I am Stressed...(sort of long)

[Boiler]

Yea I know dogs jump and play and get into things, I figured that training class would give her better house manners, and I do/did plan to get her into class.

Did any of you feel overwhelmed at first?

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

What did you think a dog would do all day? What were your expectations?

This was my thoughts too. These issues are so basic that I cant believe they even bug you boiler. Were you hoping she would walk in plop on the couch and stay there to be petted and looked at as a decoration????.......

[Boiler]

I dont really do much in winter...I dont mind the snow and cold so much, it the rain and cold and mud that I dont like. I dont mind going out for walks and stuff, I really was thinking I would become a little more out door active with a dog. I still would like too...

[Boiler]

I dont think it is the dog, I dont find her to have any issues, she is still a puppy and I know that, I think it is me just being overwhelmed and cooped up inside.

[Boiler]

Sorry but I miss my cats too! She was good with them for the first day or two, now she has started to bark and growl at them. That may be fueling my fire also.

[Boiler]

Thanks you guys for talking thru this with me! I just feel terrible about how I am feeling.

[BostonRott]

Overwhelmed? HOnestly, not at all. When I got my first puppy (at 12wks old, he's now almost 9yrs), I couldn't wait to get home to him every day at lunch and after work. We added another dog about 8mos later (mid winter in New England) and yeah, it sucks standing out in the 5 degree weather while a puppy pees, but what are you going to do??? It's part of life, suck it up and deal with it and know that the puppy will at some point sleep through the nights.

Get the LL Bean catalog out and find fleece lined jeans for walking dogs in cold weather. Get some gortex pants/jacket for walking in the rain. Find a good pair of water-proof boots, and have towels near the door for drying off the dog/mud. It's really not rocket science.

It sounds like you haven't even given the dog a chance, you're more upset at being forced out into weather that you don't like.

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by Boiler

Sorry but I miss my cats too! She was good with them for the first day or two, now she has started to bark and growl at them. That may be fueling my fire also.

Normal dog behaviour. Did you really think a dog and your cats (who have probably never seen a dog) would ever really be pals? Our cat basically lives upstairs or outside. I have already said "no more cats" once this one dies. And I grew up a cat person. But trying to manage 4 dogs and any number of cats is just silly and the dogs will win the "space" fight every time in my household.........not exactly fair to the felines.

[rottgirl]

A dog is a huge commitment and it seems you were not ready or willing. Sure they are cute when they are puppies but they don't stay little forever. Do you realize she might grow to be 85-100 lbs? I don't know if "waiting till spring" would really have made a difference. As far as the cats go, we have a cat - she was with us before the dog it took a few days for them it get used to one another and they still spar once in awhile. I believe cats and dogs can live together you just need to make sure they respcet one another, when the cat has had enough she usually lets the dog know and walks away. Cats are also independent they don't require daily walks or a lot of contact playtime.

I think you really need to evalute the situation and decide if you are willing to give 100%, if not please return the dog to the humane society or to a resuce. It's not far to the dog or to you if you cannot commit to her.

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by Boiler

I dont think it is the dog, I dont find her to have any issues, she is still a puppy and I know that, I think it is me just being overwhelmed and cooped up inside.

So get dressed and get outside. Dress appropriately and look forward to getting back inside and enjoying a hot cup of coffee/hot chocolate. If you make going out in the rain a huge deal, the dog is going to learn to dread it also. Act like an adult, go out and do what must be done (i.e. go for a walk) and pretend it's no different than any other day. Getting her out for a walk will help settle her down in the house.

Find a place NOW to get her into to training and get out of the house, to somewhere warm and dry and DO something with her.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Boiler

Did any of you feel overwhelmed at first?

Do you have children? - New puppies are like new babies in a lot of ways. Cute while sleeping - LOTS of work when awake. (and overwhelming at times)

Buy a nice warm waterproof jacket and snappy boots - snap on a leash and go out in the nasty weather (leave a towel by the door). Walk and walk and talk and talk to your pup - wave at the other dog people you will see out and about in all kinds of weather. When you get back home - towel off your pup - stand back - and watch her zoomie in happiness for the next few minutes.

She will then settle down and rest and so can you.

[Boiler]

Maybe your right. Sydney is 5 months old now, she sleeps thru the nights, she has only had three accidents in the house on the first couple of days we had her. She does relatively well in her crate.

I dont know what my problem is, maybe I am just low on energy, part of me says give it time, the other part says I want things back the way they were.

I feel like I would much more happier if we had done this in the summer, we are alot more active then and would have an easier time adjusting to the new puppy.

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Boiler

I feel like I would much more happier if we had done this in the summer, .

Well too late for that. So you have 2 choices. Deal with it or return her. We don't offer Psychology for the humans.......

And your dog seems like she has no abnormal or hard issues......YET.......

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by Boiler

So to tell you the truth, I dont think we are ready. We are stressed out and having a hard time learning to cope. I am tired of taking her out in the freezing cold, tired of having to watch her whenever she is out of her crate, tired of saying "NO Sydney", I miss my cats!

Does it get easier???

Boiler, HI!

Honestly, it doesn't get easier. And to be blunt, you need to be FAIR and take this dog back to the shelter from which she came. Here's why:

1) If you are stressed now it will reflect in your actions with your dog, if your dog senses animosity from you it will reflect in her actions and that's where the cycle begins. You get frustrated with her which will get her confused and not know what to do which will in turn frustrate you. Make sense?

2) She still has a CHANCE to get adopted by another family. Trying to place her in rescue isn't fair. Most people go to the shelter before they think about calling a rescue (if they are even aware that there is rescue organizations for this breed). Giving her back to the shelter gives her another chance.

3) I think you need to read more and attend a few obedience shows and see if maybe this might be something that would interest you to do with your dog. Part of the problem may very well be that she is BORED too!

Also, about the cat issue, she probably was not as comfortable in her surroundings when she first came home, being more comfortable makes a dog's "true colors" shine through. She may very well dislike cats.

In my honest opinion, you should take this dog back to the shelter until you REALLY feel that the time is right, any time prior to that is not fair to you, your family OR the dog.

Good Luck.

[MontanaRott]

To put it bluntly you really need to suck it up. Dogs are work and worth every second you put into them. Sounds like you have great girl. Do right by her or return her. It is in the teens here, last night it was snowing and COLD, I was fighting off a migraine and our boys needed a walk. Did I bail on them? No DH and I bundled up, got the boys and took them for their usual long walk. They need it, they look forward to it all day and we owe it to them.
Give your girl what she needs, and hey you may find being outside, even in the crappy weather, watching your girl enjoy herself makes YOU feel better.