What workarounds did people try for "Why is my new high-energy puppy so overwhelming?"?

Community members documented 314 workarounds: 1. returning the dog to the breeder 2. working with a professional trainer regularly 3. taking the puppy outside every 1-2 hours 4. adjusting lifestyle and dog training protocols 5. stopping training classes 6. surrendering dogs to animal shelters 7. giving away or selling dogs online 8. Enforce naps in the crate 9. Give yourself free time and leave the puppy in the crate for a few hours to get out 10. Use routine, structure, and redirection to toys 11. Apply bitter apple spray to furniture and ankles 12. Use audio books or heartbeat toys to soothe the puppy 13. Waiting for the dog to age out of the puppy and adolescent phase 14. Using enforced crate schedules (such as two hours in, one hour out) 15. Redirecting unwanted behaviors 16. Lowering expectations for perfection 17. Seeking reassurance and advice on online forums 18. Crate training and enforcing nap hours 19. Sharing responsibilities and support with a partner 20. Waiting for time to pass and letting an adjustment period happen naturally 21. Shifting perspective to see the positive moments 22. reframing expectations of success and celebrating small wins 23. taking time for yourself and stepping away into a different room 24. using daycare for sanity breaks 25. using a play pen to create a safe environment and mental break 26. adopting adult dogs instead of puppies 27. hiring trainers, petsitters, and groomers 28. venting online and seeking support groups 29. Feeding formula round the clock 30. Making food sludge for extra calories 31. Keeping the kitten warm 32. Taking the animal to a vet 33. Returning the kitten to foster care 34. Consulting a vet to check if it is safe to keep the kitten while another cat is sick 35. Giving the new addition a chance and letting time help heal 36. Just keep doing the basics and wait for it to get better gradually 37. Survive the first weeks and do not expect to bond instantly 38. Checking if gums are pink and ensuring the puppy is not acting lethargic 39. Offering water to see if the puppy drinks it 40. Adding water into the puppy's food during feedings 41. Giving yourself and the pup lots of grace 42. Doing research into the 3-3-3 guidelines for adjustment periods 43. Reading and researching about what to do and whether behavior makes sense 44. Taking the dog back to the vet for pain meds, temperature checks, and anti-nausea medication. 45. keeping the puppy in a playpen most of the day 46. trying re-directing and small corrections seen online 47. using a leash outside and separating the puppy from other dogs when she lunges 48. Remaining patient, following routines, and implementing measures to bond with the puppy 49. Surrendering the puppy back to the shelter or rescue 50. Waiting a few weeks to see if the feelings pass (giving it 2-3 weeks) 51. Taking it one day at a time 52. Looking into the 3-3-3 rule for pet adjustment 53. Enforcing naps using a crate and black-out crate cover 54. Tracking sleep by minutes to ensure the puppy gets enough rest 55. Using frozen lick mats, snuffle mats, and scent-related games to calm the puppy down 56. Shortening active awake periods to prevent overtiredness 57. Hiring an online or in-person dog trainer 58. Sticking it out and creating a routine 59. Seeking support and reassurance from online communities 60. getting up every 2 hours to cuddle and settle the puppy back to sleep 61. waiting for him to stop whining instead of getting up immediately 62. moping every day and cleaning accidents with enzymatic cleaner 63. Using a flirt pole and food puzzles to wear out the puppy's brain instead of just its body. 64. ignoring the crying and letting the puppy learn to settle 65. closing doors and using baby gates to restrict access 66. monitoring the puppy via camera while taking a bath or doing tasks 67. doing a lot of research online and reading wiki articles 68. setting up a playpen, crate, and pee pads 69. following structured schedules like 1 hour out and 2 hours in the crate 70. surrender the kitten to a no-kill shelter 71. keep the kitten and quarantine her from the existing cat 72. waiting several years before getting another dog 73. giving yourself permission to not feel magical immediately 74. Asking experienced dog owners for advice on games and mental stimulation 75. Using puzzle feeders and hiding treats to wear the dog out mentally 76. going on 25 to 35 minute walks twice a day 77. giving frozen kongs, bully sticks, cow ears, pig ears, and other chews 78. providing many toys and daily training sessions 79. timing everything in sync with the puppy's naps or waiting until the partner is home 80. texting the breeder to potentially return the puppy 81. Trying to keep the puppy on a strict daily schedule for naps, meals, and potty breaks 82. sleeping on a mattress on the floor next to the puppy's pen 83. getting up every hour to check using a baby monitor 84. considering splitting shifts or alternating nights off 85. Turning back 86. Waiting for four paws 87. Rewarding calm 88. Encouraging a displacement behavior by having the dog pick up a toy 89. sharing the caregiving responsibilities with family members 90. taking deep breaths and trying to relax 91. Waiting a designated trial period like a week or a couple of months to see if feelings improve 92. Putting the puppy down for enforced naps every couple of hours 93. Considering returning the puppy to the shelter 94. Leaving the room and closing the door for 5-10 seconds when biting occurs 95. Watching puppies closely during walks and potty breaks to manage overstimulation 96. Rewarding puppies when they chill and do nothing 97. returning the puppy to the breeder or finding it a new home 98. waiting until after college to get a dog or adopting an older pet with a lower energy level 99. trying the 1 hour play, 2 hour nap method 100. using snuffle mats, kongs, or frozen nylabones in a pen 101. taking the puppy out for extra potty breaks 102. taking turns sleeping out in the main room near the crate 103. enrolling in group puppy training and boot camp programs 104. Waiting for the dog to mature and age past the first year 105. Reminding oneself that hard work and training will pay off eventually 106. Contacting the breeder to consider returning the puppy 107. stopping medical treatments and letting the pet eat what it wants 108. skipping or deciding against medication doses because of stress and side effects 109. making food changes to help with organ health 110. Boarding the dog during visits 111. Keeping the dog separated or on a leash 112. Leaving the dog in a bedroom 113. watching training videos 114. asking for favorite training tips and videos from community members 115. leaving them undisturbed until morning 116. watching the kittens through a room cam 117. transitioning to a smaller, kitten-safe room 118. leaving out dry free feed food 119. getting everything needed within a couple of days 120. monitoring their health and providing ample playtime 121. Asking the breeder about the puppy's previous behavior 122. Giving the puppy space, having patience, and letting them come to you 123. Taking the puppy to a veterinarian or checking their temperature 124. Applying the 3-3-3 rule for rescue or new pet adjustment 125. Walking very early in the morning when fewer people are around 126. Keeping daytime walks shorter and in smaller areas 127. Working on training commands at home with kibble and high-value treats to redirect focus 128. Visiting an animal shelter daily to give love to animals 129. Adopting a new pet with similar traits 130. Placing a new pet in a safe room quarantine temporarily 131. Joining online forums and groups to ask for tips, tricks, and positive reassurance 132. Reminding oneself that difficult behavior or hard days are not constant 133. Focusing on long-term rewards and bonding moments 134. Covering the crate 135. Sleeping next to the crate 136. Letting her fall asleep on me then moving her to the crate 137. Putting the crate in an open playpen with toys and treats 138. Hand-feeding food 139. Turning on music, TV, and podcasts for background noise 140. Putting her in a big blanket on the couch with a pillow over it and standing there until she falls asleep 141. reading training books and listening to podcasts 142. joining organized puppy play groups 143. using preventative management strategies to protect property 144. find someone on the app that does daycare in their home 145. get out of the house abit more and have a break from him 146. having a friend or family member watch him for a few hours 147. find the dog a new home while it's still a puppy 148. Searching for the cat and trying to force them to come to bed 149. Catproofing the apartment and using child locks or anchoring furniture 150. Providing more daytime stimulation and playtime 151. Rushing the puppy to the vet when accidental food changes or injuries occur 152. Sitting on the couch with the puppy all day to prevent falls and injuries 153. Seeking reassurance and advice from online communities to cope with anxiety 154. Putting the puppy in daycare to get a break 155. Redirecting biting energy to an appropriate toy 156. Enforcing naps and crate training 157. Sticking to consistent training and waiting for the puppy to grow older 158. Researching puppy sleep, crate and pen training, and enrichment 159. Using puppy pens in the living room and bedroom 160. Staying with the puppy until he falls asleep for every nap and at bedtime 161. Keeping multiple cats in a small apartment while enduring cleaning difficulties, poor air quality, and physical discomfort. 162. Feeding strays at a parents' covered outdoor shelter. 163. Planning to spay the mother cat before potentially letting her go outside. 164. Pushing through the difficult transition period hoping it gets better over time 165. Re-evaluating household division of labor 166. Using a variety of toys, Kongs, treat snuffle toys, and edible chews 167. Varying indoor activities between play, training, and garden time 168. Questioning the decision to get a puppy 169. Seeking reassurance or advice online 170. Reading training books and watching videos 171. Hiring a professional trainer ahead of time 172. Attending puppy classes 173. Adopting an older dog from a shelter instead 174. Sleeping on a rock-hard sofa or in a sibling's bed near the kitchen to hear nighttime cries 175. Setting multiple alarms to wake up for toilet breaks 176. Using puppy pads when the puppy refuses to walk on wet grass 177. waiting until the dog reaches a year or older for the emotional connection to develop 178. powering through the difficult early months in survival mode 179. Putting the dog in his crate for forced naps every couple of hours 180. Sending the dog to doggie day camp 181. keeping the puppy in a separate room with a playpen 182. planning to speak to a trainer 183. using relaxation protocols and chewing items 184. Using snuffle mats and Kongs for indoor enrichment 185. Redirecting nipping behavior to toys 186. Placing the puppy in a small puppy pen to force downtime 187. Volunteering at a local animal shelter instead of owning a pet 188. Ruminating daily over past decisions and wondering whether to re-adopt 189. Discussing fears and coping strategies in online support communities 190. Returning the dog to the shelter 191. Taking the puppy to professional training 192. Consulting wiki guides on biting, teeth, and chewing 193. drafting overly rigid daily schedules 194. setting timers for bathroom breaks 195. taking the puppy out every two hours or when restless instead of using a rigid plan 196. using yoga mats to protect floors from accidents 197. using heated stuffed animals or ticking alarm clocks to comfort the puppy 198. using balcony patch grass pads for apartment potty training 199. relying on the subreddit wiki and asking questions as they come up 200. Yelling at the dog and telling it to stop 201. Using lots of treats and food rewards to enforce good behavior 202. Considering returning the dog if behavior cannot be fixed 203. Constant yelling and telling the dog to stop 204. Seeking advice and guidance from online communities and experienced owners 205. Attempting to shift mindset and use positive reinforcement with treats 206. Reading extensively about best training methods 207. Relying on experienced partners for guidance 208. Enrolling in basic puppy classes 209. Consulting online wikis and community resources 210. Shutting the cat out of the room for an hour or so 211. Using cat TV or YouTube programmes for entertainment 212. Giving calming treats or Bach's rescue remedy 213. Using pheromone plug-in diffusers or lavender oil 214. Letting the cat outside when living in the country 215. Waiting for the bonding process to take time 216. Adjusting to the change over time 217. Seeking support from online communities experiencing puppy blues 218. Gradually getting the puppy used to being alone 219. Consulting wiki guides on crate training and management 220. Over-preparing the home, buying supplies, watching training videos, and discussing plans with a partner 221. Looking for a new place to live 222. Trying to slowly transition kitten food and litter 223. Calling low-cost vets for checkups 224. re arranging feeding and play times 225. strict forced naps 226. turning off the stovetop several times just to take him out 227. looking everywhere for tips 228. reading wiki articles and guides 229. Doing double walks 230. Living between upstairs and downstairs to separate the dogs 231. Constantly managing baby gates and staying on guard 232. Saying just one more day before making a decision 233. giving the cat a bath 234. putting the cat in a safe room 235. planning a vet visit for flea treatment 236. seeking advice from experienced cat rescuers 237. contacting the breeder for help and a visit 238. seeking support and advice from online communities like Reddit 239. Waiting until the puppy gets older 240. Seeking advice from online communities 241. taking the dog for runs and playing fetch 242. buying various puzzles and new toys periodically 243. putting more effort towards filling the dog's needs 244. investing in training 245. looking for a new home that can handle the dog's advanced needs 246. Using a baby gate to contain the puppy 247. Hiring a dog walker 248. Keeping the puppy in a crate or gated mudroom area when home alone 249. trying crate training 250. training the puppy to be away for a bit 251. Keeping the dogs separated 252. Trying small meet and greets outside of the house 253. Separating closely using a play pen so the older dog has time to adjust 254. talking through feelings with the puppy to let them learn your voice 255. calling friends or family for help and childcare relief 256. setting up professional training lessons for structure and confidence 257. managing personal mental health conditions and seeking medical or therapeutic support 258. Using crate training for naps and management 259. Utilizing daycare once a week 260. Attending basic obedience classes 261. Implementing tether training and enrichment activities 262. Crate training to allow owners dedicated time away and breaks 263. Enforced naps and tethering the puppy near owners while relaxing 264. Tiring out the puppy using food-rewarded training sessions and active engagement 265. Using heartbeat simulators or microwavable heat packs to soothe anxiety 266. Rewarding brief windows of quiet behavior with treats and praise 267. Putting the puppy in a dog pram so the owner can still go for a run while keeping the dog safe. 268. Enforcing space apart by putting the puppy in a pen or another room to carve out time for personal exercise and meal prep. 269. Accepting the temporary disruption and waiting for the puppy to mature enough to become a proper running or walking partner. 270. Enforce a strict crate training nap routine (1 hour awake, 2 hours asleep) 271. Designate scheduled responsibility blocks with a partner to guarantee decompression time 272. Use mental enrichment, licking mats, and puzzle toys to tire the puppy out 273. Communicate directly with partner to redistribute puppy care duties 274. Taking days off work or asking to stay home temporarily. 275. Getting a 100% remote job before adopting a puppy. 276. Puppy-proofing a room so the dog can roam instead of being confined to a pen or crate. 277. Enforcing crate naps on a schedule 278. Moving the puppy from a playpen to a secure kennel overnight 279. Leaving a favorite YouTube channel playing for the puppy at bedtime 280. Tag-teaming puppy shifts with a spouse or partner 281. Letting an older pet play with the puppy to tire them out 282. Enforcing strict routines and predictable daily schedules 283. Using crate training to enforce regular naps when puppies get overtired 284. Redirecting unwanted behaviors like cat-chasing using high-value toys or treats 285. Providing mental enrichment activities such as snuffle mats and stuffed Kongs 286. Taking the puppy outside at frequent regular intervals for potty training 287. Sending the puppy to a multi-week board and train boot camp. 288. The overwhelmed partner isolating themselves in a separate room to get away from the puppy. 289. Taking the puppy outside constantly to prevent accidents. 290. Using pop-up play pens with zipper mesh tops to keep the puppy safe from existing pets 291. Putting the puppy's crate on the bed so they can see and smell their owner at night 292. Asking a friend or family member to watch the puppy for a few hours in order to nap and shower 293. Considering giving the puppy back to the breeder 294. Redirecting with lick mats, long-lasting chews, and Kong puzzle toys. 295. Walking the dog three times a day for 30 to 60 minutes each. 296. Using a puppy playpen to contain the dog with appropriate toys so the owner can relax. 297. Super proofing the apartment even if it looks tacky 298. Using an indoor play pen to enforce breaks and teach the dog to self-entertain. 299. Wearing a treat pouch at home to redirect jumping and biting by tossing treats. 300. Playing tug to teach appropriate outlets for biting and excitement. 301. Practicing distal socialization by observing triggers from a distance before getting closer. 302. Hiring a professional dog trainer for personalized guidance. 303. Keeping the puppy restricted to specific rooms and the garden. 304. Working with a trainer, providing structure, and enforcing naps 305. Constant redirection and offering frozen washcloths to chew 306. Teaching 'place' and rewarding the puppy for being calm inside the house 307. Tethering the puppy with a chew toy while doing chores 308. Utilizing a crate inside a small playpen 309. Using a playpen to keep the puppy in a safe spot 310. Checking on the puppy through a camera to get a quick break 311. Establishing a strict daily routine and house rules 312. Tethering the puppy to yourself at all times to manage wandering 313. Attempting enforced naps in an exercise pen 314. Brainstorming different travel crate and baby gate configurations to survive the night

