Post Puppy Depression:(

[Taryn0405]

The change that a new puppy can bring into your house can be so overwhelming. Many nights I would go in my shower turn it on, and just cry so I didn't have to hear Gizmo crying in the crate.
It got better, but it was rough. I posted on here many times at 4 in the morning, asking - pleading? - that it would get better.

Thankfully it did, and despite many, many, many sleepless nights and terrible mornings at work. It worked.

Some people, during certain times of their lives, aren't cut out for pet ownership. That doesn't mean that you'll never be ready, just not right now. However, it's how you handle the situation that will make you a good pet owner.
If you can't do it right now, then taking your pup back to the breeder I think is the most responsible and loving thing that you can do for your baby. That would ultimately be putting your pup's needs before your own, and thus making you a responsible pet owner.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[Farleys]

I totally know how you feel. I love animals more than anything in the world, and i have 4 dogs, but i have had those moments of feeling like i was gonna cry if they didnt just leave me alone for one second. But like already mentioned, when u realize they are a dog,not a child, and its okay if they get left alone, and take time for yourself, it is soo much easier.
3 of my dogs are 5 years old, and 1 is 1 yr old, and i couldnt imagine my life without any of them, but at times i feel totally overwelmed. When this happens i put them all in a kennel and lay down and relax. I need this sometimes , and i know they are totally fine if they have to stay in a kennel for an hour.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

My Jilly was a 4 1/2 mo. old Yorkie runt with many medical problems & I was told she would only grow to about 3 lbs. The breeder almost pressured me into getting her as she had so few people she would/could never place a tiny, delicate, extremely fragile dog with. She was runt-sized, thin, had bad conformation, looked like a twig & I was scared she would die. She was NOT the healthy, sturdy Yorkshire Terrier with flowing coat & gorgeous topknot I wanted & she never would be. My life stopped essentially for the first few weeks - and I called the breeder 2 or 3 times stating I just didn't know how well this would or could work out - mostly it was the fear & responsibility of living with a dog that was going to have ongoing medical problems, all the vet trips to be made, the worry, the end of life as I knew it, etc. She would encourage me, saying "Jilly is the dog you need, Jeanie. I know you." And she did - I'd known her for years by then & we spent literally hours talking frequently & I visited her often. But at that point, I really didn't love Jilly & she was not my Scotty - my first Yorkie, whom I still missed so, though it had been 5 long years since I lost him. He was the love of my life. He was incredible - and Jilly was definitely not Scotty.

Then, one day I came home & took her out of her crate & some kind of light switch turned on somewhere & wham, I was headoverheels in love with that scraggly little Yorkie! I adored her! It was a "moment in time" - one of those inexplicable things that happens & changes you forever. From that minute forward, Jilly & I were inseparable & I was totally devoted to her, took her everywhere with me, slept with her perched on one hip(no kidding), & could not wait to get home to her when I had to work or go out with friends/date, shopping. I nursed her through many bad medical conditions & terrible times & there were many, many vet trips - many a long night sitting up with her worrying, crying. There were those moments when I would realize she was well again & the joy that came with it. We'd made it over another hump! She went on vacations with me and before long, I thought she was the cutest dog on the planet - and so did everyone else. Everywhere we went people gushed over my "cute" tiny dog & people wanted to know where I got her all the time - yes, that thin, scraggly, sickly-looking little girl blossomed with love & care. She housebroke like a dream, was totally clean in the house & smart as a whip. When I was sick, injured, had bad times at work or with friends or family, Jilly was there licking my face, curling up on my lap. When my back went out & I was bedridden, she slept with her back against mine like a heating pad - she never left my side. At the end of a punishing day at work & a long, traffic-jammed trip home, Jilly was there jumping up & down, making me laugh.

The changes I made in my life were taken reluctantly at first but after a while, with relish - anything for Jilly. She was literally my best friend! She lived 12 1/2 years and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. I lost her Christmas Eve almost 10 years ago now. I still miss her so, even sometimes to the point of tears - still. We had such a special, special life together. She was an Angel from Heaven.

