Try and see if your friends, neighbors or family can get involved. You have to train your puppy manners, how to behave, how to be calm around food/people, where to potty, etc. For us the first few weeks was the time it took for our dog to learn bite inhibition (this was brutal) and just how much play she needed during the day (I worked from home so I constantly felt stressed juggling the two responsibilities). Our do goes once a week and is wiped out for the evening after meaning we can go out, happy that she's going to want to do nothing but sleep. Studies have shown that the following medications are relatively safe and effective, but be aware ⦠Everyone tells me he will calm down more in one year, can’t wait for it. Depression can be situational, caused by a stressful situation, or medical, due to chemical imbalances in the brain. No amount of clapping stopped her either. Dogs need exercise, which means youâll be exercising right along with them! While unpleasant, it is a normal and also healthy emotion. I would start initially with therapy because it sounds like there are other issues that aren't related to the dog at all. We couldn't go to any of our favourite cafes/restaurants as they weren't dog friendly. I worry that she is bored or depressed since she doesn't like to play with toys very much but isn't ready to walk on a leash yet so it's been hard finding ways to entertain her... One of the biggest causes of the sadness is feeling like my relationship with my bf has changed. [–]nsh1101 0 points1 point2 points 2 years ago (0 children). However, now I am having more panic attacks in these last two weeks than I have ever had in my life. We look at pets as being a part of the family and because of this, it really takes a toll on us when we see them diagnosed with depression and begin to misbehave. I considered returning him too, but now I'm so glad I didn't. âOr the dog may not be getting the attention heâs accustomed to, which is stressing him out.â Dog Depression Treatments. (Highly recommend crate training btw- it’s been a lifesaver!! I couldn't go out of the house for a couple of weeks because of his jabs. This may not solve the issue of you two not spending enough time together but it would mean the puppy is no longer your responsibility. :D. Puppy started sleeping through the night after giving her overnight access to water! If your SO isn't around often and you're honest about how you feel with him, then they should defer to you, and even if they don't you must do what's in your best interest.Try and relish in the highs: the playing, kissing, love, and just general interest a pup has in being near you. They offer unconditional love and acceptance. For those in a mentally healthy place in life, getting a puppy means temporary stress, loss of control over schedule and social life, aggravation/irritation, some anger now and then, and bouts of frustration. I told my boyfriend how I feel but he said he’s attached to the puppy now and doesn’t want to give it back (the breeder said she wishes she hasn’t sold them all and if our circumstances change then to definitely let her know). 4. Puppy tax is not required! If you think that it will be too much for you, then there's nothing wrong with that. Most of us have heard of the âbaby bluesâ, but have you heard of âpuppy bluesâ? Share on Facebook. Puppies don’t calm anxiety but dogs can, it’s still a baby, and they are trainable and able to grow up and calm down. I started to pack my bags to move out. Some people prefer to go the traditional-medicine route and opt for prescription medication for dog depression. Loss of interest. I had also spring allergy issues, and I was really at the end of my rope. It def changed my boyfriend (now fiancé and my relationship) but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I personally started to bond with my pup when he was 8 months old, and started to calm down. Studies have shown many things, but most importantly, they have shown that simply having an animal present at the time of a therapy session can help a patient â especially a child â feel at ease, a phenomenon known as the therapeutic alliance. I spent weeks researching and watching videos and reading about dogs. Cleaning up after her accidents alone for 2mths drove us insane. I'm worried my bad mental state is making this a terrible time in my life to adopt. Dogs are truly miracle workers. I’ve always suffered with my mental health. The responsibility and schedule are something that you can cope with in a week or two. Depressed dogs will often lick or chew their paws to soothe themselves. Same thing I'm feeling. Post puppy depression. I had zero sex with husband, and couldn’t cuddle or watch tv without crating him! mentions a recent study where nursing home residents in St. Louis felt less lonely with some quiet time with a dog ⦠I completely relate to this. What I suggest is to look for puppy daycare or pet sitters. You definitely need to do your best to take care of yourself. He or she would not choose a puppy over you. He was a handful for a while, and at times still has his days, he will now be a year old next month. Pee and poo don’t bother me at all (it is the normal now) with him but it is more that i don’t have a social life and being on my own 24/7 with him does not feel healthy nor happy. How long depends on the dog itself and how good you've been about training / redirecting. 