Challenged Accepted?

Bringing a new dog home presents many challenges, and Penny is a 55 lb challenge. After the first night with her, I was terrified. She had already bit my smallest dog and seemed almost uncontrollable. My anxiety thrummed throughout my body; my heart raced all through the night. All I could think was, "What the fuck did I get myself into?"

I'm a teacher and speech team season is beginning.

Brett and I are getting ready to restart fertility treatments.

Things were so calm before.

What are we doing?

But then I see these moments with Penny, where I know she could be a really good dog with time, training, and patience. The last one I struggle with sometimes. Even on day two, she is already showing improvement as she adjusts to her new routine. She is going into her crate, and I was surprised how well she did with her first time on a gentle lead. Seriously, those things are lifesavers. I would highly recommend them for anyone with a large dog.

Is she crazy and hyper? Absolutely, but then again...she's a puppy. What did I expect?

My only concern is for my oldest and smallest dog, Baxter. He can't fight back with her, and she does seem to take no for an answer yet. However, I hope with time she will learn to leave him alone.

I have to remember I am new at this too. Moose, or our dog, is my first big dog, and Penny is my first puppy, and we didn't get to start training her when she was small. She is a 10-month-old behemoth with absolutely no manners. Of course, she is going to a psycho.

I still feel trepidation at all of this, but I hope in a few weeks, we will have a new normal and that she will be a part of it. I would hate to fail her and have to send her back to the shelter. I've never done that yet, and I don't want to start now.

So, challenge accepted?

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Ramblings of a Midwest Woman

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