Week one is done!

[Elizabeth & Cooper]

Well it's been a week and a day since Cooper came home and I have to say that it's been a pretty great week! I think I was bracing myself for the worst based on all that 'good luck sleeing' and 'I hope he doesn't ruin your floors' I was getting from people leading up to his arrival. This little guy has been SO great and I am so happy with how he's settled in. Here are a few highlights and challenges from week one:

 

Bedtime
Cooper has been sleeping GREAT! He goes in his crate easily at night and has been sleeping straight through with no problem. The last couple of mornings I have woken up around 8 a.m. and he's been away but just playing quietly in his crate. I feel really lucky on this front.

 

Walks

He's getting better on his leash each day and today he was walking really well beside me (though he does tend to pull a bit when we get close to home and will still have the odd 'flow down on the sidewalk' moment). He's definitely got retriever in him though and I really need to keep an eye on what he's doing as he has taken to trying to sneak rocks into the house!

 

Playtime

I have been really impressed with how well he's been doing with 'independent' play. He hasn't gotten into any trouble in the house (yet) and I've really been focused with exchanging 'no no' behviour and items with his toys. He's also been really good with people and has more friends in the neighbourhood than I do now (I just moved here a month ago). He's doing some mouthing and play biting so that's a focus of mine as I don't want it to become a habit.

Barking

I was so worried about this one but the can with pennies in it has been a life saver. He'll let out the odd play bark but overall he's been a quiet little guy.

 

Potty training

This is going pretty well. No accidents yesterday and none so far today. He's able to go a couple hours when he's in his play pen and is holding it all night. I need to pay more attention, however, when he's up and oustide the pen playing. That's when he's had a few accidents but I can count the total number on one hand. Yah Cooper!

 

Mommy's working

Over the course of the weekend I went from being on vacation, to working from the couch near his pen, to working in my at-home office and he adapted well. There was a bit of whining when I was in my office but nothing that didn't go away after 30 seconds or so. I am really lucky that I can work from home but I also think it's important for him to get use to a few hours being "alone" even though I'm just in a different room. It will still be a little while until I leave him for any longer than an hour or so but it's really mindblowing to see the difference from when he first came home and would cry if he didn't see me to now still being asleep when I come home from grocery shopping!

 

I am so incredibly pleased with how week one has gone. I love this little guy so much and he's already brought so much joy to my life. I know that there will still be many more 'what have I done moments' to come but, so far, he's doing so great. Thank you to everyone on this site who has helped me with tips and suggestions.

Elizabeth and Cooper

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

That's great!  Hopefully little Cooper will be an easy dog (like my Bexter)!  ENJOY!

[Elizabeth & Cooper]

Great to hear! Riley is adorable! I sure hope Cooper continues to be a great little due as the weeks go by!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This is all good news.  Sounds very much like my Riley's first week.  He is now 17 weeks old and is really a joy to have around.  No major problems so far apart from usual puppy stuff.  Roll on week two for Cooper!