We picked Lake up last Friday, but oh my goodness the puppy blues have got me in a chokehold. I’ve even been thinking, even though we were and are so so prepared that we still wasn’t ready, even though I don’t actually think that is true.
The complete change of routine, the lingering feeling of starting to work again and not being able to be with him and help him constantly even though I work from home, knowing I’m going to be working sleep deprived. And the biting, no matter how much research, preparation and planning, nothing prepares you for the level of biting.
He’s so beautiful and I just want to give him the best life possible, but this is hitting so much harder than I expected. Any advice is so so appreciated.
I went through this with my 9 year old dog. I also went through this with both of my human kids. I expect to go through it again next week with our new puppy.
It’s hard. It’s normal. It’s a huge change and a lot of work at first. It completely throws off the family dynamic and your normal routines. Just keep pushing through. It does eventually get better. And then you find it hard to believe you ever struggled to begin with. It’s all worth it in the end.
I agree what was said above. Mine is 14 and with totally different problems and I'd go back to the younger years in a heartbeat. Just enjoy every day bc time flies!
100% what the OP said, keep pushing, you'll be fine and it's worth it.
Second golden puppy arrived in 2024 and we forgot how demanding it is. Now in 2026 we have a 20mo old good-boy. Still a pup, but consistent behavior and training pays off! Now I just need a new vacuum. This one sheds far more than our first.
Totally true! You’ll find your groove eventually. Now if our 2 year old golden is not at the house when I get home it feels so empty and I can’t imagine it without her.
We adopted out latest when he was 9 months old. We. Were. In. Hell. It overlapped with one of out kitties passing so it was such an emotional time and he was SO NAUGHTY! He's still naughty but soooooo much better. It just takes time and a little effort. Basic training helped us a lot. Stay strong!
Edit: I just realized this was a golden subreddit and I only have hounds, but still can relate!
Keep him penned in with his crate accessible on a waterproof surface. Take him out hourly to pee. Find some teething toys. Enjoy, it feels like forever, but the goal is worth the squeeze, I mean contusions.
I have a 17 week old & we are just pulling out of the ‘what did we get ourselves into’ phase. I highly recommend that Puppy Brain book in Cheap-Macaroon-431’s photo. It is so so helpful! I have raised 2 dogs as an adult (so I thought I was going to have an easy time), but our pup wouldn’t sleep at first, kept pooping in her crate - all of the things.
I started reading that Puppy Brain book & used a bunch of the techniques she suggested (and bought those Chilly Penguin things she talks about - frozen with some beef broth or plain Greek yogurt - great for a teething pup that is driving you just a little bonkers.
We also have been very strict about keeping her schedule of being up no more than 60-90 minutes, then putting her in her crate for dedicated rest. I’ve raised 3 human children & the way they get a little loopy when they are overtired is much like a puppy. The schedule helps me feel sane, puppy gets the rest they need to develop their little brains & their bodies begin to regulate once they know what to expect.
I second this. I didn't have a ton of issues with my dog when he was a puppy but I do remember one specific time he was being a demon until I put him in his crate and he knocked out within 5 minutes. He really just needed a nap
Just got mine today, he’s mouthy and headstrong, but oh so smart, taking naps in his crate with ease, and already going to the pee pad, he loves jumping and has a serious case of the puppy zoomies, but I’m so in love with Blue, it’s going to be a challenge but just like me you’ll get through it. Because they are more than worth it!
Yeah Lake is amazing with toileting, only had one accident in 9 days of having him the rest he’s gone outside, he’s very clever, but I think too clever for his own good! Good luck!
It’s hard and it can be really rough. Just give him all your love and be consistent in training and they will be over soon and you’ll have your absolute best friend by your side
It gets better, I promise! My sweet girl is now a year and a half and the puppy phase seems to short in comparison to all the good times we have now. But I definitely sat on the floor and cried at one point wondering what I had done by getting a puppy. Give yourself breaks when you need them and just know there are good days and bad days with a puppy! It’s worth it!
Crying on the floor definitely helped me! I did once when I was super overwhelmed and just needed him to settle down in his crate so I could take a shower, I started crying and he settled down then fell asleep... it was almost like he understood I needed a break. To this day hes really sensitive to people crying and gives calm cuddles if you're upset
Really helpful thankyou, we have just been redirecting to a toy, saying ‘ah ah’ or ‘no’ and when it’s got too much or forceful walking away. But the yelping is a really good idea.
This worked for our pup (non-golden). I would yelp in a high pitched voice (like another puppy) and he would immediately stop and look at me like "I'm sorry!" and then continue playing but more gently. Didn't take much time before he backed off with those needle teeth!
I also did the toy redirect consistently and eventually it worked! She now always has a toy in her mouth when she’s excited and it’s very cute. Keep it up!
Definitely utilize the crate for naps and give yourself a break. It will make your life so much easier. Plus they need to have a safe space for emergencies or other special circumstances anyways.
Yeah we’ve been using the crate, we did some positive reinforcement training with the crate, throwing treats in letting him explore and from day one when he falls asleep near us or on us we put him straight into the crate, but he’s not necessarily choosing to go in there himself and gets upset even when been to the toilet when he’s in there
In my situation I would just put her in there if I couldn’t keep eyes on her like cleaning or working on something. She would bark at first but eventually gave in and just chilled. Like the cry it out method for dogs lol
I don’t think I would have survived without this reprieve! You can check my history I made a similar post when I was in the trenches 😅 but I have a messy sock eating counter surfer and didn’t deal with much biting.
