Feeling Down After Getting a Puppy? Here’s What Puppy Blues Are

Bringing home a puppy is supposed to be all tail wags, snuggles, and sunshine, right? But if you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even a little regretful after adding a furry new member to the family, you're not a bad pet parent; you might just be dealing with the puppy blues.

Yep, it’s a thing. And it happens to more people than you’d think!

The term “ puppy blues” describes the emotional rollercoaster some people experience after getting a puppy. It can hit days or even weeks after your new dog arrives, and it often includes feelings of stress, guilt, frustration, and exhaustion. Some pet parents even find themselves crying in the laundry room while their pup is busy tearing apart a slipper.

Common symptoms of puppy blues include physical exhaustion from constant feeding, potty breaks, and training, emotional burnout, feeling guilty for not doing enough, worrying you're not raising your pup the right way, doubts about keeping the puppy, and wondering if they’d be better off with someone else. 

The good news is that these feelings are normal! And most importantly, they’re temporary.

Yes, puppies are adorable, but they’re also a handful. They come with accidents on the rug, sleepless nights, teething, barking, and a need for constant supervision. That pressure, especially if you’re trying to do everything perfectly, can lead to burnout fast.

Add to that the reality that many pet parents are doing this without much help, and it's no wonder some new owners feel totally overwhelmed.

One of the best ways to ease the puppy blues is to stop doing it alone.

Talk to friends or family members who can step in for short puppy-sitting breaks. It’s amazing what a two-hour nap or walk alone can do for your mental state. Got a neighbor who loves dogs? Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

And make sure you’ve got a vet you trust, preferably one with behavior training experience. They’re your go-to for everything from weird health questions to training tips that don’t involve yelling or leash-jerking.

Online puppy communities can also be a lifesaver. Sharing stories with other puppy parents going through the same struggles can make you feel a lot less alone.

The thing many first-time dog owners don’t know is that when you’re raising a puppy, the right tools can make a huge difference. Some go-to items for making life easier include long-lasting chew toys, snuffle mats, food puzzles, and playpens. 

If possible, take a few days off work when your puppy comes home, and if not, consider getting help with walks or crate time so you’re not trying to be everywhere at once.

Another thing you need to know is that no one raises a perfect puppy. Some days, your pup will rock their training. On other days, they’ll eat your shoelaces and forget what “sit” means. 

Puppies aren’t just little dogs, they’re babies with developing brains. They’re not ignoring you to be difficult, they’re still learning how the world works.

Interestingly, while there’s less research on the subject, many cat owners say they’ve experienced something similar, sometimes called the “kitten blues.” Like puppies, kittens can be a lot of work, and the same advice applies.

Raising a puppy can be chaotic, messy, and overwhelming. But it also brings joy, laughter, and the start of a bond that can last a lifetime.

Hang in there. You’re doing an amazing job!

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