I bought a puppy for my husband. And now we're miserable.

[zoltanspawn]

I have a couple thoughts.

1) Be honest and admit you've made a mistake. It's not the end of the world, go back to where you got the puppy from. Any reputable source will gladly take the puppy back without giving you a hard time. It happens. Most of us want what's best for the dog, even if that means re-homing. Puppies are popular. It shouldn't have a hard time finding a new spot.

2) Remember that puppies are usually the hardest part of raising a dog. They're crazy energetic and don't yet have the capacity for training like an adult dog does. Honestly, I've had four dogs myself and never once a puppy. I think they look exhausting. (Maybe some day.) Some breeds or types of dog have prolonged puppy-hoods, like staffordshires. If you're in a situation where it seems like the puppy isn't going to mature soon, consider carefully whether you can endure more of the same. Hopefully, you took the time when getting the puppy to evaluate the temperament of the future adult dog and didn't get yourself a Jack Russell.

3) Professional help is available! If you think you might want to keep the dog, go get yourself a dog trainer right now. You can take classes, which will be cheaper and you will learn less. Or you can pay to have someone give both of you one on one counseling: that's what you need. It's more expensive, but you should get better results. Spend some time shopping for a trainer, too. Look at their credentials, and ask about their methods. I was in wayyyy over my head with my first dog. This is what I did. Some of the best money I've ever spent. I learned a ton, kept my dog, maintained my sanity and healed her from the crazy.

Also, check back in and let us know what you've done and please tell us more about the puppy and your specific challenges...

and...best of luck.

 

[zoltanspawn]

And, just a note in defense of the OP, sometimes the challenges a dog poses can be stupefying.

Some dogs can...

...leap six foot fences
...tear apart six foot fences
...tear apart trim and woodwork
...destroy floors
...tear apart couches (been there)
...destroy bedding
...rampage through cabinets
...escape
...escape again
...refuse to be motivated by food
...bite other dogs
...bite cats (always justified)
...bite children (I look the other way)
...bite adults
...pee everywhere
...pee everywhere else
...poop inside
...poop on the sofa
...eat chocolate, raisins, batteries and rat poison
...dominate weaklings (lol)
...get sick
...eat your underwear and shoes

The list goes on and on.

Dogs don't play by our rules. Learning how to negotiate their agendas takes time. Personally, I think it's fun.

But if you don't know what's going on, it really can be aggravating.

 

[statsguy]

^^ I may be wrong, but I think you just described President Trump. (sorry if I offended anyone)

Hopefully, the OP will let everyone know if it works out ok.

 

[mikey3000]

Hey OP, don't feel bad. Give it your best shot, and if it doesn't work out, return it, just discuss thoroughly with your hubby first to make sure you both feel the same. I adopted dog from the pound several years back and he wouldn't stop humping my five year old daughter; yes, the dog was fixed. After more than a week, back to the pound he went. Just wasn't the right fit. A few months later we tried again and got a perfect dog for us.

 

[offthewall14420]

Ask the dog whisperer
https://www.cesarsway.com/

 

[Willie Boy]

And, just a note in defense of the OP, sometimes the challenges a dog poses can be stupefying.

Again, that is where training comes in. If the "owner" understands what he/she is doing and the "animal" understands what is expected and is properly cared for those problems do not exist.

 

[NotHardUp1]

The problem is these clueless people apparently assumed getting a dog would be no different than getting a plant or a chair. That the new item would just sit and look pretty with little to no care/"maintenance". Just another example of people wandering through life with their brains shut down.

Or conversely, the couple knew the normal challenges dog owners face, but may have a problem case. The Dog Whisperer and about a dozen knock-off shows make big bucks on these cases. Admittedly, the majority of them are caused by missteps by the owners, but it's a dynamic relationship and the dog often gets the upper hand because he can.

At any rate, suggesting that a dog is necessarily traumatized because he starts over with a new owner is fallacious. Many dogs are uber friendly and quickly bond with whatever human is petting them and forking over treats.

I love dogs, but they aren't made of blown glass. They are durable and survivors.

Your insult to the OP is both wrong and arrogant. He was apprehensive of owning a dog, was wheedled into it, and is now honestly owning it and looking for help. All you are doing is more of your bullshit posting about how everything you do is right, how you've lived the life of Bond or MacGyver, and how everyone else is a fool. I guarantee you your life is as flawed as the OP but you are just not as open about it. Anyone who has it all together doesn't have to spend every day on a forum flaunting it.

 

[sixthson]

As Zoltanspawn said, not everyone is cut out for puppies due to all the work involved, much more than a kitten. For such people, a young dog or mature one is the better way to go. Also, you really do need to get a breed of dog that suits your personal temperaments and lifestyles. Some dogs are naturally laid back while others are high energy requiring lots of attention and exercise.
The biggest mistake first time dog buyers make is to pick a breed that does not fit into their families.

 

[FPNY]

My big Q is where did you buy said pup and how old is it?

 

[frankfrank]

The dog may be "just an animal" but that phase doesn't last for very long, usually. They usually become part of the family very quickly.

In the ideal (and fairly common) situation, where the dog is entirely dependent on their human(s) for its survival, the dog returns unconditional love.

That said, do you have any friends who have "fallen in love with" your dog, with reciprocation from the dog? Maybe you have a friend who would gladly adopt.

 

[Willie Boy]

Or conversely, the couple knew the normal challenges dog owners face, but may have a problem case.

