Anyone return their puppy because they couldn't cope? No judgmental people please !!?

Question

I returned my puppy to wear i bought him from yesterday, i did this because i could not cope with him. I know he was a baby and needed constant attention, this just really stressed me out and caused major problems with my husband. So i returned him yesterday and i feel awful for him being back at a pet store. I feel confused should i try and get him back (there was no refund so i lost all my money) and try to make it work. Or should i just leave it as it is? My Husband thinks i should not have given up and i should have toughed it out.

i had the puppy for 2 weeks

i just got my puppy back, im glad i went back for him, he looked so sad! Im going to stick it out and continue to train him.

Answer 1

It's a shame that you lost your money. Pups from pet stores can be very expensive. How long did you have him? They can be a challenge, initially. Housebreaking is probably the hardest obstacle to overcome. Unwanted chewing is the 2nd. There are helpful instruction pamphlets on pet care available and one was probably included with your purchase kit. You didn't say if you and your husband have children but a pup is very much like adopting a child, and caring for it would have prepared you (somewhat) for caring for a real child someday--if that's in your future plans. Are you newlyweds? I know when I first got married, it was a major adjustment and a pup and/or a child during that first year would have been too much!
However, I'd try again to raise the pup, knowing that your husband is willing to give his time and support. Maybe use a crate, baby gate, obedience training classes (at a later date)...there are numerous ways to reduce the stress level. A dog can provide so many wonderful experiences. But unconditional love and companionship top the list.

Answer 2

Taking on a puppy is a HUGE undertaking (regardless of how wmall the pup is), and made only more difficult if all family members aren't as willing to try to make it work. I know the heartbreak that you feel as I had to do the same once years ago (but it was the humane society). Had I to do it over again, as no refunds there either, I would have done research for a no-kill shelter instead. Again this was years ago, when the HS still practiced euthenasia (sp?) after 3 weeks of no odoption. 20 years later, that decision still haunts me, and I wish I knew better. But if you're not ready for a puppy,it's only fair to the puppies that you not keep it. An 8 week old pup is around the clock monitoring, and putting up with the pains of crate training, and that means all the "screaming" they do in the crate till they learn better--possibly 3+weeks of training. Also getting up almost every hour for the first month to let it out to potty, and holding to that during the day. It's a lot of work and you do have to be ready for it. If you do look for a dog again, perhaps the local shelter and one that's already marked as housetrained maybe a better way to break yourself in. I wish you luck!

Answer 3

I wish you wouldn't have returned him to the pet store. I wish you would have found him a good home, at least then you would have known he was going to be ok and have peace of mind.

I state in my contract that I have people sign that for any reason they can not keep the puppy it is to be return to me. Doesn't matter if it is sick , how old, no question ask. That puppy is to come back to me. I had to take back only one puppy because the people couldn't cope with the puppy..Well I don't think it was them I think it was their older Shih Tzu wouldn't take to the puppy. But in either case I always take back the puppy or dog. So I am not going to fault you for taken the puppy back. I just wish it wasn't the pet store. Not everyone can handle a puppy at least you figure that out. For the long wrong it was good for the puppy for you not to have him. You have no need to feel guilty you not the only one that couldn't handle a puppy. You know a baby will need constant attention too.. I think maybe you should take time and deal with your stress level, because there is no way you can send a baby back to baby heaven. lol..

Answer 4

Now is probably not the time for you to have a puppy. Puppies are A LOT of work for about a year and a half, and then just much work for the remainder of their 10 years or so. I was probably better to return the puppy. Someone will adopt it who may know more of raising a dog. You have learned a valuable lesson. You are a wonderful person for knowing your limits. If it was causing tension with your husband during the first 24 hours, the tension would only get worst when the puppy pooped and peed in the house, ate valuable furniture, papers, and other items. Cost lots of money for food, vet bills, toys, grooming, and pet parfanalia. Dogs, it is estimate, cost $45,000 over their life time. I hope some day you will truly enjoy owning a dog, just maybe not today.

Answer 5

You did the right thing if you couldnt cope with having a puppy. It's like being a full time mom. Also, NEVER buy a dog from a petstore. They come from puppy mills where their mothers are bred over and over until they die or get to old. Which when they get too old, if their lucky they'll get euthanized and not bludgened to death. So stay away from those.

What breed of dog was it? You can still get a puppy, but how about an older puppy? Try http://www.petfinder.com and look for some local shelters near you. MILLIONS of shelters get puppies! Look for a younger dog that is maybe 1-2 years old. They come up to date on shots AND potty trained! So less stress for you, and also you're saving a life. Just because you cant handle a puppy, doesnt mean that you can never have a dog.

Take a look at your local shelters and you AND your husband can find the perfect dog for you!

Good luck!

Answer 6

Wow. I won't judge at all. I had three kids before I got a puppy and I always say that they were a million times easier. It stressed me out too... but I toughed it out and took advice from friends. I now love my dog like crazy. But, you did what you did and it's OK... it maybe just wasn't the right time in your life. Don't beat yourself up over it... look at it this way... you gave someone else the chance to love him....

Having said all that, you probably can't get him back. I can't believe the pet store took him back.... you must have lost a fortune...

What kind of dog? How long did you have him? Did you use a crate? There are millions of ways to make life easier with a dog... you maybe need a different approach.

If you feel bad and want to try again, call the pet store and see if they'll give him back to you... if it really doesn't work out... call a rescue for the breed that he is... or call me... maybe I'll take him!

Good luck... really.... I get it... Been there and done that.

Answer 7

You did the best that you could. Puppies are a lot of work. Its a shame you couldn't get your money back but he has a better chance of getting a new home while he is still young. It takes 3 to 5 months to complety house train a dog. If your still looking for a dog try going to your local pound and getting an older one. One that is already broken and is need of a good loving home. The fee isn't really that much the come with all needles and fixed. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

No, I could never blame you for doing the right thing as most people here have supported you too. Here is a piece of advice. In the last 27 years of being with dogs, I have only had 2-3 puppies. I buy my dogs as adults as I cannot handle the rigors and all the work a puppy needs either. I do not have the time for them. Don't get me wrong, I love puppies, as long as they are YOUR puppies, not mine. Get an adult dog that has had a lot of work done to it already and save yourself the stress next time.

Answer 9

This is whu no one should ever make a snap decision to get a pet. You need to study the breed you want. Look at the pros and cons and thing about how much time, money, etc the new dog will take. If you had a baby and brought it home and decided it was too much work, would you take the baby back to the hospitsl? Please don't get another dog or pet of any kind, noy umless you are ready to be a respinsible pet ownet. Of course the first mistake you made was buying from a pet store.

Answer 10

If you could not cope with the new puppy and its demands then you did the right thing by giving him back. Well done on you really for admitting that it was too much. Some just keep the pet and don't give it all that it needs to lead a fullfilling life. Leave it as it is and hopefully someone will come along who can cope better. Its better to realise that the demands were too great now than later down the line when the puppy is very attached to you and vice versa.