What a fun group!

[Anne G.]

I'm so glad to find this group! My DH and I are in our early 60s and have our first ever puppy Murphy. She's now 6 months and is so much fun, except when she's not, lol! Our friends think we were crazy to get a dog after we retired but we plan on traveling with her quite a bit on road trips. She's doing really well with training and thankfully only chews on her own toys...so far! Our current challenges are over excitement when people come over and not obeying commands if she's not in the mood. There's lots of discussion threads that are helping those things though. I look forward to reading the experiences of everyone here!

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

i agree  this is a really a fun group - I think it's going to be a nice place to come. Zach had no accidents yesterday, and was being a "big boy" and using the dog door. Well today he doesn't want to go out back with me and wants to use the dog door - except that he is not 100% on the idea that he has to always deposit the mess on the outside of the door - twice today he went on the inside of the door - I guess that is progress. I'm not sure about the refusal to go out the human door - unless I use the come command - but he still won't pee outside.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you are retired and have only one dog, how awesomely can she be trained!!!!  Enjoy the process.

[Anne G.]

Yes it is fun! She keeps us laughing. Like this morning, she was biting at the water coming out of the sprinkler head. What a character! I wouldn't call our training progress (hers and ours) awesome, but it's coming along.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Yes, we had the same "hmmm, do I WANT to obey right now? also. But Sheila is 1 1/2 yrs old now, and the grooves that I trained in over and over are set in that little puppy mind. For the really hard stuff like COME I still give high premium treats. Ahhh, but the fun. I had one dog that looks just like your Murphy w/ out the hair (lab) and she was my heart dog. You're gonna be soooo happy you did this. I'm 57 and couldn't do w/o kids in the house. My She She fits the bill.

[Pat and Traveler]

Murphy sounds like lots of fun!  I too got my first puppy when I was in my 60's, after retiring.  It's been so much fun, and Traveler has been such a smart, funny companion. 

[Anne G.]

I love his name! Is that because he travels with you wherever you go? We'd like to take Murphy on a lot of trips too.

[Pat and Traveler]

Yes, Anne--Traveler does travel with me, pretty much everywhere I go.  We went on a 3200 mile road trip through some of the national parks and monuments--just the two of us--and last weekend a friend and I (and Traveler) went to the Oregon beaches.  He does very well in the car--I need potty stops more often than he does!

[Anne G.]

That sounds great! Murphy is real good in the car and has never gotten sick. Do you find it pretty easy to get hotels that allow dogs? We will be doing that as well as taking her on camping trips probably starting next year.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

this is a fun group..or one where people have completely lost their minds:)  how many of us can make the cruise next year?? wouldl be fun to have an over 50 get together on board.

[Midge and Gracie]

My husband and I are so happy we got our doodle, Gracie!  Our friends thought we were nuts and now they think we have the greatest dog ever.  Now we have volunteers to watch her at any time.  She is an amazing dog and I know it is the best thing to adopt a pet but finding a breeder who knows what he/she is doing has come back in spades as far as how great this dog is.  My vet says that my breeder prepared us so well with books and info that she wishes all new owners could go thru the same process.  I have her sleeping on the chair next to me in the kitchen as I type this reply.  I can't imagine my life without her.  We are in our late 60's and very busy.  She fits right in with our lives.  She even knows when I say I am going to golf, she goes and lays down and starts chewing on her toys.  She has never chewed on furniture, doesn't bite, (only kisses) and rings her bell to go out.  Her only impairment...she piddles when she gets excited at visitors.  I guess things could be worse.  This web site has helped me so much especially when she was little as I could follow other peoples experiences and see that all was normal most of the time.  We are so HAAAAPPY!

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

I just found this group/website last week. The woman who we got our puppy (Jacki) from suggested it and I love it!!! My puppy is now 7 months old and I really had to chuckle at your comments because I am have the same troubles but I love Jacki to pieces :) Our breeder is going to come over and spend some time with us...hopefully she will give us some good obedience tips.