Post Puppy Depression:(

[LunasMomma]

Just wanted to say that I'm glad to read that you're feeling a bit better. There is nothing wrong with the way you are feeling. Feelings are never WRONG, they just ARE! It was very brave of you to share that with us, at the risk of getting some not-so-nice comments.

I too felt overwhelmed at first with both of my girls. Luna was sickly and I got NO sleep the first couple of weeks she was here, and this was after not sleeping for days on end taking care of my Starr, who was ill and then subsequently passed. I thought WTF did I DO?!?! I started to resent DH because he sort of thrust her upon me after we lost Starr, and I wasn't really ready. Things got better. I can't imagine not seeing that cute little face every day, and Luna is my little velcro doggy Izzy came to live with us as a rehome and OMG she was a MESS. Pee and Poop greeted me from one end of the kitchen to the other, every day when I got home from work. Luna was well trained before Izzy came but what are you gonna do? Thank God I gated them off in there or I'd have been scrubbing all night long! I think that they went everywhere BUT the potty pad I wanted to give her back so badly, but it wasn't possible and I had to hang in there. I'm so glad that I did, she's the best, most sweetest little girl.

Any change in your life is going to be stressful. I'm glad that you feel like you can come here and "talk" about it. Doing that will save your sanity during the rough times, and will help remind you to enjoy the good times too. Before you know it, you'll have developed a routine with your baby and it'll seem like he has always been there

NOW, we need to see some pictures of this little stinker!!!!

[LunasMomma]

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. ♥♥♥

Oh my gosh, your post actually made me cry!!! What blessings all your little ones were/are!!!!

[TxVicki]

I am so glad to read that you going to keep him and are starting to feel better.

Just remember that Puppy Hood only last a little while and it will get better.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

Oh my gosh, your post actually made me cry!!! What blessings all your little ones were/are!!!!

Funny - my one & only puppy, Scotty, was a total delight from the beginning & I was in puppy love all along - delighted - but not so with the others! Jilly never seemed like a puppy - she was really almost 5 mos. when I got her & always acted full grown. Tibbe was a 9 mos. old untrained, screaming wildcat who didn't know what love was himself. People scared him. Everything scared him. Took some time with Jilly & Tibbe - but oh, my, when it happened, it changed me for good. Funny how love works.

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by lunasmomma

oh my gosh, your post actually made me cry!!! What blessings all your little ones were/are!!!!

me too!!!!

[Lilymo]

Originally Posted by Millies mamma

I pomise that things wil get better, just give it a chance, soon you wont be able to imagine your life without him. You can still go out and have a social life, of course if you are going to be gone over night you will have to make plans for him, but to go out for a couple hours just make sure he is in a safe spot with water and food. BTW your mother should not have gotten upset with him he is just a pup and in a new place he doesn't know what is expected out of him yet, and if it were me I would tell her that!!! Basically just give it time...

I agree I think your mum upset you more with her silly thoughtless comments. If she behaves like this with you it's not surprising you don't have a lot of confidence. Surly she knows puppys haven't read an instruction manual before they arrive. Don't let her put you down. Your little dog will help you enjoy a fuller life than you thought possible.

[gracielove]

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.

[MY OSCAR]

i am glad you are feeling better about your situation.
i cant say i know how you feel but i can sort of relate.
10 years ago i lost my home due to forclosure.
i had no where to go with several dogs & cats so i had to
work with a rescue to find homes for them.
losing my home was nothing compared to the heartbreak i had over giving up my babies. I still cant think of them without crying.
the looks on their faces when i walked away from them
still haunts me to this day..

[katy-yorkie]

Originally Posted by Deadbug

It's easy to get through this. Trust me. I'm an only child and probably one of the most selfish people I know, but I'd fight till the death for my dogs and kids. I'm frustrated with our new puppy, Issy right now but instead of reacting, I'm going to try to find a solution (the little brat pee'd on my bed and untrained Gabby - more on that later)

You need to retrain yourself.

Bathtime? It's not a chore. Ever have one of those barbie dress up heads? You know, the ones you can blowdry, style, cut and brush the hair? Yep... you have a live one now.

Mealtimes? No problem. Now you have someone to have dinner with EVERY night.

Bedtime? (wait until after potty trained!), you have someone to cuddle with.

Errands to run? Cool beans. You have someone to talk to while you're driving. Trust me, he'll understand when you explode at the guy who cuts you off.

Companionship? yep yep! I love having someone to talk to that doesn't point out my flaws an argue with me. With my girls, I'm always right, no matter how ridiculous it sounds to humans. LOVE that!

Yes indeed, couldn't have said it better. I don't know what I would do without my two. I go out to dinner or out for drinks, they are ok by themselves for a while. And taking them in the car, we all love to get in the car and go. I hope you keep Marley, he will be a true friend for life.

[DvlshAngel985]

Kaji's my first dog, and I got him a month before my 24th birthday. It is such a huge adjustment. Although, looking back, almost 3 years later, I don't understand what my apprehension was all about. OP you'll get there too.

