Should I sell my puppy (update @ post 29)

No harsh comments please. Well, to sum it up I turned 18 on April 1 and have felt depressed since I was 16. I have wanted a dog since I was old enough to know what one was. Now I'm not at school and I'm older, my parents decided to get a puppy for my birthday. My parents and brother said they will help, but they work during the day and my brothers work schedule always changes, so its mostly me. I really thought a puppy would help me feel better and I would be able to look after it but It hasn't turned out as I thought. We bought a white German Shepherd and she is 11 weeks old now. I have been walking, taking her out and trying to train her every day but lately I don't feel as motivated. My family says I have been doing well so far but I don't think so. It hasn't happened so far, but I'm really scared Ill lose the motivation and start neglecting her. I don't want to end up leaving her. I know if I diddnt feel this way I could have spent more time with her and gotten much more training done. My mom has suggested we could sell her. I do and don't want to at the same time. My brother will be really disappointed If we sell her as he loves dogs and has always wanted one. Also If we do sell her Ill feel like a failure and probably never get a dog again. Has anyone else felt like this, any advise?

If you do decide not to keep her please don't sell her. Get in touch with her breeder and ask for her help. In fact maybe do that anyway.

At her age lots of training can be done at home often while you wait for the kettle to boil or in an ad break while watching TV.

You can take her places such as bus station railway station supermarket car park for socialisation just sit with her and watch the world go by. If people want to stroke and speak to her so much the better a perfect chance to discorage jumping up while she is small. Do it by not allowing attention until all 4 paws are on the floor then she can have attention as a reward.

A new puppy can be really overwhelming at first as you need eyes in the back of your head. Maybe find a good puppy class to go to as well

HTH

Is it the dogs fault you are lacking in motivation? Or was the expectation that the dog would 'fix' your depression? perhaps you need to work on fixing you first before adding the 'perceived' pressure on your self to look after your dog.

You dog doesn't care if it's trained. It doesn't care about any of the things you worry about. As long as it gets fed and you exercise it (or someone does) then I will be happy. You are worrying about things that haven't (and prob won't) happened yet. Talk to your parents talk to someone who can help you get a grip of your black dog and your white one will be just fine xxx


And if you decide you can't cope there is no shame in rehoming Her. She is still young and a blank canvas.

I diddnt expect a dog to 'fix' my depression, but I hoped it could help take my mind of it and give me some things to do rather then just stay in my room at home.

Sorry I didn't mean you directly more so your parents. It has certainly done that. So are you worrying about things that haven't happened yet? Or has there been a setback in your training? Tell us all about what you've been doing and how she is progressing. We are all dead nosey ��. Dog training can be a thankless 'task' sometimes. We all know how hard it is. Keep walking and keep talking lady x

Hello Kathy and welcome .

I am afraid a dog is not a cure for depression it could make things worse for you having the pressure of the added responsibility .
If you find having a dog is too much for you as Cav4 says the best thing to do is to contact the breeder before the puppy gets much older.
Having a puppy is similar to having a small child, it takes a lot of work and commitment and I am afraid many people just don't realise this when getting a puppy. There is no shame in admitting it and making sure the puppy goes to someone who can give it the attention it needs.

I would think long and hard what you feel not what the rest of you family think.
If you decide to keep the puppy I would get some help to train and socialise it by going to a reputable trainer who uses positive training methods..
Look here..

http://www.apdt.co.uk/dog-owners/local-dog-trainers

Good luck whatever you decide

Sorry to say there are dog people and there are people who want a dog.

People look at well mannered and majestic looking dogs and want that, but they don't know the amount of work that goes into that.

At the current time maybe your just not ready, and maybe you never will be, no one here can say.

I would rehome the dog and not sell it. Finding a loving home would most likely at the current time be best for your pup.

For the rest actually dog have shown to help with different form of depression, and other social issues for many people. But again those people they help are true dog lovers and working with the dog is a labor of love.

I agree with LMost tbh depression or no depression it just sounds as if the novelty has worn off once you realised this training lark is actually going to take effort from you. You should be putting the dogs needs first and then maybe concentrating on something other than yourself you'll find the motivation to make it work. Even the most dedicated dog lovers go through phases of Omg what have I done because it's easy to forget over the lifetime of a dog just how much hard work they can be as pups. Either get your act together or take the pup back to the breeder while it's young enough for the breeder to resell.

or in the event the 'breeder' isnt willing to take it back speak to a reputable GSD rescue

if you arent already receiving professional help for your depression and working on the root cause then no amount of 'taking your mind off it' will do any good but I guess you know this.

its not all about dogs here so dont be a stranger. its good to talk xx

I'm sorry you are suffering from depression, it is a horrible , horrible illness.
Most people go through a "what I have done stage." I''ve had my little libby chuhuahua two years and I'm still thinking what have i done.
I think your depression is colouring how you feel and you are worrying about if you are going to cope and it's making you fearful , you are worrying about letting your pup down , you're scared of stuff that might happen and that is affecting your motivation now.

A German shepherd puppy is hard work , in hindsight perhaps your parents should have got an easier more mature dog for you or they should do more to help you .
I honestly dont know what to tell you about whether to rehome your pup or not. Its a decision that only you and your family can make .

This is personal stuff , I dont know what sort of help you have had to fight your depression , but I would advise doing Cognitive Behaviour Therapy , that would help with your doubts and fears .

Big hugs , Alison