New puppy owner

J

Jilldrinkwater

Location
County durham
Hi I’m jill I’m 45 years old and I’m new Labrador mammy to Oscar who’s 11 wks old
I’m a nurse in our local hospital
We brought Oscar home on Boxing Day last year we’ve had him for just over 2 wks and what a rollercoaster it’s been
Trying to settle him in crate it got so bad I had to sleep at my mams one night so I was capable of doing a 12 hr shift the next day then him injuring his shoulder and needing a steroid injection and medication then 3 days later jabs and being poorly
Poor boy has had such a bad start and I feel like a bad lab mammy
The tiredness is immense I’m usually stronger than this but like I said in my post I was v ashamed to find me crying
Despite all this he’s worked his magic on us and we love him loads already xx
 
MellowYellow

MellowYellow

Hey Jill, welcome to the forum! You’ve come to the right place for understanding around the puppy blues: we get it, and most of us have been through similar. The first few weeks really are difficult. Hang in there, it will get better. I’m not surprised that Oscar has caught your heart strings, a Labrador puppy is gorgeous and exhausting at the same time.
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
They are tiring Jill , oh and welcome again ! I am 71 now , and have an 18 week old who certainly keeps me on my toes ! You will find that once walks start , he will become less tiring because he will himself be tired , even after a 10/15 minute walk ! It all gets better m honestly it does x
 
J

Jilldrinkwater

Location
County durham
kateincornwall said:
They are tiring Jill , oh and welcome again ! I am 71 now , and have an 18 week old who certainly keeps me on my toes ! You will find that once walks start , he will become less tiring because he will himself be tired , even after a 10/15 minute walk ! It all gets better m honestly it does x
Click to expand...
Hi he’s supposed to be able to go on his first walk on Friday but the way things are going I don’t know if he’ll have the energy xx
 
Oberon

Oberon

Location
Canberra, Australia
Welcome! And congrats on your new family member :)

Having a new puppy come into your life sure is a shock to the system. So many people will relate to your experience because what you’ve described is really typical of what it’s like to bring a new Labrador puppy home. They are a whirlwind! No sleep, a state of shock and wondering what on earth we’ve done...that’s par for the course I think. But it will all get so much better. Pretty soon you’ll look back on this time and it’ll be a distant memory.

Don’t feel like you are a bad Mummy - you are not a bad Mummy. You’re obviously doing your very best and you care very much about your pup and that makes you a great Mummy.
 
HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Hi @Jilldrinkwater , a huge welcome (again!) to you and your Oscar pup. I’m Harriet, nearly 40 with our first puppy Kipper who is now nearly 16 months old. He was our first dog too, we had him from 7 weeks and like you and many others we spent the first few weeks exhausted and shell-shocked. But it will get better, we absolutely promise - and you are not a bad lab mummy and he’s had a fine start, because lucky Oscar has landed in a home that loves and cares for him and you’ll do a lot of learning together :D Seriously, it will be okay- you’re in the right place, and the tough times will pass. In the meantime do laugh and cry along with us, and post lots of photos!
 
edzbird

edzbird

Location
Isle of Man
Hi Jill, I have Coco - on his way to five years old, German Shepherd x Lab and Meg(an) Sparkle - on her way to three years old, Dalmatian x Lab x Collie, both rescues. We live on the Isle of Man. As I've said before, I have nothing but admiration for all you crazies who take on an 8 week old puppy! When one or other of us retires, we will go down the puppy route too :eek: A few years yet...
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Hello and welcome! As you've likely gathered already, anyone who says they breezed through puppyhood without sleep deprivation and shedding a tear (or many more) is 99% likely lying. Or have erased the horrible memories from their minds (@Candy has some lovely gin glasses she can recommend and @snowbunny seems to be queen of the cocktails).

So be kind to yourself and you'll get through...and end up with a wonderful companion. :sun:

And if that was a bit too sunshine and buttercups, take it with a grain of salt coming from me: I've not had a puppy for over 10 years so have conveniently 'forgotten' the worst of it!

This means when I see an adorable pup, I can get all squishy and oo and ahh...

...instead of making the sign of the cross and backing slowly away like I used to do. :giggl:
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
Hi Jill!
I am Jacqui (or Jac) and we have Lilly who will be 9 at the beginning of May.
We are located up in Fife Scotland. I work as a GP and have the pleasure of being old enough for bowel and breast screening!!
My daughter is on here too as Sophiedoodle and she is still dog obsessed at 19, so much so she works all day every day with puppies and regularly brings her work home.
We had sleepless nights and fatigue for the puppy phase, but the tears? Sad to say they were more reserved for the teenage troll phase.
But "This too will pass". Learn this mantra.
 
Xena Dog Princess

Xena Dog Princess

Location
Wellington, NZ
Hi Jill, most of us can relate to just breaking down in tears at one point - puppies are hard, and unlike babies you can't whack them in a nappy and go about your day. The first few months are undoubtedly the hardest, you've just got to survive it. But once the toilet training is under control, and they stop biting like a mad croc it gets SO MUCH EASIER. Then you've got to knuckle down and train, but the hours of blood, sweat, and tears are honestly worth it.
 
Loraseal

Loraseal

Location
The Hague, The Netherlands
Hi Jill I am Lorraine with my 16 month chocco lab living in Holland. My OH is from South Shields!
Ditto to what everybody says here! I remember letting Hunter out for his morning wees with torch in hand then he was back in the crate where I stayed in my coat, rocking myself next to the crate and saying nothing until he settled. Then I would question should I stay or go......and I was shattered! Then the labrasharky hands. I honestly looked more like an addict going to work with dark eyes and scratched hands!
I did shed a tear or two as I also thought he loved my OH more than me!
But then the toilet training started to go well and then it all moulds into one incredible, wonderful experience.
Hang in there as it is so worth it!
There are loads of people with fantastic advice here and if you need to rant...just go ahead!!
 
JES72

JES72

Location
SW London UK
Hi, i’m known as JES on here, they are my initials. My dog Homer is 6 1/2 years old. I’m 46 and a primary school teacher. We live in SW London, I dream of a little house in the countryside.

Homer was a good pup but for at least the first few weeks I was up twice in the night to let him out, luckily that was during school holidays. Then the teenage months set in, but Shh we won’t mention that just yet. Now we mostly go for walks and curl up for cuddles.
 
J

Jilldrinkwater

Location
County durham
Loraseal said:
Hi Jill I am Lorraine with my 16 month chocco lab living in Holland. My OH is from South Shields!
Ditto to what everybody says here! I remember letting Hunter out for his morning wees with torch in hand then he was back in the crate where I stayed in my coat, rocking myself next to the crate and saying nothing until he settled. Then I would question should I stay or go......and I was shattered! Then the labrasharky hands. I honestly looked more like an addict going to work with dark eyes and scratched hands!
I did shed a tear or two as I also thought he loved my OH more than me!
But then the toilet training started to go well and then it all moulds into one incredible, wonderful experience.
Hang in there as it is so worth it!
There are loads of people with fantastic advice here and if you need to rant...just go ahead!!
Click to expand...
Wow there’s a few from up here we love South Shields for the beach and fish and chips
My girls love the shows there xx
 
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