Ramblings of a very tired puppy owner

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

It has been two weeks since we brought Auggie home and I feel like I have not slept for two full years.  I should have probably sent this as a private message to my DK friends in order not to incriminate myself, but who cares. I’m exhausted.

A while back we had a discussion about a TV show portraying dog owners willing to spend big bucks cloning their bellowed dogs. http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/did-anyone-watch-i-cloned-...   Silly, huh?

Well, if there was any truth in cloning, I wish I had the money to clone Monty. He was my first dog, and he will forever remain the best dog ever. Is he perfect? No. There was a lot of work put into his training, just like it is with any other dog. He was like an alligator snapping at everything around him when he was little. And since he was my first puppy ever, I did not know what to expect and thought I was going through hell. But I love him to pieces.

Then Auggie came aboard. One of the two mellow puppies in the litter. He did not jump up when we came to look at the puppies and was just sitting there sizing us up from afar. He would come wagging his tail after a while. The rest of his brothers were jumping up and down for attention. Easy decision, correct?  Well, let me tell you that the minute Auggie walked into our house, his mellowness disappeared. Maybe we got the wrong puppy, I don’t know what happened. If this is mellow, I’m worried about the people who got the other puppies. There was peeing every 15 minutes, jumping up and down, biting everything in reach, waking up every 2 hours at night for the first week.

All I was thinking about: what’s wrong with this little guy? It’s been a week and he still is not able to ring the bells to let us know he needs to go outside. Monty did that on day 3. I taught Monty to go potty only in the designated area in the backyard. This little guy just does not get it and pees and poops all over the backyard.  The examples go on and on. How come Auggie is not the same as Monty? My DH keeps telling me Auggie IS the normal puppy. Again, I’ve got nothing to compare it to, other than Monty. And I want to clone Monty so bad.

Many of you said raising a second dog is much easier. I don’t feel it that way yet. I’m exhausted. I’m tired. I feel like all I’m saying is NO the whole day long. NO peeing in the house, NO biting your brother’s ears, NO shredding the bush in the backyard, NO pulling on the drapes, NO trying to reach the kitchen counter. NO, NO, NO!

Yes, the pictures and videos I post are cute. Who would not love a puppy? And the fact that Auggie and Monty are getting along so well is fabulous.  There is just some strange feeling that I can’t get rid of and I feel bad about it. Monty sure spoiled me and I’m having a hard time now. I can’t relate to the little guy.  I feel really bad since Auggie has to “measure up” to Monty in my eyes. He should not have to do that, he is just a little puppy. He depends on me. But all I see is his mischief and the fact that he looks nothing like Monty. I suck as double doodle mom. I’m really exhausted and I want to cry. I want to cry a lot.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jarka, I am thinking about you and hoping you have gotten some rest :)

[BG and Gavin]

Ah Jarka honey, it will be okay.  You have post-partum puppy blues is all.  The condition is compounded by severe sleep deprivation.  I will bet Auggie turns out to be a cracking dog.  Take some time, get some sleep and things will look better.  Hugs.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

We're kind of new here ( I mean new to being active on the site; I joined not too long after I got my puppy but life was a little crazy and so it goes) so I don't know you as well as other people do.  But your post touched me. I can't say much because I only have one dog but I remember, after about one week, wondering WHAT had I done! My life was upside down.  My house was upside down. I had had puppies before, but never one as challenging as this little doodle.  Everyone thought he was the perfect little pup and he was in a lot of ways but at home he never stopped (insert word, peeing, chewing, etc.). I began to think that breeders should put a warning label on their website...only owners who are fit enough to run a marathon, can exist on very little sleep, and have possessions they care nothing about etc. should consider this breed. I too was in tears. That's when I knew I was overwhelmed and sleep deprived.  That's when a very good friend who I worked with in rescue came to my rescue and offered to take Finn one afternoon a week for a playdate.  Bless her.  It gave me just the little bit of time I needed for myself. Maybe you can do something like that.  If I was closer I would do that for you.  OR maybe once he has his shots he can spend one or two mornings a week at puppy play. Anything to give you the time you need to spend some one on one with Monty, take a nap, or just do something you would love to do.  It's going to get better.  It's a big adjustment for all of you.  You may never feel as "connected" to him as you are to Monty, but I bet you're going to love him for who he is. And Monty's so good because you are a good mom.  He'll help teach Auggie.  My hat's off to you double doodle moms because it looks like so much fun in the end but it's hard work.  Vent away!      

[Stephanie and Jellybean]

I feel for you. Jellybean was our second dog in the household, and she was a handful as a puppy. Our other dog has since passed away, and we are about to celebrate Jelly's second birthday.  Rest as much as you can during the day, use the crate, an xpen helps too if you have one, and try as hard as you can not to compare.  The puppy time will pass and suddenly you will be surprised at how much you enjoy him. Jellybean will never be the calmest, but she has definitely matured and keeps us laughing at her antics. And also, exercise for both you and the dog will help your nerves.....

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

First of all, unlike most DKers, I have actually seen you with your two doodles and witnessed first-hand what an amazing double doodle mom you are, not to mention a wonderful loving person. You had me at "Hello!" -- and as I watch you with Monty and Auggie as you entertained me and my DH, I thought you were Super Woman. After two weeks without much rest, you have to be exhausted and your confidence is sunk. Please get some rest and I know you'll feel so much better!

I agree that Monty is a beyond-fantastic dog and I know 'lil bro Auggie will be one soon! With your love and training skills, there's just no doubt!

[Lynn D.]

Jarka, do you want me to bring over a crate?

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

We have two doodles.  Our experience was backwards from yours.  We got Izzie who was a very active puppy.  Biting, nipping, jumping, destroyed all her dog toys, did not want to sleep at night and it took several months to house train her.  I had scratches on my arms and legs, holes in my clothes and probably bags under my eyes from not sleeping.  She was a typical puppy and we love her very much.  She is very sweet and affectionate. Crazy as it might sound, we decided to get Max two months later and get all the puppy behavior over at once.  To our suprise, Max turned out to be a dream puppy.  He was house trained within a few days, did not bite or jump.  He was content to just sleep on my lap or at my feet.  He slept all night, never chewed anything and only had a few accidents in the house.  He also is very sweet and affectionate.  I think he was good for Izzie in that he helped to use up some of her excess energy.  She has calmed down a lot now and we have not regretted for a minute our decision to get the second doodle.

Things will get better.  The puppy stage does not last forever.  I have enjoyed having two and watching them play.  Never a dull moment.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jarka, I am sorry you are so tired.  It does get better.    You will find special things about Auggie that are so endearing. Monty is your first dog ever.  You may end up being partial to him, but you will end up loving Auggie also.  I remember my first dog ( got her when I was 5) and I know she was absolutely the best dog I ever had- no questions about this.  But every one of my dogs since then has been special in their own way and I love them to pieces. We deliberately wait several years between getting a dog - we are saving up our energy.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Aw, that picture of Auggie is priceless. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Vent away Jarka that is what we are here for... xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo