The Hardest Part About Having A Puppy?

[luvsdogs]

The worst part for me is all the things she finds to chew up. I'm forever taking things off her. I swear I don't know where she finds some of the things she comes out with. And with that comes my paranoia of her getting a blockage if she swallows said items. As for all the other things mentioned, yes they are tiring at the time, but as times gone on, those things have got better.

[Sash]

I found the hardest bit not being able to stay home and play with him all day! Working and having a puppy is heartbreaking when they're really little.

And teaching a crazy, bouncy, mouthy adolescent whippet manners when he gets overexcited... is my current work in progress! :laugh:

[VizslaMomma]

Neko at 10 months is still incredibly lively, and I dont think it's going to stop anytime soon. It's hard to tire her out, and when she's in a mood she cannot be ignored or she'd go and trash something. She's already torn holes in my carpet, thank goodness I'm not renting. I dont know if it's necessarily because she is a puppy, I think it's more her breed.

I had some friends, long time whippet and greyhound breeders/showies visit yesterday and after about 10 minutes of watching her they said they couldn't stand it, it would drive them nuts.

You are talking about Horrible Herbert. He is a full on tornado

He knows two speeds flat out and stop.

Biggest bonus since he came home is the more he grows, the more weight I am dropping.

[Things]

Hardest part about having a puppy? Leaving them home alone!

[Airedaler]

I think I am about to get a new puppy. It will be the first for 9 years and one of only a few in 41 years that I have not bred myself. For me at this stage the hardest part is can I do the right thing by the pup in terms of general training, bite inhibition, socialisation etc.

This doubt is enough to make me seriously wonder if I should get this pup.

Edited July 29, 2014 by Airedaler

[Mercedes]

I agree Airedaler, it is a huge responsibility isn't it?

[Snippy]

Puppies are the best I can say this while Jester is not in the room (even though he technically is a big puppy). Yes, as people have listed there are many less than desirable situations that can occur with toilet training, bite inhibition, socialisation and obedience. It is so much easier to teach all these things to a small version of your future dog and to instil in them what polite and respectable behaviour is from the get-go than to try and do it with an older dog. As someone who has just adopted a 15month old puppy who had NO training, NO socialisation, NO obedience training, NO grooming training (and bites) and would soil my loungeroom mat (problem fixed)... Thankfully due to my ability to study from home I have been able to saturate him in correct habits and now people think he is the most polite, relaxed creature they've met. I think about all the other dogs I have ever owned. They all came to me as puppies and all of them were so much easier to teach.

The worst part for me is separation training. Hearing the little pleading squeaks as you leave the room. Breaks my heart. The rest of it I can handle!

I for one am extremely puppy clucky at the moment and have been for the last couple of weeks :laugh: Maybe Jester needs a little Sammy companion... :D

[littleduck]

I loved everything about my Dalmatian puppy, got him at 8 weeks, never had an accident inside, never chewed anything he wasn't supposed to.... no barking at night... just an absolute dream to have.

[Guest]

This might seem weird.. but settling on a name! I'm very indecisive. :laugh:

I spend months compiling lists of possible names, but luckily it has always been pretty clear as soon as we finally meet. Plus they always end up with a million nicknames anyway.

[Henrietta]

It's been 7 years since I had a puppy! How time flies.

I remember puppyhood and adolescence being a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with Abby, with her reactivity. It was a stressful time, and I have to admit that there has been many tears and feelings of guilt and helplessness. And lots and lots of time.

Looking back, there were also moments of pride/achievement. I've learned a hell of a lot.

All good (mostly) now. I loved my puppy, but I adore my adult dogs. I'm not sure if Abby has skewered my view on puppyhood, but it was bloody hard work. As adults, my girls are just so easy.

Part of me would love to try and raise a puppy again, the other part of me says, 'no way, give me an adult'

[suziwong66]

The hardest thing for me about having a new pup is the commitment to teaching them to evacuate on command. I like my dogs to learn how to evacuate on command and taking them out (especially during the night) on lead to teach it, is painful especially during the colder months. I must make an interesting sight at night (for many months), in my jammies and ugg boots with a torch, poo baggie and puppy on lead repeating "do wees"

[Stressmagnet]

The 'you MUST LOVE MEEE NOW' behaviour with everyone he meets. Trying to get him to sit and leave people ALONE. Not all my friends like dogs. Not all my friends want to be constantly pestered for pats. And the licky licks.

We will get there. Would help a lot if people who DO like dogs would stop winding him up when I'm trying to teach him to take people in his stride. Just shut up and calm down people - what's cute at 6 months and 20 kgs won't be cute another 12 kilos and 6 cms from now.