Should I Get a Dog? - First Weeks

Helo, again!

In my previous post I was telling you about how to decide whether to get a dog or not.
Well, maybe some of you are already past that step.

Maybe you're now in need of a loooot of motivation!
Maybe your pup - whom you truly already love to death - is making your house a mess and you never thought you could be this tired.

Truth is: nothing can prepare you the weeks to come.
So here's a helping guide for you to go through this:

1. Breathe IN before you go into the house
   If you left you pup alone, always take a deep breath before coming into the house. You may find a mess.
   Explain to them kindly, but on a higher note and show them that they did wrong.

2. The constant SMELLS
   Maybe I wasn't able to deal with this the right way, but...no matter how much I cleaned, my pup still managed to make my house smell like a toilet. :))
   After a lot of cleaning products and home scents, I have discovered that burning a lot of scented sticks can make the home scent pleasant again.

3. "I hate you!"
   No, like really. Sometimes, you just want to hurt them.
   It's OK to lose yourself from time to time. Just let the steam off, cool down and then engage into pet-parenting again.

4. Love them always.
   Please remember that whatever damage they do to your house, it's totally innocent. They do so to attract your attention. Punishes are fine as long as they are not harsh. Make them understand they did wrong, but do not overreact.

5. Balancing job & friends & parenting
   You may have to give up some Friday nights out or even whole weekends. It's best to take as much care of your pup as you can. Their first year is the most important. Take care of them now and you will enjoy a well-behaved doggo for a lifetime. :)

6. Nothing is perfect
   Sometimes, you just f*ck up.
   Sometimes, you just don't feel like walking them. Or playing with them. Or anything at all, really.
   And that is perfectly fine.
   Just because you are now in care of another soul does NOT mean you should be always perfect.
   Be gentle with yourself in the days you have no energy.

Your pup loves you and will understand :)