Last November, a good friend of mine brought home a new puppy and, like many first-time dog owners, was soon overwhelmed with the realities of puppy life. For weeks, he agonised over training, rising costs and all the usual challenges fellow dog owners both love and hate.
My response? I gave him a hard time:
“You’re overthinking it. You need to start enjoying having a puppy because one day they won’t be here, and you’ll be wishing for all these difficult moments back. They’re not here for nearly long enough.”
You see, I’ve always loved dogs; as cliché as it sounds, probably more than humans. And as a proud dog mum to my beloved westie, Vivienne, I simply couldn’t understand how anyone could make such a wonderful, fulfilling experience seem so negative.
Well, fast forward to December 23rd, and after two years of going back and forth, my husband and I (we’ve now been married almost a year, where does time go?!) decided the time was right to complete our family with a second dog.
Enter: The Puppy Blues.
What are the Puppy Blues?
The “Puppy Blues” describes the overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety and doubt that many new dog owners experience in those early weeks – something I felt intensely once Trixie joined the family.
For me, it presented as severe anxiety and guilt.
I was convinced we had ruined Vivienne’s life by adding another dog. Every little thing felt overwhelming. I was anxious about loving Trixie as much as Viv, and constantly worried about finances.
The stress consumed me so much, I was physically sick and couldn’t eat for days, losing 10lbs at a time when most people are gaining weight!
Are the Puppy Blues Normal?
Anyone who knows me knows that my dogs are my life, so speaking about my experience with the puppy blues is something I’ve previously shied away from – mostly out of guilt and shame.
However, a 2023 survey by ManyPets revealed that 70% of puppy owners experience the so-called blues, with many reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety or both.
Despite this, I had no idea what I was going through until I joined a Facebook group for new puppy owners. The stories of others made me realise that my feelings were normal and that I wasn’t alone. Having that online support network was a game-changer. Without it, my husband and I might not have made it through those tough first weeks.
Looking back, however, it wasn’t until my sister compared my emotions to the baby blues she experienced after giving birth to her first daughter that I truly understood and accepted what I was experiencing. My struggles weren’t about being ill-prepared—they were my mind and body’s natural response to the stress and upheaval.
How Long do the Puppy Blues Last?
For me, getting back into my regular routine after Christmas was a real turning point.
Having had my relatively quiet life turned upside down by a big ball of border collie energy, one of my biggest worries over the Christmas period had been balancing full-time work with the full-time responsibility of a hyperactive puppy.
However, crate training made a big difference, allowing us to enforce some quiet time - an absolute essential for any border collie owner!
Final Thoughts
Now, almost 12 months later, our beautiful, wild and intelligent Trixie has recently turned one, and we can’t imagine our lives without her. Sure, there are days when she and Vivienne don’t see eye to eye, but isn’t that just typical sibling behaviour?
Looking back, I’ve become a lot more empathetic to those who find they’re not suited to dog ownership after bringing one home. Sometimes, rehoming is the best option, and there’s no shame in realising that. Having a dog is a huge responsibility, and for us, they are like children - we’d do anything for them.
Despite the rough start, I now look at Vivienne and Trixie (lovingly known as “my girls”) and can’t imagine life without them. They’ve brought so much joy into our lives, and I know we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
For anyone facing the puppy blues, remember that you’re not alone and it does get better. With time, love and patience, your family will feel complete too.
And if you'd like to keep up to date with Vivienne and Trixie's escapades, make sure to give them a follow on Instagram - @viviennewestiewood.
This article was originally published on LinkedIn in October 2024.
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