Why is my new high-energy puppy so overwhelming?

Many owners get high-energy working breeds without realizing the massive daily stimulation and exercise requirements these dogs demand. This mismatch leads to chaotic behavior like constant noise, biting, and destructive energy, leaving owners feeling trapped, exhausted, and deeply unprepared.

Overview

Last updated Nov 2, 2026

People affected159 accounts across 3 forums

Workarounds found314 items attempted

Community agreement6,006 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

It goes quiet, then comes back — 3 separate clusters since September 2025.
This comes up 31.0× more often in r/puppy101 than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

314 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

1
returning the dog to the breeder
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
2
working with a professional trainer regularly
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
3
taking the puppy outside every 1-2 hours
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
4
adjusting lifestyle and dog training protocols
Did this help you?
5
stopping training classes
Did this help you?
6
surrendering dogs to animal shelters
Did this help you?
7
giving away or selling dogs online
Did this help you?
8
Enforce naps in the crate
Did this help you?
9
Give yourself free time and leave the puppy in the crate for a few hours to get out
Did this help you?
10
Use routine, structure, and redirection to toys
Did this help you?
11
Apply bitter apple spray to furniture and ankles
Did this help you?
12
Use audio books or heartbeat toys to soothe the puppy
Did this help you?
13
Waiting for the dog to age out of the puppy and adolescent phase
Did this help you?
14
Using enforced crate schedules (such as two hours in, one hour out)
Did this help you?
15
Redirecting unwanted behaviors
Did this help you?
16
Lowering expectations for perfection
Did this help you?
17
Seeking reassurance and advice on online forums
Did this help you?
18
Crate training and enforcing nap hours
Did this help you?
19
Sharing responsibilities and support with a partner
Did this help you?
20
Waiting for time to pass and letting an adjustment period happen naturally
Did this help you?
21
Shifting perspective to see the positive moments
Did this help you?
22
reframing expectations of success and celebrating small wins
Did this help you?
23
taking time for yourself and stepping away into a different room
Did this help you?
24
using daycare for sanity breaks
Did this help you?
25
using a play pen to create a safe environment and mental break
Did this help you?
26
adopting adult dogs instead of puppies
Did this help you?
27
hiring trainers, petsitters, and groomers
Did this help you?
28
venting online and seeking support groups
Did this help you?
29
Feeding formula round the clock
Did this help you?
30
Making food sludge for extra calories
Did this help you?
31
Keeping the kitten warm
Did this help you?
32
Taking the animal to a vet
Did this help you?
33
Returning the kitten to foster care
Did this help you?
34
Consulting a vet to check if it is safe to keep the kitten while another cat is sick
Did this help you?
35
Giving the new addition a chance and letting time help heal
Did this help you?
36
Just keep doing the basics and wait for it to get better gradually
Did this help you?
37
Survive the first weeks and do not expect to bond instantly
Did this help you?
38
Checking if gums are pink and ensuring the puppy is not acting lethargic
Did this help you?
39
Offering water to see if the puppy drinks it
Did this help you?
40
Adding water into the puppy's food during feedings
Did this help you?
41
Giving yourself and the pup lots of grace
Did this help you?
42
Doing research into the 3-3-3 guidelines for adjustment periods
Did this help you?
43
Reading and researching about what to do and whether behavior makes sense
Did this help you?
44
Taking the dog back to the vet for pain meds, temperature checks, and anti-nausea medication.
Did this help you?
45
keeping the puppy in a playpen most of the day
Did this help you?
46
trying re-directing and small corrections seen online
Did this help you?
47
using a leash outside and separating the puppy from other dogs when she lunges
Did this help you?
48
Remaining patient, following routines, and implementing measures to bond with the puppy
Did this help you?
49
Surrendering the puppy back to the shelter or rescue
Did this help you?
50
Waiting a few weeks to see if the feelings pass (giving it 2-3 weeks)
Did this help you?
51
Taking it one day at a time
Did this help you?
52
Looking into the 3-3-3 rule for pet adjustment
Did this help you?
53
Enforcing naps using a crate and black-out crate cover
Did this help you?
54
Tracking sleep by minutes to ensure the puppy gets enough rest
Did this help you?
55
Using frozen lick mats, snuffle mats, and scent-related games to calm the puppy down
Did this help you?
56
Shortening active awake periods to prevent overtiredness
Did this help you?
57
Hiring an online or in-person dog trainer
Did this help you?
58
Sticking it out and creating a routine
Did this help you?
59
Seeking support and reassurance from online communities
Did this help you?
60
getting up every 2 hours to cuddle and settle the puppy back to sleep
Did this help you?
61
waiting for him to stop whining instead of getting up immediately
Did this help you?
62
moping every day and cleaning accidents with enzymatic cleaner
Did this help you?
63
Using a flirt pole and food puzzles to wear out the puppy's brain instead of just its body.
Did this help you?
64
ignoring the crying and letting the puppy learn to settle
Did this help you?
65
closing doors and using baby gates to restrict access
Did this help you?
66
monitoring the puppy via camera while taking a bath or doing tasks
Did this help you?
67
doing a lot of research online and reading wiki articles
Did this help you?
68
setting up a playpen, crate, and pee pads
Did this help you?
69
following structured schedules like 1 hour out and 2 hours in the crate
Did this help you?
70
surrender the kitten to a no-kill shelter
Did this help you?
71
keep the kitten and quarantine her from the existing cat
Did this help you?
72
waiting several years before getting another dog
Did this help you?
73
giving yourself permission to not feel magical immediately
Did this help you?
74
Asking experienced dog owners for advice on games and mental stimulation
Did this help you?
75
Using puzzle feeders and hiding treats to wear the dog out mentally
Did this help you?
76
going on 25 to 35 minute walks twice a day
Did this help you?
77
giving frozen kongs, bully sticks, cow ears, pig ears, and other chews
Did this help you?
78
providing many toys and daily training sessions
Did this help you?
79
timing everything in sync with the puppy's naps or waiting until the partner is home
Did this help you?
80
texting the breeder to potentially return the puppy
Did this help you?
81
Trying to keep the puppy on a strict daily schedule for naps, meals, and potty breaks
Did this help you?
82
sleeping on a mattress on the floor next to the puppy's pen
Did this help you?
83
getting up every hour to check using a baby monitor
Did this help you?
84
considering splitting shifts or alternating nights off
Did this help you?
85
Turning back
Did this help you?
86
Waiting for four paws
Did this help you?
87
Rewarding calm
Did this help you?
88
Encouraging a displacement behavior by having the dog pick up a toy
Did this help you?
89
sharing the caregiving responsibilities with family members
Did this help you?
90
taking deep breaths and trying to relax
Did this help you?
91
Waiting a designated trial period like a week or a couple of months to see if feelings improve
Did this help you?
92
Putting the puppy down for enforced naps every couple of hours
Did this help you?
93
Considering returning the puppy to the shelter
Did this help you?
94
Leaving the room and closing the door for 5-10 seconds when biting occurs
Did this help you?
95
Watching puppies closely during walks and potty breaks to manage overstimulation
Did this help you?
96
Rewarding puppies when they chill and do nothing
Did this help you?
97
returning the puppy to the breeder or finding it a new home
Did this help you?
98
waiting until after college to get a dog or adopting an older pet with a lower energy level
Did this help you?
99
trying the 1 hour play, 2 hour nap method
Did this help you?
100
using snuffle mats, kongs, or frozen nylabones in a pen
Did this help you?
101
taking the puppy out for extra potty breaks
Did this help you?
102
taking turns sleeping out in the main room near the crate
Did this help you?
103
enrolling in group puppy training and boot camp programs
Did this help you?
104
Waiting for the dog to mature and age past the first year
Did this help you?
105
Reminding oneself that hard work and training will pay off eventually
Did this help you?
106
Contacting the breeder to consider returning the puppy
Did this help you?
107
stopping medical treatments and letting the pet eat what it wants
Did this help you?
108
skipping or deciding against medication doses because of stress and side effects
Did this help you?
109
making food changes to help with organ health
Did this help you?
110
Boarding the dog during visits
Did this help you?
111
Keeping the dog separated or on a leash
Did this help you?
112
Leaving the dog in a bedroom
Did this help you?
113
watching training videos
Did this help you?
114
asking for favorite training tips and videos from community members
Did this help you?
115
leaving them undisturbed until morning
Did this help you?
116
watching the kittens through a room cam
Did this help you?
117
transitioning to a smaller, kitten-safe room
Did this help you?
118
leaving out dry free feed food
Did this help you?
119
getting everything needed within a couple of days
Did this help you?
120
monitoring their health and providing ample playtime
Did this help you?
121
Asking the breeder about the puppy's previous behavior
Did this help you?
122
Giving the puppy space, having patience, and letting them come to you
Did this help you?
123
Taking the puppy to a veterinarian or checking their temperature
Did this help you?
124
Applying the 3-3-3 rule for rescue or new pet adjustment
Did this help you?
125
Walking very early in the morning when fewer people are around
Did this help you?
126
Keeping daytime walks shorter and in smaller areas
Did this help you?
127
Working on training commands at home with kibble and high-value treats to redirect focus
Did this help you?
128
Visiting an animal shelter daily to give love to animals
Did this help you?
129
Adopting a new pet with similar traits
Did this help you?
130
Placing a new pet in a safe room quarantine temporarily
Did this help you?
131
Joining online forums and groups to ask for tips, tricks, and positive reassurance
Did this help you?
132
Reminding oneself that difficult behavior or hard days are not constant
Did this help you?
133
Focusing on long-term rewards and bonding moments
Did this help you?
134
Covering the crate
Did this help you?
135
Sleeping next to the crate
Did this help you?
136
Letting her fall asleep on me then moving her to the crate
Did this help you?
137
Putting the crate in an open playpen with toys and treats
Did this help you?
138
Hand-feeding food
Did this help you?
139
Turning on music, TV, and podcasts for background noise
Did this help you?
140
Putting her in a big blanket on the couch with a pillow over it and standing there until she falls asleep
Did this help you?
141
reading training books and listening to podcasts
Did this help you?
142
joining organized puppy play groups
Did this help you?
143
using preventative management strategies to protect property
Did this help you?
144
find someone on the app that does daycare in their home
Did this help you?
145
get out of the house abit more and have a break from him
Did this help you?
146
having a friend or family member watch him for a few hours
Did this help you?
147
find the dog a new home while it's still a puppy
Did this help you?
148
Searching for the cat and trying to force them to come to bed
Did this help you?
149
Catproofing the apartment and using child locks or anchoring furniture
Did this help you?
150
Providing more daytime stimulation and playtime
Did this help you?
151
Rushing the puppy to the vet when accidental food changes or injuries occur
Did this help you?
152
Sitting on the couch with the puppy all day to prevent falls and injuries
Did this help you?
153
Seeking reassurance and advice from online communities to cope with anxiety
Did this help you?
154
Putting the puppy in daycare to get a break
Did this help you?
155
Redirecting biting energy to an appropriate toy
