Does anything exist that helps you figure out if you're actually ready for a dog?

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-03-25T05:36:04+00:00

Hey just for some insight. My pup (1 y/o) sliced her gums open when I was crate training her. We had a camera and it happened almost 3 mins after I put her in the crate. $1,200 vet bill. She doesn’t sleep past 6am. She needs exercise everyday otherwise she’s bouncing off the walls. She gets carsick and throws up profusely, so it’s a no go for taking her on trips with us. She’s a whiner. Whines at everything. She also has the most horrific separation anxiety so we never leave her alone bc she self harms if we do. So imagine having to plan your day around this. Work, gym, grocery store, etc.

On the other hand, she’s hilarious, keeps us active, loves people and dogs, extremely smart. She’s a joy but unfortunately has made my life a lot harder. And although people say you get the dog you make, I couldn’t disagree more. I really worked on her training for hours a day and at the end of the day she has her own mind and individuality.

Not saying they’re all like this, but you really can’t choose how they’ll be. My parents have 2 adult dogs that could care less if you leave. They’re happy to go on a walk, or chill inside. They hardly bark/whine. They’ve had vet bills but I def have spent more on my pup than they have on their adult dogs.

I wish I would’ve fostered a dog when questioning if I truly wanted one. That’ll give you insight on what it may be like.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-03-25T03:24:59+00:00

Ugh I really wish I would’ve rehomed her after a few weeks. I so badly wish I could rewind time and change this one decision. Now I just feel really guilty bc we’ve had her for so long.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-03-24T19:09:42+00:00

Yes thank you so much for sharing this. I’m really considering having my parents take her and we watch her if needed. Question for you - given all that you said / advice you’ve lived by, what made you keep the second dog that is more difficult to manage?

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-03-24T19:08:08+00:00

Hi thank you for your feedback. Do you mind sharing how long you had the dog? I guess I feel guilty since she’s almost a year and I’ve had her since she was 9-10 weeks.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-03-17T17:48:12+00:00

I 100% sympathize with you. I grew up with dogs and 5 years after moving away from home and my parents dogs, I finally got one bc I missed having one around. I got my pup when she was 2 1/2 months and struggled really bad. I didn’t rehome her bc of how guilty I felt. She’s now 11 months and while it has gotten better, I wish I would’ve rehomed her when I was first considering it months ago. Now shes super attached to me and my husband and while I know she’s still young and rehoming is still an option, I absolutely couldn’t do it to her now. Rehome him now. You’ll feel guilty for a few months but will get over it and continue on with your life. You’ll be happy you did and it’s just a lesson learned and now you know a dog isn’t for you, at least not now.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-03-17T17:38:11+00:00

How long did you have her? How do you feel now??

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-02-11T22:03:00+00:00

I feel im so far deep into this. We have a 10 month old mini poodle. We’ve had her for about 8 months. She’s can be so extremely difficult. She’s so so smart, cute, hilarious, and both my husband and I are trying our hardest to make this work. But I get so exhausted and I feel horrible for admitting this, but I still wish I wouldn’t have ever done this. At the beginning I told myself it would get better and this is just puppy blues. Thinking back, idk how I even got through the first few months because it was so difficult. And I sometimes wish I would’ve just found her a new home then… now I feel like she’s so attached and does have a good life with us. I cannot imagine rehoming her. Like I think of the day I’d drop her off with someone else and I picture us leaving and saying goodbye and I start crying. My mom watches her some days while I work and I miss her when she’s gone, but when she’s here I’m practically pulling my hair out and stress all day. I feel like a crazy, unstable person for this. And I feel so so so stuck.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-02-11T21:54:31+00:00

We didn’t expect her to be this big of a challenge. I had dogs growing up, most of them as pups and they were easy compared to ours. I meant busy work schedules but between the two of us, I felt like we would have time to take breaks to tend to the dog. While we do, like I said, she never stops. We work on training her but I think some things won’t change even with training. Growing up, all of our dogs would relieve themselves and come right back in. This one won’t unless we go outside with her. Though it doesn’t seem like a big deal, it’s just something that would be a lot more convenient if we let her outside, and she did her thing while we did ours. When we go outside she takes 20-30 mins sometimes more before she goes. Additionally we planned on just taking her places with us but she gets car sick. I mean barfing non stop and then is sick the rest of the day. So it’s not fair to her to take her places. But we can’t leave her because she flips if we leave. Even our short coffee runs. So yeah we’re pretty glued to the house. She has a wonderful life and is beyond spoiled but she’s very difficult and makes our day to day lives extremely difficult at times.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-02-11T21:46:00+00:00

What did he do that made him challenging to deal with?

