Hello,
My wife is incredibly struggling with the new puppy we got roughly 4 weeks ago. It is important to say that she also suffers from OCD.
This has brought on a lot of anxiety which has made home feel like torture to be here. There isn't a particular thing about the puppy that is causing it that I know of but some things she has said are the noise of the whine and bark they make, the responsibility that comes with the dog (I have taken on all duties and training to try to relieve any pressure) and worry that the dog will have separation anxiety.
She has a therapist that she has seen twice over the past couple of weeks and yesterday she advised my wife to start on anti-depressants but due to a really bad experience on them about 4 years ago she does not want to take them which I completely understand.
The problem is that she is now avoiding the situation and has 2 days last week stayed at her mums and 2 days (today being the second so could end up being more) .
I feel incredibly stuck right now and I just don't know how to help her move forward from this. It will of course be upsetting to see the dog be rehomed but we cannot have the situation where she isn't living in the same house as me and my son.
This brings another issue that she isn't comfortable rehoming the dog and trying to get any answers is hard as her mind is so clouded.
I would really appreciate any advice from anyone as I am struggling.
Thank you,
Matt