Did this help you?
156
Enforcing naps and crate training
Did this help you?
157
Sticking to consistent training and waiting for the puppy to grow older
Did this help you?
158
Researching puppy sleep, crate and pen training, and enrichment
Did this help you?
159
Using puppy pens in the living room and bedroom
Did this help you?
160
Staying with the puppy until he falls asleep for every nap and at bedtime
Did this help you?
161
Keeping multiple cats in a small apartment while enduring cleaning difficulties, poor air quality, and physical discomfort.
Did this help you?
162
Feeding strays at a parents' covered outdoor shelter.
Did this help you?
163
Planning to spay the mother cat before potentially letting her go outside.
Did this help you?
164
Pushing through the difficult transition period hoping it gets better over time
Did this help you?
165
Re-evaluating household division of labor
Did this help you?
166
Using a variety of toys, Kongs, treat snuffle toys, and edible chews
Did this help you?
167
Varying indoor activities between play, training, and garden time
Did this help you?
168
Questioning the decision to get a puppy
Did this help you?
169
Seeking reassurance or advice online
Did this help you?
170
Reading training books and watching videos
Did this help you?
171
Hiring a professional trainer ahead of time
Did this help you?
172
Attending puppy classes
Did this help you?
173
Adopting an older dog from a shelter instead
Did this help you?
174
Sleeping on a rock-hard sofa or in a sibling's bed near the kitchen to hear nighttime cries
Did this help you?
175
Setting multiple alarms to wake up for toilet breaks
Did this help you?
176
Using puppy pads when the puppy refuses to walk on wet grass
Did this help you?
177
waiting until the dog reaches a year or older for the emotional connection to develop
Did this help you?
178
powering through the difficult early months in survival mode
Did this help you?
179
Putting the dog in his crate for forced naps every couple of hours
Did this help you?
180
Sending the dog to doggie day camp
Did this help you?
181
keeping the puppy in a separate room with a playpen
Did this help you?
182
planning to speak to a trainer
Did this help you?
183
using relaxation protocols and chewing items
Did this help you?
184
Using snuffle mats and Kongs for indoor enrichment
Did this help you?
185
Redirecting nipping behavior to toys
Did this help you?
186
Placing the puppy in a small puppy pen to force downtime
Did this help you?
187
Volunteering at a local animal shelter instead of owning a pet
Did this help you?
188
Ruminating daily over past decisions and wondering whether to re-adopt
Did this help you?
189
Discussing fears and coping strategies in online support communities
Did this help you?
190
Returning the dog to the shelter
Did this help you?
191
Taking the puppy to professional training
Did this help you?
192
Consulting wiki guides on biting, teeth, and chewing
Did this help you?
193
drafting overly rigid daily schedules
Did this help you?
194
setting timers for bathroom breaks
Did this help you?
195
taking the puppy out every two hours or when restless instead of using a rigid plan
Did this help you?
196
using yoga mats to protect floors from accidents
Did this help you?
197
using heated stuffed animals or ticking alarm clocks to comfort the puppy
Did this help you?
198
using balcony patch grass pads for apartment potty training
Did this help you?
199
relying on the subreddit wiki and asking questions as they come up
Did this help you?
200
Yelling at the dog and telling it to stop
Did this help you?
201
Using lots of treats and food rewards to enforce good behavior
Did this help you?
202
Considering returning the dog if behavior cannot be fixed
Did this help you?
203
Constant yelling and telling the dog to stop
Did this help you?
204
Seeking advice and guidance from online communities and experienced owners
Did this help you?
205
Attempting to shift mindset and use positive reinforcement with treats
Did this help you?
206
Reading extensively about best training methods
Did this help you?
207
Relying on experienced partners for guidance
Did this help you?
208
Enrolling in basic puppy classes
Did this help you?
209
Consulting online wikis and community resources
Did this help you?
210
Shutting the cat out of the room for an hour or so
Did this help you?
211
Using cat TV or YouTube programmes for entertainment
Did this help you?
212
Giving calming treats or Bach's rescue remedy
Did this help you?
213
Using pheromone plug-in diffusers or lavender oil
Did this help you?
214
Letting the cat outside when living in the country
Did this help you?
215
Waiting for the bonding process to take time
Did this help you?
216
Adjusting to the change over time
Did this help you?
217
Seeking support from online communities experiencing puppy blues
Did this help you?
218
Gradually getting the puppy used to being alone
Did this help you?
219
Consulting wiki guides on crate training and management
Did this help you?
220
Over-preparing the home, buying supplies, watching training videos, and discussing plans with a partner
Did this help you?
221
Looking for a new place to live
Did this help you?
222
Trying to slowly transition kitten food and litter
Did this help you?
223
Calling low-cost vets for checkups
Did this help you?
224
re arranging feeding and play times
Did this help you?
225
strict forced naps
Did this help you?
226
turning off the stovetop several times just to take him out
Did this help you?
227
looking everywhere for tips
Did this help you?
228
reading wiki articles and guides
Did this help you?
229
Doing double walks
Did this help you?
230
Living between upstairs and downstairs to separate the dogs
Did this help you?
231
Constantly managing baby gates and staying on guard
Did this help you?
232
Saying just one more day before making a decision
Did this help you?
233
giving the cat a bath
Did this help you?
234
putting the cat in a safe room
Did this help you?
235
planning a vet visit for flea treatment
Did this help you?
236
seeking advice from experienced cat rescuers
Did this help you?
237
contacting the breeder for help and a visit
Did this help you?
238
seeking support and advice from online communities like Reddit
Did this help you?
239
Waiting until the puppy gets older
Did this help you?
240
Seeking advice from online communities
Did this help you?
241
taking the dog for runs and playing fetch
Did this help you?
242
buying various puzzles and new toys periodically
Did this help you?
243
putting more effort towards filling the dog's needs
Did this help you?
244
investing in training
Did this help you?
245
looking for a new home that can handle the dog's advanced needs
Did this help you?
246
Using a baby gate to contain the puppy
Did this help you?
247
Hiring a dog walker
Did this help you?
248
Keeping the puppy in a crate or gated mudroom area when home alone
Did this help you?
249
trying crate training
Did this help you?
250
training the puppy to be away for a bit
Did this help you?
251
Keeping the dogs separated
Did this help you?
252
Trying small meet and greets outside of the house
Did this help you?
253
Separating closely using a play pen so the older dog has time to adjust
Did this help you?
254
talking through feelings with the puppy to let them learn your voice
Did this help you?
255
calling friends or family for help and childcare relief
Did this help you?
256
setting up professional training lessons for structure and confidence
Did this help you?
257
managing personal mental health conditions and seeking medical or therapeutic support
Did this help you?
258
Using crate training for naps and management
Did this help you?
259
Utilizing daycare once a week
Did this help you?
260
Attending basic obedience classes
Did this help you?
261
Implementing tether training and enrichment activities
Did this help you?
262
Crate training to allow owners dedicated time away and breaks
Did this help you?
263
Enforced naps and tethering the puppy near owners while relaxing
Did this help you?
264
Tiring out the puppy using food-rewarded training sessions and active engagement
Did this help you?
265
Using heartbeat simulators or microwavable heat packs to soothe anxiety
Did this help you?
266
Rewarding brief windows of quiet behavior with treats and praise
Did this help you?
267
Putting the puppy in a dog pram so the owner can still go for a run while keeping the dog safe.
Did this help you?
268
Enforcing space apart by putting the puppy in a pen or another room to carve out time for personal exercise and meal prep.
Did this help you?
269
Accepting the temporary disruption and waiting for the puppy to mature enough to become a proper running or walking partner.
Did this help you?
270
Enforce a strict crate training nap routine (1 hour awake, 2 hours asleep)
Did this help you?
271
Designate scheduled responsibility blocks with a partner to guarantee decompression time
Did this help you?
272
Use mental enrichment, licking mats, and puzzle toys to tire the puppy out
Did this help you?
273
Communicate directly with partner to redistribute puppy care duties
Did this help you?
274
Taking days off work or asking to stay home temporarily.
Did this help you?
275
Getting a 100% remote job before adopting a puppy.
Did this help you?
276
Puppy-proofing a room so the dog can roam instead of being confined to a pen or crate.
Did this help you?
277
Enforcing crate naps on a schedule
Did this help you?
278
Moving the puppy from a playpen to a secure kennel overnight
Did this help you?
279
Leaving a favorite YouTube channel playing for the puppy at bedtime
Did this help you?
280
Tag-teaming puppy shifts with a spouse or partner
Did this help you?
281
Letting an older pet play with the puppy to tire them out
Did this help you?
282
Enforcing strict routines and predictable daily schedules
Did this help you?
283
Using crate training to enforce regular naps when puppies get overtired
Did this help you?
284
Redirecting unwanted behaviors like cat-chasing using high-value toys or treats
Did this help you?
285
Providing mental enrichment activities such as snuffle mats and stuffed Kongs
Did this help you?
286
Taking the puppy outside at frequent regular intervals for potty training
Did this help you?
287
Sending the puppy to a multi-week board and train boot camp.
Did this help you?
288
The overwhelmed partner isolating themselves in a separate room to get away from the puppy.
Did this help you?
289
Taking the puppy outside constantly to prevent accidents.
Did this help you?
290
Using pop-up play pens with zipper mesh tops to keep the puppy safe from existing pets
Did this help you?
291
Putting the puppy's crate on the bed so they can see and smell their owner at night
Did this help you?
292
Asking a friend or family member to watch the puppy for a few hours in order to nap and shower
Did this help you?
293
Considering giving the puppy back to the breeder
Did this help you?
294
Redirecting with lick mats, long-lasting chews, and Kong puzzle toys.
Did this help you?
295
Walking the dog three times a day for 30 to 60 minutes each.
Did this help you?
296
Using a puppy playpen to contain the dog with appropriate toys so the owner can relax.
Did this help you?
297
Super proofing the apartment even if it looks tacky
Did this help you?
298
Using an indoor play pen to enforce breaks and teach the dog to self-entertain.
Did this help you?
299
Wearing a treat pouch at home to redirect jumping and biting by tossing treats.
Did this help you?
300
Playing tug to teach appropriate outlets for biting and excitement.
Did this help you?
301
Practicing distal socialization by observing triggers from a distance before getting closer.
Did this help you?
302
Hiring a professional dog trainer for personalized guidance.
Did this help you?
303
Keeping the puppy restricted to specific rooms and the garden.
Did this help you?
304
Working with a trainer, providing structure, and enforcing naps
Did this help you?
305
Constant redirection and offering frozen washcloths to chew
Did this help you?
306
Teaching 'place' and rewarding the puppy for being calm inside the house
Did this help you?
307
Tethering the puppy with a chew toy while doing chores
Did this help you?
308
Utilizing a crate inside a small playpen
Did this help you?
309
Using a playpen to keep the puppy in a safe spot
Did this help you?
310
Checking on the puppy through a camera to get a quick break
Did this help you?
311
Establishing a strict daily routine and house rules
Did this help you?
312
Tethering the puppy to yourself at all times to manage wandering
Did this help you?
313
Attempting enforced naps in an exercise pen
Did this help you?
314
Brainstorming different travel crate and baby gate configurations to survive the night
Did this help you?

Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/puppy101135 people · September 2025 – November 2026

“man… is anyone else tired of seeing all the posts of people who get these big, working dog breeds and then are extremely overwhelmed bc the dog is busy af!?”source ↗

““I’ll admit I didn’t do any research but I’m losing my mind!” type of posts”source ↗

RealLinzerBinzer · r/puppy101 · 1,072 upvotes

““my lifestyle would have suited a toy breed but instead i got a border collie poodle husky mix, when will my puppy start acting like a pug?? What do i do?””source ↗

workshop_prompts · r/puppy101 · 677 upvotes

“When you’re in the thick of puppyhood it’s hard. You’re exhausted. You’re wondering if x behavior will last forever. You’re overthinking every small thing cause you might “ruin your dog”.”source ↗

“I didn’t like her at all for six months or so. I cried a lot. She was a terror.”source ↗

14thBlackCrusade · r/puppy101 · 644 upvotes

“I genuinely thought that we'd get a dog, there'd be a period of adjustment, and our old life would return, now with a dog in it. It has been two months and I'm just seeing that the old life is gone, and what we have is an entirely new, different life.”source ↗

“I found the first month really hard - he had no training, and I had never trained a dog. It felt like there was a stranger in the house with me. I felt so much pressure and responsibility to not mess up, to make him happy, comfy.”source ↗

tiptreetimes · r/puppy101 · 611 upvotes

“raising a puppy alone is so so hard.”source ↗

“I miss my old dogs so much I want to cry.”source ↗

typingmonkey0 · r/puppy101 · 544 upvotes

“I am never getting another puppy. I didn't want a puppy but we rescued her at 2 weeks old from neglectful neighbours. A puppy is A LOT.”source ↗

Moistowletta · r/puppy101 · 484 upvotes

“On month 5. Morale is low. Bank account even lower. Never getting a puppy again”source ↗

Few-Corgi-8245 · r/puppy101 · 261 upvotes

““I did my research on Australian shepherds and now my 9mo puppy is at home in a crate 8h a day and is too wild to walk and she was too smart for training class so we stopped going also she bites my kids.””source ↗

somekidssnackbitch · r/puppy101 · 209 upvotes

“It’s hard to pour all your energy, time, and love into an animal that just wants to bite you constantly.”source ↗

fox_in_the_shadows · r/puppy101 · 181 upvotes

“I feel so guilty because some days I really want to give it up.”source ↗

No-Menu5104 · r/puppy101 · 115 upvotes

“My pup is 8 months old and I’m just so tired and resentful all the time.”source ↗

Curious_Bookworm21 · r/puppy101 · 57 upvotes

“The razor teeth is probably the absolute worst part of it for me. I can handle everything else but being gnawed at is the worst.”source ↗

smln_smln · r/puppy101 · 47 upvotes

““Why is my husky so naughty and LOUD ALL DAY?!” BECAUSE HE GETS 10 MINUTES OUTSIDE AND ZERO STIMULATION, PHIL.”source ↗

SeonaidMacSaicais · r/puppy101 · 40 upvotes

“I feel like people don't talk enough about how much your life changes when you bring home a puppy.”source ↗

“You can't just sit down and watch a movie without keeping one eye on them. You can't leave things lying around. Even going to the bathroom feels like a small operation sometimes.”source ↗

“And the biting... I knew puppies chewed things, but I wasn't prepared for being the thing they wanted to chew most of the time.”source ↗

chuuPeaches · r/puppy101 · 38 upvotes

“I’m mentally and physically exhausted from cleaning up and he feels like a legit new born. I feel like I’m starting to resent him and it makes me guilty.”source ↗