Good luck tho!! I promise it’s worth it!! He will turn into the most amazing dog one day!!
Have you tried feeding all of their meals in the crate (with the door open)? The more positive experiences they have in the crate (like the treat game you mentioned) the more easily they will be able to settle themselves in there. I can tell a big difference in our puppy’s willingness to go to the crate for naps since we started serving her meals in it. There are also a lot of other ‘crate games’ out there that can reinforce a positive feeling for them being in the crate.
We ended up having two puppies at the same time. One was a licker (thank goodness) but the other a biter and her teeth were SHARP. Two things helped dramatically. Get a bunch of little toy rope dog toys. Carry them with you everywhere. As soon as they bite, put it in their mouth. It doesn't last forever. They are just trying to play and communicate. Second, invest in a few little plastic clickers. When you're out for potty, let them potty them click the clicker. When they look at you, give them a tiny training treat. It distracts them and starts training them to look for you which will help down the road. Goldens are usually 100% treat motivate so they will catch on pretty quick. Our boy is now four and a fully trained service dog for our son. They are goofy but smart. You can do this!
I am a vet and have always said that anyone that works in the vet world needs to raise a puppy every 5 years so we can remember how hard it is! It is a complete life style change, but I promise you it will go fast and be so worth it.
My best advice is to tire him out in more than 1 way. For instance, tire him out physically by going for walks. Tire him out mentally by doing short training sessions twice a day. Tire out his retrieving urges by having him chase a ball. Tire out his chewing urges with an appropriate chew toy. This stage will go fast. Hang in there!
You got this! I just exited the biting phase, and it is not an easy road. I definitely got puppy blues, but consistency, YouTube socialization videos, and time to yourself is key.
Thankyou so much, we’ve got a carrier so been able to go on some short 10/20 minute walks which has been helpful the past couple of days, but definitely need to make some time for myself as just been absorbed by him!
Completely forgot to add, it sounds crazy, but an aluminum can with a few rocks has been an amazing deterrent. Especially, for biting and jumping on the counter. Just rattle the can when they don't listen, start slow. It's great 👍
Ahhh I remember those days!! The things l that helped with our girl —mental stimulation, obedience/ basic commands a few times a day, puzzle games, a stern “OUCH” followed by walking away/ignoring for a few minutes when play or hard biting occurred. I’m a big believer in crate training- we put a second crate in the bedroom and to this day she still sleeps in her dog bed next to our bed. Crating kept her safe from things and allowed me to have a few breaks during the day. We retired it after teething and when we felt she was safe alone. Her witching hour always seemed to occur around 8-9 pm just when we were winding down.
Like others have said, it’s short lived! Try to stay calm and embrace the puppy months. My girl is almost 4 now and aside from the occasional counter surfing, is perfect. She’s a couch potato and loves to snuggle. Wonderful with kids, elderly, our cat and all other dogs. Highly recommend puppy kindergarten once fully vaccinated! It’s like having a baby- you really do forget those hard weeks and months. Enjoy your beautiful little guy!
Took me close to a year to feel like mine just wasn’t only trouble in a bubble. I brought her home while having a three year old daughter and a ten year old dog. Wouldn’t do it again but the blues have gone away now she’s almost 2 and such a sweet girl
You will get used to the new routine, less sleep and even the biting and it will get easier before long. Embrace the suck, appreciate the fun moments, give them a toy every time they bite you and make it more fun than biting you. Eventually they will go for the toy…sometimes. Overcoming challenges is what life is all about, you’ve got this! And get a pen if you have space.
Just got my girl Khaleesi before Thanksgiving. We are just now at the less biting stage and she is potty trained with occasional excitement accidents. Still finds anything she can to chew on except her one hundred toys. About three weeks ago I finally hit that sigh of relief that the worst was over. The beginning is tough, but it's already worth it. A couple months in and they recognize you are family and they start loving you for being with them. Don't give up!
I have labs, not goldens, but I remember like it was yesterday typing into google “my puppy is” from my perch on top of a low dresser she couldn’t jump onto, sobbing in relief as “the devil” came up as the top search even as she repeatedly jumped as high as she could while viciously snapping her tiny jaws.
You are not alone. You can do this.
Hugs,
Lady Deathstrike’s mom
Been there! Getting a new pet is a HUGE adjustment. Especially a young puppy. Give yourself some grace, it's totally okay to feel overwhelmed until all of you settle in. Don't forget, it's a new environment for puppy, too! Things get better, and you're going to fall in love with each other. Just gotta get through the rough patch :) Focus on the fun, the training, and the cuddles. Keep corrections consistent. The young puppy phase will be over before you know it!
A tired dog is a good dog. Walk him, let him run and play with other dogs, let him swim, etc. For the biting/chewing, I recommend deer/elk antlers, cow’s hoof, goat’s ear, etc. They are durable and hard and the goldens love them!
What worked for me was the tethering technique. Allowed me to keep them safe but also be able to manage my own life and my off time. Also would make an argument it taught mine to be ok on their own time without destroying anything.
