Did you ever question your decision to get a puppy?

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

   Many of you will probably hate me for saying this.Today was a day where I
questioned my decision to bring a puppy into our lives. Mind you, this
was not an impulsive decision. I thought it out for almost 2 years,
waited for my kids to be old enough and read and researched as much as I
could before deciding on the breed and the breeder. After that I waited
about 5 months on a wait list. After all this, today I have been
questioning the sanity of my decision.
   Ollie was a complete tyrant today.Biting, nipping, growling and pretty much acting like a complete
maniac. I give him plenty of stimulation through training and play, as
well as plenty of quiet time, but he was getting so wound up today that
it was out of control. He pretty much terrorized my loving and gentle
daughters. I was almost in tears with frustration. He was lunging and
growling for seemingly no reason. He also latches on to my shoes or
clothes and will not let go no matter how firmly I say "NO". When I try
to remove him physically, he goes completely berserk. I gave him short time outs but as soon as he was out he would repeat the whole process. 
   The growling and lunging to bite is a big concern to me. I got the number of a trainer
who does in-home sessions and I will be calling him tomorrow. Just so
frustrated today!!
I wonder if there is any chance that he will turn into the lovable, sweet doodle like the one I was dreaming of.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

lol...they are angels when they are sleeping!!! It's when they wake up, they're devils!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I know how you are feeling, I really do! So do most of us here. Puppies are hard work, and although I knew for a long time that I wanted a dog, I was completely unprepared for the work! I was SO excited to get him and waited anxiously for the day that we could bring him home. The first night we had him, I immediately started questioning whether it was the right thing to do. Darwin whined through the night in his crate for what seemed like FOREVER. It was probably more like a week, but a week with 4 hours per day or less of sleep can really take it's toll. Especially when you have school and work! I was grouchy, sad, and panicked. Then he went through this stage (at about 13 weeks) where he was afraid of everything and I was convinced I was going to have a shy non-sociable dog.

It all got better! Within a few weeks, he was more outgoing, potty trained, and slept through the night completely. Now DH and I are convinced he is the world's greatest dog. He still has his little quirks, but he is so easy to take care of now, he fits perfectly into our lives. It just takes time and a lot of patience and consistency. The best part about this is that you have us to vent to, we've all been through it so we know how you feel! Puppies can be terrors but once they grow up you look back and wish you could have another puppy! LOL.

[Missi]

YES!!! I questioned it probably daily for a couple of months. I was single and living alone while working 3rd shift when I brought my first puppy home. I distinctly remember one day (about 3 1/2 months old) when I put her in her kennel as far away from me as possible and we both cried until we fell asleep. I had not slept in days and she was driving me crazy!

She'll be two years old next month and I cannot believe what a wonderful well-behaved dog she has turned into. I brought a second (adult) dog into the family this past February. I must say bringing home an adult dog was easier at the time, but we are still working on behavior issues that were never a problem with the first one. Lots of time and training with both.

It's okay, it will get better. I promise! Patience, time, and training are the keys.

[Holly St Pierre]

Oh boy, have I been there. The first month, I would put Gunner in his crate at night & cry. I was still upset over the loss of our maltese & thought Gunner would bring happiness to our home again. The first month, he did anythinng but. My husband travels a lot & I work full time. I was so sleep deprived & frustrated, I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, my sister has a doodle & kept telling me it would get better. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about this site at the time. Fast forward to now, I can’t imagine life without Gunner. He is the best dog. He is so easy & fun. I promise it will get better, just hang in there.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think there's a really good reason that puppies were made to be so adorable....it's so we don't GIVE THEM ALL BACK! I do remember those early days of exhaustion. The most difficult thing for us was taking them out to "potty" every 15 or 20 minutes so they didn't completely destroy the carpets (they actually came pretty close). Puppy zoomies, needle teeth, yipping, but then there was also puppy breath, cuddles and kisses, those sweet little faces. Everyone always says "enjoy the puppy stage because they all grow up so fast". Sure they do....they grow into bratty teenagers. Oh, but then they're through those difficult stages, and you're left with a wonderful companion who will give you so many years of love. For my oldest Doodle, that stage hit at about 16 months. I do think it's great that you're going to start with a trainer. For me, training has made all the difference (although my 10 month old puppy is a "work in progress"). Let us know how you make out with the trainer.....have you joined the Training Group?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

OMD - I totally hear you! Rooney and Ollie are about the same age and although I am not questioning my decision to get him - I am worn out! And that is with him sleeping through the night (except for last night when he saw me get up to use the bathroom - so then he decided he needed to also). My house is a wreck and for a neat freak - it is freaking me out, lol. I can't get a darn thing done what with him right under my feet, needing to go outside every 2 hours, wanting to play, etc. But I have had Lab puppies before and I know that this too shall pass. Treat him like a toddler - if he gets too wound up - put him in his kennel with a treat. If he cries - ignore it. Puppies like babies need naps. I'm here for you - we'll swap puppy horror stories. Hang in there.

[Heather and Bama]

I feel your pain! Yesterday my Bama chewed my six years olds brand new shoe. Believe u me I questioned very thing. Some days suck but it does get better.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I cried at least once a week for the first month or so and definitely questioned the decision, but always knew we'd get through it. Doodles can be very hard puppies, in my opinion (they are so smart, that mind just keeps at it....no down time)! Peri was so full of energy, nippy, etc....we definitely had our ups and downs, but it kept getting easier. I highly recommend doing formal training with her as you are saying. It will create a bond between you two and that will help her learn to respect and love you.
I also recommend daycare for days you need her to get energy out....highly recommended.
Let's fast forward to where I am now. I have the most wonderful dog in the WORLD. Peri is our lovebug, we are obsessed, she is perfect in every way for us. But it took lots of patience, training and love. DH looked at me this morning and said "I can't wait for my family to get to know my Perebear over Christmas" (in a baby voice).

[Frannie & Callie]

That's HILARIOUS!!!!!

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

LOL! I know what you mean. My 5 year old is very glad that Ollie is now the target of my husband's baby talk and not her.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh yeah - we went through this too. I was also crippled with a sense of guilt because I pretty much convinced my reluctant husband to get a pup. I kept thinking - oh boy this was all my idea. One day DH said "he's just a puppy - it will get better." Phew, relief! It passes by quickly and training and exposure work wonders as do walks. Put him a strict schedule: exercise, crate time, eat, potty, crate, walk etc.. Make it predictable and the same each day. For us that helped Gavin to adjust. When left to his own devices, he just did not know when to go to sleep. By the way, Gavin turned out to be a great dog. At 15 months his house manners are impecible.

[Diana Erhart]

You are not alone. I had the same problems with Charlie and there were days that I really wanted to just send him back! But then I took a deep breath and realized that I just wasn't quite sure how to deal with a puppy. I got a very good trainer involved and within 5 minutes she had taught me what I needed to do to calm him down and make him realize that he was not the dominator of the house! It took awhile of doing what she taught me to get through to him, but every day after that I could see progress. After several months the nipping, biting and crazy behavior faded and only showed up once-in-awhile. Charlie is now 4 1/2 years old and is a very calm, mild-mannered and sweet boy. Try not to get too frustrated and if this first trainer doesn't help, seek out another.