Catia
Well-Known Member
I'm here for support, so please don't flame me.
I don't know what to do & I need to vent.
I'm starting to have serious doubts about Tessa, & I am really torn up about it.
Let me open by saying, yes, I skrewed up. I wasn't prepared for this type of dog.
I'm really starting to get disheartened & just frustrated with Tessa's lack of enthusiasm or reaction to everything.
Just trying to have fun with her is work.
This whole rant is selfish, I know, but I adopted a puppy because I wanted to put some fun & life back into my own life, after being sick for many years, and after loosing my last girl 3 yrs ago, & losing my family, I needed to put a spark back into life.
I waited a LONGGG time, looked at various other adult dogs, & pups & didn't jump into this lightly. I saved for a long time too.
At almost 21 weeks, it's not getting better, it's staying just the same, little improvement.
I feel as if I am trying to force a square peg into a circle hole.
She hates her collar, she hates her harness, she hates her leash, she doesn't get excited to go for walks or rides, she only will play for a few minutes & only if I engage her.
At the dog park she seems to like to interact with the other dogs, but that is short lived too, & she doesn't enjoy much chase & stops & lays down & just watches.
She doesn't seem to be very interested in me either, & I love her, but this whole thing just breaks my heart.
I hardly ever even get happy tail wags.
It's like she's just detached, & I now feel stuck or trapped in something I had no idea I even needed to prepare for.
I feel like I have an "end of life" dog & not a puppy.
She'd be great for an old person who just wants to do a 15 min 1/2 block walk & back, or maybe no walks at all & just a yard.
The only 2 things it appears she likes is to eat & sleep.
People think she's great because she is calm/mellow--fact is, she is never is motivated to "do" anything.
I'm trying to turn it around, but it is just exhausting me, every single thing is such an effort.
She's like an old dog who's lost their motivation.
She makes me feel bad just for wanting to walk her.
I'd do ANYTHING if it meant I could see happy tail wags.
When I come home, I actually spend the 1st 10 min with her in front of the full length mirror, just so I can see the happy tail wag for the very short time it occurs--that's how desperate I am to see some reaction from her.
I have never experienced this type of dog, and I openly admit I was not prepared at all.
She's stoic or something, "subtle" is an understatement.
I thought maybe it's a phase, but I think this is just the way she is.
I did not even know a temperament or characteristics like Tessa's existed in pups or dogs.
I've never experienced a pooch that wasn't playful & loving as a pup.
I look at her & my heart melts, I just want to cuddle up & love her & play with her, but that's not really what I've got, I always feel like I am forcing her.
I wanted something more, I wanted a pooch I could interact with on a different level, yes, I suppose I need a people pleaser, a dog who enjoys the interaction & shows it.
She's not bad or anything, it's just feeling like it's me, it's not a good fit & she's never going to be happy but just will tolerate.
I don't know what to do & I need to vent.
I'm starting to have serious doubts about Tessa, & I am really torn up about it.
Let me open by saying, yes, I skrewed up. I wasn't prepared for this type of dog.
I'm really starting to get disheartened & just frustrated with Tessa's lack of enthusiasm or reaction to everything.
Just trying to have fun with her is work.
This whole rant is selfish, I know, but I adopted a puppy because I wanted to put some fun & life back into my own life, after being sick for many years, and after loosing my last girl 3 yrs ago, & losing my family, I needed to put a spark back into life.
I waited a LONGGG time, looked at various other adult dogs, & pups & didn't jump into this lightly. I saved for a long time too.
At almost 21 weeks, it's not getting better, it's staying just the same, little improvement.
I feel as if I am trying to force a square peg into a circle hole.
She hates her collar, she hates her harness, she hates her leash, she doesn't get excited to go for walks or rides, she only will play for a few minutes & only if I engage her.
At the dog park she seems to like to interact with the other dogs, but that is short lived too, & she doesn't enjoy much chase & stops & lays down & just watches.
She doesn't seem to be very interested in me either, & I love her, but this whole thing just breaks my heart.
I hardly ever even get happy tail wags.
It's like she's just detached, & I now feel stuck or trapped in something I had no idea I even needed to prepare for.
I feel like I have an "end of life" dog & not a puppy.
She'd be great for an old person who just wants to do a 15 min 1/2 block walk & back, or maybe no walks at all & just a yard.
The only 2 things it appears she likes is to eat & sleep.
People think she's great because she is calm/mellow--fact is, she is never is motivated to "do" anything.
I'm trying to turn it around, but it is just exhausting me, every single thing is such an effort.
She's like an old dog who's lost their motivation.
She makes me feel bad just for wanting to walk her.
I'd do ANYTHING if it meant I could see happy tail wags.
When I come home, I actually spend the 1st 10 min with her in front of the full length mirror, just so I can see the happy tail wag for the very short time it occurs--that's how desperate I am to see some reaction from her.
I have never experienced this type of dog, and I openly admit I was not prepared at all.
She's stoic or something, "subtle" is an understatement.
I thought maybe it's a phase, but I think this is just the way she is.
I did not even know a temperament or characteristics like Tessa's existed in pups or dogs.
I've never experienced a pooch that wasn't playful & loving as a pup.
I look at her & my heart melts, I just want to cuddle up & love her & play with her, but that's not really what I've got, I always feel like I am forcing her.
I wanted something more, I wanted a pooch I could interact with on a different level, yes, I suppose I need a people pleaser, a dog who enjoys the interaction & shows it.
She's not bad or anything, it's just feeling like it's me, it's not a good fit & she's never going to be happy but just will tolerate.