Same with Tibbe. I got him about 5 years after I lost Jilly. I went to get a healthy, fat little puppy & wound up with a 9 mos. old big "problem" dog, who'd spent 9 mos. in a cage outside all his life at another breeder's & had never been socialized. He was wild with fears, almost feral. The first 2-3 weeks I had him, it was so hard I literally didn't think I could make it! It was "love at first sight" with him when I first saw him & my rescue heart kicked in but I had buyer's remorse for a good while & that "love" sort of waned. But one day - "click" - on went the lightswitch all over again. Same story. He's my love, wouldn't trade him for any other dog on the planet & we're inseparable. He's my best friend in the world & I cannot imagine my life without him. He's everything Jilly & Scotty were to me. He's a ray of sunshine, like the best Christmas present you ever got as a child, a Little Angel gifted straight from God. He's my boy.

With dogs, unlike with our mates & with friends, you have no courtship - no getting to know them period over time, of learning what they are like. It is see them, select the one you want & then it is yours to bring home & care for, work out your relationship & life together. At times & especially sometimes at first, if you are someone like me, it takes a while. I don't give deep love easily - it is slow in coming - but when it does, it is that kind of love that says "forever" and it means everything.

Hang in there with your baby & let time, day-to-day living & that Yorkie & your heart work it all out. Real, lasting love is often just not automatic & takes a bit of time & work. But once it kicks in, that little dog will become your best friend in life & you won't believe the change in you. Here is hoping you are graced with a Scotty/Jilly/Tibbe-type relationship with your baby because if you are, you will be one happy, satisfied, blessed woman. ♥♥♥

That's the most heartfelt post I've ever read and it brought me to tears. They are actually dripping off my jaw right now. You are such an awesome person, and an incredible doggie mom. God bless you!!!!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

That's the most heartfelt post I've ever read and it brought me to tears. They are actually dripping off my jaw right now. You are such an awesome person, and an incredible doggie mom. God bless you!!!!

My babies have been awesome babies! I've been so blessed despite my early reservations & troubles.

[Giorgismom]

I can relate to how you are feeling. When I first got Giorgio, I was overwhelmed. I have two sons and a husband. My husband bought Giorgi for me for Vday 2011. When he brought him home, I was shocked. I had nothing for him to sleep on, no dish to eat out of etc. I made the husband run to Walmart and grab some things till the next day.

He was a handful. I wanted a dog but I wasnt expecting to get one at that point. I remember being on edge when got a hold of something and got sick. He was throwing up his water. My husband woke me up to tell me and I remember crying and being worried. He was fine after a few hours. I woke up and found these little eyes looking at me. He had a soft crate and figured out how to open it. Potty training was difficult. Then suddenly my husband got all up in arms because I was paying Giorgi more attention than him. I had actually considered giving Giorgi back just so the family could calm down. The only one that bonded with him were me and my youngest who is autistic. I remember looking into those cute eyes and realizing there was no way I was letting Giorgi go anywhere. He has been a huge help. See prior to him coming into our lives, I barely saw my youngest son, he would only come out of his room to eat clean himself up. Now I see my son daily. Giorgi pulled me out my depression and I am thankful, even when he's being a little brat, I never lash out at him or get angry.

Last night was a perfect example. We had a storm here last night. As long as I can remember Giorgi hates car rides and lightning, some times he can kinda calm down, most times not. I am functioning off 2 hours of sleep because Giorgi kept barking and whining/pacing in his crate. I couldnt leave him like that so I kept getting up with him finally I laid on the couch for about 30 minutes, he finally settled down. I put him back in his crate and I went to sleep. I swear before I knew it, it was time for me to get up. I work from home, so I am on a schedule. Yeah right now I am tired, but I think of all the joy he has and continues to bring into my life. I was so glad when he got pee pad trained at a year old I didnt know what to do. I even learned about home cooking for him, which I enjoy.

