Day 4 (Ruby Update!)

[Amelia & Ruby]

I just wanted to give a quick update after my post from earlier in the week about our very hard first puppy day with Ruby.

I'm very happy to say things are going MUCH better now! We're on a good pee schedule with a good spot in our condo courtyard, she's much more courageous outside, and we've even started some fun training games with pretty good results (although the command associations are not progressing very quickly, ha).

I attribute our success to time, but also largely to your suggestions in my previous post. First, we made her usable crate size about 1/3 smaller with a plastic container in the back so its easier to get her out and she seems happier in it now. We're still having a little bit of trouble with nighttime accidents in her bed (which I think mostly happen on her way out of the crate or right before), but hopefully things will continue to progress and that will end soon too.

I also started bringing her on little city field trips in my arms so she can get used to the sights and sounds. She loves sitting in my lap outside our local coffee shop and watching the people and street cars and buses go by, and meeting anyone who wants to pet her. And I think next week we're going to start inviting people over to meet her in our house.

Anyway, just a little update.

Thanks for all your help, DoodleCrew™!

Some recent pics attached for fun.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So happy to hear things are going much better.  I would also add that you really don't have to have a bed in her crate.  Many of them actually prefer not having a bed because it is cooler.  My girls under to lay under the bed on the plastic tray.  If you aren't already, when you bring her out of the crate I would suggest picking her up to take her outside ... that way you get outside quicker.  Also, looking at your photos, I was noticing the lighter hairs in her face ... I'm going to guess that she is going to fade to a more pewter color rather than staying the dark black.  Our Lucy was the same way.

[Amelia & Ruby]

Good idea on the crate bed thing. Currently I just have a towel in there, but when she's out of her crate she's preferring the floor probably for temperature reasons, so taking it out might make sense. That won't encourage her to pee more though? Or make it messier when she does?

I have been picking her up to take her out of the crate. Sometimes she dribbles a little on the way out, but as long as I'm fast, not too bad. It's more a middle of the night thing we're having trouble with. Still not sure why, as I've been taking her out at 11:00, 3:00, and 6:30. Although last night she was awake at 1:30 and when I took her out her bed was already (but newly) wet... Then she was fine until 6:30 this morning, and she didn't even pee when we first took her out. Not sure how to predict better except maybe tonight I'll take her out at 1:00? I feel so bad making her sit in her pee, but I think she only warns me right as its happening.

I think you're right about her coloring...We're really curious to see what color she ends up being. The breeder said she's had all black puppies that turned out even closer to merle.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

How much space does she have in her crate at night?  The divider should just give her enough room stand up and turn around.  If she doesn't have any extra space she shouldn't pee in that space ... provided you are cleaning up her messes with a neutralizing product (like natures miracle) that removes the pee smell.   Removing the towel is probably going to make it a bigger problem if she pees because she will most likely get in it.  They say they should be able to hold it one hour for each month old they are plus on hour.  So at 8 weeks you could expect 3 hours.  However, most normally do a little better at night.

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

You're on the right track. Keep it up!
Good for you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She is sooo adorable!  I am glad you and she are getting things settled.  Exposure to 'things' as you are doing, is a very critical introduction to the life she will live.  Kudos to you.  We carried Ned to potty when we got him out of the crate.

[Barbie]

Thanks so much for the update, Amelia. It sounds like you're on the right track. Do you have a Petsmart Doggie Day Camp near you? Zeus was a regular there during most of his puppyhood and it really helped socialize him with other dogs and the employees. When I picked him up, I'd walk him around the store a few times so that he could meet other customers and dogs. He always got so excited when we pulled into the shopping center. Even doing a half day of camp is well worth the rewards - current and future.

[Dee & Chappie]

Amelia, all good things are happening.   I think she may be like our pup, he needed slow, quiet and frequent interactions with other puppies and all size of people.  He is a joy with all now, goes to puppy day care once a week, and is the favorite of workers, as he plays with all the pups and is not overly aggressive.   When Chappie became housebroken, he still would dribble at dinner time, if I didn't take him out right before.  I guess it was excitement, though that does not happen when people come in the house.   Now at 8 months, I thought that was behind us until last night, and I found the dribble right around dinner time.  I scolded him really good, and he knew what it was all about.  Hopefully it will stop.  Dee

[Cynthia Shoe]

I cried everyday for a month when we first got Lambeau. Getting a puppy is the hardest thing we have ever done. But we love him and it gets better. I remember that not giving me much comfort in the first few days, but it does. We are at 11 months and just when you think you can't do it anymore, they grow and you grow. And then another phase emerges and you are pushed to your limit again, and eventually that passes too. I haven't read your first post about the crate yet, but we switched from plastic to metal and that helped. We also got him a xpen that attaches to the crate, so we can move and adjust his area. He likes being in the kitchen on the tile, so he doesn't sleep in our room. We have expanded his area and he has the option now, but he usually spends the majority of his nights in the kitchen by choice.