Embracing Motherhood: Becoming A Dog Mom
Welcome to my (slightly chaotic, very rewarding) journey of becoming a Dog Mom. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to nurture and love a furry little creature who immediately becomes your entire personality… you’re in the right place. As a first-time Dog Mom, I’ve learned a lot — some things the hard way — and I want to share the honest ups, downs, and surprising moments that come with welcoming a pup into your life.
Choosing your fur child
Your journey into dog motherhood starts with one huge decision: choosing the pup who’s about to take over your heart, your camera roll, and let’s be honest… your whole schedule.
Ideally, this process is thoughtful. You look at your lifestyle, your routine, your apartment size, how often you’re home, how active you are, and what kind of dog would truly thrive with you. For me, I always imagined having a Pomeranian — the perfect little apartment-sized fluff ball.
Now… here’s where I admit something: the way I found my puppy is not the way I would recommend anyone else do it. Once I decided it was time to get a dog, I went from “maybe someday” to “I have a puppy” in about two weeks. I searched what felt like every website on the internet, and honestly, I couldn’t tell you how I ended up finding the pup I did.
But somehow, there I was, meeting two little Pomeranian puppies — and walking out with Taz. It was, hands down, the biggest impulse purchase of my life. But also one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
2. Raising a Pup (aka: Why Didn’t Anyone Warn Me??)
I knew puppies were work… but I did not understand how much work. Think newborn baby energy: sleepless nights, potty accidents, constant supervision, and a level of chaos I was emotionally unprepared for.
Some things you’ll want to research early on:
Socialization: Safely expose your pup to the world — people, places, textures, sounds — so they grow into a confident, well-rounded adult dog.
Positive Reinforcement: Treats, praise, rewards. If you’re a dog mom, you automatically become the CEO of snacks.
Crate Training: A cozy, den-like space helps with independence, safety, and yes… potty training.
Health & Wellness: Vaccinations, flea/tick meds, vet visits — all the glamorous stuff.
One thing that really helped me:
Because Taz was tiny, the vet recommended feeding him three times a day. I used his lunch meal as “training school.” He learned basic commands super quickly because he was focused, hungry, and eager to earn each piece of food.
Another tip:
Watch training videos for your specific breed. Understanding how Pomeranians think made the process so much easier for both of us — less frustration, more fun.
Raising a puppy is a marathon, not a sprint. Some days you’ll feel like you’re crushing it. Some days you’ll question every life choice you’ve ever made. But then they curl up on your chest… and suddenly it all feels worth it.
3. The Joys (and Realities) of Being a Dog Mom
Being a dog mom gives your life a whole new rhythm. Morning potty breaks, daily walks, meal routines, playtime, cuddles — your schedule shifts because you’re responsible for this little life now.
The biggest adjustment for me?
Realizing my world no longer revolved around me. I couldn’t stay out late just because I felt like it. I couldn’t sleep in. I couldn’t be spontaneous. My choices had to include another living being.
But here’s the part no one can prepare you for:
Their love changes you. The way they look at you. The way they greet you like you’ve been gone for 6 years, even though it’s only been 20 minutes. The comfort they give you without saying a word.
My life looks different now — but I wouldn’t trade any of it.
Being a dog mom is equal parts joy, mess, laughter, responsibility, and unconditional love. It’s losing a good pair of shoes to teething… and gaining a best friend who loves you without question.
Whether you’re already in the thick of dog motherhood or you’re thinking about taking the leap, just know you’re not alone. It’s a wild ride — but such a beautiful one.
P.S. To every new dog mom: I see you. In a year, you’ll look back and realize every exhausting moment was worth it.