Give it some time, by the time he is 6 months, you will slowly get some of your freedom back. He can go to doggy day care once he gets his shots and you can find a great place to board him when you go on trips. I am very thankful for the place I board Giorgi at . She really loves what she does and it shows. Hang in there it gets better. Its very brave of you to post this and as you can see, you're not alone. Stay strong, that lil guy will worship the ground you walk on.

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

My Jilly was a 4 1/2 mo. old Yorkie runt with many medical problems & I was told she would only grow to about 3 lbs. The breeder almost pressured me into getting her as she had so few people she would/could never place a tiny, delicate, extremely fragile dog with. She was runt-sized, thin, had bad conformation, looked like a twig & I was scared she would die. She was NOT the healthy, sturdy Yorkshire Terrier with flowing coat & gorgeous topknot I wanted & she never would be. My life stopped essentially for the first few weeks - and I called the breeder 2 or 3 times stating I just didn't know how well this would or could work out - mostly it was the fear & responsibility of living with a dog that was going to have ongoing medical problems, all the vet trips to be made, the worry, the end of life as I knew it, etc. She would encourage me, saying "Jilly is the dog you need, Jeanie. I know you." And she did - I'd known her for years by then & we spent literally hours talking frequently & I visited her often. But at that point, I really didn't love Jilly & she was not my Scotty - my first Yorkie, whom I still missed so, though it had been 5 long years since I lost him. He was the love of my life. He was incredible - and Jilly was definitely not Scotty. Then, one day I came home & took her out of her crate & some kind of light switch turned on somewhere & wham, I was headoverheels in love with that scraggly little Yorkie! I adored her! It was a "moment in time" - one of those inexplicable things that happens & changes you forever. From that minute forward, Jilly & I were inseparable & I was totally devoted to her, took her everywhere with me, slept with her perched on one hip(no kidding), & could not wait to get home to her when I had to work or go out with friends/date, shopping. I nursed her through many bad medical conditions & terrible times & there were many, many vet trips - many a long night sitting up with her worrying, crying. There were those moments when I would realize she was well again & the joy that came with it. We'd made it over another hump! She went on vacations with me and before long, I thought she was the cutest dog on the planet - and so did everyone else. Everywhere we went people gushed over my "cute" tiny dog & people wanted to know where I got her all the time - yes, that thin, scraggly, sickly-looking little girl blossomed with love & care. She housebroke like a dream, was totally clean in the house & smart as a whip. When I was sick, injured, had bad times at work or with friends or family, Jilly was there licking my face, curling up on my lap. When my back went out & I was bedridden, she slept with her back against mine like a heating pad - she never left my side. At the end of a punishing day at work & a long, traffic-jammed trip home, Jilly was there jumping up & down, making me laugh. The changes I made in my life were taken reluctantly at first but after a while, with relish - anything for Jilly. She was literally my best friend! She lived 12 1/2 years and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. I lost her Christmas Eve almost 10 years ago now. I still miss her so, even sometimes to the point of tears - still. We had such a special, special life together. She was an Angel from Heaven. Same with Tibbe. I got him about 5 years after I lost Jilly. I went to get a healthy, fat little puppy & wound up with a 9 mos. old big "problem" dog, who'd spent 9 mos. in a cage outside all his life at another breeder's & had never been socialized. He was wild with fears, almost feral. The first 2-3 weeks I had him, it was so hard I literally didn't think I could make it! It was "love at first sight" with him when I first saw him & my rescue heart kicked in but I had buyer's remorse for a good while & that "love" sort of waned. But one day - "click" - on went the lightswitch all over again. Same story. He's my love, wouldn't trade him for any other dog on the planet & we're inseparable. He's my best friend in the world & I cannot imagine my life without him. He's everything Jilly & Scotty were to me. He's a ray of sunshine, like the best Christmas present you ever got as a child, a Little Angel gifted straight from God. He's my boy. With dogs, unlike with our mates & with friends, you have no courtship - no getting to know them period over time, of learning what they are like. It is see them, select the one you want & then it is yours to bring home & care for, work out your relationship & life together. At times & especially sometimes at first, if you are someone like me, it takes a while. I don't give deep love easily - it is slow in coming - but when it does, it is that kind of love that says "forever" and it means everything. Hang in there with your baby & let time, day-to-day living & that Yorkie & your heart work it all out. Real, lasting love is often just not automatic & takes a bit of time & work. But once it kicks in, that little dog will become your best friend in life & you won't believe the change in you. Here is hoping you are graced with a Scotty/Jilly/Tibbe-type relationship with your baby because if you are, you will be one happy, satisfied, blessed woman. ♥♥♥

