Hi
I have just come home our new cocker spaniel pup yesterday and already I am having major anxiety attacks at the reality of what I've done. I can't eat, sleep, and have waves of trembling. The mad thing is, the puppy is not doing anything wrong to upset me. Its just the fact that he is here and what I knew before puppy arrived has changed dramatically, i.e. new smells to get used to in the house from the pup. I have 2 young children as well who are 6 & 3yrs. I thought that having a dog would fill the gap when the kids are at school all day as I have been really bored since giving up work to stay at home but I am just overwhelmed and I don't know what to do! My hubby wants to keep the pup but I feel the best thing would be to return the pup to the breeder. What should I do ?

Do you think you bought this pup for the right reasons?  Being bored is not really a good reason to get a dog.  What will happen to the dog in the holidays when the kids are home and you're not bored?

Of course if you bought the pup because your whole family wanted him and you are just having problems adjusting then give it a bit of time.  It is a big change if you have never had one before.  I had similar anxiety when I first became a dog owner, it does change your life. For me it was for the better but if you think it won't be for you, then return the pup whilst he is still young enough to easily find a new home.

Try some Relaxation techniques. They do help - particularly, I find, the breathing ones :) They may help you feel better and realise that you can cope :) :)

Having a dog is a big responsibility and I can remember bringing my first puppy home, putting him on the kitchen floor then thinking "what do I do now?!".
You can prepare as much as you like before hand but once you have this tiny living breathing puppy dependant and relying on you then it can be slightly daunting. Incidentally I felt exactly the same when I brought my baby home from the hospital. However, your worry seems quite extreme and I think you need to take a big deep breath and tell yourself you can do this :-) .
First off I would say don't be too hasty. In the nicest possible the way the problem is you and once you have got over this I think you would deeply regret sending the pup back to the breeder.
Secondly, I think you need to spend some time bonding with the pup. It is still very early days and feeling overwhelmed is normal. 
Do some research and find a good training club that you can get started on when pup is old enough.

You are in a great position that many dog owners would envy with a lot of time to dedicate to raising the perfect pup. :-)

Were you the same when your kids were first born? I know I was! In fact I remember with my first pregnancy, after my first ante natal appointment stating that "Forget this, it's all too difficult, we'll get another dog instead!" :D But of course it passed, although the first few weeks with the first baby I would never want back again as it was overwhelming.

think I agree with Toolz - especially if the smell of the dog is worrying you - because this wont get any better!

My whole life changed once we got dogs - the house has never and will never be the same again. Nothing will ever be 100% clean and I will never have time to myself as I did before.

The kids clothes get hair and slobber on - so did their toys when they were younger.

Wet foot prints in the winter - sometimes covered in pee . . or worse . .

I had a similar feeling when Id given birth to my second child-  a panic and a feeling could I ever love her as much as my first ? but it faded very fast and was more a pnic i would do wrong by my child - this sounds more like youre worried about the effect of the dog on your children?

you need to give it more time, there is such a build up of excitement when getting a new pup whether you have had a dog before or not, it is usually the pup that is the problem and we say give it time so this is no different.

you should be spending time training the pup, sit stay etc. and the pup/ kids how to deal with each other, never leave them alone for a second, pop the pup into a crate/ puppy pen if you need to go out of the room, tell the kids they must never let the pup out.

get the pup used to walking on a lead, firstly in the house and then the garden ready for after vacs have been completed.

once you get over this anxiety you and the pup will have a great time, I had cockers as a child and had one who lived till he was 16.5 years when I was an adult, now I have mini long dachsies which have spaniel in their genes but in a smaller package.

let us know how things go.

ETA    when I read the bit about the smell I thought you meant the dog getting used to new smells in your house, if the pup has a very doggie smell from being with lots of dogs then give it a bath being sure it is rinsed and dried thoroughly before going outside.

