Fenway

[Eva and Fenway]

Hi!

 

I'm new to the forum, as well as to goldendoodle ownership (6 days and counting). I can honestly say this has been a huge blessing so far. My pup came to me much by accident - your standard story of someone who couldn't care for (didn't want to, probably) a puppy any longer. I took the chance on her as I've been planning for a doodle quite some time.

 

Fenway is quite young, only 9weeks old, and while I'm not a new dog owner, it has been quite some time. 

 

We've made some great progress on most fronts - when she came to me, she had not even heard of pottying outside, and had never seen a crate. She's adapted quite well to both - the crate is her friend, and I'm lucky enough to live near my work and to be able to come home during the day. She also has only had rare accidents in the house (always during vigorous play time) as I'm diligent with the trips outside. 

 

I have a couple of questions for the collective wisdom of the forum.. I have learned much from Google, but often find first-hand stories much more useful to me. 

 

1. I'm wondering what types of things are appropriate for a young puppy to have in her crate during the day or night.

 

2. I'm concerned slightly that she seems very attached to me. I guess I don't know what behavior to be okay with for a puppy (I've never had a dog this young) and what is worrisome since she was taken from her mother at 7 weeks. There is some degree of whining and barking when I leave a room or even her line of sight within the same room (I have an area for her). I've been doing the 'ignore' routine and this has helped dramatically. Barking and whining subsides quickly at bedtime or when I leave (I pretended to leave a few times to check), but it still happens. 

 

I'm sure I sound slightly like a worrywart, but I would much rather develop good habits and behaviors young than write something off as 'she's just a puppy', and end up with an SA dog.

[Bonnie and Kona]

You are no more a worrywart than the rest of us! DK is a wonderful place for worrywarts! There are so many people with wonderful advice here. I hope someone has good suggestions for you about your puppy. She is so cute!

[Eva and Fenway]

Thanks! I am so thrilled to have her in my life.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Fenway is adorable!  Congratulations!  When Murph was in his crate I only had his bedding in it at night and his snuggle puppy (stuffed puppy with a heartbeat and warming pad)when he first came home.  During the day I only left his crate mat and always left him with a stuffed kong.  Congrats again and welcome to DK!

[Eva and Fenway]

I just ordered my snuggle puppy tonight after reading some previous advice on this forum. I think it will help a LOT. 

 

Thank you so much!!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

It sounds like you are doing a great job! Doing all the right things. But DK will be a great help over the next few months, i wish I knew of DK when I got Cooper!

 

She was taken from her Mom pretty early, so be aware of excess nipping, this can be a big problem in pups taken too early. Some dont have any more of an issue than usual. As long as your aware of it you can nip it in the bud!

 

Kudos to you for taking Fenway in, 9 weeks is to young to be already in her 2nd forever home - who gets a puppy and then gets rid of it after just 1 week?!

[Eva and Fenway]

Thanks for the reassurance, I definitely agree this forum is a wealth of knowledge. :)

 

She did have a bit of a desire to be toothy during play, but it's pretty much under control now. If I could just keep my friends from playing with her with their hands, it would be easier! 

 

We'll be doing some puppy classes soon once she's old enough. She's really a sweetheart, and takes mild correction really well from what I know of puppies. I have no idea why she was given up. She came to me through a separate friend, but I do understand there was some type of family crisis involved (not that this is an excuse). 

[Dori & Rua]

Fenway is adorable.  Congratulations.  I just don't understand how people don't get a "puppy" and what it takes to care for one.  Fenway is so lucky you were there at the right time. 

 

I agree on the responses for what to put in a crate...at night, we put in Rua's stuffie "Blue Boy" and a towel that I had scented with her puppy momma.  During the day when we went to work, we added a kong.  You are lucky you are so close, we work 17 minutes away (NO TRAFFIC times), so at first, we were each making 1 trip home during the day. 

 

On the second concern, Rua was/is still really attached to me.  During the puppy stage, the same thing happened, unless she could be WITH me, she did the whining part only.  OMD, she did not like my to leave her site.  We had an Ex-pen set up in the living room and if dared leave her site, the sounds whining she would make.  I never, though, gave in, and I ignored her as you are ignoring Fenway.  This stage seemed to take a month or more for her to grow out of.  Rua and I spend a lot of time together when I am not working...we train, go to training classes, run errands together, etc.  When I leave the house while my DH is home, she whines and runs back and forth between the door to the garage and the front door.  We have to purposely work on that one.  Right now, that would be the failing section of the Canine Good Citizen test.  She couldn't pass being left with a friendly stranger for 3 minutes without whining and being anxious.  Having said that, though, I think it is more related to Rua being in our house and ME leaving.  When I take her to daycare (twice a week) or we go to the vet, she has no problems. At daycare, she doesn't even look back.  Last night during our "Field Trip" class through our dog training place, we went out to a little recreation area with a path (bikes, walkers, etc) and a "lake".  We rotated dogs (there were 4 of us teams) so Rua went to 3 others and we "worked" the other dogs.  Walk, sit, down, touch, etc.  I didn't look at her at all...she did OK, until the end, when I got a little farther away from her and I could hear the trainer telling the person holding her she was going through a little separation anxiety (she wasn't barking or whining, just looking for me and trying to pull away).

 

So, my advice on the second area is to make sure you leave her with others regularly so you avoid the separation issue.  Have a friend come over to your house and after she is confortable, leave the house.  Only come back in when she is calm (have them text you or signal you somehow), or if you can hear but she can't see you.

 

Good luck!  

[Eva and Fenway]

Thank you! I do have some neighbors who are close friends of mine, and we play frequently. Thank you for the story of your own pup (who is beautiful!). It's helpful to hear about others with similar issues. I'm really looking forward to the shot cycle being complete - I can't wait to begin classes and start hiking when it gets cooler outside. I live right by a huge national park, which we will get to explore together this winter.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You are getting some good advice here.  It has been awhile since mine were little so the memories have faded.  Plus, I got two at once, so mine had each other in the crate since I kept them together.  I did just want to say though that Fenway is adorable.  Can't wait to see more pictures.  You have come to a great place for lots of wonderful puppy advice.  If you haven't done so already, you might want to join the puppy group.

[Eva and Fenway]

I agree, and I uploaded a new pic as my profile shot! This is more recent one. The other was from the previous owner.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Fenway is adorable and kudos to you for taking her in; I am sure you will be a wonderful doodle parent :)

 

For the crate, I only left a pad and a snuggle puppy when Peri was little. A few times I would leave a kong toy with peanut butter stuffed into it, but that ended up giving her runny poos (sorry for the visual!).

 

As for being attached, Fenway is probably slightly confused given she was with a different family before, so I think this is absolutely normal.  It will take time. You need to discuss with your vet about vaccinations and when it is safe to take her lots of places - for example, I would not take her to the dog park yet - they need full vaccinations before doing that (12-16 weeks of age).  In the meantime, introduce her to as many people as possible.  Take her to a pet store and keep her in the cart.  Invite friends over and leave the room and let her play with them.  IT will be just fine!  You will love this forum - I would not have survived puppyhood with Peri without Doodle Kisses - nice to know that so many of our issues are very common and no reason to worry.  WELCOME!

[Eva and Fenway]

I appreciate this very much! I can tell already that this is going to be a great resource. I am looking forward to having the shots done, and her first vet appointment with me is tomorrow for a checkup.