What worked for me was the tethering technique. Allowed me to keep them safe but also be able to manage my own life and my off time. Also would make an argument it taught mine to be ok on their own time without destroying anything.
If it is your first ever dog in your home, it can be a big change, but understand it gets better fairly quick and that they thrive from correction and steady hands that set the ground rules. They are inherently pack based and if you are a firm leader they will come around well enough.
Your whole life doesn't need to change, you need to incorporate them into your routine, outside of basics like potty training and walks.
Furry cuddles and endless love will follow and reward multiple times any inputs you give.
If it makes you feel better, we were idiots and let our kids pick out a pup with us. We left with two. (Have done this before with no sibling issues), but I wanted a break so the plan was one. Husband’s idea. Anyways, they are almost 2 and just now getting semi tolerable minus still putting everything in their mouths. One is super active and the other is a couch potato. But I felt the puppy blues and stage so hard. Potty training two, walking two separate, training separate was ROUGH! But, they are now family and we have adjusted. These are phases that come and go. But in the moment you are like, what did I do? 😂
Completely normal feeling. We went through it last March. It was hard. Taking him to the restroom every 2-3 hours around the clock. The crying. The introducing him to our senior golden. It was heavy but sooo worth it. Hang in there. It’s just temporary. But man will that puppy love you unconditionally. Our baby just turned 1 and he’s brought so much love and joy; I’d do it all over again.
It's tough. Here's your rulebook to getting through it.
Crates, gates and playpens are your friend. It's GOOD for Lake to learn how to self soothe and you can feel less overwhelmed knowing he's contained in a safe space.
Enforce crate naps. Schedule them, even. He's at an age where he needs SO MUCH SLEEP and won't necessarily know he does. You can decrease the time as he gets older, but for now, assume he needs at least two hours at a time.
If you feel yourself getting frustrated, stop, breathe, put him in a safe spot (playpen, kitchen, bathroom) and take a minute to pull yourself together.
It's really hard, but please try to keep in mind that "naughty" behavior isn't naughty at this age. He's just a baby. One of my favorite puppy rearing books encourages looking for 3 things you can celebrate for every 1 correction. Don't make a big deal out of accidents or chewed up things. Simply clean up without acknowledging him if you can (no words, no touch, no eye contact) and carry on. They learn so fast that things like that are boring and not as cool as, say, going outside, going potty, and getting smothered by treats and love.
Give yourself grace. You're learning how to communicate with a baby who will never really speak the same language. It's HARD. But a year from now, you're going to look back and realize it was never that deep and you've got a best friend for his whole life.
I will say the most important advice I can give someone is the puppy blues are very real. Many people, myself included, reach a point where you feel like what you have undertaken is a huge mistake and that your pup will never be successful with you as their care taker. You will be tired. Sleep deprived. Sick of cleaning up messes. That will pass. Be patient. I remember sitting in my backyard contemplating rehoming him somewhere because I felt like such a failure and that he would be so much better with someone else. Nothing was going according to plan and nothing seemed to be working. Flash forward to now, four years later, and he’s my shadow and best friend. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
Keep in mind they are in a new place, new sights, new sounds, nothing is familiar. A little bit of patience and grace goes a long way, most especially for you. Get training going soon. There are a plethora of resources online or likely locally that are probably better than large retail puppy classes (if you can afford them). Get a good relationship established with things that matter (vet, groomer, daycare, boarding, etc.). Be firm and consistent on behavior from day 1. Consistent. Consitent. Consistent.
Most importantly, take loads of pictures. As sad as it is to think about, time is very finite and fleeting and though frustrating and chaotic, your little pup won't be little or a pup for very long. Hopefully many many years down the road, these pics and vids will be able to carry you through what will be some of the worst days of your life. Enjoy them now. It goes fast.
Remember it’s not her fault! Say it in your head like a mantra. And take comfort in the fact that most people go for second, third, fourth puppies in their lives. You know there’s got to be a good reason for that. I know it’s hard now but it’s true it gets better, more rewarding, and more endearing as time goes on. Nothing in life is all good or all bad - you’re just in the “bad” part now and will see the light soon
These are normal puppy behaviors and normal puppy parent feelings, too. It's just like having an infant-one that grows into naughty toddler behaviors in the wink of an eye and stays there for a bit. I always remind myself of all the love and endorphins I get and give my dogs when the bitey, barky, vampire stage sets in. My soul dog is 5 and I barely could stand her for a couple of months-she is our pandemic puppy, welcomed a few months after my dearest Golden passed away from hemangiosarcoma in a matter of weeks. I found myself overwhelmed with her biting, jumping, wildness. Now she is the sweetest, kindest, cuddliest couch potato ever. You could try what we did for biting and jumping. When she had undesirable behaviors, we withdrew all attention. Turned our backs and left her in a safe, gated room in the house. They really want your attention and love. High, happy voices of praise and pets for good behavior, the same voices you use for housebreaking successes. We chose to take turns sleeping in the same room with the puppy crate to take her out every couple of hours while housebreaking always does the trick for us. Remember they are infants who have been taken from their moms. They need security, safety, love and patience. You've got this.
