Idea - A thought, notion or conception.

Dog - a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.

Most of us (including me) had or have a preconceived idea about dogs. This comes before we ever ventured into actual life with a dog.

Coming from a very non dog family; my perception of dogs was that they were a mystical creature. Pretty much they were my hearts desire for as long as I can remember. As different as we all are; there are as many if not more “ideas” of what life with a dog will be. For many, I imagine they have a water color image of themselves at the beach playing frisbee with their k9 best friend. Or maybe they are sitting by a cozy fire with their dog laying comfortably at their feet.

First let me say, very few will actually have a dog life that they imagined before their dog life. Many will be disappointed, shocked, dismayed, challenged, struggle and dream of having the “dog life” that they imagined. After the Pandemic of 2020; shelters and rescues were filled with dogs that were no longer wanted. People went back to work, back to life and didn’t have “time” for their new k9 best friend. They originally added a dog to their life because it seemed like the thing to do when stuck at home. After the stuck at home time ended, everything changed. This was a very sad time for dogs.

Second, puppy remorse or regret is a real thing. Adding a new dog or puppy to your life is huge; and many, many, people have no idea of just how monumental it can be. In the beginning of life with dogs; your life as you know it is drastically altered. Life with a new puppy or new adult rescue can be one of life’s biggest challenges. This is why I created my very “FREE” course on DO YOU REALLY WANT A DOG?

“I had no idea” is probably the most common thing I’ve heard over many years of training. “I wish I’d known,” a close second. So yes, I have helped many people through the whole puppy remorse stage. It is huge, adding a dog to your life throws a wrench into much of your life as you once knew it. That is until you figure it out. I’ve sat with many, many clients and helped them get through and to the other side of life with their new dog.

It is important to know before you add. Sadly this is typically backwards; most don’t know until they’ve added and then realized they were not prepared. But not being prepared is just one aspect of the remorse. Being willing is the biggest part of it all. Below is a section from my free Do You Really Want a Dog course.

Who’s going to pick up after the dog?

Who is going to get up in the middle of the night when the dog has to go out?
What about when the dog vomits on the carpet? Oh yes, they do.
How about when your new puppy has diarrhea on your beautiful new living room rug?
Are you ready to dart up from dinner and get your dog outside before they vomit on the floor?
How about when they roll in something really gross in your yard or park; are you going to give them a bath?
What about general maintenance like brushing, nail trimming, teeth cleaning and butt wiping? Who’s going to do all this?
Will you pay for a professional groomer if you get a dog that needs grooming?

Like us, each and every dog is an individual. Are you prepared to do all the “undesirable” things that you may be required to do? Cut your sleep short? Clean up gross stuff, and I mean gross? Let me be the one to tell you if no one else has, “dogs are a ton of work.” You may even hear this and think nah…we’ll be fine. But you don’t know until you know.

It is sad when dogs are rehomed simply because people didn’t know how much work a dog really is. Of course there are easy dogs, medium and very difficult dogs. Research, homework and taking my course will help you to know. As I said, like us, there are no two dogs alike.

I think the Thomas Kinkade image that many of us have or had really does our dogs a disservice. Dogs are amazing. Anyone who already knows me knows that my life revolves around the magical k9. I love doing for my dogs and don’t consider it to be work. But being realistic is very important. Knowing that early life with a new dog can be a struggle and only mystical and angelic when the member sleeping. ;)

Looking at how we think it’s going to be; compared to how it is actually going to be can be polar opposite. It’s good to know, research, research, research. And if you’re in the “new” stage now and need help. Just ask.