.Poppy.
10-06-14, 20:35
Hey all. I've been kind of a mess of anxiety recently, with graduating from college with no job and not being entirely sure of what to do "next". I am currently living with my parents, and a few months ago my oldest dog died, so my mother and I decided to get a new puppy.
Anyway, I found a rescue Cocker Spaniel mix that I thought was adorable and would be a good fit. It was said he was good with other people and with dogs. We drove down to see him (kind of a long trip) at MY insistence and he was so friendly we fell in love and brought him home.
He has been here a few days and has fallen in love with me - he'll follow me around and climb all over me - but he seems afraid of my other family members. If they hold him long enough he'll cuddle with them, but if they try to interact with him he'll run and hide under a table or behind me.
He has also had some instances where he will growl at my current dogs, and then sometimes cry a little bit.
I am just so, so stressed out by this puppy. I know it's a huge responsibility, and that scares me, but I'm also terrified how he's going to turn out. I think I'm going to try some puppy classes, but my mother had a Cocker several years ago who could be kind of aggressive (and I do know they have a bit of a reputation). On top of that, about 5 years ago I had a fear-aggressive Sheltie that was an absolute nightmare and I am terrified it's going to happen again.
I don't really think rehoming is an option; we drove a ways to get him at *my* insistence and I've never given up a puppy before. I felt this way 3 years ago with my youngest dog, so I know it might pass, but again, I'm still terrified that it's going to go all wrong.
I'm going through all the similar threads on this board, but I figure there's no such thing as too much advice, so I figured I'd post one too. Thanks :)
Anyway, I found a rescue Cocker Spaniel mix that I thought was adorable and would be a good fit. It was said he was good with other people and with dogs. We drove down to see him (kind of a long trip) at MY insistence and he was so friendly we fell in love and brought him home.
He has been here a few days and has fallen in love with me - he'll follow me around and climb all over me - but he seems afraid of my other family members. If they hold him long enough he'll cuddle with them, but if they try to interact with him he'll run and hide under a table or behind me.
He has also had some instances where he will growl at my current dogs, and then sometimes cry a little bit.
I am just so, so stressed out by this puppy. I know it's a huge responsibility, and that scares me, but I'm also terrified how he's going to turn out. I think I'm going to try some puppy classes, but my mother had a Cocker several years ago who could be kind of aggressive (and I do know they have a bit of a reputation). On top of that, about 5 years ago I had a fear-aggressive Sheltie that was an absolute nightmare and I am terrified it's going to happen again.
I don't really think rehoming is an option; we drove a ways to get him at *my* insistence and I've never given up a puppy before. I felt this way 3 years ago with my youngest dog, so I know it might pass, but again, I'm still terrified that it's going to go all wrong.
I'm going through all the similar threads on this board, but I figure there's no such thing as too much advice, so I figured I'd post one too. Thanks :)