New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety???

BlueEyes · 08-16-2007, 10:45 AM

We brought in a new puppy into our home about 5 days ago (from a rescue society), and while everybody (humans AND dogs!) are getting used to each other, I find my anxiety level has like tripled!!!

This is normal, right??? (I guess I just need to hear that it is! )

Terri

LCrawford67 · 08-16-2007, 10:51 AM

LOL!! First, God bless you for bringing home a resuce puppy!

Ok, yes....adding a new puppy to the family can add MAJOR stress. Everyone is getting use to each other, there's lots of extra, new noises, and then of course, the housebreaking, etc.

Perfectly normal!

Tigerlily · 08-16-2007, 11:03 AM

Hi

Yes, yes and yes. I took on two rescue puppies when I was well - and even then it was stressful. As you probably know, rescue animals tend to be more traumatised and so are generally more complicated.

My dogs, Tiya and Kola, are sisters (with different fathers - guess the Lady was a Tramp). They are nearly four now and have matured a heck of a lot. There is still evidence of puppyhood on the furniture and the skirting boards. It used to bother me, but I don't even see it now. They do eventually learn, because they really want to please you.

Something that sounds a bit way out, but that helped me a lot, was being informed that animals communicate in pictures. So, for example, if you say to your dog, "Stop jumping" - you have a picture in your mind of the dog jumping and that is what it sees. If you say "Down" or "Four Paws on the Floor" and picture it, then that will be the message the dog receives. It is more difficult with younger dogs. The dog has to be receptive, ie you have to have its attention. Like people, they don't always feel like communicating.

I was skeptical of this at first, but if it works it is unmistakable. Especially with my one dog, Tiya, I can see when she has received a message (I sometimes send her a picture of me hugging her).

Also, my dogs are much less anxious if I explain to them when I am going away. I tell them in pictures and let them know I will be back.

I know it sounds strange, but it works!

Best of Luck
Tigerlily

scotty · 08-16-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerlily

My dogs, Tiya and Kola, are sisters (with different fathers - guess the Lady was a Tramp).

yup, puppies are VERY stressful!!

CallieNYC · 08-16-2007, 12:36 PM

To echo Laurie, thank you for rescuing a puppy. And yes, it can be hugely stressful in the beginning. It's not only normal but inevitable. But the rewards, as you know, outweigh everything else.

TryingtoGetWell · 08-16-2007, 01:14 PM

I'm so glad you rescued a puppy! I'm sure the puppy will love you more than most puppies for doing that.

I'm not an expert on puppies, but I know that they're always stressful at first (it's like having a new baby!). Don't forget that he's going through an adjustment to new circumstances too, although I'm sure he's overjoyed at having a loving home!

CELESTEP · 08-16-2007, 01:43 PM

I adopted a chihuahua right before I got divorced and I remember thinking "I have alot on my plate". I do have another chihuahua and a Yorkie.

He is very special to me. His name is Ozzy after Ozzy Osborne.
Pet Therapy pure unadulterated love with no strings attached.......good for the soul.

On those days when the chips are down (w/d) they know it and stay by my side. They also bring lots of laughter into the home, and we can sure use some of that medicine.

BlueEyes · 08-16-2007, 02:10 PM

Thank you to all of you for responding!

I just know I will love this little guy - we already have two other dogs (one also a rescue) and they are truly my "kids"! The only reason I won't do volunteer work at an animal shelter is because I'd end up taking them all home with me!

If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will -

Meanwhile, I have to figure out how to deal with my rising anxiety levels as "naturally" as possible (you just know I'm eyeing up the Xanax back in my bathroom!)

Terri

LCrawford67 · 08-16-2007, 02:19 PM

I have two rescues and one mini dachshund I inherited when my dad passed. They're my kids too!

Terri, you'll do fine with this, but do what you have to do when you're feeling really bad.

Oh! And I do some volunteer work for a couple rescues here. I do home visits for potential adopters and I also trap, spay/neuter feral cats and let them live in my barn. They have quite the setup in the barn, let me tell ya!

I can't foster pets, cause I'd end up owning all of them!

08-16-2007, 10:45 AM	#1
BlueEyes Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 885	New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? We brought in a new puppy into our home about 5 days ago (from a rescue society), and while everybody (humans AND dogs!) are getting used to each other, I find my anxiety level has like tripled!!! This is normal, right??? (I guess I just need to hear that it is! ) Terri __________________ On Prozac/Trazodone since 1991 Weaned myself off Trazodone 2006 Started off at 25 mg of Prozac in 2006 Did my own slow wean of 1 mg every 4-6 weeks LAST DAY OF PROZAC - August 13, 2009!!!! Major setback after 5 days on bc pills - Started Citalopram 20 mg 5/10 -Back on Prozac/Trazodone combo by 10/2010

08-16-2007, 10:51 AM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? LOL!! First, God bless you for bringing home a resuce puppy! Ok, yes....adding a new puppy to the family can add MAJOR stress. Everyone is getting use to each other, there's lots of extra, new noises, and then of course, the housebreaking, etc. Perfectly normal! __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