I've recently got a new puppy and despite having had all my dogs from puppies, I always feel the same when there is a new pup in the house. I swing from loving her to bits to wanting to hand her back to the breeders. No difference this time despite me now being used to dogs having had them for most of my 62 years. The first few weeks are the hardest, your life seems to revolve in dealing with this new member of the family. You are continually either taking it out to toilet or clearing up after it, trying to stop it nipping you, remembering to feed the little blighter, then trying to persuade it not to go potty round the house and settle down and have a sleep. You will feel, as I have done, that you have made the biggest mistake in your life, but you haven't. Slowly that little soul will wrap itself round your heart and you will wonder how life ever revolved without a dog around. You will get into a routine with your pup that becomes second nature and you will look forward to seeing her again each morning. I've found the best thing is to not worry about the puppy to much, they are tough little things. Enjoy this time with her and don't bother about keeping the house tidy etc, it doesn't matter. If she gets too much, pop her in the crate if you have one, if not, get one, and sit in another room and relax for a while. It does take a bit of time to adjust, so don't be rash and make a decision now, it's too early to know how you will really feel about owning a dog. Keep posting on here as I'm sure many will want to help you get used to it all. My pup is now nearly four months now and is a little cracker and we both love her to bits.

I remember feeling this way when I brought home my first large breed puppy.  To the point where I nearly phoned the breeder to take him back too.  My OH had great words of wisdom.......'It's only a bloody dog, what's all the panic about?'  And I realised he was right.  It was ONLY a dog.....the best dog in the entire world that took a huge chunk of my heart when he died of old age.
My house is never clean and I totally OD on air freshener and I have lint rollers in every room of the house including the phone table at the front door but I have never been happier than when I have a pile of dogs at my feet.
It's very over-whelming.  All the pre-puppy excitement and then you go to collect him and everything is fun and exciting then you bring him home and plonk him down and everyone else disappears to work and school and you are left, looking at this little furball wondering if you are doing things right?  What if, what if, what if?
PS  I'm collecting my much anticipated boy pup in 2 weeks....when I post about my panic over whether I've made a HUGE mistake as all my girls have fallen out with me, I expect your reply.lol  And it will probably be, take a deep breath, it's only a bloody dog!

Surely boredom wasn't your only motivation - that's not a good enough reason to get a dog (and it's a bit selfish).  Once you've got through the puppy stage, which is very full on and quite busy, you may well be back to stage one when your puppy is an adult and no longer needs much attention.

Having the collywobbles when bringing home a puppy is not that unusual but if you've done your research, know what to expect - and you've been realistic in your expectations - then it will pass.  However you must be honest with yourself.  You've got a dog for the duration of its life, he will be there all through the school holidays, through several schools, as well as seeing your children well into their teenage years (hopefully).  If you aren't up to providing him with the support he needs to develop into a happy, well trained, adult then give him back now.

Incidentally - a dog isn't really a substitute for giving up work.  I expect you miss adult conversation and stretching your brain.  With the best will in the world a dog isn't really going to fill that gap - you might be better off looking for something else to exercise that part of your brain and just think of the dog as a dog :)

By the way, if you genuinely think you've made a mistake, don't feel pressured into keeping the puppy by feelings of guilt or expectation.  It's a hard lesson to learn but far better that you acknowledge it now than realise it later when the dog will be harder to home - it will be much kinder to the dog to get him into his forever home as soon as possible

">My house is never clean and I totally OD on air freshener

Just a word of warning, i used to do this then two of my dogs contracted severe bronchitis. Although the vet said this wasn't the main cause it could have been a big contributor. I will never ever forgive myself, my old girl died struggling for breath. Its a hideous disease and i would not wish anyone to see a dog with it.

Hi Dungonnell

I was pleased to read that you've now bought your new puppy.  I remember your previous posts about having to walk away from a couple of breeders.  Did you manage to find a good and helpful breeder?  And is your pup a blue roan like the one you had your heart set on?

I think it is quite normal to feel a little overwhelmed when a new puppy arrives.  I am collecting a new puppy this weekend.  I can't wait and I am very, very excited - spending all this week getting the house ready for him!  I am also doing a lot of cleaning as I know that normal life will be suspended for a few weeks while he settles in and we all get to know each other.  I am 100% confident about having him but there is also room for a few nerves when I remember what a big responsibility it is to take on a young pup (or any dog) - and because I want to make sure I do my very best to give him a great start in life.

I agree totally with dogsababe.  I think you need to be really honest with yourself and try to work out what it is that is making you so anxious.  If it's because it all just seems a bit daunting then that need not be a problem long term.  But if you are realising, deep down, that maybe the commitment, training, time and hard work (not to mention the expense !) that goes with giving a dog a loving, secure home for his whole life is not for you, then it might be best to decide to return him to his breeder as soon as possible so that there is a good chance that he can find a loving permanent home before he gets much older.

It's a difficult choice and from what you are saying, the decision should probably be yours alone, as you are the person who has the main responsibility for the little chap while your OH is working and your children at school.