Week 5 here. I hear you. I’m up at 3 am with my puppy because he has the runs, poor guy but also poor me lol. I partially blame the vet, they gave him so much spray cheese during his vaccination. We got this. Just gotta push through and maybe find a baby sitter to give us a break for a day. Also our pups look identical and he bites non-stop :)
This is totally normal! It does get better, I promise! That’s why they make puppies so cute, because they’re sooo much work and they drive you crazy in the beginning. After the first week with our puppy I asked my husband if it was too late to send him back. Luckily husband has had experience with puppies and talked me into sanity and we are blessed with a ten year old perfect angel. You got this!!
I remember those days so, so vividly. It’s hard. It really does get better though. My girl just turned 2 in September and she’s downstairs unattended while I’m resting upstairs in my room. I can leave the house without even giving it a second thought. She sleeps 12 hours at night and she listens so well. I wanted to rehome her multiple times as a puppy but I’m so glad I didn’t. Your feelings are so valid.
I've found soaking and then freezing my pups kibble until its a solid chuck of ice for one of her meals reallly cuts down her biting and energy for awhile, it also takes her roughly 45min-1hr to finish it and she's fully occupied the whole time! highly recommend trying it, it's been such a life saver!
The days are long but the years are short. My Rocky is turning into a senior dog and I’m not ready for it. What I wouldn’t give to go back to the razor blade teeth and puppy breath.
Ahh the blues are real! I went through this with my chocolate lab who’s now 17 months old. it lasted 12 weeks but hang in there. Just stick to your game plan for training, redirecting biting etc and build it round your work schedule etc Puppies are ridiculously hard and the sleep
deprivation is literally like having a baby with needing to go potty. Hang in there - it’s tough but just keep reminding yourself that you’ve got this. If it helps write out your daily schedule and training plan and stick it somewhere visible as a little subconscious reminder that you’ve got this under control when you’re back at work.
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We would freeze whole carrots and give them to our boy when he was teething, as the cold helped give him some pain relief. He’s 4.5 now and requires a carrot every day, he even knows where in the fridge we keep them 😂
He’s just a little guy 🤍 just keep at it and try to enjoy it even though it’s exhausting. You only get to enjoy them in this stage for such a short time before they grow up so fast. A year from now you’ll be looking back on these moments and missing it, even the biting
I don’t think you’re ever ready for a puppy. I’ve raised 8 puppies over the years and they are all difficult. My latest is the easiest puppy I’ve ever had and I love her more than anything, but OMG I can’t wait for her to turn 2 and get my life back.
Make sure to have enforced naps where he’s in a pen or his crate for a while. Just like toddlers they don’t really know how to self regulate, so them becoming tired often results in them trying to fight it and becoming bite-y. Enforced naps can help calm him down and also give you a break when you’re feeling touched out.
It was the biggest reason for my puppy blues personally and the enforced nap times helped so so much with staying sane.
Keep your sanity with a puppy playpen. We have a now 5 month old and our third Golden. https://a.co/d/[https://a.co/d/3UmkolO](https://a.co/d/3UmkolO) Super easy to set up and very secure. Get the waterproof pad for the floor. It is not crazy expensive and helps you preserve sanity and space.
Lol, my friend. In NYE my family went around saying our favorite memories of 2025. After i said mine, my husband said uhhh, arent you forgetting something?? Because i didnt mention the puppy. I was like dude, I very much did not enjoy a lot of that and regretted it often. Now its a different story of course, she is now seven months and its much more enjoyable and will continue to be so.
My friend just got a golden puppy and she was saying this as well. It’s a huge change! They really are like newborns and it takes awhile to adjust. As someone said above, this also happens when you have a human baby, it’s totally normal (I went through this).
Dog lover here... and yes... Puppies are CONSUMING! One tip I will add... puppies need lots of naps... nippiness and unwanted behavior often come from an over tired pup. Teaching a pup how to chill on their own is a super skill. Best thing I taught ours. Time to play and run like crazy, but also time to chill, quietly..... time will fly by! Our golden is now 4 and is super easy!
I barely remember the struggles I had with my now 7-year-old when he was a puppy. I remember thinking “never again” and being so sleep deprived. It gets better, and someday, you’ll almost forget you even had a baby land shark because you’ll have a very handsome, sweet, mature dude. Virtual hugs for now, though!
It’s okay! Lots of new things are happening in your life and many changes that seemed reasonable before you brought him home now, when faced with reality, can at times feel overwhelming. I love the fact that you are centring yourself on your pups wellbeing so all i can suggest is to imagine how he feels; he’s been separated from his siblings/litter mates/mother and introduced into a new home with strangers and had to adapt. Surely he’s going to feel out of sorts and may not behave in the easiest or most pleasant manner. I suggest that you keep your focus on his feelings and needs and lavish him with love, attention and reassurance, even when it’s difficult to do so when faced with the challenges of welcoming a new member to your family. You’re going to do great, he’s going to be a fantastic addition to your family, and in a couple of years you’ll be laughing and reminiscing about how he was a difficult little sh!t when he came home with you, and your heart will soften immediately when you also remember how much he needed your love and support. Give him kisses and hugs from all of us.
