The Challenges and Rewards of Living with a Puppy

There is no doubt that puppyhood is a challenging time. But with patience and plenty of love, the rewards are limitless. I’m currently in the thick of it as I am raising a 10-week-old Golden Retriever puppy, and I want to share some of puppy life’s challenges and rewards. So if you’re considering getting a puppy or have one already, this post is for you!

Note: The primary photograph (above) of Bear and I was taken just as we were preparing to leave Argus Golden Retrievers. Notice that I look well-rested.

One of the biggest challenges of puppyhood is potty training. Puppies have tiny bladders that need to go often, so you must be vigilant about taking them out frequently (approximately every 20-30 minutes). It takes patience and consistency, but eventually, they will catch on. The rewards of a trained puppy are obvious – no more accidents in the house!

We have a temporary gated area to bring focus on going potty.
Mom and Dad always come out with me and say silly things but then cheer when I go to the bathroom. They're weird.

Another big challenge with puppies is their boundless energy. Puppies are like little balls of fire and never seem to tire. It can be exhausting for humans, but finding ways to outlets for their energy is essential. Whether playing a modified version of fetch in the backyard or a game in the house, it’s essential to wear them out physically so they can relax. The reward for a puppy with less energy is a calmer, happier puppy (and puppy parent!).

I want to play the game that Summer is playing.
I have lots of toys, but chasing a Lock-in-Lock bowl was so much fun!
Like a new human baby, you take naps when possible!

Note: Puppies cannot go for walks in the park or any other area that other dogs frequent until they have completed their vaccinations at 16 weeks.

Note: Golden Retriever puppies do not handle being left alone well. They want to be with you. I have heard golden retrievers referred to as the velcro dog.

I have to ride in the stroller until I have all of my vaccinations. I wonder what vaccinations are?
I want to be with mom and dad and Teddy all the time.

I will share more on puppy parenting in my next blog post, so stay tuned.

Puppyhood is not easy, but the rewards are so worth it. So, if you’re up for the challenge, I say go for it! You won’t regret it. Thanks for reading, and I hope this post was helpful. Leave me a comment if you have any questions or want to share your puppy experiences.

© 2019 I Don’t Know All The Answers, Nikki Mastro
All of my photographs documents are Copyrighted.

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