7 weeks until I get my doodle!

[Liz Proudfoot]

Hi all! I'm so happy to be apart of doodle kisses! I have been a silent observer for a while but decided it was time to join! I found out yesterday my f1b  doodle was born last week and will be ready in 7 short weeks! Any advice of what my husband and I should be doing these next few weeks in anticipation of the new pup?

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Liiz ~  Looking forward to seeing homecoming photos of your new little doodle.  When you get a chance be sure to check out the groups section on the main page and join as many a you like.  Many new puppy owners join the Grooming group, Food Group, and Puppy Madness.  There is also a very active photography group and over 300 other groups.  Jump right in - there is something for everyone. Welcome to doodle Kisses!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hi Liz! My first thought was : Getting plenty of sleep! ;). Congrats and the next 7 weeks will fly by. Have you decided on a food yet? Crate? Toys? A Vet you know and trust? Maybe a set of potty bells? Get out the ole credit card! :)

[Sarah Kuiper]

potty bells?

[SoSa]

My advice, stock up on wine or tea or whatever you'll need calm your nerves. ;-) I am going to be honest, the first couple of weeks will probably SUCK!!! As Ro said, get plenty of rest, because you will need a ton of energy and then some once puppy comes home. You should also be practicing patience because you'll need a ton of that too. I would recommend to have your crate ready, nature's miracle on hand (for accidents), training snacks readily available, something like an A&D/first aid ointment for your hands from all of the biting and nipping...

...I would also recommend one of those long tie our cords so that you can tether your puppy in your house. This is good to have so that you can give him a little room to roam, but keep him nearby to make sure he does not have an accident. I tether my puppy right near the sliding glass doors we use to take him out to potty. He has enough length to go knock on the door when he needs to go out. Baby wipes. We always wipe him after he goes potty and we keep a stack of old towels near the door do that we can dry him off when he comes in (we live in the Pacific NW).

Be ready for a lot of trial and error with puppy supplies. Half of the stuff I bought before puppy came home, we don't use. It'll be a learning experience and you'll find lots of advice here.

Good luck. :-)

[Liz Proudfoot]

I just made a list of all your suggestions! Thanks so much!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Exciting times. Yes lots of sleep is a good idea! 

[sandy]

Hi Liz!

I am so excited for you!  What color & sex will you new doodle be? 

Listen to everything Sosa said!  We tried a pen thinking it would give more room than the crate but our puppy did not like it!  After a few nights in the crate he really grew to love it!  For the first few weeks we put the crate next to the bed on a chair so that if he felt uneasy or needed to go out it was easy!  After just 2 weeks he was sleeping through the night.  Sometimes if he fussed I would open the crate and just pet him a bit and he would calm down and go back to sleep.  

Do get rested up and all house chores done!  I felt I was washing laundry nonstop!  

Do you have some time to spend with the new puppy?  

Please post pics as soon as you can!

Sandy

[Liz Proudfoot]

We are getting an Male Apricot F1b (still thinking of possible names).

I'm a teacher so I will have the whole summer off to help acclimate him! Which is why we chose a litter at the beginning of the summer. Lots of time for training and getting used to a schedule :)

[Liz Proudfoot]

Adorable!!!!

[Sarah Kuiper]

too cute! 

[Sarah Kuiper]

I am a teacher as well and I had the exact same thinking! I do worry about transitioning him from having me around full time to going back to school though 

[Sarah Kuiper]

My pup was born on the 27th so i'm preparing with you!!! So exciting!