SO overwhelmed....HELP

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 07, 2005 12:34 PM

SO overwhelmed....HELP

as you all know, I brought home a new pup on Sunday. He's a really great dog, a little stubborn and Bailey gets along with him BUT I feel she is not her 'normal' self.

I'm feeling VERY overwhelmed with the 2nd dog and wondering if we should give him back to the people we adopted him from.

DrmnBlnd Posted: Apr 07, 2005 12:40 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

I'd have to say go with your gut. Are you going to be able to take care of them both when you have a family, or are they going to take more of your time than you feel comfortable? Bailey is probably just feeling like her home has been invaded, and just isn't used to the puppy yet. Good luck in whatever decision you make!

lilmrs Posted: Apr 07, 2005 12:44 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

It took my cat a bit to come back to normal.
I say give it about two weeks and then re-analyze

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 07, 2005 12:48 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

Posted by lilmrs

It took my cat a bit to come back to normal.
I say give it about two weeks and then re-analyze

Deb...

I think it's more of the having 2 dogs to take care of than how Bailey is dealing.....

I'm the one who will be home all summer with them and I work PT so I'm the one caring for them the maority of the time

lilmrs Posted: Apr 07, 2005 12:53 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

ooh..
well from that last post, it kinda seems as though you have made up your mind.
GL!

ETA- Would you consider a cat? Less maintenance time. But still loveable, especially if they become a lap cat.

shamrock12472 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 01:09 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

Can I ask what is so overwhelming about having the two dogs? I have two and really don't feel it is that much work having a second one. Do you think you are just in an adjustment period? Remember, you just got the dog and if you adopted him from a shelter or a rescue, he has been through A LOT and may take a little more time to adjust to his new surroundings as well as trust you. You also have to give Bailey some time to adjust to having a new addition to the house. Remember that when the household changes, regardless of the change, all those in the house need time to adjust.

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 07, 2005 01:18 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

Deb...No cats...DH is allergic and I had them growing up and they all got sick when it was time to go. WAY too painful.

Morgan,

Maybe you are right. This whole week I've been off, but I've been waking up at 2am to cover a friends paper route. He whines when I get home and go back to bed. Maybe it's the fact that we are also in the apt., preparing for the move to the new house, etc.

bxgell2 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 01:33 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

Totally normal reaction! I adopted my cat 7 years ago (Puddles) and she was my only pet until September, when DH and I adopted our little 9 year old chihuahua mix - Sparky. At first, I had SUCH regrets. I LOOOOOOOOVE my cat to death (even though she's mean as all hell, and is only nice to me), and I felt SOOOOO guilty about bringing home the dog. She didn't react well at all. In fact, she hid in the basement for about 3 weeks, and wouldn't come near me for another two months. I was so upset and kept saying we should bring Sparky back, but DH told me to be patient, that she would adjust. Here we are 5 months later, and though puddles is not Sparky's greatest fan, now she sleeps next to him, she sits on my lap when he's next to me, and she even eats his food and drinks his water. She's not totally back to normal, but she IS adjusting. The most important thing is to give your old pet special attention so they know they aren't replaced. And, remember, your pet shouldn't control your life! If you want another doggy, as much as you love your first doggy, he's just going to have to adjust!

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 07, 2005 01:36 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

Thanks Beth....

maybe it's more than just the dogs I'm overwhelmed with

swags1016 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 01:42 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

You have a lot of changes going on in your life right now. Maybe getting the second dog right now wasn't the best decision but IMHO you did it and you shouldn't 'punish' the puppy by giving him back. One week is not enough for them to adjust. I know that Xena is acting strange with all that is going on in our house. She knows something is going on. She doesn't know what but she knows something is up!!! Last night she crawled into bed and walked up DH and bit him under his arm, for no reason, she just did it. She never did that before but she did it last night. She also ran into the backyard yesterday too something else she has NEVER done either.

We are just watching her carefully and trying to be understanding.

I am sure it is overwhelming but you have to give them time to get into a routine and get used to each other.

Good luck Shana I am sure it will all work out.

Kelly9904 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 02:02 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

I agree to give it two weeks!
We were looking for a dog for awhile but I was reluctant to get one because of some family stuff going on at the time! We wound up getting our dog when I was on berevement leave after the death of my mom! During that first 2 weeks with her, if at some point my DH had of offered to take her back I probably would have jumped at it because I was just too overwhelmed! BUt after the initial adjument period ended, I was fine and I LOVE having her around now!
With me it was more life I was overwhelmed with, helping to take care of my dads house, and different arrangements, etc, the dog was just an added worry and I blamed it more on her than the state of everything else!

Melissa Posted: Apr 07, 2005 02:03 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

We have 2 dogs. We got them after we were married, before we got PG and bought a house. At the time, one of them was 3 years old and the other was only 8 weeks old when we got him. It was very overwhelming at first, but it doesn't last long. I didn't want the one dog to be lonely, plus I just love dogs. Now the older one is around 5 yrs old and the younger one 2.5 years old. It's soooo much easier when they're older. Do you have a fenced yard? That makes it so much easier too! We didn't have that at first so it was hard. We lived in an apartment when we got both of them. We did have a very big fenced in dog run in the complex so that helped. The older one is a female and the puppy is a male. We had the female first not long, but when we brought the puppy home she definitely put him in his place. She showed him that I'm like your mommy and you're going listen to me. I was worried at first, but she was just doing what comes natural to them.

Anyway, it will get easier. Good luck!

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 07, 2005 02:12 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

thanks melissa! Our older one is 3 1/2 and a female (large dog) and the baby is 9 months old and a male (little guy).

We are in apt right now with no dog run...we walk them on leashes to go potty and they run around the apt like mad! It's quite comical.

We plan on fencing the yard at the new house so that will be SO much easier to just open the door and stand on the deck to watch them!

swags1016 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 02:49 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

Shana I am sure when you can just open the dog and they can run that, that will make all the difference in the world!!!!! They will be able to go out and play and get out of Mommy's hair for awhile.

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 07, 2005 02:51 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

thanks Jaime!!! I guess alot is going on in such a short period of time.

matron Posted: Apr 07, 2005 07:44 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

I felt the same way when I got my second dog, but you adjust after awhile. Any time you bring a new pet into the picture, it's always stressful as hell in the beginning, but it will settle down, esp. after your dog is 'potty trained' if he isn't already. I'm not going to lie though; having two dogs is DEFINITELY harder than having one for me.

cocoa Posted: Apr 07, 2005 07:50 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

i think it is stress not the dog. in all honesty, two dogs were the same as one...feed them at the same time, go out at the same time, etc. keep in mind you've only had him for a couple of days, you're getting ready for a home and moving and trying to have a baby...you've got a lot on your plate. give him a chance, though, especially if baily is fine with her/him!

MamanDaddyof2 Posted: Apr 07, 2005 11:43 PM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

what breed is your new puppy??

marymoon Posted: Apr 08, 2005 12:12 AM

Re: SO overwhelmed....HELP

we ahve 2 dogs and I would not wish it on anyone. It's really overwhelming. i cna;t imagine how you're going to deal with a little baby. Really think about it, and then decide. but decide before the puppy gets too comfortable and you get too attached. You can ALWAYS get another dog later..but when you're tryng to start a family, I don't think it's the best time...tat's just my opinion..you have to do what's best for you, but I just see how difficult 2 dogs can be