Summer at Doodle Country

Comment

Comment by Deanna Craig on July 25, 2012 at 8:56am

Should I keep them in the travel crate at first?

Comment by Kemp Rader on July 23, 2012 at 11:05pm

Hi Deanna,

Congratulations on receiving your new family members next week - I'm sure you will be very happy with your labradoodle puppies. Two puppies will definitely be a challenge but it will be worth it. The main thing is the potty training...you really have to take them out every 2 or 3 hours max (even during the night when you're sleeping.) "Poochie Bells" are helpful for potty training - you can view them on my website. It is best to keep the pups in separate crates, and get some inexpensive towels that you can use to pad the crate floor - don't use a plush doggie bed because the pups will soil their crates quite frequently and they would likely chew the stuffing out of a plush bed. You need to use something that you can just wash easily, like towels. Also, the crate should not be too big - just large enough for them to stand up and turn around comfortably.

Kong makes a Puppy Teething Stick that they might enjoy...and when the pups are around 6-months old they will like Bully sticks (I have these available too).

Start grooming them as soon as possible even if they don't need it - this will help them to become comfortable with the grooming routine from an early age - the "Les Poochs" Grooming Brush is best (Yellow or Green variety) for the puppy.

Don't forget to bring your camera to the airport to capture those first moments....and something to open the crate (usually scissors to cut the strap tie). And bring a puppy collar and leash because they will need to go potty immediately in a safe place....The pups are often messy when first coming out of the crate at the airport, so you might need to bring a wet towel to clean them off and some extra towels for the car ride home if they are going to be sitting in your lap.  :-)

I recommend keeping their crates near to your bedside so you can here them stir, usually meaning they need to go potty. Sometimes when they cry you can simply reach over and put your fingers inside the crate to let them know you are there, often they fall back to sleep. Keep the crate away from the wall, furniture, electrical cords, etc...they will stick their snout through the sides and chew whatever they can reach (I still have a hole in my wall from where they chewed the drywall and a few gnawed furniture legs - LOL.)

Also, no visits to the doggie park until fully vaccinated.  :-)

The puppies will definitely keep you busy, but before you know it, they're all grown up and you have the best dogs in the world.  :-)

Enjoy your new pups!

Now you have me wanting another one!  :-)

Kemp

Comment by Deanna Craig on July 23, 2012 at 10:10pm

Hi Kemp~

We are anxiously awaiting our 2 puppies. We are new to labradoodles. We adopted two a brother and sister from  Ohio to join us in Southern California. Our dalmation passed last month she was almost 18 years old. Any advice on what is important for them as puppies when we first pick them up at airport. Should we keep them together in the same crate or keep them seperate? What chew toys are best for them? When should I start grooming? I need to buy a book and read up I am sure. I just thought since you have four you could offer a little advice. We get them next week. I am very excited! We are naming them Coco & Charlie.

Thank you in advance,

Deanna