Except for the claim in the op that neither of them had had a puppy before. They dove into this blind expecting the puppy to be no more than a mere object as opposed to a living being, dependent on them for nearly everything.

The Dog Whisperer and about a dozen knock-off shows make big bucks on these cases. Admittedly, the majority of them are caused by missteps by the owners, but it's a dynamic relationship and the dog often gets the upper hand because he can.

Which brings us all the way back to education and training.

At any rate, suggesting that a dog is necessarily traumatized because he starts over with a new owner is fallacious. Many dogs are uber friendly and quickly bond with whatever human is petting them and forking over treats.

Nowhere in any of my posts did I even suggest the dog had been traumatized, merely that the new "parents" had no clue what they were doing and therefore needed education. Also, the implication from the OP was that this dog is a new puppy, as in no training. This would suggest the dog would benefit from basic obedience training. When both side have a basic understanding ow what they need to do they have a better tendency of getting along.

I love dogs, but they aren't made of blown glass. They are durable and survivors.

Not always. Yes, they can recover from much, but they still need love and basic care to facilitate such recovery. But this in no means suggests it is ever OK to put said animal through any atrocities (including clueless parents) for any reason.

Your insult to the OP is both wrong and arrogant. He was apprehensive of owning a dog, was wheedled into it, and is now honestly owning it and looking for help.

How do you figure all of that? From his comment about not wanting a dog but getting one for his husband. Someone with any sense would have first done a modicum of research to learn what to expect. He would likely have learned that, as this would be the first dog for either of them, it would have been far less stressful to adopt a more mature dog that already had some level of training and would therefore more easily find its place in the family dynamic.

All you are doing is more of your bullshit posting about how everything you do is right, how you've lived the life of Bond or MacGyver, and how everyone else is a fool.

I have never said everything I do is right or that everyone else is a fool.... If that is the message you read out of my posts that says more about you than anything else..... Why do you feel that way? Never mind I really don't want to know.

I guarantee you your life is as flawed as the OP but you are just not as open about it. Anyone who has it all together doesn't have to spend every day on a forum flaunting it.

1) Considering you know nothing about me. You only think you know exactly what you want to believe. And why do you come to that belief? Something in my posts resonates and makes you afraid, then angry at your fear. Then you lash out, attempting to hide that fear, but exposing it to all.
2) Flaunting? Really? Since when is commenting on someone whining over an issue of their own creation considered flaunting?



You just need to crall back into telstra's brain now..... you've been away from the "mothership" for far too long.

 

[aaggii]

Except for the claim in the op that neither of them had had a puppy before. They dove into this blind expecting the puppy to be no more than a mere object as opposed to a living being, dependent on them for nearly everything.

So if you didn´t have a dog as a kid, you shouldn´t have one as an adult? OP made a mistake and admitted it; that´s why he asks us for solutions and what we think it´s best to do, both for the dog as for the couple. And some of us here are being total cunts about it. Could it be that some of you never made a mistake in your lives? Because otherwise, I don´t get the attitude. They didn´t kill anyone, they took a dog in and asked for advice on how to deal with him. Maybe they have to find him another home, it´s sad, but it happens and this can be easily solved. Some dogs can be a pain in the ass and don´t want to learn, did you guys considered that? Each dog has its personality.

This reminds me of sixthson asking in a thread why do some people make a couple of threads on this forum and then disappear. This thread is the answer.

 

[zombiekiller]

OP, if you absolutely cannot find replacement parents, pm me. Our dogs are getting really old and we probably will adop t another soon.

 

[mikey3000]

After how he was treated here by king dip-shit et al, I doubt he'll be back.

 

[Cormac135]

Hopefully he's taken my advice and brought a swift end to this sorry chapter.

 

[wundersteve]

I asked for a puppy when I was 11. It was a very difficult adjustment on both sides. In hindsight, I wish my parents had prepared me for what was involved. After another several nights of little sleep due to a wailing puppy, I was considering telling the folks we had to find another home for her. I never did say that though and somehow we got over that hump. The dog became family and decades later, I still miss her.

This may not be the case for OP but with some time and adjustment you may find it's all worthwhile. My eyes are welling up with tears at the memories.

 

[seven2go]

If you didn't know having a doggy is like having a forever baby in the house.........well..........you do now.
Do EVERYONE a favor, especially the dog, and either take him back or see that someone who will love him gets him.

Next time do some research........

 

[rareboy]

I'm not even allowed to have kittens because of the havoc they wreak...and they are a snap to toilet train and to 'exercise'.

I hope that the next time that the OP or anyone on here who has never had a puppy thinks about getting one that the first thing they do is look for some training guidance before they even bring it home or better still, go to the shelter and get one of the wonderful more mature dogs that needs a good home.

 

[MakeDigitalLove]

After how he was treated here by king dip-shit et al, I doubt he'll be back.

Well, working where there is an adoption place, there are a lot of cats/dogs that are returned for a multitude of reasons. It's heart breaking. There are already lots of these animals that need homes and unfortunately there are places that euthanize because of this.

These are animals, not "it" or "things." People really need to learn to do their research before taking care of any kind of pet.

 

[sixthson]

These are animals, not "it" or "things." People really need to learn to do their research before taking care of any kind of pet.

Agree and a reputable pet store, shelter or breeder should really interview buyers to determine which breed is suitable to a potential owner. Someone mentioned Jack Russell terriers. They can be great dogs with the right owners. They are so high energy and willful little creatures. Pets and owners both need to be trained.