Question:
Let me just say this. I have only had a dog for....4 days now, and I totally commend all you rescue and animal people. How do you do it???

I am physically and emotionally exhausted!! I'm having trouble sleeping and eating!! I can't get to my computer, can't play video games, and I'm constantly worried that Odin is ok! (for those who didn't catch it, our dog wasn't responding to "Blizzard" very well, so we went with "Odin" for his name instead).

I have to watch him all the time, making sure to reward when he does something good! He really wants attention, so it's hard to stop him from doing bad things, because he will do them because he knows he gets attention!! If he goes on the couch, we say no, and he is happy because we said no and he got our attention!

This really wants me to reconsider having kids!!

So anyway, you are all really cool! Thanks for answering all my questions so far!

Answer:
Raingirl, Keep up the good work, it does get easier. As he grows bigger and becomes more well behaved you'll find yourself looking back to his puppyhood and wishing for things he used to do. Its stressful now, but as he grows out of it, they become the best memories.

Kisses to your new baby

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It will get easier I promise. We are having a hard time with the potty training thing this last week. I am not sure why but we will see. He willgo outside and than come back in and go in the house. It has been raining all week so that could have some to do with it. He does not like to be in the rain and do his business. I am taking him to the vet tommorow to see what they say (make sure not a health problem) but he is getting better on the poo thing. Did not have to clean nay up yesterday. Hang in there dear we can do this together.

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You're doing just fine!!! Don't worry. If it helps, keep him on a leash and by your side when you're home. This way you can prevent him from jumping on the couch, sneaking into things he shouldn't and know if he's in need of a potty break...

Things will come to you. Make sure that you're the boss, even if it means being a little stern... it will make a happy and comfortable pet home!

We love your questions, please, keep them coming!!!

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YOu know what I think would make it easier? If we had someone who knew dogs near by us. Neither of our familes owned dogs before, except my step father, so we have no one to bounce ideas off of or ask questions too, except here.

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But, that's why we're all here. To help where we can, learn where we can, and hopefully, make some friends along the way!!

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Once Odin feels more comfortable and secure he will not be such an attention hog. He is just new to you and you are new to him so it will get better you are both getting to know each other and he will test you to see what he can and cannot get away with. But trust me it does get much easier. Look at the bright side the first week I had Buddy he barely came near me unless we were going for a walk, it took a week and half till I saw his tail wag. Now he is the best little boy and my velcro boy. Lexy is right that is why we are all here to help each other.

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That's why we're here silly! You don't need to have someone near by... we didn't... we just read books... and came here! You've learned so much! Just have confidence in yourself! Everything will work out

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Raingirl I think you are doing a great job. You are still strangers to each other, give it a few weeks and you won't even remember a life without Odin.

Once you start walking him and start meeting other dogs you will get to know more dog owners. It is amazing, i knew no one with dogs in Toronto (don't know many people at all in TO) but as soon as i started walking Bentley in the park I met so many people who were happy to offer advice. Bentley now has some great dog friends and i have great dog owner friends

Keep up the great spirit.

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This really wants me to reconsider having kids!!

It's a lot like having kids, some would say easier, some would say harder!!

But as with kids, it gets easier all the time. The fact that you are kind of doing this "by yourselves", though,(with US of course ) try to see this as a positive thing. Sometimes to be misinformed by those who mean well can make certain aspects even MORE tedious. It is definitely an adaptation for all!! (big understatment, I know!!) and your efforts will be WELL REWARDED, with lotsa lovin' from your little guy, I guarantee it!!!


(((((((hug)))))))) ((((hug))))))

you're doing great!!!

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LOL! Raingirl, when I got Einstien at age 7 weeks, on Nov.1st I did NOT think I would survive to see Christmas!! Seriously, I got no sleep, he had the runs for 2 nights (not in the day, ONLY at night!). I was trying to crate him in our bedroom, he was too hot due to his fuzzy fur. I half fell down the stairs one night letting him out. THEN I finally figured out he was too warm, moved him to the family room by the fireplace where he spent most of his time anyways and I've had dogs all of my life! I just hadn't had a puppy in ages, now I remember why... I slept on the couch beside him for a week, his whining stopped and within 3 weeks he was an angel. You're doing an awesome job, you're concerned for your pup and that's good. Don't stress yourself too much, in time he'll fit in so well you won't remember him NOT always being there...um as for kids, stick with dogs LOL! I have 4 kids and often joke we should have stuck with dogs. Of course I don't really mean that , it's just that 3 of them are teenagers and dogs don't argue near as much! You waited for for this guy and wanted him so badly, now enjoy him With everything you've read, asked..you know a lot! You're a good doggy Mom!!

Answer:
You are doing just great Raingirl Odin is extra needy right now, until he feels comfortable and bonds with you. Relax. He will not be scarred for life if you miss rewarding him once or twice for doing something good.

We do get animals into rescue who have issues and they are work, they take a lot of time and energy but I am lucky that my golden is an awesome "big brother" and helps me to show the foster the ropes.

As for wondering about having skin kids, you don't have to worry about furbabies getting into the "wrong" crowd, doing drugs, borrowing the keys to the car, demanding designer clothes, but skin kids don"t have to be walked 3 times per day rain or shine, you don"t have to stoop and scoop after them, worry about heartworm or fleas. You don't have to make THE decision and send them to Rainbow Bridge.

Odin is one very lucky boy to have someone who loves him and cares so much about doing all the right things for him
Odin has you and you have us to help back you up . I also found a great website www.canismajor.com It is an online dog owners' guide.

Belly scratches to Odin

Answer:
Originally Posted by goldengirl
...you don"t have to stoop and scoop after them...

Beg to differ - ever heard of "diapers"?

Don't worry, raingirl. We're here for you and Odin (love the name, btw! ). You're going to be fine.

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I feel for you raingirl! Puppyhood is SO SO tough. But I guess it's like childbirth, once it's all over, you forget it ever happened and you want another one!

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[quote=Writing4Fun]Beg to differ - ever heard of "diapers"?

Diapers are short term, stoop and scoop is forever. Then again, having seen my nephew's room, it could fall under the "stoop and scoop" category.

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Originally Posted by Heinz57
...um as for kids, stick with dogs LOL! I have 4 kids and often joke we should have stuck with dogs. Of course I don't really mean that , it's just that 3 of them are teenagers and dogs don't argue near as much!

"Dogs bring you love and companionship . . and you don't have to send them to college" (magnet on my refrigerator).

I used to say dogs don't talk back too, but then I got Den-Den. He has a mouth and can be quite vocal when he disagrees with me. Even though I stand firm, he still lets me know how he feels about it!

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Hi Raingirl - as everyone has said. Hang in there. My BF and I are new dog owners too so this forum and the internet is the source of pretty much all my information. Plus I took her to puppykindergarten and we're in basic training now too.

My dog gets really excited when we say "NO" as well. She thinks that it's some sort of game. Ass up in the air - tail wagging, ready to pounce.

Really - the first week we had her was absolutely grueling. And probably for the next couple of months my life totally revolved around her. But it does get easier and it takes a while for you to get to know each other. Once he figures out what you expect of him and learns to respect you - it'll get better.

And ditto - on the kids thing. :-) I think we're gonna be waiting a while...

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Haha.

You know what Archie's parents said when we got the dog. They said "aren't you going to have kids??"

Gosh! we aren't even married yet!! They are suffering from Grandparent fever. They have three boys over 30 and no grandkids yet!!

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