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?