Good luck with your decision.  Try to do what is best for the puppy as well as what is right for you.  Either way, let us know how you get on.   X

Yes I was. I suffered postnatal depression with both but my 2nd child is where the anxiety comes from as I was exactly the same as i am now with the pup.
I took him out in the garden there for a run around and he has popped himself into his pen and his bed. So, I feel he is settling in.
Before pup arrived, I was actually working my way off my anti-dep tablets as I have been feeling ready to do so but think I'll go back on them until the anxiety passes.

The reason I got my first dog was that I had severe depression and having something to 'look after' was a great cure when I struggled to get out of bed and dressed on some days. Of course, this wasnt the only reason I got hom but I'd be lying if I said it wasnt a big contributing factor.
When pup is older being able to go out on nice walks, take in some fresh air and have a natter with other dog lovers is an amazing treatment for depression, but in the meantime perhaps speaking to the doctor about your medication would be a good idea. Clearly you are going through another period of anxiety which manifests itself in worry for your dog although it could have been triggered by anything else aswell. Well done for recognising it and seeking help :-)

I must say that it's great when you can take the pup out for walks. Everyone you meet wants to stroke the pup which is great for their socialisation, but also yours too! Our pup is great off lead and we practice recall all the time and reward her for coming to us. We make a game of it calling her backwards and forwards to us. Then I will hide in some bushes and call her to see if she can find me. All good games you will be able to play with your pup and the children. There are some great times to come with your boy, what have you called him by the way?

stay on the pills for a bit- no point adding to pressure and a new pup is pressure-a nice one but still pressure.  the panics will subside as you grow more attached and realise just how much easier a dog is to care for then a baby!  yes a responsibility but nothing like the same level as a baby- at least pups you can lock in kitchen for 20 minutes while you do something else! 

the pup will help you with your nerves as he grows- there is nothing like a dog for meeting nice new people of all ages and for compulsary exercise which is also good for the nerves and figure alike.

regarding smells- puppy smells are a natural smell and not offensive- just clean up when needed with a gentle product. please throw any airfresheners in the bin- they are not healthy for animals or children and their sickly odour just makes smells worse. an open window is the best air freshener.
you will have muddy paw prints-and worse - come into house but learn to live with it- madly clean houses are a cause of childhood allergies- the mild challenge to immunity of a chunky pup will do the kids good.

in 2 weeks time you will not belive you even thought of giving him up and your'll both be in a routine. just hang in there!

All our carpets are mud coloured and speckled with golden retriever coloured Flecks. I bought them like that, they didn't evolve and saves bothering the hoover too much.

Great post from Fred's mum I think :) I was also in a pretty terrible place when my mum bought my my first puppy, a border collie, which on paper seems a bit of a train wreck of an idea, but she is still with me in her veteran years and is very special, so even though part of you wanted a dog for perhaps not the best reason, there's no reason why it can't work out because you're having some problems :)

The only dog I've had a similar experience with was my latest pup, OMG I had at least two weeks of not eating, hardly sleeping because my brain wouldn't stop, and getting quite upset because of what I'd inflicted on my dogs with the mad thing. I too thought "it's no good, I'll have to take him back", so don't feel guilty :) he slept well and was not really any trouble, very respectful of my other dogs, so it wasn't anything he did, but it took a good few weeks for things to settle and for my dogs to stop giving me that look like "WHY?" It just took time for me to adjust to the new routine, and getting to know this strange new fluffy creature and his character to feel better about it all. A year and a half later I wish I could go back in time and slap myself and say how amazing he will be and how much we would all love him :)

See your doctor and give it more time, I'm pretty sure what you're feeling is quite normal considering everything :)

Sounds how I felt bringing my first child home from hospital - and you can't hand them back!!  But you get into a routine and things don't seem so bad after all - loosing sleep is so difficult to begin with.  I had all the anxiety before I got my pup - was I doing the right thing - especially as I got questioned by a few on here when I asked some things in preparation - whether I was doing the right thing because my older dog has been a real handful all her life.  However getting my new pup (who is now nearly 7 months old) was the best thing I did.  He is a super dog - so affectionate - my husband loves him to bits.  OK so the first few weeks were hard but he has blossomed - and the house training and most of the chewing is a thing of the past.  I do wish you luck and hope you can relax and enjoy your pup.  Nobody can tell you what is the right thing to do - but I wouldn't make any snap decisions - the breeder should still take their pup back in a week or more if you really can't cope. 

