Tips for a newbie

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

 We will be getting our first doodle in late sept. I'm excited, I have been reading everything I can  about the breed and have been learning alot. I thought it would be helpful to me if all of you, who I look up to as the OZ of the doodle world, could give me a peice of advice that you wish you would have known when first bringing a puppy into your home. I  will then print it out, lamanate it, teach my family, and live by the rules lol. Thank you!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Where do I start????

The biggest mistake I did was not making their potty spot consistent. I got lazy after they were potty trained and didn't redirect them to 'the spot' and now their spot is where ever they want. Sorry, that really isn't an attractive picture of my backyard but in my defense, the only ones who go out on my lawn are the dogs and the man who cuts my grass.  

Not sure if you have children but very wise words I just put in the comments of my page. I do not have grandchildren yet but when I do they will learn them and follow them always - for their safety and the safety of all dogs they might ever meet. 

Take your puppy to puppy classes (not a pet store classes. they only have so much room and IMHO it is too small). They learn so much at such a young age that are doggie life skills. 

Have fun - take lots of pictures!!!!!! 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Congratulations!!

No tips.  You may want to join some groups here.

Some suggestions:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup     (Food Group - great info on nutrition for your pup)

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness   (Puppy Madness - for people with puppy's - exchange of ideas)

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues  (Health and Medicine - Discussions on Medical issues )

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puptoadult  (From Pup to Adult - mostly stuff about what your pup may look like as an adult)

 

There are many others - take a look.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Congrats! I wish I had known just how expensive it was going to be. I would have planned better. I would say start putting aside money now for expected and unexpected expenses. Also, pet insurance has been a life saver. I highly recommend it! Good luck!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Two tips......

-Absolutely get pet insurance the day you bring your puppy home....before there can be any "pre-existing conditions".

-Investing time and effort into training your Doodle is the best thing you can do for yourself....and the puppy.  Join our Training Group....lots of good info there.

Congratulations, and I can't wait to hear more.

[Brittany, Wilson & Chloe]

1. Keep your shoes kept in a closet, otherwise as your pup grows they will pick up every shoe in sight....even at someone elses house....or if you have visitors. If its on the floor its free game :)

2. Once you let a doodle sleep in your bed there is no going back..

3. Feed your pup grain free food from the start..the allergies are not worth taking a chance.

4. Dont think counter surfing is cute...we did and it cost us $1500....and a chicken thigh.

5. GET 2 DOODLES :) totally best thing we ever did!

6. Puppy kindergarten is always fun :)

7. Stop the barking at dogs and strangers asap..when they grow and get louder you will regret not making them stop barking.

8. Bruch their teeth as much as you can!

9. Dont feed them rawhide..there are much better alternatives like deer antler.

10. Most importantly love and enjoy your doodle :)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Just to add to that, the word socialization.  This does not just mean with other dogs, there are classes for that.  But for everyday people, places and noises.  The window of opportunity for this is very short and you want a well adjusted dog you can take anywhere.  You have to start before the shots are over and this means you have to plan.  Carry your puppy to shopping Malls, the school gates to meet children.  Into Pet stores to meet people, bring the puppy in the car on short rides, maybe five minutes at a time.  Make sure that every day your puppy is exposed to a new experience, men with hats, people with umbrellas, bicycles going by...the list is endless and not doing all of this is a very common mistake.  

Oh and keep your bathroom door closed at all times, puppies love toilet paper...; )

[Jennett Pulley]

So a question to Nicky and Riley and everyone else!

We are anxious to get our puppy out there meeting people and have two malls that are dog friendly.  We were tickled at the thought of all the attention our little ball of fluff will get, making her a much better dog than our last.  (She was never taken in public so when strangers came, it was like OHMYGAWDTHEBESTDAYEVERILOVEHIMILOVEHERCANILICKYOUCANILICKHIMJUMPJUMPJUMPLICKOHMYGAWDOHMYGAWDMOMMYLOOKSTRANGERSDADDYLOOKPEOPLELOVELOVELOVEKIDS!!!

tThen we read that this puts them at a huge risk for parvo, so do not take them out until the shots are complete.

What's the best thing to do!?!?

[Ginny Nightingale]

take them out but don't put them down!

[Adina P]

It depends on where you take them.  Don't take them to places a lot of dogs visit and talk to your vet.  Some places have more parvo going around than others.

But don't worry, a very people oriented dog can still act like they've never met a stranger before and go nuts with excitement.  Socialization doesn't make things non-exciting, it just makes them not-as-scary.  Training will help your dog greet politely, not socialization.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I agree with Ginny. I took Tara with me everywhere I could after giving her a few days to settle in her new home with us. I just carried her in the stores, mall, Grower's Market's etc. There are plenty of safe options.  The danger is when they come into contact with the parvo virus so by carrying them you avoid this.  Plus don't put her down in the vet's office either as you never know what has come through there.  The vet tech at my vet's office came out to my car to give Tara her shots so she didn't have to go into the clinic. Probably because I always called ahead to see if they had any sick dogs in the clinic so they knew I was a paranoid puppy momma! LOL! But I appreciated it!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Don't forget scoop poop everyday, forever! :)

[Pat and Traveler]

(stealing this from somebody on DK...sorry, don't remember who!)  Go to the pet store and get a cart full of toys that you think your pup will enjoy.  On the way out, throw them all in the trash as the pup will just destroy them anyway.  LOL

Grooming.  That was my real surprise.  Most of these dogs need LOTS of combing and such to deal with mats and tangles.

Be prepared for the teen-age monster stage--when your sweet pup turns into a nipping, disobedient monster.  Training is good here, and it really is just a stage.