Soon to be New Doodle Mom

[Phoebe's Mom]

We are in countdown mode..9 days until Phoebe's arrival! I was hoping to benefit from some sage advice from the experienced owners on DK. What would your best advice be to help transition our new puppy--and our children to that puppy--to her new home? I have been reading lots of books and articles on the web but who knows more than the doodle owners themselves? Thanks in advance.

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

i relied very heavily on the 'Puppies for Dummies" book that you have already, and it has paid dividends all the way along. Mine is now 3 yrs old, and it seemd like just yesterday that I carried him into my apt. for the first time. The chapter on the first bath with you is especially useful....all my friends are still jealous that mine does not fight his bath, and even willingly steps right into the walk in shower. All because I followed the instructions in the book for his first few baths. I have always let him dry in the sun, all the while brushing him out...but of course we live in Florida, so it's warm enough to do that. In that regard, I have tried to minimize any trauma whatsoever for him, and I thought that the blow dryer and also the crate, were trauma. I actually bought a crate, but he never wanted to go into it, and since he was SO unbelievably well behaved (and quiet all night) I never wanted to force him to enter it, and just returned it. Mine got the hang of the potty training after just a few weeks, and I was able to follow the instructions in the book about lessening the outdoor walks, on almost exactly the schedule that they suggested. Make sure to give Phoebe plenty of things to chew on.....rawhide twists, toys, etc....so she gets the idea that those are the things to teethe on, not the kids. And if she starts to chew anything else in the house that you do not want her to, the Bitter Apple is a great product. Here are a couple of photos of mine when he was just a few months old.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Not only do you have a well-behaved doodle but you had to show me the picture with the beach!!! We moved recently and I miss the East coast so much. Thanks for your advice. I have begun reading through the book and picking the chapters I feel most applicable for right now. Now that you mentioned it, I will read the first bath one tonight. This weekend is our final get what we need for puppy weekend (8 days and counting) and I plan to include the Bitter Apple spray as so many people have recommended it. Thanks for your input and for those adorable photos--even if I did have to see the beach.

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

oh! very important!! I just remembered: I was advised (by I don't remember who LOL!) to bring a plush toy or a blankie when I went to the breeder to pick up Beau, and let them rub the toy against his litter mates. This way, he would have the scent of his brothers and sisters to go to my house with....and the breeder thought this was such a good idea, that she now includes a plush toy with the scent of the littermates of ALL of her outgoing adopted puppies as part of their care package when she sends them on their way! I think it may have helped to make my baby boy feel "at home" right away in my house. Also, and I think I got this tip from the "Puppies for Dummies" book, when you go to pick up Phoebe, rub some butter (yes, butter!) onto your fingertips,and she will come to you immediately and recognize your hands as very loving ones that need kisses right away. Incidentally, Beau's favorite toy is the plush yellow quacking duck...got it at Pet Supermarket.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Phoebe is flying in from AR and her breeder is going to include a blanket along with her puppy supplies. I was worried about her flight so the breeder thought that this would help Phoebe in transit. I bet it will help at night, too. Phoebe is the first one to leave her littermates and the only one moving to a frigid, cold state. We joke that Phoebe will be calling her breeder and barking about what she subjected her to here in MN!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Your attitude is nothing but spectacular!! We lost an 11 year old dog in October and although he was still puppy like in some ways-he had mellowed a lot. Then we brought home our little bundle of joy "Thomas". I think we all forgot how much work and training it took to make this adorable "ball of fur" (non shedding though) behave himself. Well I can tell you, it has been a challenge, but he is adapting to the rules quite nicely, but I really wish he would leave my pant legs alone as I walk down the stairs!! From what I hear this is a trait that they love to do. Please keep me informed. I am so excited for you. If things get rough with the kids and the biting-maybe get them some gloves to wear so they can handle the puppy with confidence. Even though she will just be trying to play, they are all about biting. My best wishes, Debbie

[Phoebe's Mom]

Thank you! When last I had a puppy, I had no children so the addition of my brood will be a challenge. Thankfully, the puupy stage--though diffiuclt and at times frustrating--is short lived. I simply cannot wait to see the joy on my children's faces when Phoebe comes out of her shipping crate. Talk about priceless!

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

Congrats on your new dog....I am sure they will all work it out.....it just takes time...Good Luck

[Tamara & Giada]

Looks like you have gotten lots of advice already, so I don't have much to add. Make sure you join Pupopy Madness on here, if you haven't already :)

Congratulations on your puppy!!

[Richard Crowe]

Congratulations. I can relate to just over a year ago when we were anxiously awaiting our Holly.

Probably the best advice I can give a prospective or new Doodle owner is to train your Doodle early and discourage it from doing anything which could be considered "cute" in a little puppy and "annoying" in a full grown dog.

As an example; we got Holly at seven weeks of age (seven and three quarter pounds) and immediately taught her to sit for her treats and for her meals. It was pretty easy and she learned to do this after her first day with us.

The training has paid dividends since Holly is now a 60 pound, 14 month old and it is much more pleasant to have her sit for treats and food that it would be to have the big girl jump on us.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You are going to be a wonderful, fabulous, puppy/dog family. All the work you have already done! Here are a few tips from a mom of two grown children who welcomed several different puppies into their lives at different ages.

RULE #1 MOM Must stay calm
Rule #2 If mom is not calm, put puppy in crate - it is NOT the same as a time out for children, puppies like their crates
Rule #3 It is NOT going to go perfectly all the time, but it will be perfectly fine most of the time
Rule #4 Laugh out loud, or LOL puppies are fun and hilarious and bring a family together.
Rule #5 See rule #1, then rule #2
Corollary to all rules: Mom must really be calm, not pretend calm. Pretend calm works even less well on puppies than it does on children

My personal opinion Puppies for Dummies is a great book. Caesar Milan is a fun television show to watch, but enormously impractical for a family.

Keep us updated! You are going to have so much fun!

[Phoebe's Mom]

I LOVE your advice! While I am not calm by nature--truly quite intense!--I do love to laugh with my children and they think I am hysterical. My little guy told his teacher that he thinks I am much more fun than she is. I am hoping that Phoebe feels the same way and that I can sit back and laugh at her antics. Thanks again for your great advice!

[Margot]

Exciting! I live alone, but prepared myself in just two days.... the first three days home with Jennings were, honestly, a bit stressful, and the first night was terrible. I slept for about 1 hr, but when I thought of how scared a puppy must be in a new home... that's even more heartbreaking! All is well now - he is 11 months - and I am a huge fan of "The Monks of New Skete". I took their books out from the library, and really liked their training ideas. The "Puppy Madness" group here is a good one, and we all wish you lots of love in the years to come! Margot :)