I’m pregnant, have a young child, and we got a puppy recently that has honestly become overwhelming. I’ve done most of the training and care, but the puppy’s biting has gotten worse and she’s especially rough with my child.
The bigger issue is my partner’s reaction to her behavior. He believes in harsher punishment-based corrections for biting and accidents, and it’s making her fearful/anxious. She now seems genuinely scared of him at times. She shakes, lowers herself to the ground, runs to her crate terrified when he raises his voice, and yelps or submissive pees when she’s scared. My child has even started copying the behavior and saying “she hurt me so I hurt her.” I havent seen him do these things to her but I hear it from another room. Its sickening honestly. I dont like animals being hurt.
I feel constantly stressed and worried this environment is creating an anxious/reactive dog. I’ve suggested training or rehoming because I’m overwhelmed, especially with a baby on the way, but my partner refuses.
I love the dog, but the whole situation feels unhealthy and I don’t know what to do.