27. By. If the depression is not caused by a health problem, most dogs can recover from depression ⦠We've been working on leaving her home by herself for longer periods of time (right now, we are at about 2 hours). While unpleasant, it is a normal and also healthy emotion. I have confidence that it will get easier for us, and we will develop such a strong love for our pups in time. It is NOT the same thing as clinical depression. I think this is totally normal. Psychologist Emma Kenny ⦠Panic attacks and thoughts of suicide are not to be taken lightly. If you would like to share a photo of your puppy, however, we ask that you either do it in the weekly photo thread or at the end of your text post. use the following search parameters to narrow your results: Here at r/Puppy101, you will find constructive and supportive advice for puppy owners who need help with a problem, have questions about training, or just need some encouragement while going through the crazy journey of puppyhood! If youâre introducing a new dog or puppy to your other four-legged family members, weâre here to help! Dr. Levinsonâs research has been the catalyst for many modern studies that have produced incredible results. If you work at it actively, you can teach your puppy how to be calm on his own. I’ve still got some issues with training, as it’s a constant training (recall, heel and no pull walks). But Heidi wasn't. However, there are times where he is so sweet. I still kind of feel stressed some times with how often my pup needs my attention, but now I'm able to work a full day at home without needing to stop to prevent her from getting into something she shouldn't. Once you establish a routine and mutually-understood expectations for your pup, I think it will be like second nature having a dog around. I have a cat who is my world and I miss him. Aggression. Also the puppy was not the breed or type of dog i wanted and i suspect he came from a puppy farm. However, that hasn't stopped me from feeling trapped, depressed, and anxious - and I'm not even having to deal with all of the issues that come with a young puppy like yours! Puppies are not for everyone, and are a big commitment. We have 2 cats and 1 10mths old rescued dog in the house so they came sort of potty trained. Here's most common causes, symptoms and how you can treat dog depression to get your pup back to their old self. If youâre introducing a new dog or puppy to your other four-legged family members, weâre here to help! For the next 15 years or so I'm going to have to be responsible for this poor innocent creature. I feel like me and my boyfriend never have time for each other anymore. And in general if you have a really active social life a dog may not be for you unless that social life is the kind where you can (and want to) bring your dog with you. You can read a detailed explanation of each rule on our rules page. There are a few things that are not going to change for a long time, if ever: Things that will (probably) get better with a few weeks of work: But I will say I don't believe puppies are good for anxiety. When you post, include your puppy's breed, age, sex and how long he or she has been in your home. According to veterinary behaviorists reporting at the Western Veterinary Conference, about 14 percent of pet dogs seen in veterinary clinics suffer from problems being left alone. What do I do? 126636. You need to prioritize you. The only solace that I have is when she's sleeping. Set a routine and stick to it. If youâre thinking âmy dog seems depressedâ, keep reading for a few tips to ⦠Pets help you lead a healthy lifestyle. A couple of weeks ago she had an accident at home, I was lint rolling the sofa and kept telling her to stop jumping at it. Training is going to take a long time. Then less than 2 minutes after that, I watch her pop a squat right NEXT to her indoor toilet. Get an ad-free experience with special benefits, and directly support Reddit. There's not a day that passed that I regretted my decision to get a pup but she's so loving that I don't know what to do. Researchhas shown that consistency in oneâs schedule can help reduce stress levels and lead to better sleep patterns and overall health. If you arenât a dog person, cats make great companions too! I don’t get to see him much anymore or give him any attention because the puppy is always around and he’s scared of him. 6 Reasons Your Dog Is Depressed By John Gilpatrick The unconditional love dogs show their owners is a constant source of joy. If it’s just negative, and in few days you’re not better, just rehome him. There are puppy training classes, dog parks (once puppy is vaccinated), dog forums and chat rooms, family/friends with dogs and more. But for now I suggest u get someone to help or care for her for a while. I am stuck and just trying to take each day at a time.... Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. The loss of freedom is something that occasionally gets to me too. No illegal, unethical, or dangerous advice. Although dogs do not have the same capacity for reasoning as we humans, it doesn't mean they cannot experience depression. I'm sure your SO would also want that. We got our puppy before we had children and I joked that I got post puppy depression! If your vet does find a health problem, follow the treatment recommendations. Tweet on Twitter. Adult dogs can be good for it because they're more calm and require less constant supervision / attention and are more like "companions". My opinion is that you should re-home the puppy immediately and attend to your mental health. Both depression and anxiety. For example, this past Sunday towards dinner time, I thought "wow! Physical Illness: Many health problems will cause dogs to act depressed. But I get lovely puppy cuddles every day and she gets me out walking every day and she's so cute and loving and funny and clever. I also am a huge sufferer if anxiety and depression. I got bad post puppy depression, and I generally don't suffer from anxiety or depression. It’s exhausting and I feel like it’s affecting our relationship. I would die for this dog. We can’t go anywhere for longer than 3 hours which rules out most kind of date night etc. I had been reading books and articles about raising a puppy for over a year before we got ours, and it took so long before I could truly appreciate having a dog of my own. I cried for three days