Welcome, Kim!

G'day Kim:
I would guess Barb told you what Oreo & I were working on, if you have any questions, please ask. My e-mail is pitcherw@telus.net. Oreo has done all his basic obedience, which means, heel, sit, stay, down, plus fast & slow heel, zig zag heel, & distracted stay. He was a quick study, & eager to please. Hope you have a long love affair with him.

Hi Kim
Welcome. I guess I need to change the Gems group photo. I had it up there until you joined because Oreo is the sweetest little guy. He sure has grown a lot since that picture. He is a little man now.

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Enjoy the beautiful doodles and wonderful people here on DoodleKisses!!!

Next poop, grooming and socialization. Socialization. Take the puppy whereever in public you are allowed - pet stores especially are ready for pets. You need to expose the puppy to as many dogs and different people (ages, sizes, hair styles) as you can as often as you can. A class is helpful. You need a way to dispose of poop on a regular basis. I have a very small trash can that I line with a garbage bag that eventually gets put in the big trash. Some people bury it or.... You will need a shovel. You also need a way to clean up when you are on your walks or out in public. I buy a roll of dog poop bags - you don't need a holder or a scooper unless you prefer it. Grooming. You will not need much for puppy fur but you will need a slicker brush. Cheap ones do for dogs with silky fur, but you might want to get a really good one (it makes a difference). Kemp Rader, a doodlekisses member, has DoodleCountryStore and can advise you for a mail order brush as well as other products. I use a green LesPouchs for Ned who is a mini. I also have a metal comb and a double row rake. I swear by Cowboy Magic products that you can get at a feed store or order on-line. They are for horses and have something that really helps with mats. I see that you have joined the grooming group. Lots of good stuff there.

How exiting. Here are the things we got for Ned - but we already had two dogs so I might not be thinking of everything. Metal or glass food dish, Big and also heavy water dish (they will eat plastic), leash - he will probably come with a collar but find out for sure. We crated Ned at night - so a crate. Don't buy a fancy pad for the crate yet - he may pee or poop on it, chew it up etc. Use old towels or blankets. Food recommended by the breeder - you can change later if you want to but you don't want food change upsets right off the bat. Real bones from the pet store and a few toys (I just learned that nylabones aren't good for them and perhaps not rawhide chews either). Be prepared that he will destroy the soft toys but by getting a variety you will find out what HE likes. Puppy training treats. Also from the Pet store cleaning supplies designed for your floor type, to eliminate odor and stains. That's all I can think of for now. I am sure that your breeder is glad to talk to you, it lets her know how welcome he will be in your home, but I do know how you feel about bugging. If there is anything else I can do to help, let me know. I am really excited for you - almost like I am getting another doodle. Oh, I don't know about snow and doodles - whether they need sweaters or boots or products but I have seen discussions on here about removing snow and something you can do or spray on their feet to prevent something to do with snow. If you dry him off for some reason, don't rub it can make mats; just pat.

I don't think it matters too much male or female. I grew up with mostly female dogs and my first Springer was female. From then on, we have just ended up with males - when oh when am I going to use my great girl dog names???? When might you get him? Name? Size? Age?

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That doodle is absolutely gorgeous looking! Congratulations, I hope it all works out. Let me know.