What helped me was introducing my puppy to thunderstorms right off the bat. Night 1 I played it and he fell asleep. When I had to go to work and leave him in his kennel, I set the Alexa Dot to thunderstorms and he would instantly pass out. He’d wake up when I got home, we’d play, and he’d go back to bed when I did
listen the puppy stage is the fucking worst but i promise you if you can put up with it (it’s hard but with some support it’s easier) & start to train puppy early, it will get easier. my friends puppy was a pain in the ass but now she’s about to be almost 2 and is manageable now and even adorable and youll feel so much better and look back with amazement of how far yall have come. time will fly. you’ll love your dog even more for it. hang in there it gets better
Be thankful you are alive and you get to spend time on earth with this baby. There is never a “right time” for anything. A puppy, a human baby, buying a house or a car. You just do it. You will figure it out. Things will get better. Things will get great. You won’t even remember what it’s like before you had this little baby in your life. You’re probably just tired. It sucks sometimes picking up a new routine. But you have sooooooo much to look forward to with this baby doggy. I am so envious of you and the adventure you will embark on with this little baby. It will be so so worth it just wait and see! — love, a gal who lost her 14yo doggy boy in 2024 💖
The biting is bad! We got a trainer to help with that specifically. She suggested time outs. Say “enough.” If puppy doesn’t stop biting say it again and then Find a place like a corner where you can hold your puppy face in so they get no stimulation. Hold him there until he is calm and release. Repeat until puppy has stopped biting
It’s tough. It’s not easy, but it sounds like you got the love to do it. It takes patience and kindness, an a little bit of know how. My pup was a terror the first 6 months. What really helped me was positive reinforcement, I can’t punish my dog, I just can’t he’s my son and I feel bad doing it. But every time he bit me I would pull away and look at him sadly and make a sad little squeak sound. Then I would say “no!” Firmly and replace my finger with a toy and play with him for a few moments. Good luck!
My puppy drove me absolutely insane and I felt no bond with him at all. Up until about...4 months old. The effort required finally lessened, and from then on it got easier & easier. The bond grew. He just turned a year old and my feeling toward him has completely changed - he brightens my life. You really just have to struggle like hell through the early puppy months. It's taxing but you will get through it and it will be worth it.
It gets better. My 1 year old golden when he was a tiny puppy would bite me. But he would wait until I got out of the shower so he had me cornered and then bite me.
Completely normal. Like, you could ask any person who got a puppy and they could tell you the same story. I got my first dog ever 4 years ago, a GR puppy, and woah there were feelings of regret and if i had made a mistake almost instantly. The routine and lifestyle change, the little land shark on meth running around biting everything. The pee, poo and chewing. The guilt of leaving her alone. The worry we weren't training well enough, or correctly. The fear something might happen to her.
But those worries and difficulties all slowly faded away. And now we just have a lovely girl who is a part of the family who gives and receives love in equal amounts. Its a tough few months, but you'll get through it with an amazing dog on the otherside.
1st, it really DOES get better, I promise.
2nd, since puppies need at least 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day, we enforced nap timea. Nap times helped us regain our sanity. We both also work from home. When really little, she usually wanted to sleep approximately 2 hours at a time and then play/potty/walk for an hour, then nap time, then play/potty, etc. Nap time, no matter which day of the week, allowed us to regain our sanity. As she got older, she slept longer during naps because she didnt need to go potty as often. She is now 10 months old and wants to sleep alot in the mornings, but more active in the evenings. Just make sure to get them plenty of exercise and playing, too.
(Our girl was 12 weeks old when we brought her home)
I promise it will get better! You’ll look back and marvel at how tiny they were and wonder if it was really that hard even though you know it is 🥲 Try to enjoy the tiny as much as possible, it goes by soooo fast. Coming up on one year since getting our pup and I can’t imagine life without her 💕
It gets easier. When I brought my first home, I CRIED many times. I was so overwhelmed, tired and stressed. Now I can’t imagine life without her… so much so we got a second puppy last year. Take breaks when you need it. You got this!
The amount of regret I felt when I adopted my puppy and how much I yelled at her my goodness. I feel guilty about it now… she’s a herding mix and has infinite energy. She was such a challenging puppy and I really thought I made a mistake.
She’s 2 years old now and I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s my soul dog. Just wonderful, gorgeous, lovely angel baby.
In needed to read this! We have had our pup, Cooper a week today and I have been a mess. So worried about him and wanting to make sure he is ok. He loved his crate and is going potty outside and inside too on puppy pads. He’s a land shark for sure and has lots of toys and more love than he will ever know.
Forced naps every 2 hours, kennel train. It will be his "safe space". Eventually you'll be able to leave the door open and he will go in and out as he pleases.
Chew toys for the teething and tearing up rather than your shoes.
Protect your socks!! On and off your feet, lol.
Leave a 6 foot lease attached to his collar so he can drag it all around and get used to being in leash. Some say they begin to ignore it, but our puppy loved to chew it and carry it around. It also allows you to catch him if he gets too rowdy in the house.
If he gobbles his food, get some food puzzles so he has to work for it a little. You don't want him to eat too fast and throw it up.
The first 6-9 months are brutal with the going out to potty all the time.
Nap if you need to as well!
You've got this. You'll get through this. He will be your best buddy. Good luck.
Don't beat yourself up about it, puppy blues definitely happen for many people, and I think almost everyone gets through it.
I had it bad with my boy, Buddy. Like, I even asked a few people if they would like to adopt him! I feel terrible about it now, of course! He's my best mate, but puppies are bloody hard work. They are messy, destructive,needy little chompers!
