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?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Congratulations!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Oh that's so excited! I will be bringing home my second doodle at the end of April so I feel your excitement! I would be prepared to be very patient and have plenty of chew toys! When I brought Loki, my first doodle, home I had a few chewy toys but this corner of one chair of mine became quick victim to puppy boredom! Oops could have been worse :) good luck and have fun I'm so excited to see picture of them!

[Liz Proudfoot]

Any suggestions on what kind he liked best as a pup? I want to go ahead and have some ready!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Loki is a chewer so pretty much anything but his favorites were a Kong with a tiny bit of peanut butter, a Wubba- it's by Kong, tennis balls were always a huge hit, stuffed toys and nylabones. I had to supervise him with the stuffed toys so he didn't eat them but that's what the breeder said the litter of puppies played with the most together so I tried to mimic what she had for them. I think the kong products lasted him the longest too which is a plus!

[Jenny and Cooper]

Hi Liz!

Congratulations! I am also fairly new here. I would like to post more often but just can't seem to find the time. I was in your shoes once, and I'd like to tell you how my experience has been so far.

First of all, believe the experienced ladies here who said the first few weeks will be very hard. I was once a browser for many months but somehow I missed all the posts about life being miserable the first few weeks. Lol. Either that or I was in denial because I truly dearly couldn't wait to get a hold of my cute looking doodle. Fortunately my misery period only lasted about 2 weeks. It wasn't all because of lack of sleep. I was depressed mainly because I once had freedom and now I don't. So prepare yourself for that. I wanted to give Cooper up, but everyone said to hold on a little longer. I did, and I am almost ready to say "I'm glad I stuck on!" :)

Sorry to ramble on. Another thing is find a designated potty area. We made a gravel potty area on the side of our yard and it truly paid off. Cooper knows to do his business there. Also, what truly helped my sanity was to keep track of ALL his potty time (both pee and poo). I wrote it down on a piece of paper and would kind of compare it from day to day, so I know when it's coming. Be very consistent and don't feel bad to crate him often the first week or two while you are training him. It will be all worth it!

We kept Cooper in our bedroom for the first three nights. After that he stayed downstairs. He was perfectly fine with the change. Something you might want to consider.

I am on Doggy Dan training videos. It has been only three days but we see a difference already. I highly recommend it.

Oh and expect your puppy to be naughty just like a little toddler. Lol. I had thought they all came "perfect & cute". Lol. They are learning and so are we. So we must have patience with each other.

That's all for now. Best wishes and good luck! You'll be fine with all these wonderful doodle ladies' advices! :)

Jenny
Cooper - 12 week old

[Liz Proudfoot]

Thanks for the advice! I definitely have nerves about the first few weeks. I'm not so much worried about the lack of sleep...I'm worried about the lack of patience that comes with lack of sleep. I've been reading books and watching videos about training so I will definitely have to try the Doggy Dan videos. I want to try and be as prepared for this as possible! I'm also thinking of having his crate downstairs. I think it will be easier to get him outside at night for potty breaks if he doesn't have to go down stairs.

[sandy]

I do recommend that the first few nights you keep the crate near the bed. We tried having him outside our room the first 2 nights and our little guy couldn't take it.  When we moved him into the room he calmed down a lot.  It is really a lot for a little puppy to deal with and being alone all night is hard.  

[Sarah Kuiper]

I was planning on doing this but the hubby is really hesitant to the idea :( He's worried about 'accident' smells in our room because it's carpet up there and he's really sensitive to it. 

Hopefully i can convince him!

[sandy]

We put the crate on a bar stool next to my side of the bed.  That way if he got fussy I would just reach my hand in and give him some attention and he would calm down.  We only had to take him outside at night to pee just a handful of times.   My husband was against it at first too but it really is best for the puppy.  After a week or two we moved him into the next room and he was fine.  

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

The first few nights are the worst for the pup. Think about it....you have just removed him from his Mom and siblings, and the only place he has ever known. At night, when everything has settled is when he will feel the separation the most. Putting the crate right next to your bed...hand dangling down near the grate door...he will be able to smell your scent and know you are near. It will help alleviate a lot of crying and whining. Putting him in a completely separate room all alone, will only heighten the crying.
I also recommend you bringing along a few towels when you pick him up. Rub down mom and siblings with the towels. This way, when he is in his crate, the scent of his mom and littermates will bring some comfort to him. Making the transition easier on you all.

[Liz Proudfoot]

Great advice! Thanks!!

[sandy]

Do you have pics of your little puppy?  I love it when the breeders post weekly photos!  

I also highly recommend taking your puppy out for walks as soon as you can.  We did this with Finn and he really is wonderful with people.  He expects people to come and say hi to him!  Just make sure he doesn't interact with other dogs.  When they are small it is easy to just pick them up and walk past the other dogs.