Definitely normal, though with you having children you are more used to responsibility than I was! When we brought our first puppies home, I rang the breeders that evening to say we were home safe. The next morning hubby went off to work and I was completely panicked, did not know what to do, they were running riot, peeing, pooing, the idea that I was completely in charge of these 2 lives was totally overwhelming!! If the breeders had rung that day to ask how things were, I would have been bleating that I couldn't possibly cope and needed to give them back at once! Luckily they didn't, and after a few days I got used to the idea and never looked back!

I recognise that feeling of panic after getting home with both my babies and my first pup! (not all at the same time LOL )     The enormity of the responsibility, the worry that I wouldn't be up to the job, the sleepless nights.

But it all worked out OK, I was up to the job.  Despite my firstborn being a total nightmare and hyperactive for the first four years, and I went out and did it all again and had a nother one !!

My first pup of my own, I started to panic in the car whilst they were waving us off! :-D :-D  She had 'dropped in our laps', right breeder, lovely lines, health tested parents, she was even pick of the litter!  But about a year sooner than I expected, as I'd planned on finding a breeder and waiting as this breed are not common, so knew I would have to wait anything from six months to two years LOL  - except I didn't and the right pup was just there. 

As others have said my OH just said, "what's the panic, it's just another dog.  We've had dogs before, just not a pup, but we've had babies and they're ok  How hard can it be?"   and he was right :-D

Hopefully you've calmed down a little and realised, you aren't the only person to feel like this.  :-D

You took such care over finding this pup, I'm sure you'll take the same care bringing it up. :-)

I felt like that with my pup, but I knew I would as I did with all my pets as I don't do change and new situations and get realy would up. I was upset for a week when I got a budgie.
When I brought mine home I felt sick constantly, couldn't eat and just felt like what have I done, was even in tears a few times, if her breeder had called and asked for her back I would have taken her. It lasted about 2 weeks then got better, I just tryed to ignore how I felt and threw myself into teaching her tricks as I knew I did want her I had waited two years and I knew it would pass. I warned my mother not to let me take her back, wouldn't give her back now for any amount of money.

If your like me, stick with it and hopefully once you get use to the pup you will start to bond.

>All our carpets are mud coloured and speckled with golden retriever coloured Flecks. I bought them like that,

I like your thinking!  :-)

Of course you can also do what I did.  I have a very tiny living room, but a humongous garden.  I bought this house for the garden.  Of course, I do have a lot of dogs.  But when we all settle down in the evening, the dogs are quietly sprawled everywhere in the living room. 

I actually have wall to wall dogs.  You can't even see that I haven't vacuumed the carpet!   :-)  :-)  :-) 

I hear what you are all saying but We have had a dreadful morning. I wasn't even capable of the school & nursery run which resulted in a huge bust up with my hubby as he needs to be in the office but obviously he's going to be late now. As well as that my 3yr old has just started peeing in her bed which she has never done before and seems to have regressed back to not using her potty and just having accidents again. I know its obviously had an affect on her having to hear the yelping all night.
We as a family are now a complete mess. I need to get our routine back and the only way I can see it is by returning the pup to the breeder now while he is 10wks old. I really feel it is the best thing for the pup and my hubby has to try and understand that even though he hates me right now. What he doesn't appreciate is I am the primary carer of the pup and not him cause he's obviously away to work all day so as much as its breaking his heart I think it would be worse to keep the pup just to keep hubby happy when I literally have no bond with the pup. I am catering for the pups needs but the lap time is not doing it for me. The longer I cradle him on my lap the more I just want to him to jump down. I can't believe I've reacted this way but I need to sort out the situation asap for the sake of my family and the pup.

I am so sorry this has happened to you. You need to follow your instincts  only you know if this is something that will pass or if the right thing for all  of you is to return the pup while he is young.  A hard choice but one you need to sut down with your husband and discuss asap. Good luck I feel for you

I'm so sorry this has happened to you as you seemed to be preparing for a puppy so well. Perhaps the time has come to contact the breeders and talk to them about it, maybe there will be another solution with the help of the breeders. Perhaps it is not quite the right time for you all, as a family, to have a dog yet. I understand what you mean about the husband not appreciating that you are the carer for this wee fluffy soul. All he gets is the good bits when he comes in at night, not the messy, smelly end. You need to discuss this calmly with your husband, trying not to get too upset (I know that will be difficult). Today spend some time putting your thoughts together why you feel like this so that you explain to him precisely why this has happened. But also think carefully whether you really do want the pup to go or is this just a panic session because you are frightened of the responsibility.
Is the pup really yelping all night long? You could try keeping the puppy closer to you both at night so he knows you are there. It's not something I've had to do as its not been a problem, but many people have the puppy in the bedroom, still confined in the crate, but nearby so they appreciate you are still there. Perhaps the crate could be on your husbands side of the bed!!!
Good luck with it all.

