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7 things I really wasnt prepared for as a first-time puppy owner
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of the day Id get my first puppy. Now, Im a twenty-something and that time is finally here. Two months ago, I became the proud pawrent of a gorgeous Cavapoo puppy called Remy – but there are some things I really wasnt prepared for.
I did all the research. Training, sleeping, eating, vaccinations, insurance. You name it, I was an expert. However, there were still parts no one warned me about. Hopefully, these seven things will give you an insight into what having a puppy is really like – but dont let this put you off. Its all worth it!
1. The emotional rollercoaster
The first thing I wasnt prepared for was the emotional rollercoaster puppy ownership would bring, with extreme highs and lows. One minute you love this little creature and cant imagine your life without them. Then, youre crying your eyes out and wondering if you made a mistake. The puppy blues are a very real thing, and its totally normal to feel low after bringing your fur baby home. Theyre hard work, youre tired, your whole life has changed. Hang in there, it gets better!
2. The razor sharp teeth
Another thing that totally shocked me was the teeth. Now, this one depends on the breed, but most puppies have razor sharp gnashers that are like knives. Theyre little land sharks that bite your hands, rip your clothes and even draw blood. They dont do it on purpose, theyre just exploring the world with their mouths, but it really does hurt. Sometimes it cant be helped, but if they start biting too much, it probably means theyre overtired and need a nap.
3. The endless cleaning
If youre planning on getting a puppy, be prepared for the constant cleaning. No, seriously. When its raining outside, youll have muddy paws all over your floor every time they come in from the garden. Plus, they bring in all sorts of things like leaves to sticks. Then theres cleaning up the toilet accidents, tidying the toys and sweeping the fur if you have a dog that sheds. Gone are the days of being able to vacuum and mop once a week.
4. The lack of personal space
You can forget all about your personal space with a puppy, too. They want to be with you ALL the time. Watching the TV? They will be sitting on top of you. Doing the laundry? They will be stealing the socks. Going to the toilet? They will be waiting outside the door. They are by your side 24/7 which can be the best thing in the world, but also gets a little frustrating at times.
5. The feeling of losing yourself
Another thing I wasnt prepared for in the early days was the feeling of losing yourself. Overnight, youve gone from having the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want to a very demanding puppy who requires a lot of time and attention. Youll probably stop doing hobbies and activities you enjoy for a while, but it all comes back in time as your furry friend becomes more independent and can be left alone for longer.
6. The training frustration
Once you get through all that, youll feel like youre finally getting there. The teeth arent as sharp, youve found yourself again, the puppy blues are gone, and the training is going really well. Then all of a sudden they will seem to forget things theyve been taught like toilet training and basic commands. This is called regression and can be really annoying, but its very normal, and you will get through it with persistence.
7. The unconditional love you feel
The final thing I definitely wasnt prepared for is a positive one – the unconditional love I feel. Obviously, I knew Id love my puppy, but its so much more than I could have ever imagined. This little animal is your entire world and makes every day a joy. The hard work is so incredibly worth it for a companion who is by your side through everything.
