It gets a lot better quite quickly

[Jason Wilson]

Hi all -- just thought I'd post something for all the people, like me, who are not experienced at caring for puppies, and have welcomed a new one into their homes. 

In the first two weeks, I really thought I'd made a big mistake. My whole routine changed, he was very timid, I didn't know what I was doing, and I was super-stressed. I was googling "puppy blues" and wondering if I'd have to give up entirely. 

Now it's the end of week four, and things are much, much better. He's still a handful (he's a puppy!) but I've adjusted and he's changed, too. 

I think a lot of the time when you google stuff, you see things that have been written by people who are as stressed out as you are. But it gets better really quickly. 

[Mari Bezanson]

Jason,

I think that what you wrote is very true.  Even I, and experienced dog owner, had that "what the hell was I thinking" phase, but that does pass very quickly.  My puppy is now 7 moths and it's like he has always been a part of our family.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for posting this, Jason.  I think when a less experienced puppy owner posts that 'it' gets better, gives many others a boost.

[Laura]

I agree! I caught myself in frustrated tears a few times during those first few weeks. Now, I can't imagine life without her :)

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

So important to say, thanks for posting! I'm with ya. I was literally shaking our first 24 hours with new puppy from nerves! I wound up losing five plus pounds and people asked if it was from walking the puppy! Well, no - it was from new puppy stress! I was trying so hard to do everything right by him, I couldn't enjoy it yet. I had dreams of giving him away... But boy, a few weeks can make a huge difference- I could breathe (and eat) again! And we fell in love with him, big.
New routines can be hard...