Sleep? What does that mean??? -- Day 3 with Camden

[Camden's Mom]

I've been up since 5am to relieve DH from puppy duties - I think he was up from the time I passed out (around 12 or 1am). Sound familiar? Camden is 8 weeks and came home on Friday night. It's Sunday morning and he is now sleeping at my feet - interesting to watch Camden decide whether to go back to his "bed" and continue sleeping with DH or come out to the living room and sleep at my feet.

Baby Camden has a crate in our bedroom. He goes in willingly and is very comfy in his "bed" - he just learned "bed" yesterday, on Day 2 of being home. Problem is, during the night he naps and then gets up almost every hour to pee or play or just get some attention. I'm sure he is missing his littermates - I believe he has nightmares as I hear him whince in his sleep. Anyway, when DH is up we'll compare notes to see what Camden did last night. (need to start that diary)

We're working on potty training - he has pee pads tucked under a wizdog in the bathroom. He pooped on that all 3 times since he's been home. YAY! On the other hand, he pees in the bathroom on the pads/wizdog basically when we guess right at when he may want to pee. We need to work on that.

He loves his chew toys. He has 3 toys for now and I'll wait to buy him new ones or hold off on giving him new ones -may not be able to resisit the buying part ;-) , so that he doesn't get ADD on me. He dislikes his collar and the rattling noise from the AVID microchip tag annoys him. I wanted to see how he'd do tethered to me for the day, but we'll have to try the collar again and tethering some other time.

Camden gets Fromm's Puppy Gold with shredded chedder on top. Last night he devoured his bowl after 2 tries of feeding dinner (he didn't eat much in the morning). Then this morning he vomitted much of what he ate - I thnk he was too excited. I fed soon after he woke and he was pretty excited to play this morning. Next time we wait until he is calm to eat. Anyway, I sense it takes alot to grab and chew the little pellets. Should I be softening his food with water? He seems to chew some of his food, but I'm afraid he just inhales most of it without thoroughly chewing.

So we survived the first 2 nights (need to confirm this with DH when he gets up). Looking forward to see what today brings...

[Krystle]

We are having exactly the same routine with our 8wk old pup too! Doesn't matter how late she goes to bed, she is ready to play at 5am and will not settle back to sleep until she's tuckered out from playing. (Which is usually when i have to move her so i can leave for work!)
We just have our fingers crossed that her bladder grows quickly because the 5am alarm hurts!!!

[Amanda Jacobs]

found your comment on the awaiting puppy chat group. we are bringing home our golden doodle on wednesday afternoon... after months and months of waiting :) i'll soon be in the same boat as you so it is fun to see you are surviving and enjoying the new pup.

my breeder recommended the book "cesar's way" by cesar millan (the dog whisperer). really great read if interested. great insight to the pyschology of a dog.

best of luck... just know that you will not be alone in those sleepless nights :)

[Adina P]

oh the fun of that first week! :-D
It won't be long till Camden sleeps through the night...may get up "early" but will sleep without needing potty breaks in a week or so (usually...exception proves the rule right?). I forget if you've mentioned it elsewhere, but I'm curious...why use indoor potty?

[Camden's Mom]

It's only been 1 full day and 2 nights. Just got that feeling in the pit pf my stomach - you know, the one you get while waiting on the line for the rollercoaster. I never did like rollercoasters ; - )