| Author | Message | ||
     Link4becky Senior Member Username: Link4becky Post Number: 264 Registered: 02-2003 |
OK I need some moral support here. My son bought a lab puppy two weeks ago. After only 3 days with a 9 week old puppy decided he is too much work and wanted to take him back to the breeder. The breeder he got him from takes them back for a full refund at any age so this is always an option. Well, I had already fallen in love with him so I said we'd keep him. This son is 23 and still lives with us but works long hours and is never home. Same with husband. So to make a long story short I get all the work of this puppy. I tell you he is a full time job. He was sleeping pretty good at night but the last 4 nights has been up a lot pooping. His stool is fine all day and by night time is loose for some reason. Anyone ever experience this? He's not eating any differently than he has been. He's on Iams puppy food and I'm thinking about changing that. I'm too old for this! I keep thinking about taking him back to the breeder but he's so darn cute it breaks my heart to give him up!! HELP!!!!! Becky | ||
| Opie Senior Member Username: Opie Post Number: 257 Registered: 06-2003 |
Becky, my 2 mini schnauzers were 6 weeks old when I got them. I trained them easily using a kennel I put together from Home Depot. I kept them in there all the time except to take outside on a leash. When I brought them back into the house, I immediately put them back in the kennel. After a week of this I started letting them stay out of the kennel a little longer before putting them back. Finally, they would go to the door and sit when they wanted to go out. Hope this helps. Opal | ||
| Alayne Senior Member Username: Alayne Post Number: 933 Registered: 02-1999 |
Becky: I'm laughing at this as we have a 70+ golden puppy who is now 8 months old. He is quite a handful. We have him on the Iams and he has been fine. I'd talk to the vet, he might need to be dewormed if he hasn't been. And we kept our dog crated for months at night and when we weren't home. He is bad, not like out last one. And yes, everything falls on me. How is that??? Really he is a sweet dog, but thinks I'm his playmate and not the Alpha Male. I need training just haven't had time!! My recycled son and husband have time but don't see the problems. They aren't here all day!! I understand.  Lea | ||
| Link4becky Senior Member Username: Link4becky Post Number: 265 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thanks guys. He is in a crate when ever he isn't being watched closely. I already had his stool checked and he has no worms. Lea, we have a golden who is 8 years old and weighs 100 lbs. He is our baby and was totally house trained in 2 weeks and only cried for the first two night a little and after that slept in until I got up and let him out. He was a little bit of a handful when he was little but not as bad as this one. it could just be I'm too darn old for a puppy too. LOL. I'm really struggling with this and have been crying all night trying to figure out what to do. I can't even get my baskets made because I'm totally exhausted from taking him in and out all day and being up every 1 1/2 hours at night so he can go potty. He really has to go to when we let him out. When you put your dog in the crate, did you just put a blanket in with him? He has a big cage and he has a blanket and a paper in case he has to potty. He usually chooses to potty on the blanket though. Becky | ||
| Tere Senior Member Username: Tere Post Number: 807 Registered: 02-2003 |
My sympathies. Labs can be a handful alright. Becky I don't know how old you are but I'm with you 100%..I'm too old for a puppy, just like I'm too old to nurture a newborn baby. As precious as they are. Both puppy and baby look like an awful lot of work to me. Is there anything sweeter than "puppy breath"? I'm sorry you're crying over this. My friends mom recently went through the exact dilemma you're now sharing. She went back and forth mentally over keeping the little thing and finally she had to give up and take it back. She was exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed. It wasn't as much joy as she remembered from days gone by. I'm going to get flogged over this but I'm going to say it anyway. Your a human, the dog is not. Humans supercede dogs. You must do what's best for you. I know he's cute. I love puppies too, I really do. But how cute is he in the middle of the night? If cute outweighs the annoyance than by all means keep him but if not...I'd not think less of you for taking him back to the breeder. Tere Pia's of Pleasant Valley | ||
| Link4becky Senior Member Username: Link4becky Post Number: 266 Registered: 02-2003 |
Tere, your word this morning are very comforting to me. He was up 3 times again last night. I'm 51 and not in the best of health. I feel exactly like your friends mom did. I told my son to call the breder today and take him back. I just can't do this. Our Golden is 8 and is totally carefree and thats what I need. He is adorable but my health is more important. His needyness outways his cutness. My business is suffering also because I feel like a zombie and can't get baskets made. Becky | ||
| Bonniel Advanced Member Username: Bonniel Post Number: 106 Registered: 02-2003 |
Becky, I am an absolute DOG LOVER, and I think you made the right decision. We all have to do what is best for ourselves. I know it was hard for you, but I'm sure a weight has been lifted now that you've made up your mind. Take care, Bonnie | ||
| Berlee Senior Member Username: Berlee Post Number: 215 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hi, Becky~ Just a side note...it's really in the puppy's (and breeder's) best interest that you are returning the puppy NOW while it's still adorable and will be MUCH easier to sell to another home...so don't beat yourself up too badly! :o) Blessings, Berlee Berlee's Fancies | ||
| Link4becky Senior Member Username: Link4becky Post Number: 267 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thanks Bonnie and Berlee. It is with a very heavy heart I am giving him up but I know it's the best for both myself and the puppy. He is only 11 weeks old so still very sellable. Becky | ||
| Marilyn Senior Member Username: Marilyn Post Number: 269 Registered: 02-2003 |
Becky, I know I am a little late here but think of it in a different way. Think of a little girl or a little boy that might receive this puppy and the joy they will have in raising it and learning responsibility. I know it is hard and being a woman it is even harder as we get emotionally involved. Years ago, my girls would bring home kittens and then after 1 month would go on their merry way and let me clean the boxes and pick up the uneaten food. They were attached when it was playtine and I got the dirty work. We can only do so much. Like Berlee said...don't beat yourself up over it. The puppy will find a great home. Marilyn Taylor Bountiful Basket | ||
| Link4becky Senior Member Username: Link4becky Post Number: 268 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thanks Marilyn, I know he will find a great home. I can't believe how painful this is. I feel like someone died. I keep thinking I hear him crying. It's just terrible. I hate to see when our Golden goes to heaven if I'm this upset over a puppy I had for 16 days. I really thought when I got up this morning after a night of no interruptions and being able to sleep in again I'd feel a lot better. It didn't happen. I'm just as heart sick as I was. It must be a mother thing. I must be going through menopause. Becky | ||
| Mtnrose Intermediate Member Username: Mtnrose Post Number: 64 Registered: 04-2003 |
Becky, You did the right thing...we have a lab that's 5 years old and JUST starting to calm down! Labs are a lot of work and need constant attention and lots of exercise. I can imagine how heartbreaking it must have been to give him back, but I agree with Marilyn about trying to imagine how happy that puppy will be in a new home with young children to play with! |
