Lupin's first week home

[Bridget and Lupin]

This week had its ups and its downs.  It wasn't the best week to bring a puppy home bc I had exams and the huz was traveling which left me with the boy and the puppy allll alone.  Between all the potty clean up, the nipping and trying to train the boy to not to run around shrieking bc it winds Lupin up and makes her bite....well, I was ready to simultaneously cry and drink heavily by bedtime.  On the up side....crate training has been a non issue....she just goes in there and chills out....no fuss no muss, so that was a huge relief.  And even after only one week I see her making efforts to work on her biting....she chases the boy or me and when she usually bites, I now see her holding back, which is amazing!  Not every time by any means and the boy can really really wind her up, but she's learning.  Initially I had to lie down by her crate upstairs at bed time to settle her but I don't have to do that anymore, and she's only getting up to go potty once over night, which is great too.  Oh,and in spite of all the great toys she has, an empty 20oz diet coke bottle is the current favorite.  :-)  All in all she is a really good dog....so sweet and cuddly and just the greatest addition to our little family.  We are in love!

[Sheila & Finnley]

She is sooo cute ! Sounds like it's not going so badly, and that is great, keep up the good work Miss Lupin Mango ! You too Bridget :) lol

[Bridget and Lupin]

Teehee!  :-)

[Judith and Griffin]

Sooo cute! I love her color.  I've seen soft toys that have empty plastic water bottles inside them for the crinkle noise - wasn't sure what to think about them but I guess they'd be a hit after hearing about the coke bottle lol!

A crate is the only thing on my list I haven't gotten yet.  I'm so glad to hear Lupin adjusted to hers so easily. Will hope the same for us :-)  Do you keep her in your room at night?

[Bridget and Lupin]

She has a couple toys with a plastic ball inside.  Apparently its just not the same as a bona fide bottle. :-)  She is in our room at night in a soft sided crate. Her wire crate is downstairs.  I highly recommend a crate!  Lupin is my first puppy and the first time I ever crated a dog...she loves it. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

There are some toys that you can purchase that you actually place a plastic water bottle inside!   A little cuter laying around the floor than just the bottle!   It is the noise that they like.   :o)

[Linda And Loo]

Week 1 down-- and you survived! You and Lupin will have ups and downs and before you know it only the good times will roll! Hang in there! You have a beautiful puppy!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I loved your story of the first week. It truly sounds like things are going great!

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

I have a little boy also who LOVES to rile up our puppy, Holmes, but doesn't know what to do when he starts nipping at him- and it does hurt. Girlfriend of mine who also has a puppy, a Collie, and worked w/ a trainer suggested I growl at him whenever Holmes is too rough for my son. First few times I tried it out I felt pretty stupid- so it didn't work because he knew I wasn't serious. But then I did growl when I was pissed and also got Holmes off of my son-- he got the message right away. So now when they play, if Holmes gets mouthy with him, I just growl- even from across the room, and Holmes will immediately back off. He actually gets frustrated then because he's in play mode so I make sure he gets a toy to bite on. Today though he showed his frustration at me and kinda head-butted me! then went off and laid down in his spot. It was funny. Maybe you can give that a try. 

[Lee Vecin]

Bridget, you have an adorable puppy. Congrats! I'm going to pick up my Lola on April 13 from the breeder. I'm nervous and excited.

[Bridget and Lupin]

I was nervous and excited too....she's my first puppy but not my first dog.  Good luck keeping the excitement in check between now and 4.13!  Enjoy your hole-free pants and scab-free hands.  ;-)

[Judith and Griffin]

Been meaning to ask - is the name Lupin from Harry Potter?

[Bridget and Lupin]

No.  *sigh*  I had no idea about the HP connection.  Its Lupin as in the lovely spring flower.  We're avid gardeners around here.  :-)