Overcoming Puppy Challenges: The Realities and Rewards of First-Time Puppy Ownership

Ever wondered why so many first-time puppy owners end up rehoming their pets? Join me, Dale Buchanan, on this eye-opening episode of Puppy Talk, as we uncover the harsh realities and rewarding highs of raising a puppy. We’ll explore the emotional trauma puppies face when rehomed too soon and how this contributes to the overcrowded shelters in places like Huntsville, Alabama. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, I'll shed light on the importance of patience and dedication in nurturing a well-adjusted, happy pup.

Contrary to popular belief, hiring a dog trainer isn’t a magical fix for all your puppy problems. I'll bust this myth and emphasize that trainers are guides, not miracle workers. You’ll learn practical tips for creating a nurturing environment, from essential supplies to fostering love and patience. Reflect on your reasons for getting a puppy and discover why staying committed through the challenges is crucial. Hear my journey with my dog, Dixie, and understand that the bond you build with your puppy is worth every effort. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about overcoming the hurdles of puppy parenthood and building a lifelong friendship with their furry companion.

Related Episodes: 

• https://www.puppytalkpodcast.com/owning-a-new-puppy-is-a-lot-of-work/
• https://www.puppytalkpodcast.com/why-are-so-many-puppies-being-rehomed/

You can purchase my book here: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
I'm Dale Buchanan, and this is Puppy Talk, the
podcast that offers free adviceand tips for raising a happy,
healthy and obedient puppy.
For more information on thispodcast, visit us online at
puppytalkpodcastcom.
Welcome to Puppy Talk, episodenumber 102.

(00:22):
I'm your host, dale Buchanan.
Welcome to Puppy Talk, episodenumber 102.
I'm your host, dale Buchanan.
While it's true that raising apuppy requires commitment and
effort, it's also a journeyfilled with joy and fulfillment.
I've noticed a recent trend,though.
Many first-time puppy ownersare rehoming their puppies after
about one or two months ofownership.
I've had clients and I've seenneighbors do this for various

(00:44):
reasons.
However, the number one reasonis that they did not realize how
much work it would be to raisea puppy.
Rehoming a young puppy shortlyafter you purchase them from a
breeder is a horrible idea.
It is traumatic and stressfulfor the puppy.
It takes several months for apuppy to acclimate to a new home

(01:05):
.
Rehoming them at a young ageincreases the likelihood of them
developing a serious behaviorproblem, such as fear, anxiety
or even aggression.
Dogs being consistently rehomedis one reason they end up in
shelters, which are alreadyoverflowing with adoptable dogs.

(01:26):
The shelters here in Huntsville, alabama, are waiving the
adoption fees because there areso many puppies and dogs there
that they just can't keep up.
Just in the past six months inthis year, 2024, I have seen so
many people rehome their youngpuppies that it's getting out of

(01:48):
control.
Sometimes people get a puppy andthey think that hiring a dog
trainer is going to solve all oftheir problems, that a dog
trainer has a magic wand that'sgoing to stop the puppy from
peeing and pooping in the house,from chewing things up like
furniture and from crying in thecrate.

(02:09):
The dog trainer is not going todo that for you.
The dog trainer's job is toeducate and teach you how to do
it.
You have to do the workyourself.
Just like if you have a kid andyou send them to school, the
teacher's not going to raiseyour kid for you.
You have to do it.
The teacher's job is to educateyour kid.

(02:31):
You're raising the kid.
The dog trainer's job is toeducate and teach you and your
puppy, but you're raising thatpuppy.
If you are a first-time puppyowner and you're struggling
right now and listening to thispodcast, you have to understand
that only you can do it.
You have to put the time in andyou have to train the puppy to

(02:54):
do what you want, to adapt toyour lifestyle.
You have to make sure the puppyhas love, food, water, a place
to go potty outside, acomfortable bed, a comfortable
crate, a nice leash and collar,great chew toys All of these

(03:15):
things are crucial for raising ayoung puppy.
But most importantly, you haveto have patience.
You cannot get frustrated withyour puppy.
You cannot have stress andanxiety about raising a puppy.
You have to be patient and youhave to give it time.
If you're frustrated and you'restruggling with raising your

(03:36):
puppy, you just want to askyourself this one question why
did I get a puppy?
Most people get puppies forcompanionship, but then the
puppy starts creating morestress, anxiety and frustration.
They start chewing things, theystart digging in the yard,
they're hard to potty, train,they bark in the crate, they
develop separation anxietybecause they're spoiled to death

(03:57):
and then the owner starts torethink their decision of
getting a puppy, like buyer'sremorse.
Understand that puppies are notemotional support animals right
out of the gate.
They're not gonna provide youwith that companionship and
calmness until they're about oneto two years old.
Dixie is four and a half yearsold now.

(04:18):
I did not get her certified asa therapy dog until she was
three and a half years old,about a year ago.
It was until she was around twoand a half years old about a
year ago.
It was until she was around twoand a half to three years old
when she really started to getused to my lifestyle, acclimated
to living with me and become avery, very good companion.
Up to that point, I always hadchallenges.

(04:41):
I always had obstacles.
Yes, there were times where Iwanted to rehome Dixie.
I wanted to give her to afriend or give her to my mother,
but I didn't.
I checked inside and I said whydid I get Dixie?
What is the message here?
I had to learn from thisexperience and learn to be
responsible and learn thatraising a puppy is a lot of work

(05:03):
.
How can I learn from this andteach other people the
importance of raising a puppyand how much work it actually is
?
And that's one reason why I dothis podcast, because I'm
informing people.
I'm doing this for free.
I'm doing this as a service tothe community.
If you haven't gotten a puppyyet, but you're considering
getting a new puppy, askyourself this question before

(05:26):
you make the decision and spendthe $2,000 to $10,000 to get a
new puppy.
Why do I want a puppy?
This simple question can leadto a deeper understanding of
your motivations andpreparedness for owning a puppy.
It's a step towards making aninformed and responsible
decision.
Here's the problem.

(05:48):
People get in their mind I wanta puppy.
Never owned a puppy, but I wantone.
Everybody's got a puppy.
You see them on TV shows and onmovies.
Your friends have puppies andthen you make an impulsive
decision to get a puppy.
You get that puppy and it'shard work from the very

(06:08):
beginning, and then you start toreconsider that decision In
review.
If you already have a puppy,ask yourself why did I get a
puppy?
This can help you go inside anddetermine the real reasons why
you got a puppy.
If you're considering getting apuppy, ask why do I want a
puppy?
Because raising a puppy is a lotof work, and I'm going to put a

(06:30):
link in the show notes to someepisodes that can help you
understand a little bit more,including my very first Puppy
Talk episode that raising apuppy is a lot of work.
It's a tremendousresponsibility and if you're
going to get a puppy, you haveto hold on to that puppy.
You have to raise that puppy asif it was your child.

(06:52):
You cannot get frustrated.
You cannot be impatient.
You cannot let the puppy stressyou out.
Your job is to teach the puppywhat you want it to learn.
A dog trainer can certainlyhelp you, but they cannot do the

(07:15):
work for you.
You have to do the workyourself.
If you have any questions aboutthis episode or any other
episodes, you can contact methrough my website at
puppytalkpodcastcom.
Have a great day.