I am Stressed...(sort of long)

[Boiler]

Hey everyone, I am new here, although I have been reading alot on this forum for the past couple of weeks...

Anyway...my wife and I just adopted a 5 month old female rott from the humane society, we named her Sydney. She stole our hearts. We have had her now for a week, and I feel like are lives have turned upside down! She seems smart and is well tempered besides the occasional jumping or bark. We thought we were ready for a dog, read all kinds of stuff about rotts on the web, we thought we were ready for the commitment.

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???

[Judi W]

Please return her to the humane society so she can go to a home that wants her.

[BostonRott]

It definitely gets easier, and she's got some real adjusting to do, depending on what her previous home was like.

Do you take her out for walks much? Exercise helps really take the edge off dogs, and play relieves stress. I'd also look for an obedience class to get into ASAP.......this will start showing her the boundries, teach you a lot about dogs and also build the bond between you. She's old enough to not qualify for puppy kindergarten but a good beginner obedience class would probably be fun. Classes ALWAYS tire out pups.

[Boiler]

We are thinking about that, but not to the humane society, maybe a rescue or finding a new home for her ourselves.

I feel maybe we should have waited until summer, it has been pretty nasty weather here lately. Cold, raining for 2 weeks straight, so she has not been outside much. Maybe I just have cabin fever and she is getting on my nerves...

[lblax]

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???

no it doesnt get easier all the above are part of owning a dog i would suggest also that you take her back to the shelter and pick up a couple cats while your there

[BostonRott]

When I said easier, I meant in terms of the puppy settling down, not in terms of letting up in her care.

As to getting a puppy in the summer..........what's the difference? You'll still have to take the dog out, tell it to stop jumping, etc.

Dogs are a lot of work, they require commitment and re-arranging of one's life to accomodate them.

[Boiler]

I keep telling myself that this is just some sort of post puppy depression, and the lack of sun light for the past two weeks. I do feel better about things after I have taken her for a walk between the downpours and ice storms, but it dosent take long before I am feeling overwhelmed again.

[brunie's mom]

Having a dog is a big responsibility. Owning a Rottweiler is even a bigger responsibility.
If you feel you have cabin fever...then take her out for a walk...throw a ball for her....enjoy her.
Yes..she is a pup..you do have to watch her and let her out often...but she is just getting to know you and you to know her.
Get into obedience classes ASAP. Rottweilers are not easy entry level dogs to get as a first dog...they need much more work then any Golden or Lab...but the results are GREAT !!

It sounds like you are overwhelmed right now..but things do get better. With maturity and training she can become a great dog.

If you do not have a fenced in yard, can you put up a dog run for her outside?..so that when the weather is nice and you need a few moments to yourself she can be outside safely??

If you feel you cannot do your best for this dog...then return her from the shelter that you got her. Most rescues would not take her if she is from a shelter without the shelter giving her up to the rescue first. You do not have enough experience to re-home her yourself. Did you not sign a contract when you adopted her? Please read it.

Gina

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Boiler

I feel maybe we should have waited until summer,

What good would that have done! There is always next year when its wet cold and raining again....... Sounds like your dog has the average easy to train and deal with issues. If they are already stressing you out I agree with the others that you need to return her.

[Boiler]

I guess I am just hoping someone would say...give it another week or two and everything will be just fine...

Question though...the weather here has been completely miserable to say the least. Do you walk your dogs in the driving rain? Or let them play outside in the yard when its raining and cold? I am afraid my yard will turn into a big mud pit...

[BostonRott]

Yes, I walk them in bad weather, and of course your yard will be a mudpit after time..........dogs are not for the neat and proper.

[Judi W]

Excuse me, but Boiler is tired of taking her out to go potty? Even if gotten in the summer, winter will come. Needing walks and potty time and exercise does not stop just because time passes and the poor dog gets older. We're talking about 10 years or so here, not the next few months of winter. It is true, that the cat is better as a low maintainence pet only requiring some food dropped in a bowl and a litter box cleaned unless the owner wants to interact. Already said she is smart and well-tempered so behavior is not at issue. Daily care is, and that is not going to change.

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Boiler

I guess I am just hoping someone would say...give it another week or two and everything will be just fine...

Well thats where I get confused....... From what you posted the issues are normal not bad issues. Dogs jump. Dogs have to play. Dogs have to be walked. I'm wondering if there are more issues you are not posting because these issues will stay basically the same. She is a dog......lol

Question though...the weather here has been completely miserable to say the least. Do you walk your dogs in the driving rain? Or let them play outside in the yard when its raining and cold? I am afraid my yard will turn into a big mud pit...

When I can't let mine out and she gets restless I play inside games. Throwing stuffed animals, playing tug, and hide and seek with treats. Or pick a command or trick I want her to learn and work on that. Lots of indoor things can be done.

[Boiler]

I realize winter will come again, I was just thinking that if I had waited until summer, I would be a little more used to it. You know, sort of ease into the bad weather with Sydney gradually. Maybe we would have more of a routine down by that time.

[BostonRott]

Let me ask you this question: what do you generally do in the winter? Do you have activities that you partake in? Or do you hole up and wait for Spring?

Sounds like you have your own personal issues with bad weather that no dog could survive. An older dog will go out less frequently than a puppy, but will still need to go out.

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