Feeling Sentimental

[Theresa & Duncan]

Being a Doodle parent is hard work, to say the least. Duncan will be 10 weeks old tomorrow, and he has only lived with us for two of those weeks. We are going through all the typical trials and tribulations – potty training, puppy biting, sleep deprivation, etc.
 
But this post is not about any of that. This post is about why I don’t regret bringing my fur ball home. This post is about the moments – rare as they may be in the beginning – that make it worth it.
 
My husband and I bought our first house not long before Duncan came home. I wanted a puppy right away, because if I was going to have to start new routines anyway why not get it all done and over with at one time? I had a housewarming party planned for this past Sunday for ages so that my family could come see the new digs. I was a little nervous because Duncan isn’t fully housetrained and he still tends to nip and chase the little kids when he sees them run (of course there would be kids at this party!) I was stressed about trying to watch him all day while attempting to be a good hostess at the same time.
 
Well let me tell you how my little boy amazed me. He played with his toys in the living room while I was cooking, and occasional pranced into the kitchen to watch. He had ONE accident – just one! And that as before the party started. He snoozed under the table while people where eating, he let the kids carry him around, and he snoozed some more. He was so well behaved! Now I know I can’t expect this every single time and I know it had a lot had to do with him being around so many people for the first time, but if I had to pick one day that I absolutely needed him to be a good boy it would have been yesterday. I love my Duncan Doodle J.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Joni, it would be much better if you posted a sepaate discussion to get answers and advice to these questions. This is someone else's blog, a blog format doesn't lend itself to questions and answers, and it's several months old.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Joni, after what Parker went through he would be the most spoiled doodle EVER at my house!!  Have you joined the Puppy Madness Group here on DK? Lots of help available there for all the crazy and challenging things that happen with puppies. I suggest you post your concerns there as well as here.

It seems like I tried everything to get Tara to stop biting and finally ended up spraying Bitter Apple on my hand and offering it to her a couple times. She lost interest real fast because she hates Bitter Apple!

He will behave tomorrow but he is going to behave like a 9 week old puppy! LOL He is just a baby and all of his training is ahead of him so it will be a wild ride for a while!

Oh, and one tip: It might help to keep him on a leash when the grand kids visit so you can quickly get hold of him to stop unwanted behaviors.

[Joni & Parker]

My little Parker is nine weeks old and very active.  Any tips on what to do when someone picks him up and all he wants to do is bite them.  I realize he's teething but it hurts when he sinks his teeth into your skin.  My grand children run and as you know that makes it worse.  

He is doing pretty good with potty training.  I'm amazed how smart these dogs are.  We have a teenager coming to our house tomorrow to watch him and I hope he behaves.  I have a can with pennies and I shake it but he doesn't seem to care.  I forgot what it is like to have a puppy in your house.  As far as sleep, we try to keep him in his crate and he cries for hours.  I think he is spoiled because he was sick for a few days.  I hope my doodle behaves himself tomorrow.

[Sally]

My Duncan Doodle says 2 paws up to your Duncan Doodle!!!!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Way to go Duncan!!!  Doodles are so smart and perseptive, I wouldn't put it past him to have known that it was a special day for you :-)  Hunter absolutely loves it when we have get togethers outside, she thinks everyone is there for her!  In the summer when we have them I always put out a baby pool for Hunter to play in and that keeps her really occupied.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

WTD little Duncan!! You made your momma proud!! :)

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am so happy to hear he is a good little boy!  You will have your days that he will try your patience (like kids), but you are already finding the positive moments, and I appreciate it!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great performance for a 10 week old doodle.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good job, Duncan!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Such a happy story! Way to go Duncan! Glad you are enjoying your little guy.