I would want you to bring the puppy straight back to me. :-)

Infact don't delay anymore, take the pup back today or tonight, if local I would just drive there now, you're not in any kind of position emotionally or physically to cope with looking after a pup, pups are hard work and if you're not emotionally there you won't cope, it's nothing to be ashamed of, the crucial point is when you know that, act on it. :-) Hubby will get over it, the breeder would rather you admit it earlier than later, it will be so much harder on the pup the longer you keep it.

Agree Carrington.  You will be doing the best for the puppy too aa Carrington sats you need to be emorionally and physucally in the right place to have new dog of any age. This sounds like it isnt right just now

Poor you - I am sorry that you are so distressed.  You have done well to acknowledge how you are feeling.  Well done for your honesty.  Your situation must be really, really hard.  Your priorities now must be the health and well-being of yourself, your family and of course the puppy who has done nothing wrong and needs a stable, loving, permanent home ASAP.

I'm not a breeder, but please take the advice of Carrington and return your puppy to his breeder - the sooner the better.  Everyone makes mistakes and it sounds as if it is just too soon for you to cope with the ups and downs of rearing a puppy.  In the future you may feel very differently and be able to take on dog ownership happily and get much joy from it.  As we've said before, only you know how bad you feel and you are the one at home with the pup all day so it must be your decision.  From everything you are saying, it will not end well for anyone if you try to keep pup.

Good luck - I think you will feel relieved if you take him back, knowing that it is the right thing for him, and then you can concentrate on your own health and that of your family.  X

If things really are as bad as you feel they are, then, if it were my pup, I'd want you to call and return it.    Far better to do so at 10 weeks than wait and do it later.

It does sound like this may not be the right time for you to have a pup in the family.   

It may be that you will feel differently when your health is better and the children are older and more independent. 

Forgot to say in my post - I was talking to a breeder just the other day.  She had sold a puppy to a lovely family.  She had vetted them very carefully and they had done their homework and were very keen to have a pup.  They really, really thought they knew what they were taking on.  They spent the whole of the first three days with the pup realising they had made a mistake and just could not cope.  They felt dreadful about it and were in tears - but they did the right thing and, with great regret and feeling rather foolish, they took the puppy straight back to the breeder.

Breeder accepted puppy back immediately, no questions asked, and he has now found a great new permanent home with another family.  So, you are not alone!  Be kind to yorself - and pup!

I deleted my original post asking the OP to return the puppy straight away...it seemed unkind and would no doubt have been lost in all the sympathetic posts saying it will be all right.

It is clear from these posts and several others that this was inevitable and if it were one of  puppies I would be on the road right now.....

Please take the puppy back now, whilst he is still at an age it will be easier for the breeder to find him a new home .
My friends family were just about ripped apart by a dog my friend got, but that her partner couldn't stand, due to his destructivness, it eventually came to a head when my friend had gone off for the day, leaving the OH with the dog and kids, he bundled them all into the car and took the dog back to the Dogs Trust where he'd come from. She was devastated, but came to realise, it had to be done, she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
Owning a dog is supposed to be fun and life enhancing , not what your experiencing.

Get your husband to read this entire thread, it may help him to understand how you feel. You have tried, asked for advice, but it seems as if its not going to work for you this time.

So sorry to hear this - pup is never going to settle if you are feeling so unsettled yourself - what a shame - I do hope you manage to sort things out with your husband - wishing you all the best. 

Has the breeder been in touch to ask how things are? I would be happy to take a pup back at any time so please don't feel  bad about returning it. Your family must come first. It is a huge undertaking having a new puppy, that is why I absolutely encourage my puppy buyers to visit us at 4 and 6 weeks to meet the litter and go away and really think about what they are taking on.

I thought i was going mad Tooolz as my reply said that I agreed with you - but then there was no reply to agree with!

I have to say that the OP reminded me very much of correspondence I had had with a few potential puppy owners that I would not have homed pups with - not meaning to make the OP feel bad - but just meaning that from your previous threads there would have been alarm bells with me and I Would not have thought the time was right for you to have a pup.

