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Blues Clues Continued: What are the Puppy Blues?

We hope that everyone in our loving Habibi Bear Tribe family had a wonderful holiday celebration and we are so thankful to have you in our experience. It is amazing the sense of solidarity and fellowship that we all share in our love for these amazing little Habibi Bear puppies, the Original Teddy Bear dogs. In our mission to bring more joy and love into the world, we are committed to helping further the education of puppy parents at every turn. Today we will continue with the topic of the Puppy Blues, the subject of the last two blog posts  (Preparing for puppy and Realistic expectations).

The puppy blues are a set of symptoms that can be temporary but occur when a new puppy is brought into the household when we aren’t prepared in our homes for puppy and the physical or educational realities of what care for a puppy entails. 

Symptoms can include but are not limited to:

  1. Anxiety
  2. Anger
  3. Regret
  4. Hopelessness
  5. Guilt
  6. Dismay
  7. Weepiness
  8. Overwhelm
  9. Frustration
  10. Sleeplessness

In the more extreme cases, some people may experience a lack of bonding with their Habibi Bear puppy, or a lack of connection that never gets firmly established. 

Despite the direness of the Puppy Blues phenomena, there is extremely good news in that it is a relatively short experience of discomfort that normally lasts for only three weeks in the longest of cases. In other words, it takes about four weeks for new habits and routines to be established in order for everyone, puppy parents and Habibi Bear pups alike, to settle in, get comfortable and acclimate to their new life together.

If you experience symptoms of the puppy blues, here are some of our recommendations to alleviate your stress:

  1. Make use of your crate and enforce regular nap times.
  2. Create dog zones and enforce physical boundaries.
  3. Journal and chart puppy’s progress.
  4. Use a sitter or trainer to help with your physical overload.
  5. Find community support, either in person or online.
  6. Adjust your expectations for your puppy.
  7. Increase your mindfulness practices.
  8. Remember puppydom is a temporary phase.

Time passes quickly and it is helpful to remember that your Habibi Bear puppy will be changing, growing and learning daily. Sooner rather than later, your Habibi Bear pup will be a full grown dog and their puppy days will become a cherished memory. In the meantime, remember to reach out to us for more tips and advice on how to weather the occasional rough waters of puppyhood. We are always her for you, cheering you on!

#143 Know Your Boo 2: Avoid Voice Triggers

In the previous article (Know Your Boo, Jan 2024), we spoke about avoiding triggers with your Habibi Bear dog, leading them to possible overstimulation. Triggers are stimuli that can provoke anxiety or stress in your pup; things like doorbells, garbage trucks or sirens. However, I bet you didn’t know that even your best intentions can sometimes trigger nervous behavior in your Habibi Bear puppy! Let me explain.

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I’m Julie

The creator of the Habibi Bear. Developed exclusively to provide support for children with Autism & special needs.  I was inspired by my students and wanted to assist them by raising a dog that can be their voice and help them navigate their world. Over the years, this vision has expanded as I now serve people of all ages with my Habibi Method Program, as a Puppy Parenting Coach!