Floyd is 10 weeks!

[Karina, Wass and Floyd]

We survived the first 2 weeks of having a puppy! It's been one of the most challenging times I have ever experienced in my recent history. Floyd is doing great though and learning fast. He has most of the basics down: Sit, Down, Come, Wait and a few others. He gets "Leave It" about 50% of the time without a treat right at his nose. He's a handful for sure and more work than we could have ever imagined. We are learning as we go for sure and figuring out how our daily lives need to change to include Floyd and all his needs. And so we have begun week 3. Who knows what adventures lie before us!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Love the blog...keep it going. Sounds like you are doing absolutely wonderful. Just think....having real kids will be a piece of cake!!!!

[BG and Gavin]

You are doing a great job so far it seems and that's why it feels so challenging. If it feels easy, it means that you are not working hard enough ;) Remember every minute of time and training you put in to him now will pay off in ways you cannot even imagine down the line. Good luck.

[Lisa and Summer]

After a couple of months things will get so much easier. I remember after we had Summer about 3 weeks I took her out to potty one night and everyone else had gone to bed and I sat on the front porch and cried. She was such a mouthy puppy that she would bite on us constantly and she would urinate in the floor 5 minutes after I took her out and this went on for weeks. When my husband would scold her she would bark at him and take her paw and try to hit him in the face. I thought we have the sassiest puppy ever. But when she was about five months the biting stopped and she was completely house trained and sooooo very easy. Now when I look back on that puppy stage I laugh and want another one.

[Christine & Shelby]

Oh boy.... how I remember those days! There were a few times I wondered if I would survive puppyhood. I was exhausted! Floyd sounds soooo smart, and I am sure he is bringing so much joy! It does change your life and your routine.... just this weekend - when Shelby hit 9 months - I finally took down the puppy pen, when quickly became the pen to keep stuff away from Shelby as she quickly became strong enough to move it around. I now am trying hard to get her to leave the pair of shoes I have by the door. Most of the day, she does well - but when she gets "fiesty" - her impulse control goes out the window.... speaking of which - tennis shoe has been stolen. Gotta run! Hang in there.... the pros far outweigh the tired days and frustrations.

[Karina, Wass and Floyd]

Thank you all for the kind words! We have actually stated Floyd in an early puppy socialization class with other puppies in a sterile environment which has been great! He loves getting to play freely with other dogs. We have to keep him on leash most of the time right now because unfortunately he can fit in between the bars of our fence and until we can teach him to stay in the yard we need to keep him contained. Each day gets a little bit better and easier and he's a quick study. It's a life changer for sure! He does make me laugh a lot which is a good thing. I would have lost my mind A LOT sooner! :)

[Donna K & Quincy]

Having a puppy is very much like having a baby, you learn what works for you as you go along. Congratulations on your adorable boy. This is only the beginning, if you read the blogs you can see what kind of mischief our doodles get up to.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Floyd sounds like an adorable, smart boy. The first two weeks were stressful for me as well, and I remember thinking "What did I get myself into???" but that passes quickly, and soon you don't know how you lived without them. :-) I second the suggestion of training classes, we loved puppy kindergarten!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sounds like you are getting into a little routine and that will certainly help. The best advice that I can give you is as soon as he is old enough, get into some training classes. Not only will Floyd learn a lot, but you guys will as well and your lives will be so much better for it. Keep up the good work. Right now, the most important thing is potty training. Get that down and then everything else will come in time! He is adorable by the way!