I think a lot of the people on this forum have had pets all their lives and may have a hard time identifying with your struggle. People who have had animals for a good many years realize how much of a responsibility a puppy is and how much time, training and consideration the first year takes. You were on the forum before you brought your puppy home so it is assumed you read all the "sticky" info in the various forums and the library. I'll agree with some, if you do a good job of training your puppy it will get easier as he gets older. If you don't it could get worse.
I was also wondering. It seems like at the moment you are very emotional. It seems your mom's rejection really sent you into a spin. Maybe there are other issues at play here. You are old enough to take your mom's reactions with a grain of salt and not let them sway you one way or another. If she has made negative remarks about this issue then you need to be strong enough to stand your ground and not let her attitude effect your decisions.
You sound like an intelligent person who is really getting a bit too emotional about the responsibility of a puppy. Either you are up for it or your not. If not then don't wait, just take him back. If you really want a dog, full time, then throw yourself into it. Do the very best you can. Bond with him. He needs you emotionally as well as to have his physical needs met.
He is only 9 weeks old so you have quite a way to go as far as house training goes. Puppies do not even start to develop the ability to hold their urine in until they are around 16 weeks.....and that is just the start. Smaller puppies have smaller bladders so they have to go more frequently. Hopefully, he will be attracted to the pee pad attractant that they apply but not all puppies are. Right now he is a responsibility and a project. Later he will always be a responsibility but hopefully by the time he is out of the puppy stage you will have already developed an unbreakable bond of love and friendship.
Just make sure that you have made the right decision. Re-homing a dog is a very sad thing. If your not in it for the long run then it's best to part ways now. Small dogs live long lives if they are healthy. It's a lifetime commitment. |