Not sure what`s for the best!

Belle is now 4 months old and doing great in many ways but she is putting a real strain on family life.

We got her to add to our 6 year old border terrier and the decision did`nt come lightly, problem is my
wife and I`s job`s have evolved.........she mainly works at home but has been asked more and more to travel
and teach for her job......I work away monday nights and am back tuesday and then work at home / go
out places during the week again the demand is becoming more.

For example today I got back early at 3pm - my wife was working so Belle was in the crate having been out at 1pm.......she was going mad, I let here out where she was fussing then started to play fight hard with out other dog to the point of biting her paws. I fed her, then walked them both for 45mins, she came back in the house to want to fight again and wee all over the place. She is now back in here crate as we could`nt eat our tea without her jumping on the couch........we are having one of those days where we are not sure if she is just too much for us long term as we are very tired!

Puppies are like have children hence why I would only rescue an older dog, usually when you have a pup you take a few weeks off to settle them, stimulate, train them, do you have any of this in place?

Have you considered puppy day care? There are ones that have qualified trainers and they also get to interact with other dogs.

If you think it is going to be too much then contact the breeder who will re-home.

These things take time and a lot of patience Xx

I've not had anything to do with puppies for a very long time.

I think the day care solution sounds great and even better with training too.

It's always a challenge to settle any dog into a new home and the key really is patience and love.

Day care sounds like a great idea, I'm sure you just having a bad day, don't give up on her xx

As above try and stick with it and explore some options   

Things hopefully will settle down, i am away from Jed 3 times a week for 4--5 hours he is put in the laundry/bathroom area and has lots of pent up energy when i get home, getting used to a new routine can take time   

I think that's quite normal puppy behaviour to be honest whether she's being crated for a few hours or not. Staffies are full time dogs and need lots of exercise and training, but when that time has been put in things do ease a little and they're wonderful dogs to keep I think the puppy stage is hard for anyone, just look through some of the threads in this section, everyone has had enough at some point lol! I've always rescued adult dogs but I have taken in a few puppies on a fostering basis and they're hard work, I'd have an adult with problems than go through the puppy stage any day! However, don't take this the wrong way, but it's kind of a choice you made when you took the puppy home. We're all here to give tips and advice, there are lots of puppy experienced people on the forum that can tell you the best ways to settle them and keep them occupied.

Was the 45 minute walk on lead or off lead? That's quite a long walk for a 4 month old puppy, she might even be over tired? Walks should generally be 5 minutes for every month if on lead. If off lead it's not so hard on their joints. What food is she eating also? May be affecting her energy levels

Belle is now 4 months old and doing great in many ways but she is putting a real strain on family life.

She is your family too

Puppies need lots of patience and effort. The excitement she showed when you walked through the door at 3pm is just that excitement, she's happy to see you. I had my boy from 8 weeks old and the puppy stage was hard work but don't wish it away because they grow up so quickly, try to enjoy it.

Don't give up on her yet, sure its tough but the rewards are tenfold.

Thanks for the comments, we are trying not to give up on her, i`ll hold my hands up and say I was a little naive about the amount of time she would take up as I have only known our other dog from 2 years old.

She is eating naturediet puppy/junior but does`nt like it that much, she will eat it, I have tried her on all sorts, Walks are on a lead - 7m flexi, I`m sure she is not over tired as in the house she is fighting / playing and generally looking for mischief!

Being over-tired can mean they do run around and play and get into mischief, you'd be surprised My mum had to literally put her dog into his crate when he was very little just to make sure he went to sleep, he would be wide-awake causing chaos but the minute she put him the crate and walked away he'd be fast asleep. They don't know when to stop when they are that age

As for food, I'm not sure about nature diet, i've never used it but we used to give Axl the James Welbeloved puppy food when he was little and he used to love it, also you could mix in a little meat or fish to help, oh and a little cheese spinkled over the top does wonders! (only a tiny bit though as i'm not sure what effect that would have on her tummy as she's so little).

Millie is 5 months and has so much energy, try using a kong and freezing some of puppy food in it, will keep her occupied for a good while, freezing some natural yoghurt in it as well is good. she will grow out of this stage, millie is hard work a lot of the time but i wouldnt change her for the world, i know she will grow out of it shes just a puppy