Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Lucy 8 months old - what I have learned
When to get a dog - I have found that getting Lucy when I can be at home was perfect timing. She is very intelligent and needs constant challenge. While getting new toys, treats, coasters, and left over Tupperware can be a little expensive, I have found that she absolutely needs stimulation.
Field trips- If Lucy is very bored, I load her in the car and take her to Petsmart or Petco. She meets new dogs, and loves exploring the whole store. She is still puzzled at the goldfish tank . She crawls on her belly when she gets too close. No idea what's that about..
Lucy is not human..Her trainer had to keep reminding me that Lucy is a dog. She responds to love and food. Stop trying to make her a little person...
Potty - Hang a bell on a ribbon from the doorknob. Lucy rings the bell when she has to go out. She learned this very quickly. It protects the door and you can take the bell with you when you travel . I can hear the bell no matter wear I am in the house.
Collars- I ordered a harness from "Up Country Collars" It's a great harness that she steps in somewhat like a bra. Easy to get on and take off. My vet also really likes it. Oh, by the way, it comes in alot of great prints and colors. Lucy has a red one with moose and trees.
Hitting - There is absolutely no need to hit your dog! Lucy will almost always respond to treats. Of course, if a squirrel is nearby, forget it! Her trainer guarentees that if you don't make "come" a happy choice, your dog will run the other way. The more upset you get , the faster she will run the other way. Now, of course, there are days I could choke her, however, there is no need to hit her. If Lucy gets sassy, we give her a "tie out" in the crate. We do not make it appear as a punishment, just a break in the action. If your dog is driving you crazy, put her/him in the crate and go in the other room and take a break. Otherwise , it is too easy to hit.
Doggy Beach - We are in Florida in the winter. There is a great doggy beach nearby. She just loves it. If you get a chance to get to the lake, pond or beach, it is really a treat.
Lead - I bought a 30' lead. It allows ball throwing and playing, but it also gives me control so that Lucy won't run away with the springer she has fallen for at Paws Park in Venice.
Games- Lucy is now inventing her own games. She hops on the couch with a tennis ball, carefully aims it for the coffee table, gently nudges it so that it rolls under the table, hops down, and spends the next 5 minutes digging the ball from under the table. Then, she repeats the process. She,of course, barks if the ball gets stuck. Then, we are the retrievers.
Favorite things--tennis balls, other dogs to play with, chicken jerky, pup peroni, stealing ( we had a guest thhis weekend,he was warned about Lucy. He put his electric razor and case down. She stole it and chewed a hole in the case in a matter of minutes. He was warned) . Her best favorite thing is spending the day at the barn with jerry. She runs,plays,and enjoys that glorious sense of freedom.
Thoughts on Lucy- We have become fools for this dog. When she bats those enormous eyelashes at us, we melt . She is sweet, kind, entertaining, goofy, and pure joy. To the family who understandibly had to give her up, my sincere thanks. You will never know how much this dog is loved and how much she has added to our family..
Field trips- If Lucy is very bored, I load her in the car and take her to Petsmart or Petco. She meets new dogs, and loves exploring the whole store. She is still puzzled at the goldfish tank . She crawls on her belly when she gets too close. No idea what's that about..
Lucy is not human..Her trainer had to keep reminding me that Lucy is a dog. She responds to love and food. Stop trying to make her a little person...
Potty - Hang a bell on a ribbon from the doorknob. Lucy rings the bell when she has to go out. She learned this very quickly. It protects the door and you can take the bell with you when you travel . I can hear the bell no matter wear I am in the house.
Collars- I ordered a harness from "Up Country Collars" It's a great harness that she steps in somewhat like a bra. Easy to get on and take off. My vet also really likes it. Oh, by the way, it comes in alot of great prints and colors. Lucy has a red one with moose and trees.
Hitting - There is absolutely no need to hit your dog! Lucy will almost always respond to treats. Of course, if a squirrel is nearby, forget it! Her trainer guarentees that if you don't make "come" a happy choice, your dog will run the other way. The more upset you get , the faster she will run the other way. Now, of course, there are days I could choke her, however, there is no need to hit her. If Lucy gets sassy, we give her a "tie out" in the crate. We do not make it appear as a punishment, just a break in the action. If your dog is driving you crazy, put her/him in the crate and go in the other room and take a break. Otherwise , it is too easy to hit.
Doggy Beach - We are in Florida in the winter. There is a great doggy beach nearby. She just loves it. If you get a chance to get to the lake, pond or beach, it is really a treat.
Lead - I bought a 30' lead. It allows ball throwing and playing, but it also gives me control so that Lucy won't run away with the springer she has fallen for at Paws Park in Venice.
Games- Lucy is now inventing her own games. She hops on the couch with a tennis ball, carefully aims it for the coffee table, gently nudges it so that it rolls under the table, hops down, and spends the next 5 minutes digging the ball from under the table. Then, she repeats the process. She,of course, barks if the ball gets stuck. Then, we are the retrievers.
Favorite things--tennis balls, other dogs to play with, chicken jerky, pup peroni, stealing ( we had a guest thhis weekend,he was warned about Lucy. He put his electric razor and case down. She stole it and chewed a hole in the case in a matter of minutes. He was warned) . Her best favorite thing is spending the day at the barn with jerry. She runs,plays,and enjoys that glorious sense of freedom.
Thoughts on Lucy- We have become fools for this dog. When she bats those enormous eyelashes at us, we melt . She is sweet, kind, entertaining, goofy, and pure joy. To the family who understandibly had to give her up, my sincere thanks. You will never know how much this dog is loved and how much she has added to our family..
Comment
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Comment by Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*() on February 2, 2009 at 5:25pm
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Great update Sharon. We are getting our first puppy ever on feb 13th. I am looking forward to being a doodle mommy. They are such lovebugs!!!
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Comment by diane silver on February 2, 2009 at 12:19pm
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Hello from Emma, your sister, here in Massachusetts. We've had so much snow but my mom has been very creative and I've been able to play at the dog park almost every day where I've become best friends with Greta, a black miniature Poodle. When the snow is too deep, Greta and I have play dates! I'm mostly a very good girl, though I think I'm now a teenager so I like to test my mom a lot! I don't like being brushed at all, but on Wednesday I'm getting a "big girl" haircut (I'll send pictures). My favorite things are bully sticks, though I do love to steal socks. Yes, we're lucky dogs all right! Love, Emma
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Comment by Donna Griffin on February 2, 2009 at 11:01am
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Hi Lucy, your brother, Jack, here. How do you like Florida? Do you mind the heat? I love the cold weather here in Maine and often sleep in front of the door where there's a bit of a draft. Every day Donna takes me snow shoeing....well, she wears the snow shoes, I just dive in. It's great fun. I also like to steal things and chomp on 'em-- mostly shoes and paperback books. The wood pile is very inviting, too. I love to play fetch and hide and seek and snuggle on the couch with my paws on Donna's laptop. George the cat is my best pal.
We are going to Vero Beach for Easter and I am wondering if I'll have to get a haircut. So far I've only had a trim on my face and feet. Donna loves my long hair, but I'm thinking I may be way too hot in Florida.
Well, it sounds like you, too, have a great life. We're a coupla lucky dogs all right! Love, Jack
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Comment by Patty Barnes on February 2, 2009 at 9:43am
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Love the updates, Sharon. Sounds like Lucy is a "mensa" puppy. Enjoy each moment with her!
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Comment by Adina P on February 2, 2009 at 9:24am
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NOT a human? You're kidding me! LOL...mine are definitely people in furry clothes ;-)
Loved the update, thanks Sharon!
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