Puppy Blues: What I Wish I Knew Before Getting Winston

Okay, let’s be real. Getting a puppy was supposed to be all sunshine and rainbows. Picture this: a cuddly little ball of fluff bouncing around my apartment, bringing joy and endless photo opportunities. The reality? Well, it’s been more like a hurricane of chewed shoes, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of poop. Don’t get me wrong, I love Winston (that’s my puppy, a miniature dachshund), but man, I was not prepared. Not even close.

The Honeymoon Phase (Lasted About a Day)

I spent weeks, maybe even months, researching breeds. I wanted a small dog, something manageable for apartment living. Dachshunds seemed perfect – playful, intelligent (supposedly!), and relatively low-energy indoors. I found Winston at a reputable breeder (or so I thought – that’s a whole other story for another day) and the moment I saw him, I was smitten. He was tiny, with these huge, soulful eyes. I imagined us going on walks in the park, cuddling on the couch, and basically living our best lives together. The first day was pretty close to that fantasy, honestly. He mostly slept, explored cautiously, and only peed once inside (a win!). Then came day two. Oh boy. The biting started. And the whining. And the endless, relentless need for attention. The sleep deprivation hit me HARD. Was I the only one who thought puppies just slept all the time? Because Winston clearly missed that memo.

Sleep? What Sleep? The Reality of Puppy Nights

Seriously, sleep deprivation is no joke. I knew puppies needed to be taken out to pee in the middle of the night, but I thought it would be, like, once. Maybe twice, tops. Winston? He was up every two to three hours, sometimes just to whine. I’d take him outside, he’d sniff around for ten minutes, maybe pee, maybe not, and then we’d go back inside, and he’d immediately want to play. Getting him back to sleep was a battle. I tried everything – crate training (which he HATED), playing soothing music, even sleeping on the floor next to his crate (my back still hasn’t recovered). I remember one particularly rough night, I was up at 3 a.m., trying to stop him from chewing on the bars of his crate, and I just burst into tears. I was so exhausted, so overwhelmed, and honestly, I regretted getting him. I know, that sounds terrible, but it’s the truth. Have you ever felt the same?

The Biting…Oh, the Biting!

Before Winston, I thought puppy biting was just a cute little nip. Wrong. It’s like having a tiny velociraptor attached to your ankles. He would bite my hands, my feet, my clothes, anything he could get his little teeth on. I tried everything the internet suggested: yelping, redirecting with toys, time outs. Some things worked temporarily, but the biting always came back. I started wearing long sleeves and socks all the time, even in summer, just to protect myself. I even considered getting those chainmail gloves that butchers wear. Ugh, what a mess! There were moments when I wondered if I’d made a huge mistake. Was this normal puppy behavior? Was I doing something wrong? Honestly, I was starting to think I was just a terrible dog owner. Then I spoke to a friend who’d been through the same thing, and she reassured me that it *does* get better. Eventually.

The Joy (Yes, There is Joy!)

Okay, okay, I’ve painted a pretty bleak picture so far. But it’s not all bad. There are moments, little glimpses of pure joy, that make it all worthwhile. Like when Winston finally learned to sit. Or when he snuggles up to me on the couch after a long walk. Or when he does that ridiculously cute head tilt when I talk to him. Those moments, those little wins, are what keep me going. It’s kind of like having a baby, I guess. You go through all the hardships, the sleepless nights, the endless crying, but then they smile at you, and everything melts away. And honestly, seeing him learn and grow is incredibly rewarding. I remember the first time he successfully went potty outside. I was so excited, I probably looked like a crazy person doing a happy dance in my front yard.

Things I Wish I’d Known (And Done) Differently

Looking back, there are a few things I wish I’d known before bringing Winston home. First, I wish I’d done more research on dachshunds specifically. They’re known for being stubborn and independent, which I definitely underestimated. Second, I wish I’d started training classes sooner. Getting professional help with the biting and housebreaking would have saved me a lot of stress. And third, I wish I’d lowered my expectations. I had this unrealistic vision of a perfect puppy, and when Winston didn’t live up to that, I felt like a failure. The funny thing is, now that Winston is a bit older, maybe six months now, he *is* starting to resemble that perfect puppy. Well, almost.

So, if you’re thinking about getting a puppy, be prepared. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. It’s hard work, it’s exhausting, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Just go in with realistic expectations, do your research, and be prepared for a lot of poop. And maybe invest in some good chew toys. You’ll need them. If you’re as curious as I was about training techniques you might want to dig into the positive reinforcement method. It worked wonders for Winston, eventually.