Puppies vs. Babies

In case you hadn't heard, we got a puppy.

Her name is Willow, and she is just as cute and sweet as can be.

In preparation for this puppy, I read lots of books.

I also watched a few Dog Whisperer episodes.

(I am totally prepared to be a pack leader now!)

I feel like I was as prepared as I could be for the puppy-years.

I tried to see it as having a baby, and since I have had 2 of those, I figured it couldn't be nearly as bad as having a newborn in the house.

One of the reasons I was ready to get a puppy is because we won't be having any more babies.  I would totally have another one, but my husband is done with babies.  

The puppy is my substitute baby.

So here is my comparison between puppies and babies:

Babies and puppies both need a LOT of sleep.  Getting them to sleep is very different. My first born was VERY difficult to get to sleep.  My second was a piece of cake.  Willow was sometimes easy, sometimes not.  Our kennel didn't arrive until 3 days after we picked her up.  For the first night, we put her in a large storage container with tall sides that she couldn't jump over.  We placed it in our room so we could hear when she needed to go out and to comfort her when needed.  She did pretty well, but neither Rocky nor I could sleep well (much like when we tried to have the newborns sleep in our room).  The next night, we moved the storage container to the kitchen (which is completely tiled and we can easily close it off).  However, she had figured out how to jump out of the container (yes, in just one day).  We had to just leave her with free reign in the kitchen.  Rocky and I slept great, but there was a nice puddle of pee for me to clean up in the morning.  I was so relieved when the crate finally came and thought she would love it too.  Since she hadn't had any problems with whining, so I thought we were good.  I was WRONG.  

She cried and howled and whined from 1 am until 7 am.  

All I could think was that babies give up a lot easier than puppies.  And a baby's cry is much softer than a puppy's howl.

However, the second night was perfect.  She went in at 10:30 without a sound.  I took her out at 3:30 to go to the bathroom, and she went right back in.  We got her up again around 7 to go out again, and for breakfast, after which she headed straight back into her crate (I tried to get her to go for a walk with me to take Caden to school, but she refused).

So, I guess that puppies learn faster than babies.

With the potty training, it is kind of stressful.  

With babies, diapers make it easy.  No accidents (although they do have occasional blow out).

With Willow, I have to be vigilant at all times.  And this just puts me on edge.  I hate feeling on edge, and I know my family does too, because I take it out on them.  So I guess I prefer changing baby diapers than following my puppy around constantly.  Although, since puppies learn pretty quickly, I am hoping this watchful phase will be over in a few months (or maybe less).

I also think that since this is my first puppy, I am a little overboard, much like I was with my first child.  I was so much more relaxed with my second.  So perhaps I would be more relaxed in the future with another puppy (not that I am planning on getting another one).  

No matter how much trouble Willow may be at times, she is still adorable and just as sweet as she can be.  She does love attacking my shoes (especially my Uggs), and as much as I don't want her chewing them, there is just something endearing about her as she parades around carrying a boot that is larger than herself.

The kids love her too.  

I will post pictures when I have more time.