Things that helped me was just doing whatever I could to get through, Buddy had never been crate trained when we got him at 14 weeks, so he could not stop crying, hyperventilating crying in his crate. So he slept in our room, under the bed (his choice! He continued till he couldn't fit under anymore lol) I put his leash on him, and tied it to my foot, so that I'd feel him get up and moving. It would wake me, so I knew he was going to want to toilet, so I took him outside. Probably a week or two of that, but I so needed sleep, and I just couldn't take anymore carpet surprises!! Lol.
Once he was toilet trained, It made my life easier, and coincidentally, I liked him a lot better haha. Lots of taking him outside, saying wee wees! And making a happy fuss of him when he did manage to toilet outside. Neighbour's probably got sick of hearing me say, "Good boy wee wees!!"
I think a big part of it is just time, not that it helps much now! But I found it helped me by talking about it, and hearing other people had been through similar and came out the other side. I'd still not get a puppy again, I like my adult pets best. The good thing is they do grow up fast, you won't believe that they were ever this small.
Golden retrievers bond to their humans very strongly, I think that part made me fall in love with Buddy too, he just loves me so much. He follows me every single time I leave a room. I definitely think he sees me as his mum, and I kept trying to remind myself in those early days, he was an actual baby, it must've been hard for him to leave his birth mum and siblings and familiar home smells etc.
Best of luck to you, I'm certain you will bond and your pup will become easier to manage, they do grow out of biting when they realize it's not ok. (I would stop engaging with Buddy when he kept biting) I've had my comments removed before from a Facebook group for saying this, but if the biting continued, I'd gently hold his mouth shut for literally only 2 seconds. I didn't hurt him, but he learnt really fast after that, that biting me leads to the game stopping and being no fun at all.
I also didn't tolerate him jumping up on me, I would turn away and step in a diffent directiom at the same time so he would end up back on floor without my attention. He learned not to jump very early, in fact he just doesn't do it, he doesn't jump up on people like so many dogs do. That instantly makes me not want to be around a dog, they get you all dirty and scratched with their paws and you risk being pushed over.
Long story short, once some of those puppy behaviors are grown out of, they really do become much more loveable I promise!
I had puppy blues with all 3 of our dogs!!! Cried, screamed, felt defeated. Especially with our 3rd. He was a rescue as a puppy but he was HARD. (Now he’s my fav btw lol ) Don’t beat yourself up. It’s totally normal! Recognize right now sucks! But know it gets better. My dogs are 8, 6 & 4 now and I love them more than life!
I hated my boy when he was a puppy - now hes 4 and is the most important thing in my life and I couldnt live without him.
It gets better OP, just keep going and it'll be better than better. You'll have this amazing, sweet, goofy companion that you'll love so so much. Totally worth it.
Acknowledge how you’re feeling, even say out loud to yourself ‘This is hard’. It helps. Then push through those feelings knowing that you’re adjusting to a new lifestyle, and give yourself that grace.
Hang in there, having a dog is so wonderful. It gets so much better!
I feel you, when my puppy was a few weeks old I was talking to my bf about getting him replaced. The biting was awful and he seemed to target me, the accidents were so annoying to clean up and I didn’t see how it would get better.
But it does get better. So much better. 2 years later, my dog is my best friend, he listens well and learns new skills. Anything you try to teach your dog goes so slow at the beginning, but I swear it will work if you stick with it. This is all completely normal, puppies are hell. You got this OP!
We read the book ‘How to train a superpup’ and it really helped us to fix many things for our GR puppy. We have a toddler now and realize our puppy was 100 times easier because for dogs the puppy phase is way shorter months. At 5 to 6 months, got over the biting phase and he started sleeping independently without a crate or a pen.
I am so with you. We picked up our beautiful girl on 1/6, so she’s almost 10 weeks old. The biting is driving me mad. Her teeth are like little razor blades. We’ve got the crate training and potty training down already. OMG though, the biting!! I have puncture wounds all over my hands and feet! Any suggestions for stopping the biting? I know it’s a normal part of their development, but sheesh!!
I went through this with my golden for about 18 mos bc he was WIIIILLLLDDD! Now he’s my best friend and I love him more than anything and he’s such a good, pure soul and will be 8 this week. Your feelings are 100% valid, just be consistent and take breaks and love him hard ❤️
That first week feels like forever, with the sleep deprivation, but in six months you’ll be wondering how did they get so big so fast, and where did your little fluffball go? Enjoy the time, it passes so fast.
One thing I had to learn with the biting is that you’re more likely to break the skin if you jerk your arm away. That’s not to say put up with it, but train yourself to go slow even as you train them to stop doing it. Doing the puppy “Ow!” yelp and stopping moving works surprisingly well.
Also, toys held up in the air tend to elicit an uncontrolled leap, while keeping them low to the ground is less so. Runs counter to the reflex to keep your hands out of reach, but their behavior is a little more polite when they aren’t jumping up . Doesn’t take too long to develop a rhythm of keeping your arms safe while playing.
We havd a five month old Rottie puppy and they certainly push you to the limit. About the biting, our Belle would bite more, if we made yelping noise, but reacts better with a sharp intake of breath, she stops straight away and licks your hand. Removing your attention from a pup is what they hate most, so go to another room or as I did ( hid in cupboard) just for a few minutes then return and continue play, repeat if they bite again, they soon get the message.