Although, if your feelings don't change within a week or two it wouldn't be a bad idea to re-evaluate your decision. You're feelings are there for a reason. Right now, it could just be an overwhelming feeling because having a puppy is just so new and foreign. After a week, you kind of get a sense of what having a pup around is all about. Including the joy and the not so joyful moments. Kaji and I still struggle with his anxiety. While it's about a million times better, there are still moments when even I, his beloved momma, scares him and he pees out of fright. Just re-washed all my bed sheets and comforter yesterday. Even while grumbling about having to wash everything again, Kaji managed to sneak me that "I LOVE YOU" look and all was forgiven. I swear, this 7 lb ball of fluff owns me!!!

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

I emailed you, but will write a post as well..

I never told anyone this before, but I was in the same boat as you. I was a tad younger- I was 25 not like the age matters 100% but I think it does count.

Probably a week after I brought Peanut home, I was on my way to the breeder to take him back- I was stressed, overwelmened, exhausted, felt resrtrained...

I sat with the breeder, Peanut on my lap. I told her I couldnt take it anymore, he has accidents, he cries at night I am up with him getting 0 sleep, I feel I can't go anywhere bc I didnt want to leave him alone, I told her it was my first dog and I didnt think I could handle it...

She told me she would take him back no problem, but she told me to wait- She said it gets easier, it is a lot of hard work but it does it better-

She told me to look at his face look into to eyes and make the choice, I looked down at him- He put his paw on my arm and looked up at me in the most cutest puppy eyes ever!!

She said look- He put his paw on your arm, I forgot how she explained it ( 5 years ago LOL) but she said he was "Owning me" He is yours now, he just made that choice for you!!

I was kinda confused, I thought no he just put his paw on my arm, that doesnt mean anything- It was really strange. I didnt know how to take it-

She told me to give it another week - after that if I still want to give him back I could.

A week later I was so in love I could have never gave him back!

I am not going to lie, it is hard work- Just as Gemy said.. It does it easier to an extent.

They are living breathing things, they count on us to be there for them 24/7 just as they are for us.

Keeping Peanut was the best choice I have ever made, He is my little side kick, he is always by my side- ( Laying right next to me now all curled up) Yorkies are a breed of their own.

They are there for you when you need them, they make you laugh, they have unconditonal love for you-

All I can tell you is- Give him a chance. It will get better.. Beyond the sleepless nights, the stress of potty training, getting over the chewed up shoes and other items, turing your friends down the night they want to party..

You have a little dog that loves you and will be there for you whenever you need him-

The bold part is so the truth. Georgie has laid by me when I am sick and crawled up on my chest to lick my tears when I cry. They are amazing I know things will be better for you and I am glad you are already seeing it

[Patti]

Take it day by day and it will get better. Just about everytime I brought a new puppy home I went through what have I done? The first yorkie I got I wanted to bring him back the next morning, fortunately I lived at home and my sister and I shared a room and she helped me through it. I have had 7 yorkies and 1 pom in my lifetime and each one with the exception of one I felt so overwhelmed, but each day got better and now I have 4. I always told myself if worst came to worst I could give them back, even though I knew I wouldn't. It helped knowing I could. Hang in there we are here to support you.

[capt_noonie]

I'm responding to the OP, haven't read the rest of the thread, going to do that after I post this:

Not everyone is cut out for dogs and/or kids. I am not cut out for kids, so I don't have any. For example, my mom, she is now retired, lives by herself, and wants a pom SO badly. I told her flat out she's not cut out for a dog.

Why wouldn't you be able to go out for drinks for a few hours? When Uni was a puppy we went out every weekend. We converted a walk in closet into her "room" while we were away. Puppies mostly sleep anyway. Eat, play, sleep, that's pretty much it.

and the frustration from your mom was probably due to the fact that it was she who kept bringing Marley back to the pad not you. I think if you had done that and not her, she wouldn't have exploded at you like that.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Kaji's my first dog, and I got him a month before my 24th birthday. It is such a huge adjustment. Although, looking back, almost 3 years later, I don't understand what my apprehension was all about. OP you'll get there too.

Although, if your feelings don't change within a week or two it wouldn't be a bad idea to re-evaluate your decision. You're feelings are there for a reason. Right now, it could just be an overwhelming feeling because having a puppy is just so new and foreign. After a week, you kind of get a sense of what having a pup around is all about. Including the joy and the not so joyful moments. Kaji and I still struggle with his anxiety. While it's about a million times better, there are still moments when even I, his beloved momma, scares him and he pees out of fright. Just re-washed all my bed sheets and comforter yesterday. Even while grumbling about having to wash everything again, Kaji managed to sneak me that "I LOVE YOU" look and all was forgiven. I swear, this 7 lb ball of fluff owns me!!!

I agree. And if it truly isn't the right situation for you, and you do keep the dog, he will become a nuisance, untrained, or left outside like so many dogs in our neighborhood, barking all day long. It's not fair for the dog.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by MY OSCAR

i am glad you are feeling better about your situation.
i cant say i know how you feel but i can sort of relate.
10 years ago i lost my home due to forclosure.
i had no where to go with several dogs & cats so i had to
work with a rescue to find homes for them.
losing my home was nothing compared to the heartbreak i had over giving up my babies. I still cant think of them without crying.
the looks on their faces when i walked away from them
still haunts me to this day..

I know the look. I've been on the receiving end of those faces before as a foster mom. For the first few days they just pace around or scratching at doors looking for their original owners. But after a few days they readjust. It's amazing how quick they adjust to their new environment.

BTW sorry to hear about the foreclosure. We went through it too, but we kept Uni. We lost our home and our business. She was what got us through it all.