Wednesday 5 March 2014

In which I wonder what I've done

I'm writing this in a brief break between walking to and from the garden with a restless dog in tow. Albert the wire fox terrier came to live with us on Saturday and he's hard work. Currently fast asleep in his bed at the side of the sofa, I know that if I get up so will he. I knew this would be tough going but despite this I've spent a fair amount of the last few days feeling vastly over whelmed.

During his waking hours we take almost constant trips out to the garden in the freezing cold, he doesn't go to the toilet, he'd rather run round the garden at break neck speed, picking up bits of wood he shouldn't be chewing. I've spent more time than I ever thought possible with my fingers inside his mouth while he tries to bite my fingers, as you would if someone was pulling your clamped jaws open.
I know what he's doing is standard puppy behaviour and exactly what I signed up for when I handed over the envelope of cash to the breeder but still, I can't help but feel like this won't ever end.

The lovely Claire, a Twitter friend, has given me some really great advice about getting him used to bed time, which I think is going to be invaluable as he spends a good deal of the night crying. I don't want to resent him, I'm the human in this situation, it is up to me to train him, to get him into the good habits that will make him a really good dog. It's hard going, really tough.

Complaint over. I'm going to research puppy training classes*



*and dog nappies

ps. There was something else. This whole experience has really brought home to me that I really don't want to have children ever. I'm struggling with the responsibility that comes with a puppy after just a few days, which speaks volumes in terms of becoming a parent and confirming that that is something that really isn't for me.