Need reassurance on getting a doodle

[Jess & Stewart]

As many of you know, my wait to get a goldendoodle has been long, I've been on a litter list with my breeder for 2 years now, but I have the perfect apt (hardwoods, deck) 5 minutes from work, a park and will be welcoming my mini F1B GD home mid November.

A friend of mine has a standard F2 GD. I've talked to him, he's given me the good, bad, ugly honestly & said I'm perfectly capable of handling a GD. My family however is dead set on dissuading me from getting this breed of dog. My aunt said my friend told her that needs to do "really run & work the dog before his wife comes home so it's energy level is down" and basically told me to reconsider, ask if I could get my money back & find a nice small dog (chiahuahua). I told my friend this & he said its the furthest from the truth, he's just a big love & is still a puppy. He said his wife isn't crazy about the dog's playful energy so he tires him out before she gets home.

My brothers & sisters (3 total) all have 2 dogs each (they never lived with my stepdad who was "allergic") and told me I should realize I'll need to walk it twice a day, feed it twice a day (DUH!) and they don't know why I have always wanted a dog, but yet they have them. They think I'm afraid of their dogs (lab, boxer & pit mixes) some which are still neutered & not that well behaved. I'm 4'9 & have mild sensory issues (loud unexpected noises & sudden movements make me jump & I'm just jittery) A loud sneeze in a quiet room will make me jump slightly. So imagine a 70 lb unneutered boxer who doesnt get much attention, around me, who gives him love = he's in my face & pawing my legs, lap constantly. It's one of the reasons I'm starting with a puppy, so I'll train & be used to it.

Now I'm second guessing myself since I'm doing it alone & my family who have fenced yards & dogs that I could socialize with arent supportive.. For instance, I got up at 7:30 this morning & realized that's the time I'll need to be AT WORK when I have a pup in order to take a long lunch & come home early. Im a little spoiled living 5 minutes from work! I'm also potty training in winter, possibly snow and it'll be dark by 5. I've read a ton, Ian Dunbar, Cesar Milan & will be crate training, bell training, going outside day 1, introducing to sights sounds, touch, city living, people, men, kids etc. I thought I was ready & really prepared but I'm second guessing how hard it will be.

Reassurance is welcome!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jess, that makes perfect sense!

And, you've got plenty of time to work your way up to running or jogging because you shouldn't do any kind of intense repetitive exercise like that with you pup until he/she is about a year old and they've finished growing.  Lots of walks will be wonderful -- but even with walks, you should vary your speed and give a young pup frequent breaks, to help avoid Hip Dysplasia, or any other orthopedic problems.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

ROFL that you stood by the grass patch this AM to practice.  Love it!!  But it's a great idea to start to adjust your life now. 

[Jess & Stewart]

LOL, I figure I should get used it, so I woke up & "took the dog out", walked down the three flights of stairs & stood by the grass/mulch in front of my apt for at least 5 minutes, then unlocked my door (it sticks a little) so that'll be a challenge with a pup in my arms, and went back up. Im hoping I get some muscles out of the stair climbing ROFL!

 

Regarding exercise & walks, did many people do short walks, even before vaccinations were complete just to get the dog used to the leash? I figure I'll have my games of fetch in my apt & training since they can't be walked for exercise. And I know I can carry the pup when I walk around the city, so it will get used to sights, sounds. etc. Depending on how big it is, I'm wondering if I can carry a small carrier onto the subway & buses, so I could expose to other parts of Philly. I don' want to shelter before vacs are complete, but still want to be cautious.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just a door suggestion. Silicone spray wherever it sticks may work wonders. I could barely open my front door lately and now, after spraying all is well.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jess, that's a really good question.  You should not walk your pup in public places until the pup has all its vaccinations because you risk parvo -and that's a real concern anywhere but especially in the city.  I did start Finn in puppy class at 12 weeks but I carried him in and out.  I carried him everywhere else too, except my yard.  Talk to your vet.  I think the vaccines were complete at 16 weeks.  If the pup is really tiny, because you said it will be a mini, maybe you could use a small sandbox or something like that inside for the first few weeks.  I saw a breeder do that and the little pups would run over and use it at 8 weeks old.  I don't like pee pads. Finn just ran around the house with them and ripped them up so I gave them away.  Maybe someone else has some suggestions.

