Finally falling in love!

Hagrid

New member
Hi everyone, just checking in. I haven't been talking to anyone because I felt truly embarrassed. Everyone talks about how they love their newfs on sight but I didn't. He was such a pain in the butt, always needy, crying for attention, teeth on everything, chasing the cat, the rabbits the chickens, eating the drywall, you name it. It wasn't until 5 months that we got him to be safe in a small area without peeing. We had the hardest time potty training him. He would never let us know. we were so frustrated because here he could sit, stay, play dead, back, shake and say I love you, but tell us to go pee! not on his list of things to do. I had such a hard time bonding with him, I was ready to give up until one night I heard Hagrid tossing and turning in his crate so I went downstairs and sat on the couch quietly listening to him. I realized, oh my god! he's too small for his Large crate! So I opened the crate and he's sitting there with his head cocked to one side, panting because I think he was also hot looking at me like Did I get my message across look? that night he slept in the cool entryway floor all stretched out, no complaints. He for some reason lets us know overnight I have to go whine, He now holds his pee, he sleeps through the night, and I think I actually like him alooooot! I have no clue what happened but he now is showing us why everyone falls in love with them, He is here to stay, and I am bonding with him, and I think I am going to enjoy having him around for a long time. He now thumps his tail even when we just have eye contact. sorry this thread is so long. Hope nobody is mad at me for having second thoughts. Lily
 

SarahZ

New member
When we first got Moe, I thought he didn't love us. He was good with the potty training, but especially when he was really little, he didn't want to snuggle or relax with me. He was always on the go, go, go, and very mouthy. Slowly, he started to be sweeter and more lovie-dovie. Now, he is so sweet and gentle. He doesn't lay on us like some people's newfs, but he loves to be rubbed and loved on. Sometimes when he gets his bone at night, he waits for me to come sit by him and comb or pet him while he's eating it. The other day I was on the floor petting and scratching him whlie we watched tv. Something on tv made me gasp, and Moe jumped up very startled, thinking I was hurt? and started giving me kisses all over. He's such a lovie-bear now. :)
 

BaileyBear

New member
I think everybody that has a puppy at some point thinks it's not so great after all. Eventually puppy and family get in sync and you can't imagine ever being without them. Glad things are clicking for you and your baby, he will bring you so much joy.
 

R Taft

Active member
Awwwwwww, you made the connection. I am so glad to hear that. Look I used to work in a maternity ward a long time ago and it even happens with mom's and babies. Sometimes it takes time. It happened and i am so happy for both of you. Just take the time it takes. Now enjoy him. I think it does help to have a really good sense of humor and to be slightly mad. that is what my friends tell me anyway :):) Ronnie
 

Newfniece

New member
Lily...your feelings are more common than you think. I do not love puppies. Got both of mine as pups (Jack at 10 wks and Macy at 4 mos) but I had a really hard time letting my love for them override my complete and utter frustration in dealing with potty training, teething, puppy destruction, etc. The bond was not instantaneous for me. But like BaileyBear said, once family and dog can get in sync and the frustrations subside, the real bonding can begin.

I'm so glad you are in a better place with your new, not so little, one. I will always prefer kittens to puppies...cause kittens are just pure fun...but the bonds I have with my now adult dogs are immeasurable.
 

Sully

New member
Don't feel bad.. the first week I had Sully I was so stressed out and lacking sleep. I was thinking oh my gosh, my life is now gone because I have to be here to watch him all the time, I can barely go out, i can't get anything done, and me, who is a HUGE sleeper and would sleep until dooms day on the weekend, was getting up at 6am EVERY day to keep him entertained. I was thinking did I make a mistake?? How long is it going to be like this and i can get a little bit of my life back? It really scared me, thinking, if im like this with a puppy..stressed and wondering if I can handle it, maybe I'm meant to not have REAL babies... cuz that is so much harder and lasts so much longer!!! It kind of scared me. It really made me rethink having kids. BUT.. Sully is a good puppy. He was potty trained pretty much in a week, barely had any accidents.. and he is quite calm for a puppy. After the first week or two of having him home.. I was settled in with him, and no longer re thinking anything. I now have FUN with him. I love him to pieces!! I am now even thinking.. hmm maybe I can get another puppy when he is all grown up...!!!!
 

Thule's Mom

New member
Puppies are darn hard work, but I stuck with it because I wanted a Newfoundland dog... you know.. the grown up version; but I did want to raise her myself as opposed to getting an adult; I wanted to go through all the training too. I'm glad I did, and I do believe there is a whole bonding thing that happens, having gone through all the tough stuff together. But, for my next Newfy, I want to get a rescue... seems like the right thing to do. I do LOVE puppies tho, but I don't want to bring every one home!
 