08-16-2007, 11:03 AM	#3
Tigerlily Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 86	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? Hi Yes, yes and yes. I took on two rescue puppies when I was well - and even then it was stressful. As you probably know, rescue animals tend to be more traumatised and so are generally more complicated. My dogs, Tiya and Kola, are sisters (with different fathers - guess the Lady was a Tramp). They are nearly four now and have matured a heck of a lot. There is still evidence of puppyhood on the furniture and the skirting boards. It used to bother me, but I don't even see it now. They do eventually learn, because they really want to please you. Something that sounds a bit way out, but that helped me a lot, was being informed that animals communicate in pictures. So, for example, if you say to your dog, "Stop jumping" - you have a picture in your mind of the dog jumping and that is what it sees. If you say "Down" or "Four Paws on the Floor" and picture it, then that will be the message the dog receives. It is more difficult with younger dogs. The dog has to be receptive, ie you have to have its attention. Like people, they don't always feel like communicating. I was skeptical of this at first, but if it works it is unmistakable. Especially with my one dog, Tiya, I can see when she has received a message (I sometimes send her a picture of me hugging her). Also, my dogs are much less anxious if I explain to them when I am going away. I tell them in pictures and let them know I will be back. I know it sounds strange, but it works! Best of Luck Tigerlily __________________ 2002 Klonopin Effexor 150 Ambien 20 Klon w/d 2003 2004 off Amb + Effex 2005 Low energy Effexor 150 Trazadone Solian Effexor S/effects Pdoc advice Drop Effex 150 to 75 in 1 day c/t Trazadone 75 Effex 5 days Start Zoloft Ambien Horrific W/D. Wks later 75 Effex Stop Zoloft Attempt wean Very ill July '06 switch to Prozac Benzos Seroquel Jan '07 weaned Zanor Seroquel Ambien protracted W/D Prozac 20 Urbanol 20 Prozac weaned mid July 2007 Urbanol weaned Dec 2007

08-16-2007, 12:36 PM	#5
CallieNYC Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 128	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? To echo Laurie, thank you for rescuing a puppy. And yes, it can be hugely stressful in the beginning. It's not only normal but inevitable. But the rewards, as you know, outweigh everything else. __________________ On every antidepressant imaginable since early 90s. 2002-2004 - Effexor -- poop out 2005-2006 - Cymbalta - itchy scalp/itchy everything - C/T Oct. 2006 Nov. '06 - Nortripyline - C/T Feb. 07 itching/hives/rash since getting off Traumatized: Will NEVER go on another a/d again.

08-16-2007, 01:14 PM	#6
TryingtoGetWell Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8,680	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? I'm so glad you rescued a puppy! I'm sure the puppy will love you more than most puppies for doing that. I'm not an expert on puppies, but I know that they're always stressful at first (it's like having a new baby!). Don't forget that he's going through an adjustment to new circumstances too, although I'm sure he's overjoyed at having a loving home! __________________ 5/93 - Started paxil after 6 years sensory distortions from benzo WD/low-dose reinst.+chronic medical problems/pain - 20 mg/day; yrs later 15 mg 3/30/06 - 20 mg 4/21/06 - 15 mg 4/27/06 - 10 mg 5/17/06 - 5 mg (none 5/20) 5/21-24/06 - 2.5 mg (5/22 - none) 5/25/06 - d/c’d paroxetine Felt better than in years, then gradual WD symptoms 6/17/06 - Bolted awake in blind terror, started E-ticket ride to hell 2010 - Leaving hell for balmier climate! (Still on my pre-paxil 0.5 mg clonazepam)

08-16-2007, 01:43 PM	#7
CELESTEP Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jupiter - FL Posts: 597	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? I adopted a chihuahua right before I got divorced and I remember thinking "I have alot on my plate". I do have another chihuahua and a Yorkie. He is very special to me. His name is Ozzy after Ozzy Osborne. Pet Therapy pure unadulterated love with no strings attached.......good for the soul. On those days when the chips are down (w/d) they know it and stay by my side. They also bring lots of laughter into the home, and we can sure use some of that medicine.

08-16-2007, 02:10 PM	#8
BlueEyes Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 885	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? Thank you to all of you for responding! I just know I will love this little guy - we already have two other dogs (one also a rescue) and they are truly my "kids"! The only reason I won't do volunteer work at an animal shelter is because I'd end up taking them all home with me! If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will - Meanwhile, I have to figure out how to deal with my rising anxiety levels as "naturally" as possible (you just know I'm eyeing up the Xanax back in my bathroom!) Terri __________________ On Prozac/Trazodone since 1991 Weaned myself off Trazodone 2006 Started off at 25 mg of Prozac in 2006 Did my own slow wean of 1 mg every 4-6 weeks LAST DAY OF PROZAC - August 13, 2009!!!! Major setback after 5 days on bc pills - Started Citalopram 20 mg 5/10 -Back on Prozac/Trazodone combo by 10/2010

08-16-2007, 02:19 PM	#9
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,484	Re: New Puppy In the House = Major Anxiety??? I have two rescues and one mini dachshund I inherited when my dad passed. They're my kids too! Terri, you'll do fine with this, but do what you have to do when you're feeling really bad. Oh! And I do some volunteer work for a couple rescues here. I do home visits for potential adopters and I also trap, spay/neuter feral cats and let them live in my barn. They have quite the setup in the barn, let me tell ya! I can't foster pets, cause I'd end up owning all of them! __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 Today is the best day, EVER!

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