Well it's been 6 days since we brought Maizey home... she's doing great. I am having a harder time adjusting. I just feel overwhelmed, as I'm sure you all do.
Anyway, we used a Snuggle Puppy from night #1 and she has LOVED it. I really think it saved us.. she doesn't cry in her crate and loves to snuggle up to it. HOWEVER, yesterday, while I left her in the crate for an hour, she peed on the Snuggle Puppy. This was her first accident in the crate, and I'm not sure why she did it, but my big concern now is if I should try to wash the Snuggle Puppy and put it back in the crate, or forget about it. I'm afraid I won't get all the scent out of it.
Make sure you take the inside parts out, we washed Gracie's snuggle puppy in cold water on the gentle cycle or you could wash it by hand in a sink - if you feel more comfortable doing it that way. Gracie had no problem with going back to loving her snuggle puppy. She just had her 1st birthday and still loves it. Good luck! I remember thinking when we brought Gracie home, it was like having a new baby. And you do have a new baby. Just remember it doesn't last forever.
I've washed Leo's several times in cold water, regular cycle and then tossed it in the dryer. Snuggle Puppy is fine! But do remember to take his removable parts out!
Allie did the same thing except she pooped on it!:0 When she came home to us she had a diarrhea issue. Anyway I took all of the inside out and washed it off in the sink, then I put the whole thing in the washing machine. I was afraid I would get the Allie's moms' scent off of it. I had the snuggle puppy sent to my breeder before we brought Allie home to get the litter scent and her moms' scent on it. Anyway, after it came out of the washing machine she still loved it and she still carries around her "baby".
Yes, I remember times where I cried in the kitchen thinking what did I just do. I was totally overwhelmed but in the end you have a wonderful friend and companion that you would not change for the world!!
Misty has been with us for 6 days too, (but she's probably older than Maizey - she's almost 16 weeks) and has enjoyed her snuggle puppy every night. Can't say she's been completely quiet with it, but she has sure settled down WAY sooner than any other pup we've ever had. Yesterday she was in her crate with the snuggle puppy on the way to puppy kindergarten and threw up all over it. I hand washed it, but having no dryer, she had to do without last night. She had another stuffed puppy, but not warm with a heartbeat. Hopefully it will dry out today!
I am right with you with being overwhelmed! I have a list of things I need to get done, and if I get two of them done in a day I'm lucky. But the cuddle times and the raucous play times make it worth it. A little priority change is good. Be in the moment. (Words to myself.)
I would wash it. Had to do that once when Peri was a little pup. She had soiled hers also.
And, trust me, you will get through this stage. Peri is 15 months old now and is technically a puppy still, but I can remember feeling very overwhelmed this time last summer. I cried multiple times and have no problem admitting it was hard.
Thank you all so much for the responses. I am glad to hear I"m not alone with the overwhelming feelings.. my poor husband not only has to deal with a new pup, but an emotionally unstable wife right now!
I am going to wash the pup and give it back to her tonight :) Thanks so much!!!
I remember the feeling well!!! Banjo is just 6 months old - we got him at 10wks and there were times I wasn't sure I would ever get my life back!!! It really passes VERY quickly.....it seems like a life time ago that we were jumping up constantly to take the puppy out yet again. Now I look at him and miss his tiny little puppiness!!! Hang in there and enjoy....this too shall pass. : )
Oh my goodness...it only gets better. Wait until they reach 1 year!
Gill, glad you are feeling better. I remember sitting on the floor cleaning up something Peri had gnawed on (she was probably 10 or 11 weeks at that point). I started bawling crying and asked my husband "what have we done??? have we made a mistake???". He laughed and told me he loved her and that she would get better. He was right!
Remember to hook up with a good trainer once Maizey is vaccinated.
I was also concerned about washing Snuggle Puppy because he is such a constant companion of Bosco's -- but I noticed he "sheds" (little black threads come off his fur) so was also worried he might not withstand a washing. However, after removing his plastic heart and warming material, I placed him and a few other stuffed toys in a lingerie bag, zipped it up and ran it through the hand washable cycle. We're in AZ so once done, I just placed the items outside to dry and they all turned out perfectly.
Latest soon-to-be casualty here: the $35 leather leash we bought from the trainer and leave on Bosco around the house. He maintains his down/stay easily with it...but he's so quiet I haven't heard him chewing on it. The loop is getting pretty worn down as a result. Hints for mending?