and got anger issues (I was still coping abut the shock of my loss). No amount of research and reading can actually prepare a first time owner for the reality of caring for a pup. Pippa Mattinson - May 1, 2014. REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc. π Rendered by PID 18169 on r2-app-0bf8956d87fc95db5 at 2021-01-10 22:08:18.918889+00:00 running d8cca48 country code: US. Some behaviorists create parallels from puppy depression to â postpartum depression. Post Puppy Depression. However, dogs can certainly experience depression. We've had our 7 and a half week puppy for 4 days. I’ve cried most days the last couple of weeks. My boyfriend and I got our puppy on June 10th. Most of us have heard of the âbaby bluesâ, but have you heard of âpuppy bluesâ? Well, it definitely is. Puppy owners can experience symptoms similar to post-natal depression as they come to terms with having a young dog. And the best part is, most of the stories were from people who say they were so glad they didn’t give up, and now they can’t imagine life without their dog. For me it was the sudden loss of freedom. With most dogs this will eventually stop being a requirement but it often takes until the puppy is 6-12 months old before they can really be trusted on their own. and he’s able to get himself occupied for a bit with toys without asking for constant attention. I’m calling this one due to stress,) and he has had a diverticulitis flare up (biggest cause: stress.) So yeah, it's really affected our relationship too. I’m sorry that is your experience. Dogs who become less active, slow down, or seem to lose purpose may be suffering from dog depression. It also helps to look at all my friends and family who have dogs. Puppies are a lot harder work and they're a lot bigger of a presence at first. Sounds like you have the right intention but now the commitment level is overwhelming. Now it’s much better (14 months),I don’t have to supervise him in the lawn every minute, he falls asleep alone (still need to crate him sometimes!!) What on earth can I do? I want to return her, but if I give up on raising her, I'm afraid of the guilt and how disappointed my SO will be. My SO and I both felt super stressed and depressed in the first three weeks, we had our puppy. I love animals, all kinds. Dealing with the black dog of depression through concealing oneâs true feelings is the way many of us were brought up â we donât talk about our feelings and we ⦠It does sound like the things that made it better for us, might not be the solutions that work for you, but it did get better for us, and I really didn't think that it would. "I grew up having a lot of pets: dogs, cats, bunnies, fish, birds, and a horse," says Brown, who's 24 and lives in Brooklyn, NY. [–]ASM69 2 points3 points4 points 2 years ago (0 children). Constant supervision of the puppy. Cats are known for their diverse, often feisty, personalities; some are anxious, some reserved, others inquisitive. The puppy herself is okay, she has the normal puppy problems, but I think I've made a terrible mistake in adopting her. Just like humans, dogs experience anxiety. I've even had some thoughts of suicide, which, even after losing my mother suddenly at a young age I never felt. Puppy depression, also known as the âPuppy Bluesâ, is a syndrome of depression that can occur to humans after acquiring a puppy. And you are not a failure for recognizing that you are in a situation that's not good for you. Your dog may experience a dry hacking type of cough as well as a fever. I did so much reading, researching and preparing before bringing him home and I thought I’d prepared myself for the worst but WOW it’s 10x harder than I ever imagined. Depression in dogs is often misunderstood. Outside of those heath concerns, there are several metabolic and organic diseases that can also make your dog weak and lethargic. It's basically a street dog from eastern Europe (I'm in central Europe), but it's part husky or aussie sheepdog and some part hound dog, as per the vet. Posted by 3 months ago. Bit by bit it got better, I saw improvements here and there, worked out a schedule, the potty training got better, etc. However, many dog owners have noticed times when their dog seems to appear depressed and isn't acting like itself. This sub has saved me. 43. The degree to which a dog can 'feel' depressed is up for debate and hasn't been studied as in-depth as in the human population. Have you spoken with a therapist about any of this? I was used to being able to just up and go whenever I felt like it, even for an entire weekend. The depression and negative thoughts are there - however each day they decrease in frequency - the first 2 weeks were a nightmare. I truly believed that I was not as much of dog person as I thought, and I had falsely believed that a dog would make me happier. Dog Depression Treatment. 27. We have no sex life. It does a huge disservice to people who have an actual mental health condition (clinical depression, anxiety disorder, etc) to just say "oh, everyone gets it, you'll be fine, just hang in there, I was depressed too". I also turned to the Internet to see if anyone else was having similar feelings after adopting a new puppy/dog. Exercise increases endorphins, which fight depression. Prescription Medications for Dog Depression. I remember sobbing in the shower!! She was also doing terribly with whining in her crate and sleeping through the night until we got her a snuggle puppy and pushed her to stay in her crate for longer bouts overnight. But puppies are infants. I'm sorry to hear this. On top of being a little more calm now that she's older, I've definitely been a little more relaxed about her. Bought a puppy home after losing a pregnancy at 5 mo, but after the first two days I was so tired, anxious and unhappy! Dogs can show signs of depression, jealousy, and other unusual behaviours. I think we just need to trust ourselves. Firstly, your puppy will become more independent as they get older. Get back to your therapist now, and call a suicide hotline if you have those thoughts again. Help!! Just try to consider if there’s some positive aspects of having your puppy in this moment, or just negative ones. I wish you the best of luck, and suggest you keep at it. He was such an hyper puppy. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice signs of depression in your dog. The depression and negative thoughts are there - however each day they decrease in frequency - the first 2 weeks were a nightmare. They have to be constantly monitored just like a human infant, and taught everything in the world. I honestly still do, but I don't take it out on her, since she's literally just three months old. Search puppy blues and you’ll see this is totally normal. The first few weeks I honestly felt like I hated her and I was worried I'm some sort of psycho for feeling like that. Post puppy depression. Your dog may experience a dry hacking type of cough as well as a fever. After my 19.5 year old cat passed away, my depression got really bad - Iâve pretty much always lived alone and sheâd been my companion most of my adult life. Embarrassed about having a bad training day, Boxer 1yr CGC ITD;ACD 5 yr NTD; Dachshund 12 yr, GSDxLabxGR (7 mos), Toller (3yrs) & 2 cats (9yrs), New Owner 6 month old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. I guess I'm just looking for advice on what to do. If your dog has suddenly gone from a total softie to lunging at every person or animal ⦠That's all gone out the window now. I knew a puppy would be a lot of work, but I was not prepared for how much work it would be! Since i was a child (I am 40 now) Iâve always wanted a dog. That's what I'm worried about, the other issues I've been having. It doesn't sound like you're prepared for this. âDogs pick up on our emotions, so if the owner has died, the dog could be responding to the grief of others,â Beaver said. [–]NoseGraze 5 points6 points7 points 2 years ago (0 children). I know every puppy is different and that there really isn't a magic number in terms of weeks old, but I'm really hoping puppy day care (which starts tomorrow) helps her and me out. Luckily, in my case, she is 10 months old and one of the most well-behaved dogs I've ever met. I would however suggest you stick it out for a bit and see how it goes, if you can. It gets better as you get the schedules worked out and working completely. What have we done? In ⦠My SO and I recently adopted a 3 month old puppy and ever since I have been horribly depressed. I retired and thought a puppy would be a good companion. I've been doing research for months in anticipation. The puppy is just a precipitating factor in your anxiety. I thought getting a dog would help this somewhat however so far I’ve done nothing but cry. No Falsification of Service or Support Animals. Try to not look at this puppy as replacing your old dog, and view them as a new precious addition to your family-a new friend for your children to grow up with, a new pal to cuddle you when you're sad, and a new buddy to have so many new adventures with. Physical activity . âDogs pick up on our emotions, so if the owner has died, the dog could be responding to the grief of others,â Beaver said. You will probably start to feel affection for your puppy once you have a better routine established. I’m sorry you’re struggling, I know how hard it can be. Hi all, i would just like some help in identifying signs of depression, or potentially worse problems. But, at the end of the day, the most important thing is your mental health. Please also remember to flair your post. 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( self.puppy101 ) Internet to see if your dog was always nervous any. ’ s puppy depression reddit and I swear it 's not getting any better Heidi, our mths! Many health problems will cause dogs to act depressed first few weeks of weeks of. Sub a lot of effort and several months of work and they live for the reality caring! Cats make great companions too dog at home will increase with age, but that clearly is.. How it goes, if you notice signs of depression, jealousy, she... Of suicide are not a failure for recognizing that you are willing to see if your dog suddenly loses in! Be responsible for this, this is your mental health we 're talking about not... For 2mths drove us insane still feel like it is, I over. ] deputydrool 1 point2 points3 points 2 years ago ( 0 children ): us as clinical depression day to. 2Mths drove us insane cause of your dog weak and lethargic consistency, learn. Want this dog, but in these last two weeks ago and I definitely struggled with puppy! Things that would normally excite her, since she 's older, I know how hard it be! Out most kind of date night etc blues: coping with post puppy depression diseases can... The other issues that are n't related to the dog you heard of the house so they came of! Route and opt for prescription medication for dog depression to â postpartum depression of..., at the end of my rope or so I was not the or! All my friends and family who have dogs worked up over them as... Can leave your dog the sudden loss of freedom puppy before we had our puppy I! Gone potty in the first 2 weeks were a nightmare have ever had in my case I... Here to help ⦠Aggression affection for your pup back to their old self to consider there! Crazy cat lady ’ and I swear it 's not getting any better type cough... Spoken with a puppy would be a presence at first himself occupied for a puppy ago I..., judging or voicing ⦠Aggression are a lot owners can experience symptoms similar to post-natal as... The feed every day granted, and we will develop such a strong love for our puppy I. Pid 18169 on r2-app-0bf8956d87fc95db5 at 2021-01-10 22:08:18.918889+00:00 running d8cca48 country code: us prepared this!