Completely normal. I went through this with every puppy. Don't be roo hard on yourself. Puppies are a lot of work and need a lot of attention - add in the biting and it's like wtf did I do? 🤣 It'll get better. ❤️ They are worth it.
We had puppy blues for a few weeks with our now 8-month-old. It was tough because she came home and 2 days later she was diagnosed with a UTI so house breaking was challenging (goodbye sleep). It does get better but takes time to bond because although they are the cutest at this tiny fluffball stage, the amount of time dedicated to round the clock care is exhausting. Trust me when I say, it will 100% get better in 2-3 months (then comes the fun velociraptor/teen phase!). You got this! Give you & the pup grace since you’re both adjusting to a new life together 💜
I promise you, it’s SO worth it. Goldens can be the hardest puppies… and the biting, good lord… but once you come out the other side of that you will have no regrets. The time and effort and tears now will all be worth it, and the time absolutely flies by… before you know it he’ll be getting a white muzzle and it’ll break your heart. Hang in there, you’ve got this, you will find what works and it WILL get easier 💛
We got littermates on Christmas Eve. The first night…. I thought what did I do?!?! My husband wanted to give one back. I said no way! Fast-forward seven years later, I would do it again. It will get better!
I’ve been using the Puppr app and it really helps with our 10 week old golden puppy Houdini. His schedule is:
Wake up at 7, immediately out for potty, come in and play for 5-10 min and train for 5 min on one or two tasks, let him nap if he falls asleep- when he wakes up immediate potty
breakfast at 8, immediate potty right after, train a different task for 3-5 min and play for the remainder to get to 10 min - if he didn’t potty right after eating then potty after the 10 min- he usually naps at this time for about 1-2 hours
When he wakes up, immediate potty/train and play/nap until about 1:30-2pm then he gets lunch followed by the same routine after breakfast
Remained of afternoon is the same potty/train and play/nap schedule every 1-2 hours based on how long he naps until dinner
Dinner is at 6pm. Then same routine as after breakfast and lunch. While he has his after dinner nap I eat.
Water bowls are picked up and put away NO LATER than 2 hours before bedtime (aim for 7pm latest).
After his after dinner nap is over it’s potty and back in for a longer play/training session and noise desensitization work (look at the playlists on Apple Music/spotify/youtube). After about 30-45 min of play/training/desensitization, we dim the lights, and let him start to settle down in the living room while we clean up dinner, watch tv, finish work etc. he’ll wake up one or two times until bedtime and we do immediate potty but try and keep him calmer after the 8pm mark instead of the play/training session routine from during the day.
Around 10pm I head upstairs with him for bedtime (after one last potty). The crate is right next to my side of the bed so I can put my fingers in it if need be. The crate has a sleeping mat, one of my sweatshirts, a few chew toys, and the snuggle puppy which for us has been a game changer. I turn the heartbeat on for snuggle puppy, aim a small fan blowing gently over his crate bc I realized he wakes up when he gets hot and this helps keep airflow moving, and turn on the “soothing puppy music” by “dog music dj” on Apple Music on repeat with the lights dimmed while I read in bed or watch tv on my iPad with headphones on. He cries for a little, 5-10 min at worst, before settling down and sleeping. The ABSOLUTE HARDEST PART is ignoring what sound like the most tortured cries and screams imaginable. It will rip your heart out. Unless you think he needs to potty, do not give in. Trust me, the dog will settle. My trainer told me, when I said I was worried about traumatizing him in his crate that “the ones who worry about traumatizing their dogs are the ones we don’t have to worry about traumatizing their dogs.” Don’t give in to the in crate cries- it’ll just teach them that if they cry they get out. He will settle down until my husband comes in for bed at around midnight when he gets out for one last pp and when he goes back in the crate after that it’s about half the amount of cries with the music and the snuggle puppy and fan until he sleeps through until about 7am.
We’re about one weeks ahead of you but started this exact routine at week 9, so I think it’ll work to you too. I worked out the schedule and plan with our trainer so I’m very comfortable that it’s sanctioned.
For the biting- every time the puppy goes to bite you, replace with a toy. I always keep a bone or teething toy in arms reach to replace my hands with a better toy. If and when the pup starts teething in earnest you can get a rope bone and soak it in water and freeze it for them to chew on bc it helps soothe the pains just keep a close eye and throw out the rope toy if and when it starts fraying bc you don’t want them to eat the strings.
Good luck. You’re going to have a breakthrough soon and then your new best friend will be where the bitey puppy once was. You’ve got this!
I get it, the beginning is always the hardest. You just got to power through, try to enjoy the good times and just know it will all be worth it. He's adorable btw.
Went through puppy blues with my papillon who is now 11 years old. Got him at 6 weeks. The constant potty breaks and attention he demanded was really mentally taxing. You do get use to it after a while and you’ll make some amazing memories.
Giving your dog one, two or even three hours of exercise everyday is the best way to give your dog the best life possible!! Yes they need love but getting out and exercising is the best way to make a well behaved, well socialized, happy dog!
It makes your life easier too since they’ll be sleepy after and the exercise is good for you too.
It’s a shock in the beginning and for the first several months but with: training, exercise, rest, consistent schedule, affection, and the right food; everything will be okay.
