Let’s get one thing straight:
Raising a puppy is NOT like those cute TikToks.
It’s not all snuggles, zoomies, and perfect leash walks.
It’s more like:
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3 AM potty accidents
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Furniture destruction
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Relentless barking at invisible ghosts
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…and a gnawing feeling of:
“What the hell did I get myself into?”
Sound familiar?
Good. You’re not crazy. You’re just in puppy parent bootcamp.
The Puppy Blues Are Real (But No One Talks About It)
Yes, there’s a name for what you’re feeling:
The Puppy Blues.
It’s that overwhelming cocktail of:
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Sleep deprivation
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Guilt for not loving every moment
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Anxiety about “doing it wrong”
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Fear that you’re failing as a pet parent
It can feel eerily similar to post-partum depression.
But with more pee puddles on your carpet.
And it’s 100% normal.
5 Brutal Truths About Raising a Puppy (That Saved My Sanity)
1. You Will Lose Your Patience — Daily
And that’s okay.
You’re human. They’re a baby with teeth.
Forgive yourself.
2. “Training” Isn’t a One-and-Done
It’s repetition.
Soul-crushing, mind-numbing repetition.
Consistency isn’t glamorous, but it works.
3. You Need to Prioritize Your Sleep
A tired human makes a terrible trainer.
Nap when they nap. Protect your sanity.
4. Not All Advice Applies to Your Dog
Ignore the “perfect dog mom” influencers.
Every puppy is different.
Your journey will be messy — and uniquely yours.
5. It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better
Teething, fear periods, adolescent rebellion — it’s coming.
But after that?
You’ll wake up one day and realize:
“Wow. We made it through.”
How I Stopped Feeling Sick & Crazy (And You Can Too)
Here’s what helped me crawl out of the chaos:
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Lowering my expectations (your dog won’t be Lassie in week 3)
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Hiring a positive reinforcement trainer (life-saving investment)
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Joining a “Puppy Support Group” online (validation = priceless)
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Taking 10-minute sanity breaks AWAY from the dog
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Celebrating tiny wins (first successful “sit”? Party time.)
Most importantly:
I stopped trying to be the perfect puppy parent.
Progress over perfection.
The Light at the End of the Puppy Tunnel
Here’s the thing no one tells you when you’re crying over chewed-up shoes:
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One day, your puppy will sleep through the night.
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One day, you’ll take a walk without pulling drama.
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One day, you’ll sit on the couch with them calmly by your side and think:
“I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”
But until then?
Give yourself grace.
You’re learning.
They’re learning.
It’s hard.
It’s temporary.
And you’re not alone.
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