“If I could go back maybe I wouldn’t have gotten him which I hate that that thought even crosses my mind... isn’t that weird to feel like that?”source ↗

Initial_Theory8461 · r/puppy101 · 35 upvotes

“We are just 24 hours in and I feel like I made a mistake.”source ↗

Wild-Association3988 · r/puppy101 · 34 upvotes

“mine is 8 months now, he’s a fucking demon and omg the money I’ve dropped on this little screeching ghoul between the vet visits the Petsitter the trainer and the showering him with gifts…”source ↗

Awkward_Reporter_286 · r/puppy101 · 27 upvotes

“on month 6 with my puppy! got him when he was 2 1/2 months! My bank account is low sleep deprivation is real”source ↗

Status_Rich_7260 · r/puppy101 · 27 upvotes

“I keep reading horror stories on this thread of people having the worst time & contemplating rehoming their puppies/dogs, it’s got me thinking more and more if I’m making the right choice.”source ↗

“But am I taking too much on? I see couples that struggle and I’m on my own. Is it worth it or am I making a mistake?”source ↗

Repulsive_News_9199 · r/puppy101 · 27 upvotes

“I'm getting a new 3 month old king charles cavalier puppy in just two weeks and I am a mess.”source ↗

“My anxiety is through the roof now and I would love to hear stories from people of why they love thier puppies!”source ↗

phychopotato · r/puppy101 · 25 upvotes

“I don’t know what I thought it was going to be like, but I feel absolutely awful.”source ↗

“I have never felt worse than I do after putting her through this.”source ↗

Hungry_Emu_ · r/puppy101 · 22 upvotes

“i have a 10 month old right now and will never do this again lol”source ↗

whiskymouthgngrsouth · r/puppy101 · 20 upvotes

“We’re on month 4 and I had to google “I hate my puppy” because I was worried there was something wrong with me”source ↗

fight_for_it · r/puppy101 · 20 upvotes

“i was honestly just surviving”source ↗

“is that crazy for me to say?”source ↗

“did you have that “click” connection that social media often shows when getting a puppy?”source ↗

ladybug__7 · r/puppy101 · 18 upvotes

“the first weeks i was like what have i done, i ruined my quiet life.”source ↗

Turbulent_Pepper490 · r/puppy101 · 16 upvotes

“We recently adopted a 5-month-old puppy and I am really struggling.”source ↗

“Instead, we are currently having a lot of “what did we do?” feelings.”source ↗

“And did anyone else feel genuinely guilty because they weren’t enjoying the puppy stage?”source ↗

Bachbachbach12 · r/puppy101 · 16 upvotes

“I just think my routine has gone out the window, and I’ve ended up spiralling into a place where I am not looking after myself and making myself feel unwell.”source ↗

“This lack of activity and change in routine has led to me completely neglecting my health, eating worse, lack of movement and spend the evenings feeling ill and lethargic”source ↗

New-Body2709 · r/puppy101 · 16 upvotes

“Not venting, I knew this was coming but omg its so much harder if you're doing it alone.”source ↗

“Im so tired I cant nap. Ive tried!”source ↗

reluctantly_existing · r/puppy101 · 16 upvotes

“the last week has felt like a nightmare.”source ↗

“The pain is spiking my anxiety like I haven’t experienced before.”source ↗

“I’m breaking down crying all the time.”source ↗

“whenever I’m with the puppy I just feel all these issue get worse alongside a crushing weight of regret and sadness.”source ↗

“This has been our dream and goal for so long, and now it’s here I’m falling apart.”source ↗

Imaginary-Fondant888 · r/puppy101 · 15 upvotes

“Not gonna lie, the first couple weeks was hell for me and my girlfriend.”source ↗

OkStatus4812 · r/puppy101 · 14 upvotes

“2 days after I got him, I joined this /r all in tears as puppy blues got me hard.”source ↗

“Everything that moves, breathes, or smells like my feet would have been torn apart. It lasts for half an hour, maybe up to an hour a day, but it’s just heartbreaking when you just watch and don’t know what to do, how to help him”source ↗

jamesgeg123 · r/puppy101 · 14 upvotes

“Sometimes I feel like we're constantly playing defense just trying to make it through her awake time until her next nap.”source ↗

“My hands have open cuts from puppy biting, and it feels like EVERYTHING is a game to her. We can't even enjoy playing outside because she eventually starts jumping on us, biting at our legs, or grabbing our clothes.”source ↗

“She's not particularly affectionate yet, so sometimes it feels like we're putting in all this work without getting to enjoy much of the sweet puppy stage everyone talks about.”source ↗

layalca · r/puppy101 · 14 upvotes

“some days I walk in the door and just feel dread instead of the warm fuzzy puppy feelings I expected. Then I feel guilty because she's just a baby being excited that I'm home.”source ↗

Independent-Dig-2207 · r/puppy101 · 13 upvotes

“We are stressed out, can't sleep enough because she is waking up early in the morning and get sassy to go outside the crate at 8am, we can't even work (we are freelancing) because we give her all of our time and energy.”source ↗

“We can't eat in peace because she is very loud and jumps on the table. We can't stay in other room without her because she barks and want attention.”source ↗

“He want us to give her back to the shelter or find someone else to adopt her. I don't want to give up on her, but can't do this anymore.”source ↗

“I am also feel like I'm loosing my mind a little but everyday.”source ↗

Ok-Rutabaga7566 · r/puppy101 · 13 upvotes

“My husband wakes up every day and asks if we can rehome the dog yet so I appreciate this perspective and know it'll get better but the lack of sleep while working a full time job and packing to move into a home may kill me lol”source ↗

BackgroundMajor2054 · r/puppy101 · 12 upvotes

“In the first few weeks I was so riddled with the stress of getting his routine right, potty training, settling him - I'd get up and instantly feel anxious about it all.”source ↗

tiptreetimes · r/puppy101 · 12 upvotes

“I'm exhausted and want to sleep in my own bed.”source ↗

“im just losing my mind.”source ↗

Minimum-Eye-1451 · r/puppy101 · 11 upvotes

“I’ve had a knot in my stomach and extreme anxiety ever since.”source ↗

“I have cried pretty much non stop for the past 24 hours and told myself I’ll give her 7 days to see if I genuinely enjoy having her.”source ↗

“Part of me wants to just wait 2 years until we have a yard and bigger house.”source ↗

No-Gap-3251 · r/puppy101 · 10 upvotes

“Our puppy is now 24 weeks old, and I’m still experiencing what I would describe as extreme puppy blues.”source ↗

“I feel like my entire life revolves around the puppy.”source ↗

“The hardest part is that I can’t seem to switch off from it.”source ↗

Horror_Doughnut9760 · r/puppy101 · 10 upvotes

“i am so incredibly anxious about training wrong. i am constantly scared i am creating bad habits and im just doing my best to do what's right but i also don't know what's right because everyone has different opinions.”source ↗

“i have been watching all sorts of videos from tons of different folks and it always makes me feel really bad when the video is "here is how i trained my puppy to stop biting in 3 days!!!!!" or all these commands they're able to do and i am just so anxious im doing everything wrong and that im failing him.”source ↗

“i just feel like im doing everything wrong”source ↗

Havoklily · r/puppy101 · 10 upvotes

“I just got my puppy and tomorrow will be her first full day at home.”source ↗

“I’ve done a lot of research but I’m still feeling nervous.”source ↗

“I guess I’m just asking for reassurance that I’m not effing this up because I’m nervous.”source ↗

chismosayorgullosa · r/puppy101 · 9 upvotes

“Going through the exact thing now 😴”source ↗

HazKenward87 · r/puppy101 · 8 upvotes

“Pretty much everyday since we got him I end up crying, feeling overwhelmed and depressed.”source ↗

“I get pretty burnt out and overwhelmed because there’s not much else I can do during the day.”source ↗

janajjsnsjakdknd · r/puppy101 · 8 upvotes

“I just feel as if made a big mistake and should have waited for her to graduate and us move out to get a dog.”source ↗

“I feel terrible because I have always wanted a dog but the stress and lack of help is making me physically sick.”source ↗

“I have had an upset stomach and haven’t been eating well all week. I don’t know what to do.”source ↗

FreedomNo5908 · r/puppy101 · 7 upvotes

“I think I just need some reassurance as the puppy blues are hitting much harder than expected.”source ↗

“I’ve still cried every night since he’s been home - its been about six days and I’m struggling with my confidence.”source ↗

“my arms are torn up from his little puppy teeth and he just tries to eat EVERYTHING.”source ↗

“I honestly felt like death with how little sleep we both were getting.”source ↗

“I have this lingering anxiety all the time that I’m doing something wrong.”source ↗

Glum_Accountant_287 · r/puppy101 · 7 upvotes

“I brought home my puppy yesterday. Frankly, it was hellish.”source ↗

“I haven’t eaten anything because I feel like if I turn my back to cook, the house is going to explode.”source ↗

“I’m just so tired and overwhelmed that I can’t make decisions anymore.”source ↗

Voyage_Sailor · r/puppy101 · 7 upvotes

“The lack of sleep is sooo tough.”source ↗

jenny-bean8 · r/puppy101 · 6 upvotes

“nothing is worse than the biting and witching.”source ↗

Practical_Tie_7743 · r/puppy101 · 6 upvotes

“My puppy is a lunatic and has stopped listening to me. I work from home and I stress about leaving her alone.”source ↗

bujoNY · r/puppy101 · 6 upvotes

“I know puppies mature at different ages, but our puppy is over a year old and I dread spending time with him.”source ↗

“I'm kind of at my wits end. If I could re-home the dog tomorrow I'd be so relieved, though my wife would be devastated.”source ↗

IMissYouWillie · r/puppy101 · 6 upvotes

“I have a 9 month old lab / Samoyed mix (and probably other breeds) and I’d say for the last 4 months I contemplate giving him up weekly.”source ↗

“I already struggle with anxiety and being triggered by my children, and honestly I regret getting a puppy.”source ↗

“It’s sad to say but I don’t think I would miss him too much if we gave him back to the rescue, but I would feel great shame and guilt.”source ↗

Legitimate-Egg130 · r/puppy101 · 6 upvotes

“My 3 yo golden is very dog selective and reliant on me for everything. Codependent x10. I thought getting another dog would help her learn to be a dog but now I’m feeling beyond awful.”source ↗

“It’s day two and she’s already given a pretty strong correction after the puppy bit her lip and broke skin. She is acting shut down.”source ↗