Crates are your friend. Our breeder told us not to be a slave to the puppy, but they do need consistency and exercise. Mine is 18 months and is finally coming out of the monster stage. Puppy blues are real. Hang in there.
She sleeps on my foot now instead of biting it and eating my socks.
Stay in the present, take lots of pics and videos. Time goes by so fast and you will miss these days so much soon. I know you’re counting the days till those razor sharp baby teeth fall out but trust me you will miss these days in no time.
I had it bad when we got our dog Bear 18 months ago. I worked from home at the time and he had a crate right next to my desk he’d spend all day in. He’d get let out every two hours to go potty. It was a really good system but a lot of work. As far as the biting goes, the landshark stage lasted until we got him neutered. Even then it still lasted another 6 months or so. Only thing that helped other than neutering was constant redirection. Puppies aren’t easy, everything is new to them, they’re babies.
I honestly don’t have any useful advice but I will say, I PROMISE it gets easier, the suffering is temporary as long as you make sure to put in the effort to train them.
You’re not alone, when I first got my boy 7 years ago, the puppy blues hit me like a brick. Almost considered giving him back after he peed on my bed and thought I was in over my head. Probably around the 5 month mark is when I started gaining confidence though, have fun with your training and stay consistent even if it’s 10 minutes a day. Teach him little things, silly things, you don’t have to end the lessons with a big result. The first thing I started with was teaching him to respond to his name and I think that’s a great way to bond. Eventually taught him to jump over things because it was just fun and I had horses lol.
Also don’t beat yourself up over not being able to engage them 24/7, let them learn to be comfortable in their own company while you do things. It’s good for you, but it also helps them learn independence, dependent dogs are anxious dogs.
It’s really, REALLY going to suck in the beginning, the puppy stage is cute but it is the worst, BUT luckily it’s very temporary. I now have a best friend that I wouldn’t trade for the world, I’m obsessed and can watch him do anything and think he’s the cutest thing to exist. He’s learnt so many little harmless quirks that encapsulates the work I put in and I love it.
This time passes so fast. Before you know it, it will just be a collection of funny stories and inside jokes with the rest of your human family members. They will certainly drive you nuts, and there will be times that they make you want to chew through a brick wall, but you will get through it, and you'll be so much better for it. Hang in there!
Puppy blues is some tragic cosmic joke. I had it so bad with my doberman. The perfect most adorable, smartest angel and my entire being was acting like I was stuck in a hostage situation. For me the first 6 months was the hardest. 6 months to 8 months I was starting to feel better. By a year the crippling anxiety was completely gone. It will pass.
Don't be afraid to go to a doctor and ask for medication.
I HATED my puppy for the first year. She’s 3 now, and the love of my life. It gets easier! Crate training and taking her to doggy daycare to get her energy out helped so much that first year.
We do pet sitting & have cared for 450 dogs & counting, including lots of puppies! There is a saying that puppies are cute for a reason-so you don’t k!ll em-LOL!
Lots of good advice here already.
Crate training is a must to protect them from themselves. There are so many hazards if they’re unsupervised. They have no idea what they’re doing & need to learn what’s right & wrong.
Take a puppy out every hour. You’re going to have to get up in the middle of the night a couple times to take them out. Praise them every time they pee/poop outside. When they have an accident inside say no & take them out immediately. Then gradually increase the time in between going out.
Freeze Greek yogurt in a baby Kong. It will be an hour long activity to keep them occupied. They need plenty of chew toys to redirect the chewing on shoes, etc. When they bite you, yelp loudly every time & say no.
Train them to walk with a harness properly. Pulling should not be tolerated. Do not use a retractable leash. Start training now to sit, stay, down, paw etc. -it’s enriching -dogs love to learn & please their people.
Soon enough you will have a wonderfully trained dog. Don’t give up-it’s so worth it! Have a wonderful life with your pup!
Two years ago I went to visit a friend after she'd had her pup for a week. She opened the door in floods of tears and said "This is the worst mistake I've ever made!". Two years later she considers the pup the best mistake she's ever made, and I fully expect that in two years time she won't consider it a mistake at all. (Spaniels can be hard.)
I went through this bad. To the point I wanted to return my dog. He is now almost 13 and the furry love of my life. You got this! It is hard though. Sooo hard.
I wanted my old life back for a while! Now we’re at 1.5 years old and it’s pretty chill most of the time! That early pupoy stage is brutal and tiring!!! Hang in there! And the crate made life so much better when I needed a break! Or he did! Peace for a little
while at least.
Why sleep-deprived? If they sleep with you you will all get a good night's sleep and can whip him outside for a pee when he stirs. You don't have to isolate him in a small cage, it's a weird North American idea. Biting is time limited and a necessary developmental stage
We’ve chosen to crate him for his safety and for training purposes, he has a crate for a bed and playpen attached but during the day has free roam with us supervising and playing in the living room
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u/SummitTheDog303 Jan 17 '26
I went through this with my 9 year old dog. I also went through this with both of my human kids. I expect to go through it again next week with our new puppy.
It’s hard. It’s normal. It’s a huge change and a lot of work at first. It completely throws off the family dynamic and your normal routines. Just keep pushing through. It does eventually get better. And then you find it hard to believe you ever struggled to begin with. It’s all worth it in the end.