These hard days shall pass....

When we got Bella it had been YEARS since I trained a puppy. Her predecessor died at the age of 14 so it was 14 years! I used a crate as per the breeder's suggestion and also since I had used it with my other dogs. The first night I made the mistake of having the crate downstairs. All Bella did that first night was cry. Through the wonderful folks here at PT I got the suggestion to put the crate in my room. It was like magic. She settled down and fell asleep in her crate the minute I turned my light out.

During the day while we worked she was also crated, but I am fortunate in that I work half days so the most she was crated was about 4 1/2 hours. Occasionally it was longer but not often. The breeder even said that if I was a "home all day person" that she still recommends the crate for short period in between meals, exercise and pottying. I don't think I could have survived without the crate. She didn't hate it and she learned the routine so well. She'd see me reach for my keys in the morning and she'd go into her crate.

I know it seems overwhelming right now. Actually when I was thinking of getting Bella a "sibling" I worried about going through all of the *puppy stuff* again. Fortunately for me, Ripley was already housebroken. Whew!

I think you would feel a lot better if hubby and other family members were more supportive. Let's hope they quickly grow to love Lila as much as you do and will help you more and give you a little more emotional support. (((hugs)))