More decisions to make

[Leslie du Mont]

Holy cow! I feel like I've been on a GD crash course with all the information found on this site! I'm almost finished with "The Art of Raising a Puppy" which is an excellent read, btw. I've finished two other quick read training manuals that were just so-so, but I pick up little gems from each one. It's all good.

So, I'm drafting up my plan of attack for when we go to pick up our new little guy. (Can you tell I'm a wee bit obsessed at this point?) We have to drive from Virginia Beach to Old Mill Doodles in Staunton, VA which is about 3 1/2 hours away. I think we're going to leave the afternoon before and stay in a nice hotel overnight. That way we'll be relaxed and be able to be there early the day we pick him up. It will allow young Atticus several hours in the daylight after the 3 1/2 hour drive to get familiar with his new home before his first night away from the litter.

I'm still nervous about finding places to stop to let him pee that haven't been tromped on by hundreds of other dogs. (parvo concerns) I made my appt with my vet today for the first business day after we get him. I have put together the new crate with his new bed and tons of the recommended toys, treats, leashes, and leaders that you guys have all reviewed and love.

**BTW, Thanks to the Tidewater Doodlekisses friends that turned me on to the local Care-A-Lot center in Norfolk!!**

My next task is to decide on food. I thought I'd decided on Kirkland's brand (A rated,) but I know we'll be moving in about two years to a place that doesn't have a Costco around. So, now I'm at a standstill. How do I know what pet stores around my husband's next duty station will have available and won't in two years? I keep reading on the Food forum here and I'm so confused and overwhelmed.

(Can you tell that I'm type A yet?)

I was the same way before our daughter was born, but quickly relaxed and just enjoyed the ride. Hopefully after I have that little pup in my arms the same thing will happen. ...In hind sight, maybe the sleep deprivation was what did it! Well, I'll have that again, won't I? Hee, hee!

[Tracey]

LOL! Glad I'm not the only one running around in a frenzy =). I finished reading "Raising Puppies & Kids Together" (great!) and have been working on 'Good Owners, Great Dogs' (also very good, so far). And isn't Care-a-Lot superb?? I went yesterday and of course went way over what I had on my list. Did you see the 'I Love Goldendoodles' magnet? ;)

As others mentioned, I wouldn't worry about the food...by the time you move he'll be way past puppy food, and no telling what he'll be eating at that point.

We bring Seamus home on Saturday...can hardly wait! Would be great to get all of the VA pups together so that they have some safe buddies to play with.

And btw...I'm a military wife as well =).

[MBKANE]

Leslie when I made the drive home from OMD back to Va Beach I stopped twice. Both times I pulled into a Office Park area that had some grass (not likely to have had dogs there often). It isn't hard to find an office park at most exits and this was a great option for me.

Also don't overstress about this. You sound very prepared and things will workout fine. Raising a puppy is about enjoying the ride and being willing to go with the flow. Also I would love to get our Doodles together! Kensi just loves loves loves puppies and other dogs, it would be great socialization for both our dogs :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Two years is a long time - I say get the Kirkland's for now and switch later.
Look for industrial buildings that have been landscaped, or even parkways of shopping malls to stop at. There tend to be fewer dogs who frequent these places and if you clean it up......

[Adina P]

You sound like me when I was preparing =)

One option for potty is to buy a cheap plastic tablecloth...lay that on the ground and cover with newspaper...didnt work with my pup, but works for some!

As for the food...don't worry about 2 years from now---a lot can change in that time and new foods may appear and current foods may cease to exist...get something good you can obtain where you live NOW =)

[Susan]

Leslie, i am excited for you and can't wait to see the pictures of the new baby!

[Debbie and Thomas]

You are going to be a great GD mom! Re food-we went with what the breeder had been feeding him-it is a good no wheat-no grain-no soy formula so we stuck with it. I was too worried about changing it. Re sleep deprivation-not a peep from our GD.(we brought him home Nov. 25th) We put a stuffed animal in with him and went to bed exhausted that night. I did not sleep well waiting for him to whimper-NOT a peep. To this day-no problem there. We were not prepared at all as our puppy came available to us suddenly. We literally went to pick him up and did not have a crate or anything yet. We wrapped him in a blanket and drove home for three hours. It was late and we made him a nice warm bed in the main floor laundry room. We gently placed him in there with the stuffed animal. The next day-I was off to the pet store!! We were overwhelmed-and people kept coming over to see him. I was a nervous wreck, but it all turned out well. I am sure you will be great parents for this little guy.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

You are having the time of your life, aren't you!! Such an exciting time. Have fun and drive safe. Can't wait to see the pictures of your homecoming.

[Deena Womack]

Sounds like fun, bringing home a new "little" one!! Congratulations!!