What You Wish Someone Told You About New Puppy...

[Jenny Williams]

The day is almost here! Our sweet Leia, F1B Goldendoodle, is only two days away from being ours! So, I thought it would be helpful to hear what you think the best advice would be for a family bringing home a new puppy :) What is that one thing you wish someone would have told you before your new puppy came home? I've been reading and freshening up on having a puppy, basic training, etc., but any advice is welcome :) 

[jenn D]

Totally agree with this. Let pup get use to the surroundings for a bit.

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

That all the reading and information is good preparation, but your pup is not a robot.

Sometimes you have to adjust your methods and expectations and pay attention to what YOUR dog needs and not what you are supposed to do. 

That's the biggest lesson I learned being a first time puppy owner.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

With doodles (and any dog that requires regular grooming- and with doodles, regular is an understatement), you MUST start early with getting the puppy used to being handled. I know it sounds silly because you will want to be holding your sweet bundle of joy constantly, but you have to get them used to you holding their paws, looking in ears, touching the tail, etc. I called it having PET time and I did it with Ragley every day for her first few months and still do it regularly. P for Paws- touch her feet and handle each paw including each individual toe. E for Ears- handle her ears, flip them backwards, and hold them open as you look inside for a few seconds. T for teeth- lift the lips and observe her teeth; get her used to you touching them and handling her muzzle. This is only a fraction of the handling they will need to be used to, but it includes three major areas! 

Also- LOTS of pictures! I thought I took way too many and I still look back and wish I would have taken more. They change every day!

[Laura & Sophie Doodle]

Congrats! When I brought home Sophie she was trembling in the car because she was so frightened. Poor babe. She kind of "shook" for the next couple of days and didn't eat a lot of her food. So here I was worried sick that she had some sort of disorder or hated her food when all I needed to realize was that she was in a brand new home alone without her siblings and mom for the first time and that I should just RELAX. She is so loving, relaxed, and outgoing as can be now! :) 

[Rose Coward]

Among other things I'm thankful for, friends here introducing me to two grooming tools that I have come to love, the les pooches imitation style brush, and the comb with the rotating tines.  Both of which Molly loves me to use on her.  I could have saved some money if I'd have bought those in the first place  Google "les pooches brush"  if you want to know what to look for.  One local pet store had an imitation of it in stock.  And the comb with the rotating tines I couldn't find at any local pet store, but believe it or not, Superstore had it in their pet section for around the 3-4 dollar mark. (For non-Canadians, Superstore is a grocery store chain). 
They (Superstore) also has a very good quality dog food brand that they stock, "Nutrition First".  Someone that does the buying for Superstore is a dog conscious person I'm beginning to suspect.

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

I felt pretty prepared by reading everything I could, here on DK for months before getting my first, however, I still didnt realize that you can't take your eyes off a new pup for a minute. Unless they are asleep in a crate! They have an uncanny ability to find any tiny little tidbit on the floor that you were sure you picked up, or find a corner of a rug or wall to chew at any given second and accidents!!!!! I could just take him out, and every 20 min and he'd still come in and have an accident.
Best advice......keep him tethered to you.

[Jenny Williams]

Thanks to everyone for all of these great pieces of advice! We are not first time puppy owners, but it has been awhile since we had a pup in the house. So, it's nice to refresh before she comes home tomorrow :)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Start right away enforcing behaviors you want in a dog, and discouraging ones you don't. The sooner you start, the faster they'll learn and the the less they'll be confused over it. Also, expect to be EXHAUSTED the first couple weeks. Having a puppy is like having a new baby in the house. Take lots of pictures/videos. You'll forever cherish those as your puppy grows to adulthood.

[Christine & Shelby]

Being a single doodle mom.... I wish I had know how exhausting raising a puppy would be. It was just Shelby and I.... I was the only one to socialize, exercise, care for, take out to potty, train, watch 24/7, etc. I had a couple of meltdowns from sheer exhaustion. Now... I try to support other single doodle mom's because I have been there! done that and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Other things I wish I knew....
Puppy teeth are razor sharp. I had multiple clothing casualties from nipping. Got in the routine of wearing the same things over and over when it was just us at home :)

-- track weight weekly and record when milestones happen (night time freedom, crate freedom, etc.) it will help a few years from now when you are trying to provide helpful advice to others.

-- and yes to lots and lots of photos!

[Sarah Bennett]

I wish I could "like" this like on FB.  I'm a single doodle mom too and it was exhausting (which is probably a reason for what I replied with).  

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Same here.  Single doodle mom, and it was so exhausting but so worth it!  :)

Yes, the TEETH!!!  That's what I wish I knew most of all.  Those little razor shark teeth.  I knew puppies nipped and explored with their mouths, but I had no idea my hands would be shredded.  And the torn clothing from those teeth.  I will for sure be careful with my wardrobe around the next puppy. 

Good luck tomorrow - be sure to post new puppy pics for us! 

[Sarah Bennett]

One thing that I didn't know...or at least I felt guilty of... was though I loved my puppy at first, I didn't always like my puppy.  I would say a large portion of the first 6-9 months there were times that I was full of just dread and not sure that I did the right thing by getting a dog (Salvador is my first dog as an adult...I'm 36).  But he is 15 months old now and I ADORE him!  I think he is wonderful and I look forward to seeing him every day when I get home from work and am sad if I have to leave him to go and do something.  

Not sure if that's what you're looking for, but I definitely experienced this.