Hi, I am posting another topic here.....I am new at this!

I have abeautiful 12 week old GSP. We have planned this for a year and have had her for 2 weeks. We have a three year old son who is growing to love the puppy. I am as well. the rpoblem is my husband who basically cannot stand having the dog arpund, and having the added responsibility and stress. e grew up with a GSP and loved her dearly. He gets teary eyed just talking about his old buddy.

We are working on basic training. the puppy is doing OK. Still has housetraining issues, working on walking ona leash without pulling, adn some around the house manners, as well. I have to say she is really a great puppy, but it is work, as everyone has ever  warned us. My husband doesn't want to keep her, however. He is very stressed with work right now and wants to quit his job, sell the house, and give the dog back. I am trying to tell hin that it will get better, with the dog and it will be  a fun learning experience for the family. He isn't very nice to the dog in general, and is very irritated by her. Can someone give me some advice, like how long until we can sit back and enjoy her hanging around without having to be at her side ever second making sure she stays off the furniture and doesn't pee and poop in the house?  And how long until we can leave her in the house for a day while we are away, occassionally? What is a general timeline? My husband feels like it's not worth it but I feel that with the proper training and outdoor exercise it will be no time that our dog will be easy to be around. I know every dog is different, so I am asking what can I generally expect? I want to keep her, bt want my husband to be sane during this experience.

THANKS!!!!

Unfortuantely this isn't an immediate solution as your puppy is still so young, but have you considered sending your girl to a professional trainer? 

We have just finished an eight week obedience class with our boy (which I would highly recommend), and will now be sending him to field "boot camp" for 4-6 weeks this fall--and again next spring.

I can only speak to my own experience, but a professional trainer will be able to accomplish in a month or two what it would take my husband and I a year to achieve.  And not only would your puppy come back having accomplished some basic obedience skills which will make her easier to live with, but the time away will give your husband a much needed break from the puppy chaos.

If you're interested in pursuing this, let us know where you're from.  The group on this board will definitely be able to make some recommendations.

Good luck!  I hope everything works out for you and your girl!

Ok, well to keep it short and simple. Your husband is either going to have to get on board or your going to sink. Work stress is a tough subject and if he really can't handle the new pup you could potentially have a big problem and if it being a puppy doesn't help the bond... In simple terms... your screwed.=] HOWEVER. IT WILL GET BETTER FROM HERE. Unfortunately there is no time line on when your dog will be house trained. It really depends on these four factors.

1. YOUR consistency in training.
2. YOUR effort to keep the dog exercised and content.
3. The amount of time YOU spend on training.
4. YOUR dogs personality.

Basically the thing is going to be a puppy for the next couple of years.(puppy as in over excited, over energetic, over ready to go)But, If you take the potty training process in the right direction. Properly RE DIRECT her habits you do not like. Such as, a bone when shes chewing on something bad. A nice bed when shes on your furniture. With firm but kind corrections added in. She will catch on to the basics in no time. However is shes a stubborn little .... she might take a little longer to catch on. I would say that if you do everything right. She should be pretty close to good all around house manner in about a month or 4 months old. But expect the rare accident. Whether that be jumping on the sofa or relieving herself.

Just tell your husband how cool the dog would make him look. Showing off to all his friends how good of a hunter she is. And that this one will help the old problems resolve them self. Plus there great stress relievers. No matter how hard you throw that damn ball they always bring the sucker back,, =]

Good Luck!

I'm not sure if that was a compliment or a put down.. but I am going to go with compliment. And thank you!

P.s. I would say Im probably the youngest on this board. But shh. Some people dont like it.