Severe puppy blues since he arrived

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Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum and, not knowing what to do anymore, I'm turning to you hoping to find some answers.

So, on Saturday morning, my partner and I visited a puppy show and we came home with a 2-month-old fluffball, a Golden Retriever.

After talking to the breeder about our concerns regarding keeping a dog of this breed in a flat, she assured us it wouldn't be an issue at all.

So we bought everything he'd need for his well-being: a fabric crate for the living room with a bed and a big cushion inside, bowls, toys, lead, collar, etc. Basically, the works.

Since Sunday, we've already managed to teach him that he needs to go outside to do his business (we have a tiny private garden). He still has the odd little accident at night, but nothing serious.

He's really struggling with the lead and collar (he sulks and just freezes, but he's slowly starting to get used to it).

But since he arrived, I feel like I've made a massive mistake in adopting him. I don't feel right at all, even though I love animals.

Thoughts like taking him back to the breeder or rehoming him keep crossing my mind, despite myself. And I feel so guilty about it.

Maybe it's because of how much our lives have been turned upside down.

My partner hasn't been back to her driving theory classes yet; she's going to try going for an hour and leaving him alone, but I can already imagine the chaos.

The idea of joining a gym doesn't seem possible anymore either. I feel like we have no time for ourselves.

At night and in the morning, he howls and cries when we leave him in the living room to sleep. I tried giving him a hot water bottle to remind him of the warmth of his littermates, but nothing works.

When I finally go to see him after 15 minutes (at 1 am... the neighbours must be fuming), he’s so happy and rushes to my feet, staying glued to me or following me everywhere if I move.

It breaks my heart to put him back in his crate and tell him to stay, only to hear him crying as soon as the door is shut.

I’d love to take him into bed with us to comfort him, but I know if I give in, his training will be ruined.

I find it hard to be firm with him, to say "no" when he’s being hyper even if he’s being naughty. I feel bad afterwards because, in the end, he just melts my heart.

But I just feel terrible...

This Saturday morning, we're taking him to a puppy training class, hoping to learn a lot.

What should I do? Can you give me some advice, please?

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    "The issue being raised is your behaviour and the way you get involved, not the information you’re passing on."

    My behaviour is a reaction to yours, and the same goes for how I get involved.

    Simple as that.

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Oh, you most definitely *are* pointing the finger at him. Just because you don't think you are, doesn't mean you haven't done it. I’ve said it time and time again on this thread that, of course, Kel-Morian isn't to blame for getting a puppy under those circumstances since he didn't know any better. The way you’re trying to 'totally' twist my words just goes to show what kind of person you are...
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Dellys, do me a favour and re-read Kel-Morian's first post, would you...

    You are incredibly pig-headed.

    My first post was constructive, in the sense that I was telling you that you’d get through to more people if you had a more pleasant way of chipping in.

    Where is the aggression in that?! Explain it to me, you poor little thing I’ve supposedly offended.

    Oh, but of course, you haven't been aggressive at all...

    I’ll say it again: you're two-faced...

    I've always said I prefer people who are honest and straightforward.

    You're definitely not one of them.

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    "You think you're the centre of the universe and you won't admit – or maybe you're just incapable of understanding – that I might be replying to someone else."

    No, your input was simply VERY late and, frankly, out of place given how far the discussion had moved on.

    Following which: http://wamiz.com/chiens/golden-retriever-186/forum/grosse-deprime-depuis-son-arrive-19215/18.html

    Your entire post was aimed at me. Are you really trying to tell me that only the last sentence wasn't meant for me, especially without any warning that you were suddenly talking to someone else? That's a bizarre way of doing things.

    We're on a thread (a topic, right?) but not a post!

    A post is a SINGLE, ONE-OFF reply. Learn your definitions once and for all instead of just being happy to stay wrong!

    Obviously, the forum is public and of course not everything is directed at me, but the difference between you and everyone else is that they at least have the decency to be clear about who they're talking to, rather than just dropping a reply out of the blue two hours later.

    Mind you, I could understand it if it's because you said you were having issues with your PC and were struggling to keep up with the thread.

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    Célineo
    Célineo Icon representing the flag French
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    "What I don't understand is why you’re linking me to the fact that ***** called you a hyena?"

    I’m not making a connection. I’m just laughing at the idea of being called both a hyena and a sheep. You called me a sheep. ***** mentioned a hyena and I wondered if she was referring to me – by *****, not you – and if that’s the case, I’m flattered. The only person making a link between the hyena and you is you. You think you’re the centre of the universe and you won’t accept – or perhaps you’re just incapable of grasping the concept – that I might be replying to someone else. This is a public thread; not everything is aimed at you. You aren't the centre of the world. Groundbreaking, I know. Now, if you aren’t capable of understanding that, I can’t help you, but your lack of understanding is becoming laughable... if not slightly worrying.

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Célineo.

    What I don't understand is why you're dragging me into this just because ***** called you a hyena?

    Right now, you’re the one being appalling, looking for trouble where there isn't any.

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    Célineo
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    ...

    Someone else. Another person. A different person altogether. Not you, but Fanny68.

    Are you even following me? Honestly, you’re lecturing us on definitions but you haven’t got a clue... It’s appalling.

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Oh, of course you’re having a go at him.

    Just because you don’t think you are, it doesn’t mean you aren’t.

    He left for that reason and no other.

    Plenty of people have pointed this out to you as well, but you’re just turning a deaf ear and putting on a little act while belittling what they’ve got to say.

    The issue is your behaviour and how you choose to get involved, not the information you’re passing on. Don’t play dafter than you are.

    But obviously, everyone who’s called you out on your behaviour is wrong... It’s just so obvious, isn't it?

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    "You're so full of yourself."

    Have a look at my profile and fix your mistake.........................

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    "If you 'don't give a toss', as you probably meant to say, then you've definitely got a major problem with taking a long hard look at yourself."

    Take a long hard look at what?

    Don't like the way I respond?

    Fine, move along then and just avoid me.

    But I've got nothing to reconsider regarding the advice I gave—specifically, telling any potential puppy or kitten owners never to buy them at pet shows like Kel-Morian did (though, once again, I'm not judging them for it).

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