New Dog Owner Struggles: Help!

Your dog may be sick due to changing the dog food? That can happen. Totally not your fault. Just do the best you can. How old is the dog? Is it a puppy or an older dog? Puppies need to go out more than older dogs but accidents will happen. Don't ever blame yourself. You can also get puppy training pads too. You're doing the best you can. Keep up the great work.

Ok so don't use puppy pads because my dog trainer told me it just confuses them, Instead put them out side every half an hour or if you see any signs ie sniffing the floor etc, pop them outside, thru the night I would get up hourly if they are very young still and in a safe cage, firstly they won't want to wee or poo in the cage and secondly so you know they are not chewing or chocking or something they shouldn't have when you are sleeping..hope this helps, it's very over whelming at first, keep going and don't let one accident make u feel bad xx

Hi I’ve read through all the comments here and im completely neutral just wanted to point out if you go back and read the original post you wrote the initial wording was pretty concerning as people do get animals without research or preparation a lot and it can be really sad so I think a lot of people were just worried reading and I agree that this place is for advice and there’s a lot of sensitive topics and people here so people should be more delicate with their wording but I don’t think it was coming from a place of malice just of concern and worded stronger than necessary you’ve now explained how you did do research and are prepared but are just feeling overwhelmed and less emotionally ready than physically unready so that’s okay, you’ll figure out how to work with your dog and they’ll figure out how to work with you too, getting a new dog is a big deal it takes a lot of your time and energy to begin with the same as having a newborn and I think the idea of getting a dog to comfort yourself is concerning to people as it’s so much work it might be exhausting for your health but long term yes a dog is a brilliant companion to help you so just keep trying to learn and never get upset with it please as that doesn’t ever help and maybe sign up for a training course if it’s gonna be too challenging training by yourself, especially as a rescue they probably have severe anxiety and so any acts of aggression or unusual behaviour of any kind you can put down to anxiety and so try to comfort them treats are very effective in training and showing the dog you’re not gonna hurt it and good luck I’m sorry for all the passive aggression in the comments through downvotes I think there’s been a lot of miscommunication in this post

Hey, HocusFocus. Regardless of what the shelter told you, you still need to take your dog to a vet (as recommended by faustmare). Sometimes things get missed and it's best to make sure that you know the dog's full, current health profile. Make sure to still inform the vet of what the shelter told you, as it can affect your dog's condition. Beyond that, I recommend doing extra training to solidify pottying outside, even if she is potty-trained. Also, don't punish your dog for going inside as that will just add to her stress. That said, this is not really the app for this problem. Alike users will do what they can, but they're here to get and give help for human health problems and situations resulting from them, not those of a pet's. I highly suggest you find another app or a forum where you can talk to fellow dog owners for any other canine health problems that arise.

Dogs get bathroom issues when they change food suddenly. Just comfort them, and give them rice and chicken to sooth their stomachs. They also need time to adjust to new environments smells and sounds which they can be trained out of, and usually goes away after a while.

hey OP reading through this comment thread... i just hope you and faustmare can sort it out. i don't think there was any ill intention at the beginning on either end and everyone wants a positive resolution. as for your original post! my family back home had something similar. i think your experience is common (if not nearly universal) to dogs in new living conditions. my dog was a puppy and not from a shelter, but the big thing we had to keep in mind was that he was going through a lot of stress and the change to get him into a daily rhythm was going to take time, habit-building, and positive behaviour enforcement. for my dog it was about a month before we got him into a more consistent sleep/walk/outdoor schedule; i'm sure that varies from dog to dog but it might be a couple weeks before your new dog can settle into a rhythm, too. i hope the time you get with your dog in the years to come is a fun one!

Hi! When I got my dog I had no idea what I was doing and it overwhelmed me a lot. He had diarrhea too and it was heart breaking. I felt like a terrible dog mom. The more he got comfortable the more...solid he got haha. Sometimes it's just a thing that gets better with some time. You are doing better than you think you are, just make sure she knows that she is loved and treats also help haha. If you are worried or need advice you can message me I'll help the best I can. I know it's really overwhelming! You are doing amazing!

That wasnt an attack ;-; there is a difference between attacking and giving you advice.. Your words were "I do not know what I am doing." If that were true, you'd be putting the dog in danger. Which it looks like you do know what you're doing since you were quick to reply and defend yourself- and that's great !! But please do not put yourself down like that because you definitely do know what you're doing- at least somewhat! Please do not get angry with me for being concerned over yours and your pup's safety. ♡

I don't know who keeps upvoting you but both please leave my chat

Also I worded it proudly. They went five hours prior, I was only asleep for like a minute