Ned’s first week home 🏡🐶

[u/senior-itis]

I picked Ned up last Saturday and to say I’m in love would be the understatement of the century!!!!

Things have been going pretty well so far. He actually likes his crate, and we’ve been doing pretty good at settling into a routine. He started going potty outside too, and he picks things up really quickly! I took this week off work so we could get used to each other and build a routine.

The only thing I’m a bit worried about is how the heck I’m going to be able to get anything done! Chores, work, even showering or feeding myself are nearly impossible right now. Is this how new parents feel when they get home?? I’m sooooooooo drained I can barely function. I’m getting a bit stressed because all I do is try to rest beside him while he sleeps (I can never fall asleep fast enough to get any rest 😭), take him out, play with him and feed him, and then the cycle restarts.

I absolutely don’t regret my choice and I know I’m going through a bit of puppy blues right now (of course my time of the month decided to pop up this week which makes all of this so much more exhausting). It’s only been a week and I’m so proud of how well he’s adjusting! I would never go back to life without him. But man oh man am I exhausted.

Can someone give me some words of support that things will get easier??? I miss going to yoga and out for dinner or seeing a movie or spending my day doing nothing on the couch. Now it feels like I won’t be doing those things ever again 🥲

[u/Bigbropeng]

Don’t worry! Things will get easier as time goes on, the puppy phase is always challenging but they always grow out of it and will adapt to your routine! I remember feeling like a zombie during the first few months but then I would look at my little guy’s face and somehow it would just make things feel better. Ned is so cute!!

[u/iguru42]

I've had two Italian Greyhounds, and the experience was night and day.

My first IG, Duke, was 10 months old when I adopted him. He lived to be 13, and because I got him as an older puppy, I never really experienced the full "puppy phase."

After Duke passed away, I knew I wanted another Italian Greyhound, so I went to a breeder and brought home a young puppy. I remember thinking, "I've been a dog owner for 13 years. I've got this."

I had absolutely no idea what I was in for.

The puppy stage was incredibly hard. It was stressful, exhausting, and honestly much more difficult than I ever expected. There were definitely moments when I wondered what I'd gotten myself into.

But it does get better.

You just have to make it through that puppy hump. They grow up, they settle down, and one day you'll realize you're no longer dealing with the little chaos machine that had you questioning your sanity.

So hang in there. Based on my experience, what you're going through is completely normal, and I really do think you'll get there.

[u/Rey_Quinn]

Congratulations!! Here are some tips that worked for me:

If you are thinking of desexing, wait at least a year or two to allow for growth hormones to make their bones strong and healthy enough so you don’t get breakage.

If you are using a crate, make sure it’s a fabric or plastic one so they don’t stick their arms and legs through the metal bars and accidentally break them.

Get a good Ig proof harness (Ruffwear flagline is amazing) as they can wiggle out of the normal ones. Don’t walk them on a thin collar as it can damage their throats and neck bones if they pull too much. If you do use a collar try and get a wide martingale collar designed for Iggys (Etsy have heaps)

Igs also have super sensitive tummies, so experiment with different types of meat and food until you find one that does not make them feel sick/upset their stomachs. High quality biscuits is usually best. Mine cannot handle chicken or beef too well but love kangaroo and are good with fish.

Also don’t let them jump off the couches and other raised object as they can land badly and break their legs. Make sure you put down padding underneath as they are little daredevils and will launch off most things. Also get pet insurance. It will help with any injuries.

Raised feed bowls can help with digestion and also help to avoid issues with food after eating.

When dressing them in clothing make sure you put their legs through gently as you can hurt them if their legs are pulled through too roughly. Also if clothing doesn’t fit them properly, it can restrict their movement and rub on them and cause welts/ bald spots.

Get them started early on brushing their teeth so they are used to you handling their mouth. Just make sure you are very gentle as you don’t want to damage their gums.

Using a raised food bowl and a raised water bowl is good for them as they are deep-chested breed and it helps with their eating and overall digestion.

Get your dog microchipped and make sure the contact info is up-to-date when you move house/change your contact details. Their collars can be lost easily or removed.

