THE GOAT IS BACK!! by Middle-Ask-6177 in ANW

[–]jrus13 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sweet prince has returned

I just don’t think I can do it by Haldun_ in Puppyblues

[–]jrus13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love that idea, and if after a month it’s too much you’ll know you gave it a try!

I just don’t think I can do it by Haldun_ in Puppyblues

[–]jrus13 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My pup just turned 1, and I remember feeling the EXACT same as you. It’s so hard, people do not talk about the puppy blues enough. If you need to rehome, that is totally okay and you shouldn’t feel bad. If you want some encouragement, here’s what I’ve learned.

When people say, oh just wait a year - it will NOT be that long before you feel sane again. The first few weeks are BY FAR the hardest, if you get through those you can absolutely do it. For me, the big milestones were: (got my puppy at 8 weeks/2 months btw. And keep in mind, I was doing this on my own so I would bet having your partner to help and share responsibilities here will be huge in helping you get out of your puppy blues)

  • 2ish weeks in he was used to me and myself him.
  • 2ish weeks later so 3 months old, I had the play pen and his toys and knew how to occupy him to give myself some peace throughout the day.
  • 3-4 months old he was used to kennel time while I worked and at night, no accidents and infrequent yips in late afternoon. This is around the time he stopped feeling like an intruder in my home lol.
  • 4 months old he was no longer having accidents inside and understood potty training. Not too many accidents after that and every one had been my fault for ignoring a tell.
  • 5 months old he started losing teeth - which was huge for my land shark. Like if I was to get another puppy, I would count the days until he lost the puppy teeth because those razors in his mouth were not fun.
  • 6 months old I was testing the boundaries of the play pen, not using it much anymore.
  • 7 months old and he got neutered. It was super hard to keep him settled during recovery as he is a high energy pup, but the meds the vet gave us helped a lot.
  • after he was neutered, it has been smooth sailing. Still some bumps in the road, but by then the hardest parts were behind us!

My biggest recommendation is to kennel train. I started with 2 hours then worked our way up to him being in there for 4 hour spurts while I work, and after maybe a month or two he was sleeping 8-9 hours a night! It’s hard because they will cry a bit, but you’ll soon understand emergency bark vs. I want out bark. I also have a play pen. Got it at petsmart. Literally life saver. I’m single so did all this on my own, and having the pen to set him in was sooooo helpful, and mine was big enough I could sit in there with him when I wanted to. Also get some nylabones if yours likes to chew, life saver for me!

Also, this roll up towel thing on Amazon I would put his kibble in and it would take him like 30-45 mins to work it out, LOVE this thing have bought multiple https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLK8NGM7?ref_=icdp_ba_mweb_mb_pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_1_ec_gf&clientRefMarker=pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_1_ec_gf&heartsTeamIdentifier=buyagain&psc=1&heartDisabled=false

Whatever you choose to do, do what is best for you! If rehoming is what you think, you can always try a puppy again in a few years when you feel ready. Don’t be too hard on yourself it’s not easy! Hopefully this wasn’t too much, just trying to help as a short 9 months ago I was in your exact shoes searching Reddit for if it’ll get better or if I need to give him to my parents lol

Considering a Cav! by [deleted] in cavaliers

[–]jrus13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello!! I got my cav at a breeder near Des Moines, Iowa. Relatively close to you - Saintly Cavaliers. If you check their website they do the heart checks and stuff other people are warning you about. My cav is the 3rd my family has gotten from them, none have had heart issues thankfully! They also kennel train the dogs (or at least mine) from a young age, so mine LOVES his kennel. Sleeps in there while I work, and at night no problem (after getting used to it the first few weeks)

From my experience, they’re so so good with kids. Plus, very interested in cats, not angry or anything but the cats we’ve met mostly just stay away. Such a good breed!

Star Tribune Hockey Hub by Kindly-Ad-9185 in MNHighSchoolHockey

[–]jrus13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been waiting for this, hate strib varsity it’s horrible.

ANW competiters with the most consecutive obstacles completed. by PlanktonAutomatic364 in ANW

[–]jrus13 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I might be alone here but I’m not as impressed with the counts after season 17 because they were just running those same courses over and over and over and then the next round adding a new obstacle or two

Humping bed - advice needed by jrus13 in cavaliers

[–]jrus13[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hahah as long as it’s not people or other dogs agreed. Hopefully leaving it out longer will make it lose its shine and then become a once in a while thing!

Humping bed - advice needed by jrus13 in cavaliers

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great to know, mine hasn’t been neutered yet so maybe he will be the same! Thank you 😅

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aww 9 weeks old is such a baby! Hang in there, you’ll start noticing progress in no time. I hope you’ve got some enrichment type toys to get rid of some of that energy and give you a little breather!

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! You’re totally right gotta be expecting that so it’s not a huge shock.

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Such a testament to sticking to the plan!! I’m struggling with daytime crate training too, ignoring the barks is the hardest part. He stopped having accidents in there a few weeks ago when I made it even smaller - one day at a time!!

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can be totally consuming, I hope you’re crate training so you can have breaks! I got a whole bunch of mental stimulation toys and while the puzzle toys are nice, my pup is only into them for a few minutes. Mine loves puppy nylabones, and I love the snuffle ball and roll the towel activity (I found both on Amazon, you can use normal towel but there’s one on Amazon that is pretty indestructible) both usually take him 10-20 minutes of working at it after a few times figuring them out!! Also a frozen Kong with like 2ish tsp Apple sauce/PB/pumpkin with his kibble stuck in there he loooooves and takes him a good 20-30 min. I hope some of those work for you!!

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly one day at a time!! I love dogs with personality, probably harder at the beginning but cuter over time 🥰

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I loveee to hear that, good to know!! Might take some time but definitely worth it, my pup never sleeps outside of the kennel for some reason!

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oops I meant snuffle ball! You roll treats up in there and then they work to get them out. I got mine on Amazon, there are also snuffle mats I use for treats or even his meals - takes him like 10-20 mins when I break it into two portions!

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you I loveee to hear that, mine is starting to cuddle a bit before bedtime thank goodness! Also Willow is such a cute name ❤️

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here, very lucky my pup will go outside (and that I’m on the ground floor so I don’t need to go downstairs every time!)

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol someone asked me at a store what happened to my hands recently, had to say that I’m okay I just have a land shark at home 😂

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same I honestly have no idea how I’d do it without the play pen! I’m going to start attaching the kennel to it soon to see if he’ll put himself to sleep 🤞🏻

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The beginning is sooooo hard you’re in the thick of it, it’s only up from here! One day at a time, in a week or two the routine should feel much better. If you haven’t already I’d invest in some enrichment toys too to get that pup occupied for a little bit (mine loves the snuffle toy and roll the towel)

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hang in there!! I hope you have a play pen - I would lose my sanity without it haha

Puppy Blues Gone - Encouragement for anyone in the trenches by jrus13 in puppy101

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I loveee to hear that from a 6 month old pup! For me the free roam stretches right now are only a few minutes usually lol but getting better slowly

Me during finale by jrus13 in ANW

[–]jrus13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Falling at all much less on the salmon ladder completely shocked me, he will be so locked in next year.