Pets✓ Follow-up at 6 weeks1,980 views
I just got my first pet and I'm overwhelmed
A first-time pet owner survival guide covering essential care, routine building, common mistakes, and adjusting to life with a new animal companion.
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Follow-Up Result
6 weeks laterSettled into a routine and genuinely enjoying pet ownership after the initial adjustment
The Problem
I adopted a dog last week and I'm panicking. They need to be walked, fed, trained, groomed, and entertained constantly. I can't leave the house without worrying, my apartment smells different, and I haven't slept through the night since they arrived. I wanted a companion but I feel like I've taken on a full-time job. I love them already but I'm questioning whether I made a mistake.
The Plan
Week 1-2: Establish a Routine
The first 2 weeks are the hardest — it gets dramatically easier once you both settle into a routine
Create a simple daily schedule: morning walk, breakfast, midday potty break, afternoon walk, dinner, evening play, bedtime
Puppy-proof or dog-proof your space: put away shoes, secure trash cans, block off areas you don't want them in
Find a vet and schedule a wellness check within the first week
"Puppy blues" are real — feeling overwhelmed, regretful, or anxious after getting a new pet is incredibly common and it passes
Week 3-4: Build Confidence
Start basic training immediately: sit, stay, come, leave it. Short sessions (5-10 minutes) with treats. It builds communication and bond
Socialize them gradually: introduce new people, places, and experiences one at a time
Find your support system: a trusted vet, a local dog park community, online forums
Accept that accidents, chewed items, and sleepless nights are temporary — they're learning and so are you
Take photos and enjoy the puppy/new pet phase — it goes fast and you'll miss it
Resources
Your veterinarian — establish care early
"The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete — comprehensive new dog guide
r/puppy101 — incredibly supportive community for new dog owners
Rover or Wag — dog walking and sitting services for when you need a break
Follow-Up Result
6 weeks in: the first 2 weeks were genuinely hard — I cried twice and googled "is it normal to regret getting a dog." It is, and it passes. By week 3, we had a routine and everything clicked. Morning walk at 7am, breakfast, I work while she naps, afternoon walk, evening play. She learned sit, stay, and come in the first month. The bond is incredible — she greets me at the door like I'm the best thing that ever happened, and honestly, she might be the best thing that happened to me. The puppy blues were real but temporary. Every new pet owner should know: the first 2 weeks are not representative of what pet ownership is actually like.Know someone with this problem?
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