How things have changed

[Holly Doodle]

I've never written a blog before.....but Matt and I were talking last night about how Holly has really become a great dog, and I just wanted to write about it. There were so many days in the first few months where I felt regretful about getting her and frustrated with all of her behaviors. I didn't feel like she respected me or Matt and she definitely didn't act like she liked us. We both felt so lost and it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now things have done a complete 360! At almost 7 months, she is the most wonderful dog I could have ever asked for. She is so well behaved, loving and sweet, she's always happy to see us and is ready with a ton of kisses and snuggles. We would have never imagined being able to let her roam the house without watching her every move, but we do without any problems. We even have our Christmas tree up and she completely ignores it. We always have stuff lying on the coffee table that must be tempting, but she leaves it alone! The worst she does is snatch a sock every now and then. She is completely potty trained, I can't remember the last time she had an accident, and she NEVER barks! It's amazing :). We can have large groups of people over and she'll sit in her kennel happily watching, and when we let her out she rarely jumps on someone (unless invited). She has become very well socialized thanks to doggie daycare and is very polite with other dogs. Not to mention our 14 hour car ride to CO went perfect, and she was very well behaved at Matt's mothers house for the whole week. I feel like we are truly blessed to have her, and I can't wait until we have children so they can build great bonds with her as we have done. Holly is my first dog, I never imagined how much love you can have for a dog. Holly has brought us so much happiness and laughs, and I know there are many more to come.

I don't want to make her out to be the perfect dog :). We're still working on some obedience, she loves to counter surf, and she knocks over any child under 3, but despite those things she is perfect to me! I am also very thankful for everyone on this site who shared advice and support when we were going through those tough times with her behavior. I don't know what I would have done without so many caring friends.

[Debbie and Thomas]

AND it just keeps on getting better and better! Our goldendoodle is now 14 mths old-man the time went soo fast, but at the age he is-he has settled into the lovliest dog I have ever known. We adore him. Having said this, there were nights when he was 14 weeks plus when I went to bed in tears or covered in blood from his infamous biting. No more biting now- just fun.

[Lisa {Zoe's Mom]]

I am sure I will be re-reading this over and over as Zoe ust turned 10 weeks. I am really happy things have changed for you and turned out so well! Enjoy!

[Holly Doodle]

Thanks for reading! I hope this can help any new doodle owners out there about to go crazy :). It really is amazing how things change, for the better!

[Chelsea and her doodle Piper]

I agree about how great it is to hear "light at the end (or middle) of the tunnel!" There were some days when I read all the DK naughty dog posts and wondered if doodles were really as great as they were rumored to be! Now I love my little crazy and know there IS for sure light at the end of the tunnel! I think a link to those posts would be awesome--and helpful!

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I'm so glad that things are going so well! It's always a little tough in the beginning, but it's so worth it. I'm so happy for you and Matt! :-)

[Karen & Lucy]

How great to hear how well Holly is doing for you. Puppyhood is a very trying time and for a first time dog owner it can make you crazy. You have to have alot of patience, which alot of people do not have and then puppies end up in rescue of rehome because they just did not give it enough time. Good for you, Matt and Holly. What a happy family and we are glad to have your family here with the rest of our doodle families.
AND, just think, you can give advice to new owners from what you have learned from your experiances :-)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Here, here! Congrats to you! I posted a similar blog last week - we just hit 8 months. Isn't it amazing?
Except yesterday I wanted to shake Peri - she went through a bit of a crazy streak. Oh well - they are still puppies aren't they???

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Isn't it amazing how a light seems to just go off and they "get it". We need to keep posting all these positive "stories". I remember the first month or two...glad those days are over. But I also think about what adorable puppies doodles are...so no matter what they do, it's so hard to stay mad at them.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think maybe there should be a HOT button to this link on the Home page so all those new mommies and daddies about to pull their hair out with doodle puppies can see that there really is light at the end of the tunnel! It is hard to think 7 months out when those little puppy teeth are chewing on you and they are peeing all over the place, but it does go by so quickly.