“My Puppy Is Making Me Depressed”- Understanding Puppy Blues…

Do you remember the time when you first decided to get yourself a tiny puppy? How did you feel? I remember being excited and scared at the same time. I was overjoyed to know that I will have a puppy with me all the time but I was also super scared because I now have to take the responsibility of taking good care of it.

What if I am not capable of taking care of a puppy? What if I don’t feed him well? What if I don’t love him enough? What if my entire time goes into taking care of a puppy? What if I lose my social life? How will I travel with the puppy? Did such questions pop in your mind while getting a new puppy home?

We are all apprehensive before taking up the responsibility of bringing a puppy home. Some deal with this overwhelming feeling easily and some succumb to the pressure of negative thoughts that instill doubt in you.

Such people experience puppy blues right after they bring a puppy home. Let’s understand puppy blues better…

What Are Puppy Blues?

Puppy blues begin after you have brought the puppy home. Most of us anticipate some changes upon getting home a puppy but it is a lot different than what you would have imagined. Getting a puppy home doesn’t end with going for a walk with them, playing games with them and simply feeding them.

There is a lot that comes with that, their training, visits to the vet, they need your time and attention. Some people can’t deal with all the attention that a puppy demands. The overwhelming feeling of a puppy taking over their life pulls them towards anxiety and depression.

You start questioning your decision of getting home a puppy. You do not feel any connection with the puppy, you begin to wonder if the puppy is adding any meaning to your life or you have just added to the many responsibilities you already have.

Also read: Pet Meditation: Easy Ways to Meditate with your Pets

What Causes Puppy Blues?

There can be N number of factors influencing your feelings about the new responsibility that you have. Why is it important for you to know the causes of puppy blues, you wonder? Knowing them will help you lessen the intensity of your troublesome experience because then you’ll be aware of where such feelings are coming from.

Puppy blues can be caused because of various reasons, let’s have a look at them;

• Changes in sleep (disturbance caused  by the new puppy)
• Changes in your daily routine
• Constant interruption till the puppy settles in the new setting completely
• Lack of information about dog care
• Disappointment caused by expecting only good things out of the new arrangements
• Preexisting mental health conditions
• Feeling overwhelmed by all the things that you now need to cater

Also read: Understanding Pet Therapy: Can Animals Be Healers?

If you think you are experiencing puppy blues, here’s what you can do to get rid of puppy blues…

Tips On How To Get Rid Of Puppy Blues

1. Talk to people around: I’m sure you have noticed that everyone around you is delighted to have a puppy in the house and you don’t want to kill their mood. But, let me tell you, sharing your inhibitions and apprehensions with your loved ones is much better than struggling alone.
2. Reduce your expectations: taking care of a puppy is not as colorful and fun as it is shown on screen. Initially you will have to put in a lot of effort to make him feel comfortable and begin with his potty training almost immediately. You’ll have to wake up many times in the night because the puppy is crying or is in discomfort and many other adjustments will have to be made.  So, be a little light on those expectations.
3. Educate yourself: you can read more about dogs, do your own research, how to take care of them, how to train them, what to expect and not expect out of them, etc. You can even take a class on how to raise a pet.
4. Celebrate the small wins: raising a pet on your own is a task and you will take some time to get the hang of things. Everyday will be better than the last because you’ll learn new things each day. Don’t ever forget to celebrate your tiny wins.
5. Be patient and don’t forget to take a break: it’s very important to take breaks in between because raising a puppy is not an overnight process, it takes quite a while. So, be patient and take breaks when you feel overloaded or overwhelmed.

That’s All Folks!

I hope you found this blog helpful, informative and interesting. Do share this blog about puppy blues with your friends, family and someone who just got a puppy home. You never know who needs to read this!

Thanks For reading.

Take Care and Stay Safe.