling with your adopted dog, get in touch with the rehoming centre they came from. They may advise you to contact a dog behaviourist for extra help.
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Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“Frankie was amazing, absolutely loved going every week and so did Riley. We learnt so much in such a lovely and fun atmosphere!”— Jane
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“A friendly, professional class, taught by an instructor with a deep understanding and experience of working with puppies. Plus, it was lots of fun!”— Rita
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“Claire, is so knowledgeable, patient and very helpful. Amber and I thoroughly enjoyed the six week course. It has certainly helped Amber to understand simple commands. Even though I have owned dogs before, Claire has taught me a lot too. A big thank you Claire. ”— Thomas
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“Alice was absolutely lovely and helped us with some issues that weren't covered in the syllabus, she was so knowledgeable about everything puppy behaviours and she taught the class well. The venue was great, there was plenty of space for each puppy and for exercises without it being too big and scary. Nelly loved attending puppy school and we learnt so much about dog training and behaviour.”— Mandy
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“Absolutely loved going to puppy school each week. Alice was always helpful and approachable. Monty has learned so much and I feel we now understand how he learns better for future training. ”— Malik