Taking over my life?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Taking over my life?

    I definitely have the time for a puppy ... especially considering that it's summer and I only work once or twice a week.  But.  I cannot help but feel I might be giving her TOO much time?  I do confine her to the bathroom when I want to go out (which really isn't all that often ... ) or go to work.  Especially for myself, an easily stressed person, this has stressed me out for the last 3 months now.  Am I giving her enough time, am I giving her too much; will she be fine if I give her less time, will training take too long if I don't keep spending most of my day with her ...  Any ideas/experiences?
    • Gold Top Dog
    You should defintly giver her times outs during the day, prefferably at nap time, and maybe even for a hour or more. It is actually for the better of her mental strength when she gets older for the times when you cant possibly be around her. It also teaches her that you will always come back. Let her cry if need, give her plenty of toys be but dont go back in the room to sooth her, she needs to get the hang of it. I used to drop Rory off at my mom's for a couple of hours too so when we go outta town she will already know her grandma and now she knows it as her second home. Rory had started to be so bad that if I left the room for a second she would cry....even if there was someone else in the room! It might seem flattering to have such a loyal loving companion but the attachement can cause extreme anxiety which could develop into bigger issues. If you had to leave her over night at a vet (god forbid) if she ever got hurt or ran astray, you would want her to feel comfertable in her surroundings so as not to highten the scary situation!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Oh and so as not to scare you I did wnat to mention that them following you around EVERYWHERE, is totally normal. Whether it be the bathroom, kitchen while your cooking, and stuff like that is normal!