I just purchased a fourth month old shih tzu. Althougth he is the best, this experience is not what I thought. I have never had a pet before and I had been reading for months before I decided to buy. Will these feelings change with time?
2007-02-25 08:17:20 · 15 answers · asked by Melissa M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, i think your feelings will change with time. puppies are difficult - there's no question about that, and all the books in the world can't really give you a sense of what it'll be like. but it gets SO much easier after about 6-7 months! If you think you can hang on until then you will find your life much easier. If you really think you can't do it though, it will be a lot easier to find a good home for a four month old pup than an older one, so keep that in mind as you make your decision. I really hated my puppy when I got her - i think i got her too soon after my other dog died. it took everything in me not to give her away, but after about 8 months i just adored her. what helped most was taking her to puppy obedience. she was the best of all the dogs there and i became a proud mama, and we both started understanding and respecting each other a little more at home too. I really think you will love this dog once the early stages are over, and i would highly recommend finding a puppy class or a play group to go to for support from others with puppies as well as some great bonding time with your new one. If you decide to give your puppy up though, don't feel guilty. You did everything right, sometimes it just doesn't work out.
2007-02-25 08:34:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read for months before I finally bought my chihuahua. I had just moved out of my parents house and had a fantasy idea of what it would be like to have a puppy. When I finally bought him home, I freaked. I was afraid i couldn't do it and it was too much work (raising a puppy is a lot harder than i thought!). He always needed to be around me, and I just wanted some peace and quiet. I thought he would never get potty trained and i felt captive. Sometimes I guiltily thought of getting rid of him, but i stuck it out, and how happy i am that i did. It's been a month and a half now and he is the light of my life. All I can say is, give it some time. I think you sound like a responsible pet owner, so if in a month or so you still feel the same, do the right thing for him and give him the opportunity to have a better life with someone else. But, I think after a while you will see that it was worth it. Don't give up!
Good luck!
2007-02-25 16:03:28 · answer #2 · answered by Katie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel. I also did a lot of research before I bought myself a dog. I grew up with cats and shih tzus actually. When I felt the time was right I bought a 5 mo old Corgi. I love this dog to pieces, but in the beginning I did kinda resent him. Not that I didn't love him, but all of a sudden I couldn't go out all night, I couldn't just pick up and leave for the weekend, and other things. But I did get over it. I started to realize that I would rather spend my time with my puppy. We started going to the dog park and I'd take him to pet supply places where you can take dogs. It got a lot better. I am in love with my dog and can't stand to be away from him for more than a few days. It's ok how you feel. Its a puppy and they are needy. You'll be just fine and you'll have the best friend for life. Give it time, pamper your puppy and include it in as much as you can. It will get better soon, I promise. Take Care!
2007-02-25 08:39:45 · answer #3 · answered by Danielle M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They will. At four months, he is likely into everything, spastic, hyper, high strung, and not yet the cuddle, snuggly little ball of fur you thought you were getting! As he ages and matures, he will settle down and become your baby. This is the point in puppy-hood and pet ownership when you are smacking your forehead and asking yourself if you were in some sort of fugue state when you decided to bring this animal into your home. (I have had all dogs my whole life, and every pet has been this same way!)
It's always darkest just before the dawn. Don't give up-give it time.
2007-02-25 08:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is truly sad... I guess you did not do as much homework as you thought. Bringing a puppy into your life and home is a LIFETIME comittment. It is simalar to having a child.
I am not sure what hesitations you are having. if you want to email me privately you may. I'll try to help you any way I can.
If you think you are not ready for this kind of comittment, please get in touch with the puppies breeder right away. If it was a reputable breeder they had you sign a contract that you would bring the puppy if there was any reason you could not keep it. They would not appreciate you giving it away or selling it, they will want it back to be able to find it the perfect home.
Please let me know how I may be able to help.
2007-02-25 08:58:31 · answer #5 · answered by TheWholeDog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What are your feelings? You say he is the best, but it sounds like you are not happy with dog ownership. If you are having behavioral problems, perhaps working with a professional dog trainer or enrolling in obedience class might help.
If you just don't feel like owning a dog, then do your pup a favor and either return him to the breeder or find a breed rescue to take him and get him adopted into a home that wants him. It's the kindest thing you can do.
2007-02-25 08:23:00 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Puppies are a lot of work. They require a lot of time and most people don't realize this until they have the pet, unfortunately for the pet. That's why I personally think that older dogs are a better choice for some people. Just give it time and be patient with your new lil' doggie. In the end, she will love you for it and you will be glad you did. Just don't abuse her, okay? Good Luck.
2007-02-25 08:30:18 · answer #7 · answered by Poetess_4U 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please find an adult senior for this dog; they are great companion dogs for elderly people. My elderly aunt became quite suddenly unable to care for herself because of a pancreatic attack that deprived her of oxygen for a couple of minutes. She deteriorated quite rapidly; we bought her a shih tzu and he has proved to be a miracle dog for her. He never leaves her side; and she brushes him and plays with him so gently. The people at the long term facility where she lives groom him for her and we have never been sorry we found him for her.
Please consider donating him to an older adult if you don't want him. Do not take him to a shelter.
Also look on line for a Shih Tzu rescue ...
What kind of dog do you want. If you want a feisty, dog to take for walks and play with you have the wrong dog.
Consider going to a shelter and looking at the dogs. Believe me, the right dog will find you and you will know it.
they don't have to be purebred. The best dogs are those who just love you and ask for nothing in return but your love.
2007-02-25 08:32:29 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
where did you purchase your 4 month old from??? that would make a HUGE difference,,,,,, if from a reputable breeder,,, the pup should have already been crate trained , partially housebroken etc. ( this is old) if from a NONreputable person,, goodness knows what the pup has dealt with for the past four months,, he could be from lousy lines etc.. and could also have health problems... why don't you tell us a little more so we can try to help you
2007-02-25 08:21:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You still have to bond with your pet. One good way is to take an obedience class with the dog. Many pet stores offer them and you and your dog will work together, plus he will be subjected to being around other dogs and humans. Also...in working your obedience 'homework', you'll be taking your pup out for walks and doing some bonding.
2007-02-25 08:29:08 · answer #10 · answered by Dorth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