Has anyone struggled with depression while having a new dog?

[ashleycat]

I think you're also right wolf... I need to find a behaviorist for him first. Get his peein inside under control, the rest can be done later.

That's the thing that gets to me and hubby the most. There are other solutions that have been working for the other parts of his behavior.

I really do love him. And my heart just melts everytime he jumps in my lap.

And maybe just take some time to distinguish between wanting to play, or needing to potty. lol

He needed to potty so I let him out. I watched him from the window. And I was voice praising him while he was doing it. And when he came back in I acted like a party and he was sooo happy. He put his chest down and his butt in the air. and was hoppin around.

[Uabassoon]

Life with Payson is very frustrating, I can't even count the times my partner has cried out of frustration. We've had him almost a year now and he still isn't fully potty trained, he's failed out of obidience school twice and he's afraid to leave the house. There have been times when we feel like we aren't right for him and he needs a home with someone who has experience with dogs. However I know that there is no way we would ever rehome him because we just love him too much.

Crate training helped us out so much, but it was a struggle. He's just barely gotten to the point where he is liking his crate and doesn't whine when he's in there. I feel like we are just starting to make some progress in the potty training issue. But still after a year we are happy if we have a day or two with no accidents.

We wanted a dog that we could take out to the park, or camping trips, instead we have a dog that in order to just take him for a walk we have to carry him down the street then put him down because he will only walk in the direction of home.

It's a struggle, but at night we he curls up on the bed next to us the struggle is worth it. However, I can understand your reasons for wanting to rehome him. We don't have a child at home which makes things easier for us. I understand how frustrating this can be. Just remember that there is no quick solution. It has taken us a year to finally start making some progress with Payson.

[luvofallhorses]

sorry to say, but I do agree with Kay. (not that agreeing with Kay is bad!!)

I have never became depressed with my dogs, frusturated (sp?), yes. If they are sick, of course I am depressed when they arent' feeling well. They all make me happy and make me laugh every day and I honestly couldn't live without any of them.