Nobody Talks About How Hard the First Weeks With a Puppy Really Are

Bringing a puppy home is supposed to feel exciting.

But a lot of the time… it just feels exhausting.

Messy.
Overwhelming.
Like you’re already falling behind.

If you’ve ever looked at your new puppy and thought, “Why is this so much harder than I expected?” — you’re not alone.

In this episode, Em talks about what’s really happening underneath those first few weeks: the pressure to do everything “right,” the constant noise of advice, and the guilt that shows up when you’re just trying to keep up.

Because most of the struggle isn’t about training.

It’s about expectations.

And when you shift those expectations, everything feels lighter.

If puppyhood has felt harder than you thought it would, this conversation will help you slow down, breathe, and meet your dog where they actually are.

Free Resources & Support

Dog Nutrition Quiz

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Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.

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PetMatRx Supplements We Trust

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Email ⁠⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com⁠⁠ to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets through dog behavior, reactive dogs, dog anxiety, and real-life dog training challenges. It supports overwhelmed pet parents who want to better understand dog body language, communication, daily routines, and canine enrichment so dog life feels clearer and more manageable. Episodes focus on dog behavior while offering practical help and support, exploring common behavior patterns, and addressing real-life challenges many pet parents face — including experiences like dog barking, habits, obedience, and socialization — while also speaking to the emotional side of living with sensitive dogs and navigating lifestyle with dogs.

Hosted by a canine nutritionist, dog nutrition coach, dog trainer, and retired vet tech, the show covers canine nutrition, dog nutrition, dog food and behavior, dog gut health, training challenges, training burnout, rescue dogs, dog grief, dog enrichment ideas, dog health, and dog myths — while exploring what it looks like to build a calmer, healthier life with your dog and strengthen the dog–human bond.