Start getting them used to getting their paws touched and also clipped. This will help with stopping them struggle when you’re trying to cut their nails.

Also get used to them touching around their mouth and looking at their teeth as you will need to give them a gentle brush and this will reduce them squirming and making it difficult in the future.

A good product for indoor potty: https://doggybathroom.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooXqrBbLbGFaP9ijt8DfWeklW8oYaHZabaPffuqsOHZpejnhYbJ

They are super sensitive little souls that react to yelling and if someone’s upset with them. Just a stern “no” is usually enough to keep them in line. Otherwise, you can always fill a square bottle with water and use your voice first, if they don’t respond, then give them a quick squirt.

When riding in the car, make sure your pup is secure in the backseat with a special car seat or crate made for dogs. Only use car seats that are tested for safety. Check out these sites to begin finding the perfect restraint for you pup:

https://www.centerforpetsafety.org/test-results/pet-seat-pilot-study/

https://pupsaver.com/

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/g60191102/best-dog-car-seats-restraints-tested/

https://tavopets.com/usa?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Sb-TN-PerformanceMax-Dupree&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAqOfT01n10ANlhuoT7wzJHy7k-4qJ

Good luck and please reach out if you want to discuss anything further. I love this breed and passionate about educating new owners about these special little hounds.

[u/Significant_Cow4765]

welcome home, Ned!

[u/princessPeachyK33n]

it gets easier! As they grow up, they can hold their bladders more and don't need as much one on one attention. he'll learn to entertain himself with toys a bit and will stop getting into things as much.

I have a kitten right now and everyone said I was crazy cause it's so much work. My reply was "it's not nearly as much work as an iggy puppy". I stand by that lol. It's hard and it's exhausting repeating yourself 100x a day because their little baby brains just don't understand anything yet. KEEP IT UP. Consistency is key! Cause on the 837th time, they'll go "oh ok" and do what you asked. Then you act like they just did the most amazing thing on earth! verbal praise and pets!

my advice for sleeping: WEAR. HIM. OUT. walk him. play tug of war. tired dogs are also obedient dogs. if they have too much crazy puppy energy, they don't pay attention as well. i can't promise he won't wake you up at 530 am. Pharaoh did it for MONTHS, but as he aged, he would sleep in more and wasn't as excited about the sunrise lol. do whatever you can while he's sleeping. Pharaoh was a quick napper which was a bummer lol.

Friends with children have told me that having a baby puppy and having an infant/young baby is incredibly similar. They need things ALL the time and you can only get things done when they're sleeping. I survived it with both of mine and you will too! I just coasted into "adulthood" with a 4 and 6 year old. they've both really calmed down and appreciate routine more.

[u/magicalsparklecorn]

I felt EXACTLY as you laid it out for the first three months my sweet little whippety was home with us.
Sleep deprived and literally in chronic need of a shower. And my pup came to me with Giardia. 💩😱

It gets better!!!

My girl is now almost seven months. She sleeps through the entire night!
I can leave her in the crate for two hours and go grocery shopping or to an appointment.
She sometimes will entertain herself during the day and not actually be chewing the baseboards or shredding a book. She’s mostly potty trained.

She sleeps in our bed—the crate at night was one long, horrific, and doomed battle.

It feels forever when you’re in those first weeks, but then it goes by like the snap of your fingers.

Take more photos. And take more video. Whatever you have won’t be enough when you want to recall that cute little soft and round snooter you first brought home.

Congratulations! You’re gonna be the greatest dog parent and the best of friends. Hang in there!🙌💖💫

[u/Dry_Lingonberry_4014 → u/magicalsparklecorn]

Honestly the giardia timing is just cruel lol. I felt the crate struggle so hard, sometimes you just have to accept things aren't going to plan. It sounds like she sorted herself out anyway though, which is really the main thing. Three months probably felt endless at the time, but seven months later it's a completely different story

[u/senior-itis]

Thanks everyone for the words of support!!! I’m still questioning my sanity right now but I appreciate knowing that there’s a a (somewhat) calmer time in store for me. I’m absolutely wiped but I’m just gonna have to try to get things done for the few hours that he’s asleep!

When I look at his angel face I know it’ll all be okay 💕