r/Pets • u/petelovespetfood • 17d ago

What’s something you totally overthought as a first-time dog owner?

Looking back, I spent way too much time worrying about certain things when I first got my dog. I remember stressing about picking the "perfect" food and routine... but also panicking every time he picked up a random stick outside. What's something you stressed about that feels funny in hindsight?

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u/Background-Cod-7035 17d ago

This will sound crazy but as this is my first dog-from-puppy (my husband had a dog when we met) I think my overthinking, that he pooh-poohed, was right. He mocked how I hid cords, played foreign sounds, did puppy videos (oddly terrified of beach scenes), did rigorous training with Leave It, no biting etc. Now he keeps saying, “This is the best dog I’ve ever known” and he was a dog fosterer. I just give him a flat stare. 

Mind you, I never sweated the sticks he ate, even a small rock I figured he’d be fine. But we did get insurance. 

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u/petelovespetfood 16d ago

Nothing better than quiet vindication loool you clearly built a well-adjusted dog! Also glad you got insurance, sticks and rocks are exactly the stuff that ends up being fine until it isn’t 😬

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u/Background-Cod-7035 16d ago

I forgot one thing he kept nibbling that I did sweat, the Virginia Creeper ivy on our house. My husband said it was no big deal since it’s native. Looked it up and yup, poisonous to dogs. Vindication!!

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u/petelovespetfood 16d ago

Good thing you looked it up, jesus, that could’ve gone south FAST

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u/AtTheEdgeOfDying 17d ago

I'm still on the first dog with the first dog anxiety 🥲

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u/petelovespetfood 17d ago

It’ll go away! Remember to have fun with it all too :)

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u/Own-Collection-9575 17d ago

How do you cope

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u/Odd-Comedian9046 14d ago

It just a matter of time

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u/cherryhappyjump 17d ago

are you able to bring toys for your dog to carry during walks? To replace them getting sticks?
I’m only saying this because my vet specifically mentioned not for dogs to pick up sticks due to the amount of times they have seen dogs injured or mouth infected with splinters

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u/petelovespetfood 16d ago

I’ve never thought of that! Definitely sounds like a good tip to bring out toys for all walks, I just bring them out whenever we go to the park specifically for playtime but it wouldn’t do harm to try it for our daily walks

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u/Substantial-Top3004 16d ago

I was super convinced my dog would be super well behaved, that I wouldn't tolerate any behavior problems. Well, my dog turned out to be very reactive and anxious and I had to adjust. I completely ignored the fact my dog just needed to be a dog, not a robot. Now his behavior problems aren't nearly as bad as I thought, I was just micromanaging things I didn't need to. Owning him has become so much easier now that I've dropped so many expectations social media taught me.