Puppy Blues Survival: Advice for Anxious New Dog Parents
Raising a puppy is hard. Despite ample preparation and reading a stack of dog training books, the reality caught me off guard. Bringing Dagr into my life has been an adventure filled with love, self-discovery, and uncertainty. These early stages, often called the “puppy blues,” have tested my patience and strength in ways I didn’t expect.
The Reality of Puppy Blues
If you’re looking for guidance on puppy blues, check out r/puppy101 on Reddit. You’ll find lots of people sharing their struggles with raising a new puppy. It’s a tough phase, not to be underestimated. “My puppy blues were BRUTAL,” confesses one user, while another recounts tearful episodes several times a week after getting their first puppy. One person summed it up well, saying:
“A puppy is the price you pay to have a dog.”
I wanted an emotional support dog to help with my anxiety, but what caught me off guard—and what people don’t talk about enough—is how the stress of a new puppy can actually make things harder at first. If you’re easily overwhelmed and dealing with mental health issues, it’s important to prepare for how you’ll handle this before bringing a puppy home.
I am so grateful to BacktoReality on YouTube, for sharing her puppy blues experience. If you haven’t watched her video yet, I highly recommend it.
If you’ve ever felt like, “Everything seems fine, but I just can’t take it anymore!” you’ll relate to this next video on Puppy Regret.
Importance of a Support System
The first few days after bringing Dagr home left me feeling utterly overwhelmed. Despite my efforts to implement the techniques outlined in books, nothing seemed to go according to plan. Dagr howled and cried if I even momentarily left the room, and he showed no interest in eating from a Kong, a tool the books said would keep him entertained and engaged.
As someone who likes having a plan, not being able to stick to one sent me into a panic. I felt lost and scared, unsure of what to do next. Negative thoughts took over: “You’re messing everything up!” and “You’re going to ruin your puppy!” played on repeat in my head.
The Lifeline of Support
My mom came to stay with me shortly after I got Dagr; it was a godsend. Having someone with me helped me calm down and self-regulate. Since dogs are sensitive to our energy, this also helped Dagr. Her presence gave me the confidence I needed to experiment and make mistakes. She also distracted Dagr, so his attention wasn’t solely focused on me. I felt like I had room to breathe.
When my mom departed a few weeks later, the overwhelm came back. Normally, I manage my anxiety by eating healthy, meditating, and taking long walks. But with little Dagr needing constant attention and unable to handle long strolls, my routine got messed up. His separation anxiety means I can’t use the gym downstairs, which makes me feel even more trapped.
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post, where I’ll discuss how I managed to reintroduce self-care activities while taking care of a demanding puppy.
Adapting to New Realities
Since Dagr arrived, I’ve been learning to embrace uncertainty and be more adaptable. Knowing that this phase won’t last forever and finding creative ways to fit Dagr into my daily life has helped restore balance. Keeping a journal to track our progress helps me stay positive. Introducing him to crate training and teaching him to be alone will eventually give me more freedom. I’m working on having realistic expectations and taking things one step at a time. The world is new to my puppy, and he’s learning. Patience is key.
Coping with Anxiety
Handling this journey while dealing with anxiety has been tough. Dagr’s cries make me worry, and I imagine him in real distress. This makes my stress worse, and I feel helpless when I don’t know what to do. I start doubting my ability as a dog owner.
Collaborating with my counsellor, who closely monitors my progress with Dagr, has been invaluable. Through her support, I’ve learned that Dagr’s vocalizations don’t necessarily signify distress as I perceive them. He has limited communication options, and often he’s just saying something mundane like, “I feel frustrated.” Accepting that Dagr may whine or cry, even after his needs have all been met, has been essential. Embracing the role of caregiver means finding the strength to endure his unhappiness at times while striving to provide him with the structure and routine that he needs to feel secure.
The first stages of having a puppy can make anxiety and depression worse, especially if you’re already feeling down. The constant demands can feel like too much, but these problems won’t last forever. Talking to a counsellor or joining a support group. Taking care of yourself, and being patient with both yourself and your puppy can help. Remember, building a good bond with your puppy, even though it’s stressful at first, will lead to a happy companionship. And it does get better, so hang in there.
To discover how my journey with Dagr began, visit the About page!
Leave a comment below to share your tips or experiences raising a puppy!