This is absolutely beautiful and I completely relate. My first yorkie, Sunny, was the love of my life! She was perfect in every way. We spent a wonderful 13 years together. It was so good, that 7 months later, I adopted Ginger. WOW, did I feel completely overwhelmed. These 2 dogs were night and day. I wondered the same that many of you had. "What had I done?"

Well, it's been 3 years now and Ginger has made her own place in my heart. She is my baby girl, my shadow, my love. Getting her was in no way a bad decision. She is very different from my precious Sunny, but she is loved so much! I wouldn't trade her for anything!

Hang in there. Being overwhelmed with a puppy is normal. It will get better and you will have more freedom down the road. I'm an only child too. I think that is actually why my yorkies are so important to me. They aren't just dogs - they are family!

[lovespandp]

The OP sent me an email- She said that she did return Marley to the breeder- She feels it isn't her time for a puppy right now, she had to do what was best for herself and of course Marley-

Not sure if she will come back on, but I thought I would let you guys know an update!

[shelimcallister]

OMG!!!! Wow!

[chachi]

Thanks for the update

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by chachi

Thanks for the update

No problemo!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Well, I hope Marley finds a wonderful forever home next time & the OP can find her own happiness elsewhere. Maybe a grown cat would be a better fit since many of them don't seem so needy as dogs & many seem to prefer being alone. My friend who has had cats all of her life tells me sometimes she doesn't see hers for hours - it goes to a closet shelf or gets into the bathtub & dozes. I asked her if it were ill & she said "Oh, no, all of my cats have been like this. I prefer it. She will come & cuddle once in a while". She thinks dogs are far too much trouble & always under foot & "needy", says she loves having an independent housemate for her & her husband as they both work/travel a lot. They have a catsitter come in when they leave town & she tells me the catsitter says the cat disappears on her, too, coming out only to eat/drink/poop. Another girl I used to work with said her two cats were practically care free & far easier to care for than dogs but were there for you when you needed a pet to talk to or cuddle. Might work out better for OP.

[Teresa Ford]

Thank You for sharing the information. Every one who poured their heart out trying to help the OP thank you so much. You make me proud to be a member of Yorkie Talk.

"Some times a good breeder does not adopt a puppy to some one, because it just doesn't feel right. When I placed puppies I learned more about people by the questions they asked, that the ones I asked." T. Radcliff Hugs

[memphis10]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

The OP sent me an email- She said that she did return Marley to the breeder- She feels it isn't her time for a puppy right now, she had to do what was best for herself and of course Marley-

Not sure if she will come back on, but I thought I would let you guys know an update!

Sounds like that was the best decision for both of them. You have to be committed and ready to have a puppy, not unlike the feeling of having children. Both are overwhelming and it sounded like the OP still had some growing up to do. I'm sure the breeder will find a great forever home for Marley.

[lovespandp]

[quote=Teresa Ford;3933050]Thank You for sharing the information. Every one who poured their heart out trying to help the OP thank you so much. You make me proud to be a member of Yorkie Talk.

I agree!!

Originally Posted by memphis10

Sounds like that was the best decision for both of them. You have to be committed and ready to have a puppy, not unlike the feeling of having children. Both are overwhelming and it sounded like the OP still had some growing up to do. I'm sure the breeder will find a great forever home for Marley.

[msyorktown]

thanks for the update lovesandp...however i am saddened by this news. Hopefully Marley will be placed with another mommy or daddy who is ready to love and care for him, and i hope OP will be much better prepared if she decides to go this route next time. I agree with Teresa thanks to all who responded with words of encouragement and advice. YTERS you are truly a special group of people ....I am sooo happy to be a part of this forum.