“Did I make a mistake?”source ↗

i-like-carbs- · r/puppy101 · 6 upvotes

“I don’t even need a good dog. I just need a dog who isn’t constantly overtired, would sleep longer than one hour at a time and might consider not pissing where she sleeps despite multiple chances to do otherwise. I feel very stupid indeed.”source ↗

limoni_dalla_costa · r/puppy101 · 5 upvotes

“I am really overwhelmed with the amount of things to train him on and worried that I’m not training him enough things for his age.”source ↗

Halloweenyhutjunior · r/puppy101 · 5 upvotes

“I got my puppy 2 months ago, I've been in a constant freeze state, functional and able to do what's needed, but really not enjoying my time with my pup. Last night I was feeling pretty bad for being a bad dog owner for not loving my pup enough.”source ↗

StonedBobzilla · r/puppy101 · 4 upvotes

“There are moments when I regret getting him, and others when I think he is a good puppy who just struggles with being alone.”source ↗

“I spent an entire day crying and having anxiety attacks, thinking I had made the wrong choice, that I had ruined my life, and that I had ruined things for my Dachshund, who used to have such a peaceful life.”source ↗

“I’m going back to work in a week, and I’m desperate because I’m scared he’ll spend the 4 hours I’m at work crying, that the neighbors will complain, or that he’ll develop separation anxiety because I won’t have enough time to gradually get him used to being alone.”source ↗

Kindred-14 · r/puppy101 · 4 upvotes

“My puppy is 6 months old, a St. Berdoodle, and about 50 lbs. I’m just wondering if some of this stuff gets better with age because right now she can be A LOT lol.”source ↗

“And honestly, one of the things I’m wondering about most is whether you actually start to like/love your dog more as they get older. Right now she is SO much work.”source ↗

“Sometimes I’ll have a really good day with her and think “okay, this is totally worth it,” and other times I’m exhausted and honestly feel like it’s not worth all the work.”source ↗

Next_Moment475 · r/puppy101 · 4 upvotes

“everyday is a struggle. We both have a hard time in the first week due to were both adjusting and this early October, everything slowly getting better thanks to training.”source ↗

“The problem is she has this anxiety that no matter how much i train her to be away for a bit she cries all the time. She is too clingy.”source ↗

“She is overtired due to she is alert when I walk, she walks.”source ↗

“I tried crate training her and sometimes it was ok, sometimes she cries every 2 hrs and I still dont have proper sleep.”source ↗

“This friday I have to go out ( i am wfh) to meet some friends. I agreed to it before the pup came into my life now idk if i should cancel it.”source ↗

“I havent properly taken care of myself much these past few days…”source ↗

Pure_Resort1289 · r/puppy101 · 4 upvotes

“I have a 10 week collie boy. He is a pretty easy pup but every day life is tough often, not much time for my own hobbies and things.”source ↗

Realistic_Rabbit_545 · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“Reading this after just cleaning up pee by the front door. Thanks needed to hear it 😂”source ↗

Lodray2477 · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“Yeah I hated mine a lot of days and told my husband I didn’t want her anymore.”source ↗

L_wanderlust · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“I'm just...not enjoying it?”source ↗

“I just feel like its all a chore more than fun.”source ↗

“There's nothing happening that I didn't expect and prepare for except my own feelings.”source ↗

CleverBaggins · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“I am extremely excited to pick her up and I have been looking everywhere for tips but there are so many questions and different opinions, and I can never find all the information so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and confused.”source ↗

“Mainly, I am struggling with understanding exactly what I need to prepare/buy for her arrival and how our routine should go by.”source ↗

EutectiCurie · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“The imbalance of who carries the mental load in those early weeks can get real dark real fast, especially when one person's routine gets nuked and the other's just gets a little inconvenient”source ↗

OilyRubbing · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“doing it solo is a whole different beast, i had a similar situation with my pup and the no-nap thing nearly broke me.”source ↗

Popular-Passage-5095 · r/puppy101 · 3 upvotes

“indigo has been… awful. she isn’t affectionate, no amount of exercise/mental stimulation/enrichment/training is enough for her, she doesn’t have a calm bone in her body.”source ↗

“im so tired.”source ↗

oopsyousuck · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“I've cried several times, beaten myself up endlessly, felt a bit heartbroken at letting my little dog down, and generally am more stressed than I can remember.”source ↗

“My partner just said "I think we might be out of our depth here" which made me want to cry even more.”source ↗

chydgoo420 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“I'm on day three of fostering and I've cried every single day.”source ↗

“i can't shake this feeling.”source ↗

“it wasn't until she arrived that I felt this sinking heaviness.”source ↗

“i don't know if I should tough it out and risk my mental health getting worse, or surrender her back to the shelter and make sure she gets the home she deserves.”source ↗

cassiopeia_night · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“I’m getting frustrated cause she won’t stop biting or chewing shoes, she gets greedy with treats and bites my hand hard, she won’t stop biting my ankles, she keeps making messes, keeps having accidents no matter how many times I take her out, she isn’t recalling and I’m getting so frustrated and tired - I know it’ll be worth it but this is just getting a lot- she’s only 9 weeks so I know this is all normal but I feel so over stimulated”source ↗

thisreditthik · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my puppy so much, he’s a pitbull who’s 4 months. But I don’t think I’ve ever been so mentally drained, I work, have college, my tattoo business and him on top of it PLUS my 9 other pets and the 3 animals I foster.”source ↗

“I have no time to myself I’ve genuinely looked a mess this past month and that says a lot as normally I am very put together. But please does it get better and how long till he just learns to be calm”source ↗

773janedoe · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“My issue is, now that the two weeks are done, my husband is back to his work away from home, and I'm currently juggling studies + work (although typically not all day every day).”source ↗

“I am typically quite independent and spontaneous,and love my freedom, so this has been quite an adjustment.”source ↗

“I am feeling really annoyed and overwhelmed with the change in my schedule.”source ↗

new_puppy4290 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“we definitely were not expected the stress we’ve been experiencing.”source ↗

ChoppedWood26 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“I think like a lot of people sleep deprivation after getting a puppy can lead them to regret their decision and completely panic/shut down and that is where we’ve been the last couple days.”source ↗

“Suffice to say we were exhausted.”source ↗

“we have no idea how to progress to getting more sleep at night because we both work from home full time and just cannot function.”source ↗

Pleasant_Title_1624 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“we feel completely stuck.”source ↗

“As soon as we close the door, he completely freaks out. He screams and cries, tries to get out, and will not settle.”source ↗

“We are both so stressed that we’ve started having this feeling of dread/doom about getting this dog, and I’m honestly getting to the point where I feel like I could start going into a state of panic.”source ↗

“Sometimes I get so stressed listening to him cry that I can physically feel my throat tighten and my heart pounding in my neck and chest.”source ↗

“It’s exhausting.”source ↗

Appropriate-Boot7027 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“I'm really strugling with another thing to have to worry about with him. My house is a mess, I haven't done anything at work in a week and I feel sick and cry constantly.”source ↗

“I don't know if I should have gotten a puppy :(”source ↗

Bitter-Basil120 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“I adopted an 8-week-old Jack Russell puppy two weeks ago. These two weeks have been extremely hard, especially since they've coincided with several major personal issues.”source ↗

“I feel like I spend my day punishing him or telling him no, and I can't seem to bond with him.”source ↗

“What am I doing wrong? What could I do better? I can't manage to set up a well-organized daily routine with him, and I can't manage to work alongside it either.”source ↗

Zealousideal_War_678 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“However there are some things that are driving me insane and I don’t know how to fix it.”source ↗

“He is so destructive, we have already gone through 3 beds, and I don’t even know how many blankets and he has just decided he likes to chew on cabinet corners and rugs.”source ↗

“This is the biggest one, he will not leave the cats alone, he chases them, bites them, and tries to wrestle / pin them down.”source ↗

“I’m just feeling like I may have made a mistake, everyone keeps telling me it will be better once he is a year but that feels so far away.”source ↗

MeowMemeMachine · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“We’ve been home for a couple of hours and I’m second guessing our choice to get him.”source ↗

“I have kinda shut down and I’m so scared that I’ll never be able to love him.”source ↗

“Right now I don’t love him at all and I just don’t know what to do.”source ↗

Intrepid_Secretary87 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“We haven’t slept for the last 3 days, barely eaten anything, constantly stressed and are already thinking we made a big mistake and we should return him back to our breeder.”source ↗

“I just don’t know if this is normal or not. Is it normal to be so stressed like this 3 days in or are we overreacting?”source ↗

pikaboe · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“Yep, it was sooo overwhelming for me too having to take my puppy out every hour and feel like I had to manage his feelings every minute he was awake.”source ↗

Informal_Ant_6010 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“The one thing nobody ever tells you when you get a Puppy....sleep deprivation is real.”source ↗

Front-Elderberry-307 · r/puppy101 · 2 upvotes

“last night I got so stressed I just cried myself to sleep.”source ↗

“I guess I'm kind of starting to regret ever agreeing on this decision, and I feel very ashamed of telling this to her.”source ↗

yqbbr · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“the crying in night hits hard when you're already exhausted”source ↗

Alone_Access2372 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Oh my god this is a relief to me I was getting so anxious 😭 thank you.”source ↗

Creepy_Dare_3670 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I don’t feel any bond with her yet, and I feel wrong for that.”source ↗

“It’s getting to the point that as soon as she is out of the playpen, it’s open season on us”source ↗

“her bitting and behavior towards the other dogs are starting to concern me”source ↗

Story_Homesteaders · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“it's like i get a heavy chest when i think about keeping her but i feel better if i think about finding her a better owner”source ↗

cassiopeia_night · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“i don’t have much advice because i’m in the thick of it too- 9 weeks. but just know you’re not alone. it’s been hard.”source ↗

not_internetfamous · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I had severe puppy blues when I got my dog. Cried every day for 2 weeks because she was so hyper she would not switch off or nap.”source ↗

kazza02 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I had serious puppy blues and regret after we go our dog - we just celebrated her fourth gotcha day and she's my best friend now .”source ↗

Blue-spider · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“almost 2 weeks in and I'm exhausted and just wonder how much of a life i can give him as a single person who works full time.”source ↗

Strict_Succotash_388 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Mine was a holy terror for the first 6 months but eventually chilled out. You're in the worst part of it right now, the 2-week exhaustion hit is real for any puppy, not just this breed.”source ↗

WearySystem1117 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I just want a little alone time once in a while. How can I do that without her crying?”source ↗

“I just feel like I can’t do anything or have anything.”source ↗

Ok_Library9138 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“The jumping and biting at clothes was what almost pushed me over the edge with our golden at that age.”source ↗