[Nadia]

I contemplated getting our labradoodle for years. I have three kids, a husband and a home and I just wasn't sure. I just kinda had this feeling one day that the moment was right and we got our Bentley (9 1/2 months old).
I won't lie...he is a lot of work and sometimes he drives me crazier than my kids(lol) but I don't regret it at all.
I was concerned that my middle son ( who has sensory issues and is high functioning autistic) wouldn't do well with the barking and jumping up on him but he has been great!!! The first month he wanted nothing to do with him but with time he has changed and He loves him dearly. its great to see the bond he has with him. That makes it all worth it to me.

Good luck and I'm sure you will do great!!!
Keep us updated and send pics

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jess,you sound like the most prepared and committed new puppy mommy I can remember having here on DK. I'm not sure too many of us "practiced" going outside to pretend taking the dog out together used to it! That is so cute!
Negative family members can shake your confidence and decisions even, but it looks like you have looked at this practically as well. Considering the way their dogs behave, they are not someone I would take advise from. AND badly behaved or u trained dogs are big PIA's! So their experience is very different than yours will be give. You already plan to involve the puppy in training. This breed is very smart and very quick learners.
I have two, and since my Second came to me at 10 weeks, her training was much quicker and the 4 -6 weeks till she really was able to understand what "potty outside" meant, came a lot quicker. If that is an option for you, you might consider it being a few weeks older, and then spending 2 weeks home. Just an idea.
Also, having a puppy safe and warm and well fed and watered with chew toys and someone coming in once or twice a day while you are at work, may seem like a lonely day to some, but the fact remains that puppies sleep A LOT! And he is safe and loved, so given the other alternatives to thousands of dogs out there,I think he will be fine! You sound ready and this will be one lucky pup.

[Jess & Stewart]

Thanks Sue! I need to practice/feel things out before I do them, although I'm sure real potty breaks will be more eventful! Yes my step siblings are PIA dog owners! It's frustrating to know that they have what I want but don't seem to value it! Guess I just needed to vent. I don't know what I'd do without DK! Now the hard part is waiting! Friends of mine at work can't wait for puppy pictures, lol. I've definitely heard that its not so bad for puppies when people work. I always say I want a dog to join MY life, I don't want to join his! I'm sure I'll have more questions along the way. I want to create a balance between socialization/walks & being cautious in the first few weeks. I also love to learn, so I look st dog training as another thing I'll learn! The dogs at Penn's working dog center are amazing with what they know how to do!

F- I put some lock goo on my key & mushed it around the lock, it seems to work better now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good to hear about the lock.

[Sally S Miles]

It sounds like you are ready - love the prep and ideas.  Don't let the 'nay-sayers' bug you - some folks just don't like others being happy.    I think the time adjustment on your part is wise - those puppies manage to exhaust no matter what, so getting yourself situated up front is good - not being wiped out means you can pay attention.

The lengthy commute is a doozy - ha ha - I think it's great.

Since you will have a mini, perhaps a puppy sling or soft type carrier would work for those times when you need some hands free? Amazon has gobs of slings and a young one is easily trained for that, oh so many variations these days.

Reassurance? Delivered!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jess & Stewart]

Thanks Sally! My stepsiblings like to be big meanies, LOL! Yes, I figure I can get a soft carrier & will probably get away with taking the dog on the buses/subway if I want to venture into other parts of Philly. It's a 20 block walk to Center City, the downtown area of Philly, so I'd rather take a bus!

 

Now I just need to research training & times of classes, most are later in the evening, in December it'll be dark by 5 & I do not have a car. Hopefully cabs will allow the carriers-actually I think they might not even notice! I don't like the idea of a subway at night, especially in Philly.