Mom says I am a GOOD DOODLE!

[Christine & Shelby]

Hi Doods,

Shelby here! So.... shortly after I wrote my last blog.... mom did something she has never done. First some background - it's all about my crate!

At 5 months, mom started letting me sleep outside the crate at night!

At 6 months, mom started experimenting with daytime freedom for short amounts of time

At 7-8 months, mom started leaving me out a few hours at a time.

At 10 months, mom started crating me only half days and sometimes out both in the morning and afternoon - but she would come home for lunch and check on me.

So now the big news.... yesterday - mom said she had a crazy day at work and wouldn't be able to come home at lunch. She felt bad about leaving me in my crate all day and told me that we were going to see if I was a big girl! She said - one day we would have to try it anyway. What was "it" I wondered.

Well, mom got me all settled in, she put some treats in my treat ball and put my breakfast in my food dish and gave me the 2 chicken chip treats (which I only get when I am getting house freedom) . She the told me to be a good girl and that she would "see me after work".... usually she says "see you at lunch". I didn't really know what she meant, but it didn't matter - she gave me chicken chips.... the blinds at the front of the house were lifted so I can see out - I was one happy doodle!

I ate my breakfast, played with my treat ball, watched out the front window and slept a lot. Mom woke me up when she came home, but I was still at the door to greet her. She gave me some lovin' and then said "let's see how you did". We walked all over the house... she looked at all the furniture and carpet. Then I got lots of love and hugs... she kept calling me a good girl and telling me I was such a good doodle! It didn't seem like that big of deal to me, but boy oh boy was my mom happy! Do you all know what this is about? Do you doods get to stay out during the day?

Gotta go.... it's almost time for my walk with my friend Macy - she's not a doodle, she is a yellow lab, but I love her anyway!!!

[Christine & Shelby]

Sasha.... I don't mind my crate, but I don't seem to LOVE it like some of the other doods I have met here on DK! I'll go in if mom tells me too, but I have never gone in to lay down or rest on my own.... I much prefer sleeping on my giant pillow in the living room!

The picture above is me on my pillow with lots of chew toys! My fur was much longer then... that was before mom had me shaved because I was soooo matted!

Regarding the freedom vs. crate question - I think it depends on the doodle... for me, I love being out. I can sleep on my pillow, watch out the window, keep an eye on things while mom is away and I can really play with my toys.... like run around and everything!

[Susan and Sasha]

I am sooooooo proud of you Shelby!!
You are officially a "BIG GIRL" now!!
I'd love to chat with you sometime...to see how it felt...I mean...to be left out of your crate and stuff??
I'm still in my crate...and...I have to admit..I kind of like it in there...all warm and cozy...
But...I'm still interested in what it's like...I mean...to be left out ALL day...
So...when you get a chance...you can contact me...and let me know if you like to be IN or OUT??
It would be interesting to know...so...I'll be waiting to hear from you...
Your friend...Sasha...

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Way to go Shelby!! Rosey here, I got left home for a couple of weeks by myself but that all ended one day when mom went out for just a couple of hours and she came home to find me chewin' up the frame on the sliding glass door frame. I thought they would never stop calling me Rosey the Woodchuck. Now me and Bandit have our own room in the basement with couches, TV and tons of toys. It's pretty posh but if anything is there that is not ours, we would probably get into it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Shelby, you are a big girl now!!!! We are proud of you. Ned and Clancy