I'm ruining my dogs (long, sorry)

[DaisyPie]

Today has been pure chaos! I had to take Daisy to the vet for a re-check this morning, so Turk was left in the crate. He was very good until I let him out. He came bounding out of the crate and wouldn't stop jumping on me and Daisy. That got Daisy wound up. I tried to calm them both down, but nothing was working. They were jumping on each other and me and barking alot. I was pretty ill because of the stupid vet (more on that later) and I probably made the situation worse. They were scratching me with their claws and I ended up yelling at them, which made Turk even more excited. I just couldn't handle it, so I put them both in the crates and went in another room. I know I shouldn't put them in the crates for punishment, but if I hadn't, I would have gone overboard. They went into the crates without any problem and were quiet. I let them out after ten minutes and everything was fine.

The thing is...my dogs are trained to behave better than this. I know it's my fault, I just don't have the time or patience to deal with it right now. My husband is deployed, so I have to do everything. Daisy has medical issues which means that I haven't gotten more than 5 straight hours of sleep since my husband left in June. I am stressed out, tired, and emotional all the time. I try to take the dogs to the park so they can get exercise, but I think the real reason is so they will get worn out enough to let me take a nap. I am taking things out on the dogs that are not their fault. I let them do whatever they want most of the time, then I just snap. Daisy is now in charge of the entire household. She decides when to go out, when we sleep, and I even have to hold her or put her in the crate so that Turk can eat without her attacking him. She is also on medicine for incontinence that makes her agitated, so she is constantly growling and pulling to get to other dogs when I walk her on her leash...but she's fine off-leash at the park.

The good news is that my mom is coming to visit in two weeks and we are all going back to Alabama with her for three months. I will have more time and I'm sure I'll have more patience. I am planning on taking them to doggie daycare at least one or two days a week so that I can have some "ME" time. I'm seriously considering a refresher obedience course for both of them too. I'm just trying to hold things together for two more weeks.

 

[Slobberchops]

It can be so hard to be patient when you're sleep deprived and feeling like you're losing control to your dog.Sounds like you'll be able to get what you need when you stay with your Mum for a while,the company alone will help,and doggie daycare also sounds like a great idea.
Best of luck Daisypie

 

[Indy's mom]

Hang in there, help is on the way! No doubt about it, it's tough to be patient when you are exhausted. I think you did exactly the right thing by crating them when you were at wit's end. Everybody needed the time out, time to calm down, rest a bit, nothing wrong with that. Give yourself some credit here, you are doing fine!

Five hours sleep is not enough for anyone. No doubt Turk and Daisy are both picking up on your stress level and exhaustion. So glad that you have the opportunity to run them at the dog park, so what if you are doing it to wear them out? That's a good thing! Stop beating yourself up! You need and deserve a nap and they deserve for you to have one as well. Nothing wrong with crating them for you to have rest time either, it's okay, you'll all be happier for it.

So glad your mom is going to come visit and bring you back to the States for a bit, sounds like you could use a bit of 'mothering' right now. Good for all of you. I'm sure with a bit of rest, Daisy and Turk will all get back into the swing of things. Obedience classes are always a great idea! Fun for the dogs and handler alike, whether for the first or fifth time.

I know these days are long, but know that we're thinking of you and please always come here to vent. That's what friends are for!

 

[kpowell]

I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. Sending hugs and good boxer vibes that you will get some sleep and the boxers will behave!