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ardeagold

New member
Yep. Puppies ARE a PITA part of the time. And some are worse than others. They all do all of the things you said....and worse. That's exactly why it's imperative that breeders educate their puppy buyers about what life will be like with a new puppy. I know quality breeders do...and sometimes it still doesn't sink in. We took a puppy back after 3 days because even tho we warned the people....they just weren't, in their hearts, expecting such a little ball of fluff to be such a little terror....with sharp teeth and claws!! I'm just glad they realized their mistake right away and called us. That pup is now 8 yrs old and living in the most wonderful home imaginable.

It would be nice if all "animal organizations" focused as much on this issue as they do on other reasons pups end up in shelters/animal control.

Glad it's working out. He will get worse again....so be prepared for the teen years. And yes, I said years. LOL Eventually you'll have the dog you always wanted, but it's work, work and more work. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, you know.

The important thing to remember is that the more you work with him...taking him to classes, getting involved in activities with him will create a much closer bond than just having him "around the house" when you get home. Best of luck in the future. It just takes time.....(and effort on your part).
 
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dumainedogs

New member
Don't feel bad. Obie -STILL- doesn't "let me know." I had great hopes for the bells at the door, but he never caught on. Even so, we haven't had an accident in house in months because I've learned the "when". Who is training who here?
Puppies ARE hard work. I had a rescue ready to go, but my husband talked me into the puppy. I don't regret it for a minute, but I love that at 6 months I'm starting to see more of the "dog" that he will become.
 

sara722003

New member
Don't worry about it! When I got my Berner, I regretted it BIG TIME for the first year or so. He was a great destructo-dog, eating wall board, carpets, you name it. I was in my mid 40's and decided the only way to cure my destructive beast was to take up jogging....so I did. I ended up jogging with that wonderful beast for almost 45 minutes every day (I was in the best shape ever!! ;-) but nothing I WANTED to learn!)

Dogs seriously teach us what we need to learn, if only we can listen. Mostly, it's not convenient for us to 'hear', and we try to shape them to our habits.

Please know that I've found with my Newfs and other large breeds, that until they turn 2 or so, their brains haven't truly clicked on, and they are mostly hormones and disasters, so you just expect that for the first two years or so. And then they can turn and give you some of the most rewarding years of your entire life. So please remember that you are implanting on these teens years of knowledge, and one day, you'll be suprised by the osmosis. I promise.
 

ardeagold

New member
Please know that I've found with my Newfs and other large breeds, that until they turn 2 or so, their brains haven't truly clicked on, and they are mostly hormones and disasters, so you just expect that for the first two years or so.
Absolutely. In fact, I've found with many large breeds (take Goldens and Labs for example) they're MUCH more puppified (and extremely energetic) for up to 4-5 years. They can continue to be destructive during that time if they don't get enough exercise...meaning HOURS per day. And...they chew EVERYTHING. For years! And years!

I've found that Newfs are much easier. They do become less difficult regarding "puppy issues" after a year. Then the second year, it's teen issues. After 3, they're pretty generally "mature". They're still fun loving and young, but are much less demanding of something to keep them busy (therefore OUT of trouble) than other breeds I've dealt with! hahahahaha!
 

FNR622

New member
When we brought Leo and Ursa home we really thought it was a mistake. Ursa was engaging, happy, playful, and loving. She ran with her head and tail up and we had no doubt she was happy.

Leo never put his tail up, kept his head down, and never showed affection. No matter what we did, he appeared miserable. We were almost convinced we had made a mistake and should not have brought home two pups.

Fast forward a couple of months, and then to today...

Ursa continues to be the instigator, the manipulator, the troublemaker and our baby doll forever.

Leo is the most affectionate and loving dog (or any other creature) we have ever known. He absolutely worships Vicki, adores our cats, and when he runs around the yard his tail and head are held high. One day everything "clicked" for him, and for us, and he decided he was home and happy and had a family.

Ursa always loved us, but we had to earn Leo's love - and he will always be our special boy.
 

lacey9875

New member
:hugs: My daughter and I both had second thoughts-on the way to pick up our puppy! Here I am, single Mom, working two jobs, trying and not succeeding very well in keeping her house half way decent, and here I am bringing in this incredibly large, hairy, slobbery puppy! Add to that, we had lost our previous dog not quite a year before.

Maggie had a hard time with potty training, and chased the cats ( and sometimes still does ) with such vigor I thought I would lose my mind. I found myself comparing her-my lab was potty trained in less than a week, never had an accident until she became slightly incontinent (sp) and had such a low prey drive I once stopped her from chasing a rabbit, mid chase. NEVER chewed anything. Ever. Maggie's eaten three pairs of shoes, the handle off a favorite purse, a few books, and I fish things out of her mouth about 17,000 times a day. (Don't forget to check his jowls, it's unbelieveable what they can hide in there )

But one day, I realized she was Maggie, not any other dog I've had, and I noticed no matter where I am, she's right there. She's not a cuddly puppy, but she's a kisser and such a sweetie that I can't imagine her not being here.
 
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