One day you wake up and the puppy madness is over

[Stacy]

Just a word of encouragement to those who are currently going through the puppy impossibles. There was no sleep. I had holes in all my pants and sleeves. She had gone through countless shoes, macbook cords, and almost exactly a year ago I was whining because she took the remote for the tv out through the dog door. And now she is just the best dog. I don't know what I would do without her. She walks nicely on a leash. She's a dream at the off leash dog park. She snuggles, she lets me hug on her, she sleeps at night, she pees outside. I don't even know when or how it happened. 

And amazingly, I seem to have almost forgotten how hard it all seemed. Because I have puppy fever and I want to do it again! It's not the right time and I satisfy the longing with other people's impossible puppies, but puppy breath is so sweet. 

So hang in there puppy people. All that time and energy you invest right now will come back and reward you later. It's definitely not always easy, but I'm so glad she's my kid.

[Stacy]

I kind of feel like it happens slowly and it sneaks up on you. Katie is 22 months and it was like one day I looked up and noticed that she was being a good dog way more often than the crazy naughty puppy. 

[Caslynn74]

I needed to read this today. We have had ours home for 2 weeks and yesterday I was feeling like a total failure and ready to throw in the towel.

[Amber Anderson]

I'm with you! We can do it!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Amber, You can do this! I remember those puppy days with Fudge. She was like a shark. I would turn my back on her and she would bite me on the back of my legs. I tried to get a bully stick in her mouth before she bit me. I promise you it will pass. It is why puppies come so cute. Also, sometimes when puppies are at their worst and out of control, don't hesitate to put the pup in the crate for a time out and so you can re-group and relax. Exercise also wears them out and a tired puppy is a good puppy. Even starting to work on some simple commands like sit, etc. can tire them out. Good luck and hang in there.

[Stacy]

I'm sorry I'm just getting back to this, but don't lose hope! There were a lot of moments when I wondered what I had gotten myself into, but now when she's lying like a lump on the carpet and I'm stepping over her to go back and forth through the room I almost miss her dragging me around by the pants. I think it's almost like while you're in the middle of it it feels endless, but once it's over you forget how frustrating it was and you miss it a little. Just a little! I'm not ready to do it again, although someday...