Life as a Doodle parent DOES get easier!

[Theresa & Duncan]

I was looking back at some of my earlier posts begging for advice on raising my insane puppy. From biting, to potty training, to sleepless nights; it felt like we jumped over hurdle after hurdle. 8 months later, as my Dood is snoozing on the couch next to me I realized all the little changes that have made things much easier.

1. Sleeping in. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and do not have children yet. So for now at least, we LOVE to sleep. Duncan has been an early riser for the most part, but in the last month or so he has been getting back in the bed with us and sharing the joys of a lazy Sunday.
2. Knowing when its bedtime. Duncan had a frustrating habit of getting kooky just before bed. By that time we had him in bed with us, so we had at least a half hour of him biting the sheets and humping the pillows until he would settle down. And he would never settle down unless both my husband and I were in bed. Now, he goes upstairs to bed with me (as I tend to go to bed slightly earlier than DH) and we have a snuggle before going to sleep.
3. Leaving us alone when we eat dinner. Up until recently, Duncan would put his front paws on the table while we were eating ant try to steal food. If we managed to keep him off the table, he would run around the house getting into things so we weren't able to sit down and eat in peace. Now he eats his dinner slowly (from a KING Wobbler) while we eat ours and all is well.
4. Chilling out. Even after walks and play time, Duncan had energy to burn. Not uncommon for a pup, but it was hard for us after a long day at work. He still has a lot of energy when we come home, but after a decent walk and some fetch we are all able to veg out.

So while he still has his moments, life with this doodle has gotten a lot easier. So hang in their, puppy parents - It does get better!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yup, I totally agree with you. Auggie is getting there as well (and actually sleeping much better in his own bed in our bedroom, rather than downstairs in the crate). This is the only advantage of dogs aging faster than humans.

[Carol and Banjo]

Duncan, It sounds like you're fitting right in!  What a cutie you are.   Those puppy days are surely challenging!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Duncan is growing up to be such a good boy! He sure is cute, too. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Duncan sounds like he's well on his way to becoming a great dog!  Congrats, lol!

[Ginny Nightingale]

awwww-cute pic! Glad you survived the roughest parts of puppyhood--but I have to warn you that he will be a teenager next!! LOL!! You sound like you have a handle on things now though and will be fine. He is really way ahead of himself if he is sleeping with you already and keeping himself busy during mealtimes--most people have pups this young in crates when they need to control them and/or keep them safe, like at night--so he has learned the boundaries very quickly!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Duncan is a very handsome dog and I am so glad he is maturing into a wonderful dog.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a big boy you are now, Duncan.  Way to mature!

[PJ and Zach]

Yes, puppies are hard work!  And when they learn the boundaries and grow out of puppyhood, it is like heaven!  Duncan looks quite innocent in this picture, and very cute.