Barkley is HOME :) Third Night Update on page 6

[Alli and Barkley]

OMD no one told me how quickly I would fall head over heals for my new puppy.  We love him like crazy :)  He did amazing on the hour car ride home- slept half the time, whined a tiny bit, gazed happily out the window.  Once getting home he went potty outside, then explored the house.  Within fifteen minutes we gave him some food, and he ate about half.   Played a little, back outside, potty again (WAHOO), repeat.  

 

He is already going up and down stairs (three steps off our porch)- should I be worried?  He seems so young to do that.  He was hesitant when we went outside, and I was about to pick him up to carry him down but, he did it on his own.  

 

He hates his leash- likes to bite it constantly when outside.  I just take it out of his mouth and redirect him.  Hopefully he will start to ignore it soon

 

He loves to be around people, especially my 5 yr old- if Jackson is out of Barkley's sight he whines for him.  

 

Enough of that- here are a few pics.  I'll be back for more if I get time to breathe :)

 

Completely sleeping on Jackson.  "Mom, can you move him a bit, I want to get up."  Ten minutes later... "Mooooooooooooooom, I need to get up"

 

[Alli and Barkley]

LOL  I swear- his routine is eat, sleep, out.....play, out, sleep....over and over and over again.  I wish I could sleep as much as him :)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Alli - puppies are just like babies - eat, poop, sleep!  It sounds like he is doing well with the potty training and sleeping good.  He'll sleep through the night soon!  More pictures please.

[Gayle Miller]

What a good little boy!  He seems to know who his new "mommy" is now!  Sleeping back in the crate so nicely!  Can't BELIEVE he was wimpering to be let out at 6 before eating!!  Unbelievable!  Hope I can do as well with my new pup!  Just curious....approximately how long does he sleep after playing, pooping, and peeing during the day?  I'm thinking that's when I'd try to run my errands!

[Sharon & Monty]

That is one happy boy and his dog.  Wishing you many years of happy times with your new puppy.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This is all great to hear and your updates are very enlightening.  I am getting myself prepared (in my head)  so all this is so useful.  Sounds like you're doing great so far and you have one gorgeous Puppy who is behaving in totally normal like fashion. I do remember that they sleep loads when they are that young.  Just like any baby, I guess! Look forward to tomorrows update.

[Connie & Bocelli]

I'm with Nicky on this as I'm going to be bringing my doodle home on May 28th.  I'm getting prepared too and all of these tidbits of information are helping me to know what to expect and how to handle things. 

I am sure even with less sleep than you are used to, having that precious puppy in your arms makes up for it!

Keep the updates coming....

[Alli and Barkley]

Yes!  We love him to death, and he loves to be near/on top of us.  I am trying my hardest to remove him from lap when he tries to sit on me so that he doesn't get used to it.  I wouldn't mind now, but when he is 70 lbs, thats a whole other story.  

 

The potty training is going way too well.  Maybe its because we have restricted him to only a few rooms in the house so we literally can always see him.  We close the doors to the main first floor rooms besides our bedroom, hallway and kitchen.  As he gets older, and more reliable we will let him in the living room- which we have blocked off with baby gates.  I thought it would be a lot more annoying to have to take him out so much, but its actually not bad at all.  

[Gayle Miller]

After reading your routine, Ali, I was laughing and reading it to my husband....and said, we're mentally ready for this, right?  He just had this huge smile on his face....the tranquility of our home (sons grown and on own) will be in for quite a change....but I really can't wait!!  You're doing great....keep us posted as the days tick by!

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Alli...

It sounds like  you're doing a Geat job with Barlkey...and he's thriving!!

Sleeping...Eating...Pooping...Cuddling and wanting to be on top of you and toucing you At All Times!!

Yes...that's what it's all about...

Don't worry about Barkley being 70lbls and still wanting to be toucing you and being on top of you!!

Sasha is at least 75lbs. (getting ready for a well visit to the vet and will see what the count is) and...she still wants to be close to us...touching us...on top of us...etc...And I Love...Love...Love It!!

It started at Barkleys age and hasn't changed since...

As far as sleeping...Yes...they sleep...A Lot!!

After all...they are growing!!  Lol...

And grow they will...very fast during this first year!

It's just Wonderful when they learn to sleep through the night...and that will happen rather quickly!

I just love reading the updates on your adorable Barkley...

Keep up the good work...You are a Great Doodle Mom...have wonderful help from your DF...and Barkley is a Great Doodle!!

 

[Heather and Rocky]

I love the updates!  Let's me know what to expect should we do this one day.... lol.  Keep it up!!  Barkley is precious!!  I'm glad your second night went so great!!

[Alli and Barkley]

Hi all!  Sorry for the lack of pictures- busy busy busy puppy/human mommy.  Barkley rocks.  He whined a bit more last night- woke us up at 11pm (went to bed around 9pm), then 2:30am then 6am!  Not so bad.  The best part is that when we take him out he goes potty in like 4 minutes and comes right back in.  I think its because when we take him out IF he goes potty within ten minutes we stay outside and play for a while.  If no potty, then we go right back in the house.  He LOVES the outside.  He rolls in the grass, tries to find sticks/leaves to eat, plays with the kids.  Hubby and Jackson were playing soccer outside and Barkley literally stalked the ball, then jumped on top of it and didn't want to give it back :)

 

What else?  OH he learned sit.  I am now making him sit by the front door before taking him out, and making him sit before coming back in.  It helps him learn that the kids and myself get to come back inside first.

 

He isn't too food motivated yet.  He prefers praise to treats- I read that we should treat him right after he goes potty, but Barkley still looks at me like I am crazy when I try to treat him outside. No worries though- he hasn't had an accident in the house since the one and only time on the first day

 

Barkley thinks my kids, especially my 2 yr old daughter are part of his littermates I think.  He loves to try and show them that he is the boss by running up to them and trying to nip their pants.  Jackson has learned to either shove a toy in his mouth or to stand, turn his back and cross his arms.  Gabriella on the other hand just shrieks and I lift her higher so Barkley understands that she is his boss too.  Not that it matters to Barkley yet- Gabriella will come sit on my lap, and Barkley follows- pushing up next to Gabriella to kick her off my lap so he can sit down (funny since we don't let him on our laps)

 

I thought it would be harder to care for the puppy and the kids at the same time.  Maybe I just really lucked out.  I know that prepping the house before he arrived has helped tremendously.  There is nothing left out for him to get into, and the kids know to not leave their things laying around Barkley's area of the house. 

 

I washed his food bowl with dish soap- probably really silly of me, because now he won't eat out of it- I have to pour his food from the bowl to the food mat- bad habit forming I am sure.  So, if I shouldn't wash the bowl with soap do you just use water to clean it?

 

I promise to try to respond more to individual comments soon!

 

Really got annoyed with the camera- I should post the one where is nose is pressed right up against the lens

Also- I think I may just start a blog on here for updates so that I don't keep bumping this thread up.  Will let you know when i do :)

 

[Lindsey]

Oh, he is way too cute!!!
How awesome that he is housetraining so quickly for you!!!
We worked with our Molly on making her sit and wait while we went in the house first, but my gosh-now at 4 months old, she is being a punk and rushing past us-However, it is very important and good that you're already teaching him that!!
Keep updating, I missed the puppy puppy stage with my girl...we got her at 3months, so I'm living through you!