Severe puppy blues since he arrived

?
Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
Report

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?

Translated from French
icon info

The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.

Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.

220 answers
Sort by:
  • Show previous comments
  • ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Dellys, do me a favour and re-read Kel-Morian's first post, would you...

    You're stubborn in the extreme.

    My first post was constructive in the sense that I was telling you that you'd reach more people if you had a more pleasant way of engaging.

    Where's the aggression in that?!

    Explain it to me, you poor little thing I’ve offended.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    "You're being vague, make yourself clearer..."

    I didn't miss the point; I was talking about the correlation between toilet training a puppy and a human baby, that’s IT!"

    But what topic?!

    Don't act even thicker than you already are.

    Right then, let me explain it to you: the subject of my reply was the link between toilet training a puppy and a human baby (lolololol).

    Got that? Has it finally managed to sink into those brain cells of yours?

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Show me exactly where I referred to hyenas.

    You’re implying I called you a hyena... show me.

    Secondly, yes, he mentioned there was a "wee party" when he woke up. It was just a shared observation, not a problem, as "sometimes he has a little accident at night but it’s nothing serious."

    So there’s absolutely no need to throw it back in his face that it’s "unbelievable you don’t understand he’s a puppy!!!!!!!!!!"

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    "That kind of comment is pure speculation, just a way of avoiding having to admit you're in the wrong! You’re dodging the point again!

    Cheers for the example!"

    I’m not dodging ANYTHING.

    You were aggressive in your first message, so I replied in kind.

    If you’d been civil and open to a proper chat, I’d have done the same, so don’t come complaining about the backlash now.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    "I was saying it's normal for a puppy..."

    You weren't saying anything of the sort, you've just made that up!

    Are you actually blind? Can you not even go back and read @Kel-Morian's first thread?

    You're incredibly pig-headed!

    You're as two-faced as they come, @Axelote, honestly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I haven't made anything up!

    You only have to re-read the conversation to see that what I said I'd mentioned is definitely there.

    Translated from French
    Célineo
    Célineo Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Honestly, you're clearly just incapable of reading the thread.

    I'll bother to help you out—there are numbers at the bottom that let you go from one page to another. You need to click the double arrows to get back to the first page. Once there, start reading and follow the order: 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on. You’ll find the first post:

    "Posted by Kel-Morian 2 days ago

    If we really do end up giving in, then yes, we’ll be the ones to choose a family to make sure of his wellbeing.

    But that’s not on the cards at all right now!

    As for last night: 10 minutes of crying at 10:30pm, then crying and howling this morning from 5:40am onwards.

    The trouble is I have to get up at 6:10am for work, so I can’t really ignore him anyway...

    Along with a lovely morning surprise: a pee party and a poo party during the night. Despite having taken him for several walks and let him out multiple times."

    Then a few pages further on, you’ll find the mention of the hyenas. Happy reading! :)

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    It’s not a matter of fear, it’s about your pride.

    You’re so full of yourself.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    If you 'don't give a toss', as you seem to be saying, then you've clearly got a massive problem with self-reflection.

    It's about definitions; it's how you communicate with other people properly.

    If you don't give a toss, then we might as well call cats dogs, eh!

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    "It’s not 'refusing to play my game', it’s more like slinking off with your tail between your legs and acting like nothing’s happened, just to make an even bigger spectacle of yourself later."

    The day I’m afraid of someone hasn’t come yet.

    And ESPECIALLY not you, sunshine.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    "I'm asking you to give me the links for the definitions and meanings of the words you think you know, and once again, I get ABSOLUTELY ****** ALL."

    Now you're the one nitpicking...

    What definition?

    For the word 'thread'?

    I'm typing with such bloody fo-o-o-o-o-o-orce!

    Call it a 'post' if you fancy, but I say 'thread' and clearly everyone else on the forum understands me and doesn't split hairs like you do...

    Translated from French
  • 30 comments out of 220

    See more
  • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!