Adapting to a puppy…

You know, when Bobby said he was getting a puppy, I didn’t think much about it. I thought it would be good for him, and it has been…but he knew nothing about training a puppy. He’s listened to some, but not all of my advice.

He really needed something to love. So when it came to putting her in the crate at night – didn’t happen. Well, I had her Saturday and all night while they were all out of state at a bachelor party. I ended up sleeping with the puppy in my bed. She tossed and turned all night. Bobby says, “Yeah, she pretty much does that.” UGH!

You can’t put a diaper on a puppy and you never know when they’re going to go. You do your best to guess and take them out every couple of hours when you’re home. You watch them every minute, looking for the tell-tale signs that they are about to go and whisk them out. They don’t know how to tell you they have to go out yet. She will stand at the door for a couple seconds, and if you don’t catch it…

I put one of those pee pads near the door in case. She chewed it up. Sigh..

The boys will take her out without a leash. I keep telling them its a bad idea.Good thing I had her today. Today she discovered running. And she is fast! Of course that meant that I had to run with her…

I have been able to cook with her out. She’s been good then. She has a lot of toys and plays independently. I don’t have to watch her every second. That’s good, but she is still adding a couple of hours to my day. I let her out in the morning before I leave. Then I rush home to let her out again. But, you can’t just let her pee and put her back in the crate. She needs food, water, exercise, attention… If I risk running to the store first, I risk having her not make it, you know? We’ve had a lot of dinners made from whats in the house lately.

I know it gets better. I’ve been down this road before.

Life throws wrenches, and you have to be able to adapt.

For you it might be your kids getting involved in sports, or a parent needing help. We all have extras that we have to fit in to our already too busy lives.

If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for the 2 week challenge. It will help you set up some good habits that will keep your life running a little more smoothly.