CouchGremlin14 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Ik heb op het moment de meest erge puppyblues. Hij is nu 6 dagen bij ons.”source ↗

“Ook al weet ik dat hij het goed doet, kom ik niet van de stress, angst en zorgen af.”source ↗

“Ik slaap slecht. Eet niet en heb de hele dag zenuwen.”source ↗

“kom ik niet van het gevoel af of we dit wel moeten doen.”source ↗

L75389 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I really want to enjoy him but his behavior makes it hard. We are giving him everything we got and we are overwhelmed and exhausted.”source ↗

Affectionate_Okra702 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Many of us have been where OP is right now: overwhelmed, exhausted, and wondering if they made a mistake.”source ↗

AutoModerator · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I had a 2 year old dog already and got a puppy so they would have company. The first one was easy, the second one I was emotionally wrecked over for months.”source ↗

Arryn05 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I’ve cried endlessly, gotten angry and frustrated and questioned if I’m a good dog mom.”source ↗

unrequitedhatred · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“When your dog is not there yet, you only think about the worst scenarios and how you will solve them and it can be so overwhelming.”source ↗

Interesting_Lie_4309 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I have TERRIBLE stressful days where I regret everything and that’s mostly what I post and vent on here.”source ↗

Original-Singer1046 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“We both had puppy blues hard at first and definitely regretted getting him.”source ↗

Away-Parsnip-26 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I straight-up resented my pup for the first few months. The little menace chewed through two laptop chargers and a baseboard before I could even process what was happening.”source ↗

Fuzzy-Charity2480 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“The truly hard part as I said is that she treats me so differently from the rest of the family. Everyone else she jumps on and nips at occasionally, but with me it is NONSTOP for every moment when she is out of her pen. I ***dread*** coming home or getting out of bed.”source ↗

SomewhereOptimal2401 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I'm tired, a little bored and climbing the walls a bit while she's still too young to go out...”source ↗

curious_squirrel17 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“My puppy is 9 months old and I’m only just starting to have moments of really enjoying him.”source ↗

StaplesLewis · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I am unsure if getting a puppy was the right decision.”source ↗

“I feel like my dog gets enough attention but after getting this puppy I feel like I don’t have enough time for both of them.”source ↗

“I don’t know if I have the capacity to handle it or if my dog can handle it.”source ↗

“I don’t want to give her up but I just feel bad for her that she’s not getting the attention she needs and I’m in an apartment if I could just let her outside it would be easier but I can’t so I’m unsure what to do.”source ↗

applejuicedinos · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Im going to pick up my chihuahua pup at 9 weeks old and this is the schedule i’ve drafted for him (i know its quite rigid and real life doesn’t work that way but makes me feel better to have something).”source ↗

“Could i be doing more outdoor exposure/socialisation trips, but i also don’t want to flood him too much.”source ↗

RefrigeratorOdd4226 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Puppy blues hit hard and nobody talks about it enough. It's fine, it'll pass, just don't think you ruined your life when you're cleaning pee at 3am.”source ↗

Entire-Ear2700 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Dealing with all of this is a lot, plus the four kids on top of it, it can be very overstimulating and frustrating.”source ↗

Tox1cmutt · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“It is absolutely normal. I’ve had it with my cats, big time.”source ↗

Old_Significance2599 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I’m in a similar boat. I love running and had maybe done 2 runs since I got my puppy 6 weeks ago.”source ↗

Sjt4689 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“it's wild how easy it is to lose your own rhythm when a puppy enters the picture, you're basically running a tiny chaotic daycare and forget you exist outside of that”source ↗

WorkableTaker · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“My pup absolutely took over my life for the first few months, with very little room for anything other than dog and work.”source ↗

swirl3d · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I am very active and found the first months frustrating because I wasn't able to go the gym as much as I wanted”source ↗

midnight0snack · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Now she's feeling better and I'm very deep in puppy blues and regret, I'm crying non stop and thinking about returning her.”source ↗

“I am not able to go to work because she just cries and cries.”source ↗

“I feel like I "ruined our lives" by getting her and things will never be same if I can't leave her home alone.”source ↗

EutectiCurie · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Forty-five minutes later, my husband found me he fast asleep in the tub.”source ↗

Jayhawkgirl1964 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I have my wife, but we also have 4 kids (3 of them 5 and under) so she deals with them and I deal with puppy. It's exhausting.”source ↗

infateshands131 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“She and her older sister tuckered each other out and slept and I just sat on the couch existing, wishing I could sleep”source ↗

reluctantly_existing · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“now that he’s here I feel overwhelmed and more sad than happy.”source ↗

“I love him but, I’m just at a loss, feeling like I made a huge mistake.”source ↗

“I’ve been there.”source ↗

MeowMemeMachine · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“He is a never pet owner and did not realize what a puppy would entail. He also is hyper sensitive to loud noises and our puppy’s high pitched bark and hyper nippiness gives him extreme anxiety.”source ↗

“If my partner was even a little more at ease and comfortable with dogs this would be so much easier but he has not adapted well at all.”source ↗

“Advice from Samoyed or other yappy/energetic dogs whose partner didn’t know how badly they didn’t want a dog until it came and what did they do?”source ↗

buffy-gilmore · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“So I just got my 11 week old female pomeranian puppy 3 days ago, and I am really struggling with the puppy blues.”source ↗

“I have cried all day everyday and can’t even eat because of my anxiety.”source ↗

“She cries every night in her crate, and I haven’t been able to sleep at all.”source ↗

“I just regret ever taking her away from her family just for me to uproot her life again if I give her away.”source ↗

babygofast · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I cried on the kitchen floor for four days straight when I got mine.”source ↗

notyboy01 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I adopted a 14 month old puppy a week ago and I am feeling so lost and overwhelmed.”source ↗

“Inside the apartment everytime she gets up and starts wandering I feel so anxious and stressed thinking what else she is going to get into.”source ↗

“I feel like I upended my life with one decision and it was the wrong one.”source ↗

“Im a nervous anxious wreck and I feel awful.”source ↗

NoirJoe · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“He has spent a good chunk of the time in his room and in the garden. he is yet to explore the rest of the house, obviously this is somthing that needs to happen. but when he is awake hes all gas and no brakes, so im just worried he is going to rip through the house like a furry torpedo, is there a way to do this properly? Or is it a rip the bandaid off situation?”source ↗

“Also, any tips or keeping biting to a minimum as he teethes would be golden, my arms are getting destroyed”source ↗

Impossible_Bread8905 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“i got a border collie mix and the first months were like living with a tiny shark.”source ↗

No-Computer5234 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“I have kids youngest 3 and I am so exhausted from being hyper vigilant”source ↗

“I have wanted a puppy for as long as I can remember and I’m shocked at how depressed I am about her, it’s nice knowing I’m not the only one!”source ↗

Glad-Problem2086 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Mine is just over a year old, and he’s just now starting to sit with me and exist intermittently between the biting, chewing, jumping and not listening. It gets worse before it gets better.”source ↗

OldFlamingo2139 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Before that it was constant supervision and struggles/training with behaviors we didn't want.”source ↗

ActuallyRyan10 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“My Maltese turns 3 months tomorrow, so I’m definitely still in the trenches!”source ↗

vbsc2305 · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Hi guys I need advice! My puppy is about 5 months old. It's his second day at home and I'm concerned he might be dehydrated.”source ↗

“His gums are a healthy pink and he's still playful but they feel dry and I've been researching online and its only scaring me more.”source ↗

Creepy_Dare_3670 · r/puppy101

“I have a 1-month-old Poodle x Chow Chow puppy, and I’ve only had him for 3 days, but I’m already completely exhausted and frustrated. I’m seriously considering returning him, and I feel guilty even thinking about it.”source ↗

“At night, I put him in his playpen in my room where he sleeps. He wakes up roughly every 2 hours and starts whining and barking. I usually get up, cuddle him, and settle him back to sleep.”source ↗

“I genuinely didn’t realize having a puppy would mean getting almost no sleep, especially at this age.”source ↗

Responsible-Thing594 · r/puppy101

“Constant crying, so anxious I can’t eat & feel sick. I feel horrible because I want to return him & have never experienced this feeling.”source ↗

moodreaderx · r/puppy101

“I have puppy blues so horribly bad.”source ↗

“my grades have slipped very very bad, to the point where it is a genuine possibility I will flunk out.”source ↗

“When I do finally have time to myself after he falls asleep, I am so burnt out that I can’t even use the time productively”source ↗

Defiant_Mark5796 · r/puppy101

“I’m feeling completely overwhelmed and could really use some perspective from people who have been through the puppy/adolescent stage.”source ↗

“I am exhausted from managing her.”source ↗

“I’m exhausted and overwhelmed and starting to wonder whether I made a mistake.”source ↗

WonWop · r/puppy101

“what worries us the most is that she keeps whining and won't cooperate. She doesn't lick us, seek us out, or even sniff us. She doesn't seem interested in interacting with us at all, which makes us even more worried.”source ↗

“Should I be worried? Has anyone ever been in the same situation and knows what we should do?”source ↗

NeighborhoodCivil385 · r/puppy101

“I'm already starting to struggle with not having any time for myself.”source ↗

Civil-Oil9861 · r/puppy101

“I posted earlier about having the puppy blues bad... but now i'm trying to think rationally if a puppy is right for us in our current life stage.”source ↗

“it is stressing me out so much every time she barks or has the zoomies or bites anything.”source ↗

“I have grown resentment towards any time she bites us, barks, or is crazy.”source ↗

“I think about our life with a dog right now and I don't like it more than our life without a dog.”source ↗

“I have conflicting thoughts on keeping her every hour but the practical side of my brain is telling me no.”source ↗

No-Gap-3251 · r/puppy101

“Have a 4 month old dachshund, and I’ve just been feeling really sad and off I haven’t eaten in 2 days which is not good My boyfriend wanted this dog so badly, and I did too, but he’s honestly been overwhelming me.”source ↗

“I didn’t realize it was going to affect me this badly.”source ↗

“I miss when it was just me and my boyfriend. I used to have all of his time and attention, and now it feels like everything revolves around the puppy.”source ↗

“I love the dog, but I’m having a much harder time adjusting than I expected and I fear it won’t get better.”source ↗

BlueBlueJournal · r/puppy101

“In fact I actually and actively dislike her.”source ↗

“The hardest part is that she acts differently with me than with anyone else in the house (husband, 22yo son). She leaps up on me all the time. ALL. THE. TIME.. She bites me… not aggressively per se… I guess it’s just playful… but *damn* it hurts.”source ↗

