Caissie Canine Instruction: Puppy Blues

We begin this week’s “RUFF TAILS” featuring a beautiful 6-month-old mixed/unknown breed named Bean.

Bean is funny, gregarious, boisterous, loves water and NEVER tires out even after a 2 hour walk!!!!

Carrots on my head, you ask. Well, because I could not get all the carrot puree off the lick pad, so I picked it up and shook it all over the kitchen and myself.

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                                    K9 CORNER WITH THE CHIEF

Everyone loves a puppy, right? I would say on the most part the answer is inclusively YES!!! However, many humans underestimate the amount of work and preparation that is necessary to introduce and manage your new puppy into your home.

If you are not prepared mentally and with the correct training equipment it may not be the enriching experience, you anticipated. It has the potential to be traumatic, stressful and depressing.

This is why I encourage many humans with new puppies to retain our puppy training. With Caissie Canine Instruction this puppy session will educate, support you on your self-care, encourage positive reinforcement and patience with your new puppy. We recommend beginning your session as soon as the puppy arrives home.

This will allow you to have knowledge and training tools to lay down the sound foundation of good behaviour, pack bond and introductory obedience.

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Welcome to Doggie Dialogue

I have never experienced, personally, the “puppy blues” that some dog owners do experience. The feelings of anxiety, sadness, regret and getting overwhelmed after bringing home a new dog. This is known as “puppy blues”.

These feelings can last up to 3-4 months. To help navigate this experience, it is recommended to connect with other dog owners, talk with a therapist, and take a timeout just for you.

The puppy blues can affect anyone, whether it is your 1st dog or 5th dog. The puppy blues typically sets in within a few days of bringing home your new dog or puppy. This can happen often when you have a rescued dog, as rescued dogs’ personality and behaviours take a little longer sometimes to show up.

As time goes on the puppy blues will be shorter and less intense, as you and your new dog begin to bond.

Signs and symptoms of puppy blues can be like anxiety and depression. Most dog owners may feel overwhelmed, helpless, guilty, resentful towards the dog, irritable, muscle tension, headaches and possibly more frequent arguments with other family members.

It is very common to have these feelings, as having a new dog can cause sleep deprivation, especially with a puppy. When you have a puppy, it is often a broken sleep, and you may not be sleeping as deeply.

The responsibilities of walking, training, meals, potty breaks, and play time can cause stress as these changes your daily routine.

Having a new dog often brings increased demands, disruptions and lack of freedom.

Should you find your symptoms severe enough that your daily function is impacted, please talk to a therapist early to help prevent things from getting worse. This will help you feel better, sooner.