Week One (ish)

[Rachel and Ollie]

So if any of you have been "following" my posts, chats, discussions, etc you know that this has been somewhat of a challenge so far! With all of the drama surrounding the plans for getting a puppy, and then leaving on a work trip and relying on a puppy sitter for his first few days, I think I lost some of the excitement that I expected I would have. 

 

To explain a little bit...I just moved really far from home and have been experiencing a ton of homesickness. I think I thought that a puppy would cure my loneliness. Well he came home and is adorable, but he is well...a puppy. (who knew that puppies are a lot of work?) 

 

So after coming back from the work trip exhausted and more homesick then I have ever been in my life, I suddenly had a dog to take care of. And wow, talk about a constant responsibility. He poops on my carpet (duh right?) and cries if I leave the room. I feel guilty when I have to leave him in his crate too long and even more guilty that by the time he goes in, I am happy about it. 

 

The other night I gave him a bath and the poor little guy just hates baths. He let me scrub him though and then after he curled up on the kitchen rug (he is gated in the kitchen...I spend most of my time in here sitting on the floor now lol) and was shivering. I picked him up and he fell dead asleep in my lap with a blanket to warm him. It was adorable. Then all of the sudden two jumping fleas were spotted on my kitchen floor! I was real freaked out. I hate bugs. I am still really nervous about it. I vacuumed all of the carpet (which he does not spend much time on anyways) and I gave him a pill to kill all the live ones (which I didn't see any on his coat) and then I got him a preventative (which smells weird lol). Anyways, I saw one or two more after I gave the medicine, but haven't seen any more since. Hopefully we are good to go. If not I am sure you will all hear about my freakout...because I will lol. 

 

I taught him the sit command which is working well. I am working on trying to get him to not bark or nip/bite (it is a challenge if I leave the room, or if he wants out of the crate...he goes in fine, just doesn't want to stay a long time). 

 

He is really smart and loves everyone (as I am sure all doodles do). Great dog. I just am still unsure about whether I am a great owner.  

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Rachel, I think one of the most important things you can do right now is just spend time with him, holding him, petting him, teaching him a few commands, even feeding him out of your hand. All those things will really help to increase the bond between the two of you. I think this will help you feel more confident and happy with Oliver--because you will know he is happy with you!

FWIW, Cosmo was never confined in his crate--he just couldn't handle it, it seemed to me. But we have a baby-gate for the kitchen, as you do, and that became his area for sleeping and for when we had to leave the house. Now he can be trusted outside his "room" when we leave the house, but he still goes in the kitchen for sleeping at night.

When Oliver has had his last round of puppy shots, you might look into Puppy Kindergarten--I highly recommend Puppy Love Training, which holds classes at the America's Country Store in Wellborn. And your friends in the Brazos Valley Doodles group would be happy to set up a playdate! All our doodles are well-socialized, and they were all very sweet to Cosmo when he was little!

Wishing you all the best. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know!

[Rachel and Ollie]

Thanks all, I think most of it is just nerves and it has just seemed like one thing after another. I am starting to calm down...especially now that I have come and gone a couple times and he has been completely fine. Sorry if I seem like I don't like him. I really do.

[Dori & Rua]

Hey Rachel...great post.  Just remember, dear, we all have your back!  We are all here for you.  See you Friday PM Yappy Hour?

[Brandi]

Rachel, I agree that what you are feeling is very normal.  When I got my first doodle, after not having a puppy for 11 years, I was VERY nervous.  It is a lot of hard work, and is sometimes overwhelming, but, soooo worth it.  I can look at my doodle Magnet, and I thank God every day I have her.  I molded her into what she is, although she is not perfect by any means, but she is a good girl and I am proud of the dog she has become..  Remember that your puppy is just a puppy.  When he is all grown up, you'll forget how hard it was through the "puppy days" and you'll catch the "doodle fever" and you'll want another one. haha   That is exactly what I did, after Mags was pretty much grown up, I started all over and got another doodle puppy and I'm glad I did.  Now that the baby, Smudge, is grown, I find myself missing the puppy stuff.  You'll be fine, relax and enjoy it.  :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rachel, I also want to say everything you are feeling is so normal and things will get better. Oliver sounds like he is doing great and is a perfectly normal puppy!! The good thing about dogs is they are very forgiving and I am sure you are doing a fine job.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rachel, I have been following your posts, etc. and have been thinking about your situation. Puppies are a lot of work. I think for it to work, you have to be 100% committed to this puppy. A dog can be the best companion in the world, but he will not prevent you from feeling lonely and missing your family. I am sure you have it in you to be a wonderful, loving owner, but there is no shame in admitting a puppy might not be right for you and you made a mistake. I just sense ambivalence and it is better for that sweet puppy to admit it now than to wait months. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Rachel from what I gather you are doing great! stop beating youself up! It sounds like he is doing normal puppy stuff. All that matters is he loves you and you love him and you do the best you can for him. You two are going to be very happy together. Is there any way you can take some time off work to spend with him? When I first brough home Sophie Bear I took a few weeks off and it was well worth it.

Anyway, He is super cute! Relax and enjoy him - the puppy days don't last forever!