“And then there is the aspect that I have not done anything of my own since we got her. I’ve gone to work, but other than that, nothing. I am here, dealing with the damn dog every minute outside of work.”source ↗

“I feel like I have sold my soul to the devil.”source ↗

“I don’t know what to do. I feel pretty confident we made the wrong decision in bringing home this puppy.”source ↗

SomewhereOptimal2401 · r/puppy101

“I dont know what I was thinking! I really thought I could juggle it all but clearly after 2 days i am LOOSING my mind! I feel like I lost the little freedom I had just gained back since my kids now go to school.”source ↗

“I couldn't even wash my face without a child screaming for me or a puppy crying...”source ↗

“I just feel like its not the right time for our family and I feel horrible that I made this stupid decision.”source ↗

“My husband is against returning her but he is not helping at all! He kept saying its "my" dog so I should take care of her. But I mentally cannot take care of 2 kids and 1 puppy....Please help...”source ↗

SofiaT14 · r/puppy101

“I'm not coping with it very well. Having a large breed just isn't what we wanted or expected and it's brought with it a whole other set of challenges.”source ↗

“I've already been on crutches after he knocked me over a few weeks ago and tonight he bit me thumb accidentally but I can't stop crying.”source ↗

“I didn't want a large dog. I feel so sad and so guilty but all I can think of is how I want a different dog.”source ↗

Trinkets28 · r/puppy101

“I just feel lost and overwhelmed and like the damage is already done on this dog 😭😭 but I know I’m probably wrong. I just don’t know what to do.”source ↗

“We can’t even enjoy spending time with him because it’s just constant yelling at him and telling him to stop doing stuff and then getting more mad because he doesn’t listen”source ↗

“If I can’t fix this I won’t be able to keep him. End of story. And that would be a very sad story.”source ↗

thnksfrthvan · r/puppy101

“I just feel lost and overwhelmed and like the damage is already done on this dog 😭😭 but I know I’m probably wrong. I just don’t know what to do.”source ↗

“We can’t even enjoy spending time with him because it’s just constant yelling at him and telling him to stop doing stuff and then getting more mad because he doesn’t listen”source ↗

“If I can’t fix this I won’t be able to keep him. End of story.”source ↗

thnksfrthvan · r/puppy101

“But then I read like one comment about parvo and I find myself spiraling out. Or if he’s reactive and then people shame him cause of his breed.”source ↗

“Idk—I’m just ranting at this point, but is this kind of spiral normal?”source ↗

Antique_Winner3921 · r/puppy101

“I cannot take it another night. It’s been every night for four weeks this puppy is a fucking disaster.”source ↗

“I literally cannot take care of myself without him doing it to any capacity.”source ↗

“After a month of this shit I lost it tonight and just standing balling on the floor I could hardly take it.”source ↗

“I haven’t slept more than 5 hours once since I’ve had him.”source ↗

Defiant_Mark5796 · r/puppy101

r/cats17 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“it’s just all too much rn idk what to do I’m super emotional bc she deserves the best life but we’re struggling finically and idk if our cat will be okay with this”source ↗

“I don’t want to put her back, I want her to be loved forever I just don’t know what to do”source ↗

Excellent_Teach3877 · r/cats · 71 upvotes

“I just don‘id know how I am going to be able to protect him health wise AND emotionally.”source ↗

PromiseOk2298 · r/cats · 49 upvotes

“hi guys! this is rufus he is my first kitty. i grew up with a dog so i am still learning. what is your best advice for my sweet rufus, or a first time cat owner?”source ↗

jrsuperstar22 · r/cats · 32 upvotes

“unexpected situation and wasn’t prepared but got everything within a couple days”source ↗

“send some advice as a first time pawrent”source ↗

brensieeee · r/cats · 19 upvotes

“Feels really soon but 5 days of crying, we visited an animal shelter each day so I can give love to something.”source ↗

Tight-Measurement-0 · r/cats · 19 upvotes

“Didn’t get all the bells and whistles in, but got food, water, litter box and car caves in. They are settling well, but not eating to my satisfaction yet, but they have only been with us for 8 hours so stress levels are probably still high.”source ↗

“Pancit had what looked and sounded like a hairball vomit, but only produced liquid/bile. Cleaned it all up and am doing my best to let them be while silently panicking as I watch through my room cam.”source ↗

“Any concerns or thoughts on the heaves and vomit/bile? Right now I am chalking it up to date of stress, but would love thoughts.”source ↗

PrimaryNervous7088 · r/cats · 18 upvotes

“However, we underestimated how difficult babies are.”source ↗

“He loves to jump everywhere and wires are his new play toys.”source ↗

“I had the thought to return him after he chewed and messed up half my led lights that took me forever to put up.”source ↗

“I did a lot of crying.”source ↗

HuhItAppearsIAmAdult · r/cats · 11 upvotes

“I've been crying for my beloved girl, I feel kinda overwhelmed tbh.”source ↗

Feline_Shinobi13 · r/cats · 10 upvotes

“In the end we just felt like it was all too much and the treatment was making her illness longer and worse.”source ↗

“We were so worried about her.”source ↗

Russta69 · r/cats · 9 upvotes

“I am so scared.”source ↗

“How did you guys find peace during fostering such young animals?”source ↗

sharks-love · r/cats · 6 upvotes

“This full experience of rescuing a cat is new to me as my other two were kittens when i got them and i just feel a bit helpless as i cant make him instantly feel better and loved.”source ↗

“I dont really know the point of this post, but i think im just a bit in shock and cant sleep as i just keep thinking about him as he looks so terrified.”source ↗

LordDracarys217 · r/cats · 5 upvotes

“im having a hard time trusting him at night?”source ↗

“I can’t really sleep until he’s settled down and every time i try and say Okay im gonna ignore him now and fall asleep i end up searching for him at night and trying to make him come to bed with me.”source ↗

“Something about him wandering around terrifies me.”source ↗

caliiban · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“I have rescued a female cat, and my parents paid for her to be cleaned up from glue we found stuck to her and then I took her in with my male cat. She ran away one night and got pregnant by a street cat. I didn’t know she was until she started showing. Fast forward I now have 6 cats… I live in a one bedroom apartment.”source ↗

“I am really having problems breathing with all the fur but for the life of me I cannot put them outside.”source ↗

“I hate myself for not having a bigger space, for not being able to keep them safe. I just feel that I will get sick if I continue to keep them, I cannot breathe well and I have brain fog I just want a clean apartment..”source ↗

Wrong_Attempt4432 · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“I’m autistic & I get startled really easily. I love my girl to pieces but when she’s hyper she sits super still then starts running around the house at every movement I make, or when I’m doing chores around the house.”source ↗

“Ik this is normal cat behaviour but if I’m overstimulated this makes it 10x worse. I feel so guilty because I’m the only person in the house for her”source ↗

“I do at times think I’d be less stressed without a pet, but I also can’t imagine life without her and even the thought is making me tear up, she’s my baby.”source ↗

DazzlingPotato9067 · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“I have a super cuddly girl who uses a lot of claw and a boy that loves to walk across you again and again and again and you get the idea. Love them dearly and would never give them up but sometimes they overstimulate me so bad I have to keep them off of me.”source ↗

RayRabbitHearted · r/cats · 2 upvotes

“At first I was having a hard time, but eventually I said fuck it.”source ↗

Aboutayear · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“But the stress of giving it to her has led me to often decide it's not worth it.”source ↗

“It's so hard to know if our decisions are right when our babies are sick!”source ↗

“I also felt like the 5+ vet visits we did in the span of a month were adding to her illness.”source ↗

cosmicrationale49 · r/cats · 1 upvotes

r/dogs7 people · September 2026

“I just adopted my first ever dog (xoloitzcuintli and whippet mix) from the shelter 2 days ago and I’m already feeling the puppy blues but more so because I cannot get a read on her.”source ↗

“when I pet her she goes stiff and shows alllll the body signs of being uncomfortable.”source ↗

“I’m feeling super overwhelmed that she may never improve.”source ↗

Outrageous-Wasabi-7 · r/dogs · 32 upvotes

“I'm only on day 2 but I've been struggling and am already feeling burnt out, and I need some advice.”source ↗

“I'm feeling both blindsided by the shelter and overwhelmed as I was not prepared for any of these behaviors based on the description given to me.”source ↗

SubstantialFact7048 · r/dogs · 18 upvotes

“straight away I got the WTFDID feelings”source ↗

“I don’t know where it came from but it triggered unbearable anxiety and I have been a mess for a week”source ↗

“I don’t know why but I just don’t like her yet the whole thing feels a huge mistake and I feel like crap for even considering it but I feel I want to return her”source ↗

“I’m having trouble integrating her with my resident girl because my anxiety that they will fight has taken over after a minor spat they had on day 2”source ↗

Traditional_You_7849 · r/dogs · 16 upvotes

“I got the first doggo in my life yesterday - a cute little 3m old chihuahua and i feel like im already failing.”source ↗

“I got SO stressed i rushed him to the vet, they put him some injections so he can feel better. I felt retarded and guilty af.”source ↗

“The happiness this little creature gives me is equal to the stress i get from it.”source ↗

Old-Outlandishness28 · r/dogs · 15 upvotes

“all I feel is nervousness that I’ve jumped into this too quickly.”source ↗

“That I won’t like the new puppy because I had something so special with my last.”source ↗

“What if all I do is compare and he falls short.”source ↗

“What if I can’t do this (I.e. intense medical care) all over again”source ↗

“I’m finding every reason under the sun to worry or regret my choice.”source ↗

dreamfriday · r/dogs · 12 upvotes

“keeping up that training will be a learning curve for me so any advice there would be great.”source ↗

“I guess I hope she adjusts fine after being kind of moved around for a bit. Anything i can do to help there?”source ↗

PuddlesIsHere · r/dogs · 6 upvotes

“I take care of my family’s dog and I’m ok but all of a sudden when I owned one I started to panic hard.”source ↗

Efficient_Day_9869 · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

“I’ve had dogs all my life but this time it’s absolutely shocked me how hard it is.”source ↗

Traditional_You_7849 · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

“I got very overwhelmed that I couldn't leave my apartment without him howling.”source ↗

“I was nervous he was going to get anxious and destroy the apartment.”source ↗

“I was also very overwhelmed at the thought that I am taking care of something now.”source ↗

“Its been a few months now and I think about the dog every single day and wonder if I made too much of a rash decision to return him.”source ↗

Efficient_Day_9869 · r/dogs