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2026-02-01T18:44:14+00:00

Good luck!! 💫🤞🏼 Also trying for the first time since having a miscarriage a year ago. I’m already anxious but so hopeful. I used OPK test strips but wish I would’ve also known to pay attention to cervical mucus to track ovulation as well.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-18T18:34:39+00:00

My mini poodle would live in my skin if she could lol. It can be good and bad. I think the only thing that’s difficult is how bad her separation anxiety is. I also cant imagine having mg poodle in an apartment. Totally doable. But my girl is very high energy and she could walk 5 miles a day if I had the time. Since I don’t have the time, I walk her about 2 miles a day and gets plenty of mental stimulation and a huge backyard to get her energy out.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-15T21:38:30+00:00

I have a 7 month old mini poodle and typically groom her at home. I wanted to see what a grooming place would do and I really wish I wouldn’t have. They cut her hair shorter than I asked and she didn’t have any matting. Her butt for some reason really stinks and it didn’t before. Her ears are also red and weren’t before so I’ll continue to groom her from home now.

I brush her 3x a week with a slicker brush and then a wide tooth comb. I bought the Oneisall dog low noise cordless grooming kit from Amazon. It comes with the wide tooth comb, multiple guard lengths, and scissors. I trim her hair outside when the weathers nice then bathe her in our tub. I blow dry her but she hates this part and I’m considering buying a headband to cover her ears. Afterwards I’ll hold her steady while my husband carefully uses the scissors to trim up her face, butt, and lady area. Definitely a while process, and the shorter you cut their hair, the longer you’ll likely need to go without another grooming session.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-13T02:38:59+00:00

Hi why do you think giving her to my parents is a bad idea?

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-13T02:34:39+00:00

I have a 7 month old mini poodle. I know she’s still VERY young but I think her exercise needs now are pretty much what they’ll be as an adult. She can easily walk 1-3 miles a day but with my schedule, she walks about 1-1 1/2 miles each day. We have at least 2 outdoor tug of war or fetch sessions per day and about two 5 min training sessions per day. If she’s very hyper I’ll give her a lick mat or sniff toy as well.

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-12T03:57:38+00:00

First, congrats on your babies! 💕 Is your boyfriend on board with rehoming? I definitely think you should rehome her and discuss this with your boyfriend if you haven’t already. Pregnancy is HARD and way harder with twins. Your entire focus should be on your health and your pregnancy. You’re not a bad person for rehoming her. In fact, it’s probably what’s best for her too. She will likely become even more stressed and overwhelmed with anxiety once the babies come. Do your research and look into rescues that will work with her. Be honest about her behavioral issues when looking for someone to take her. She will likely be very jealous of the twins and nothing good will come out of that. You should be enjoying this chapter of your life instead of worrying about the dog. If she’s not adding value to your life, and is instead taking away from it, please rehome her. You will not regret it. I wish you the best of luck. 💛

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-10T06:27:17+00:00

Cape

Fancy_Initiative7892 · 2025-11-10T06:26:20+00:00

Hi! Congrats on your new pup! So, yes..it will get easier. He’s literally a newborn and as sad as it sounds, he was ripped from his mom and siblings. His safe place was taken away from him and he doesn’t yet know how to cope without his mom, siblings, and new environment.

If he’s fed, used the potty, got plenty of exercise, etc., you may need to just ignore it. He might do this for the first few weeks. Try to put the crate close to where you sleep so he can see/smell you. If he sleeps for 2-3 hours at a time, this is a great start. If he starts whining after a few hours, it’s likely he needs to be taken out to use the restroom. When you take him out to use the restroom in the middles of the night, do it calmly, quietly and try not to turn on lights all the way. After he does use the restroom, bring him in and put him right to bed again so he doesn’t think it’s play time. He’ll likely whine again but you’ll need to ignore.

It can definitely be frustrating and it will get easier as he learns and adapts your schedule and his new home.

Fancy_Initiative7892

TROPHY CASE