The breeder will be fine about it - take pup back.
xxx

I suspect the regression of your three year old's toilet training and bed wetting has a lot more to do with your state of mind creating a lot of stress in the home than the poor puppy yelping at night. I feel sorry for your husband, who so obviously wants to keep this puppy, and I can't imagine wanting a dog and not being able to have one, but I feel even more sorry for the puppy. Please get it back to the breeder as soon as possible so it can find someone to love it.

Please do post so that we all know you have done the right thing.  In fact I hope that pup is already with the breeder.  The law requires that you provide for the needs of this puppy, and you are not able to.

Oh dear, it does sound like it's just not the right time at the moment. You've read plenty of people saying they panicked at first, including me - but if you just aren't ready at the moment, don't be ashamed to ring the breeder and fix up to take him back straight away. If this puppy is primarily for your husband, wait until your husband is in a position jobwise to do more with a puppy, don't keep this one if you aren't wanting him. And don't feel too badly, you've done all the right things, it just didn't work out, and perhaps in a few years when your children are older, they can also take more part in caring for a puppy. Hope things settle down once the puppy is back with the breeder, it does sound like it's the best option now.

If it's any consolation, a close friend took on a puppy when her children were young - a lurcher pup from a local rescue. After a few days she realised she was completely unable to cope, it was the wrong dog at the wrong time and it broke her heart but she had no option but to send it back to the rescue.

She waited a couple of years and researched breeds - aided by her dog-obsessed daughter who was around 6 years old by then - and decided on a breed they thought would fit in with their family. Sourced a well-bred puppy from a breeder who had taken time to plan the litter properly and socialise the puppies well, and she couldn't believe the difference, and how well the puppy so easily became part of the family from day one.

Hi All,

Just to settle everyones minds. I returned the puppy to the breeder on the same day that I posted my previous post which means we only had him for 2 days. It was the best decision for us all. I returned him myself with my mum and the breeder was fine about it and within 5 mins of the pup being back in his original pen he was fast asleep. We ended up staying chatting to the breeder for 1 hour and a half about everyday things as well as how she understood how I was feeling.
It was a horrendous week for myself and hubby but I know it was the right decision. He realises that now as he could see an instant change in me the following day and the fact that my daughter settled back into her toilet training so quickly as well. Also, the kids were not that bothered about the pup going home and have not asked about him since. Maybe that is down to how I explained that the pup was on his hoildays with us and he missed his real family and had to go home. It's been a bit of a whirlwind and still hard to believe that the event even happened. But, it's really helped me realise that NOW is not the time to have a puppy in our lives. I would some day like to have a dog but that will be many years away once the kids are much older.
Obviously, I had a few bits a pieces that I bought for the puppy like the bed, unused toys, dog bowls which I donated to my local Dog & Cat Home. They were very happy to take them.

Well done you for doing the right thing at the right time x x x

A well done from me too. It's very hard to do to admit you have made a mistake and I congratulate you on having the courage to do it.
When I had small children, I decided not to get another dog until they were older, I was thinking of school age. Personal preference really, not everyone agrees, but I knew how much time and effort a puppy meant and with two small children I realised that I wouldn't have coped particularly well. As it happened the decision of when to get a dogwas entirely taken out of my hands as my husbands job took us to West Berlin for three years. As quarantine was still in operation and having to deal with vets in a foreign country, we said we would wait until we were back in the UK. The moment we were back on British soil we were planning our puppy! One thing I did get to find out about was the lovely golden retriever breed, as someone had two at the RAF we were living on. We've stuck with breed ever since.
Your dog time will come especially once both the children are at school and you have more time to spend. Good luck in the future.

Thank you for coming back and letting us know the outcome. You did the right thing.

Yes thank you for telling us what you decided. Such a hard thing to do but so right for all concerned well done

Thanks for the update - I have been wondering what you decided to do and it is nice to hear the outcome.  You have done exactly the right thing for you, your family and, of course, for the pup.  Very well done on facing up to a difficult decision and acting on it so promptly. The puppy now has a good chance of finding the right forever home and you can concentrate on your own health and well being and that of your family.

Good luck for the future.  Perhaps one day the time will be right for you to have a dog in your life.  Meanwhile, I hope you can relax now and enjoy your human family!  All the best.

Well done you, I bet you will make a great puppy owner one day when the time is right. :-)