Week two complete!

[Elizabeth & Cooper]

So I remember my saviour (Sue) at the pet supply store down the street said to me last week 'just wait until next week... when he's got more courage and energy'. I just kind of brushed it off rather than stressing too much about what week 2 would hold. Sue was right in MANY ways but week 2 is now behind us and we made it :).

Cooper definitely has a lot more energy this week. We've got our routine down and he had one accident (pee) in the house which is pretty okay, I think. The good news is that he's walking MUCH better on the leash and we can now go for a greater distance and he'll walk by my side for the most part. The bad news is that he's discovered that he loves chewing his leash. I think I'll be picking up some bitter apple to spray on it tomorrow so that I can start to put an end to that!!

The nipping has also definitely worsened. During the day he's pretty good and I'm never nervous to let him interact with children (who all seem to be drawn to him) but, during witching hour (7 - 8 p.m. usually) he gets his zoomies and definitely starts to nip. This is the thing I am struggling with the most. This and just his general level of energy and disobedience at this time!

We've had some rain here and so I've had to deal with a dirty, dirty puppy as he absolutely LOVES playing in puddles and is obsessed with sticks. He's also retrieving really well and I have found that some time playing fetch really helps to poop him out.

Sleeping has been great. He goes to bed with no fuss and sleeps in and/or waits patiently for mom to wake up. I really hope this continues as I love my sleep!

I won't lie - I had a few moments of 'oh my god, what have I done' and also a few more moments of 'Maybe I'm not cut out for this / I'm a terrible doodle mom'. This is probably also partly because I'm in a new city and spend most of my time alone with him so I'll work on that. My issues, not his! I am so thankful for all the advice on this site and the good wisdom of my dog owning friends to keep me sane.

I wonder what week 3 will hold......

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Ok, one accident and sleeping through the night? You are a wonderful doodle mom! Patience and consistency is all you need.

[Amanda & Riley]

Elizabeth, only ONE accident in the house!?!? I think I would cry of joy! That is amazing..

[Elizabeth & Cooper]

Thanks everyone. Laurie - thanks for sharing that link. So funny! I can definitely relate as I didn't shower for around 4 days (or maybe more) when Cooper came home. If I knew more people here (just moved to Ottawa), I'm pretty sure an intervention would have been staged. I can already look back and see how far we've come. That first shower, with him yelping, was just brutal but now I can be anywhere in the house and he'll be quiet in his pen. I just want the biting to stop!! But, we'll get there.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh the "dreaded" puppy stage!  It sounds like you're doing just great!  Each week will bring new (mostly wonderful) adventures with Cooper.  Thanks for the update.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Maybe this will help. We have all been there.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/puppy-fever

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Elizabeth, When I first brought Fudge home it had been 15 years since we had a puppy. I felt like I had Postpartum Depression in the beginning. I was so tired...that is the main thing I remember. I just knew I made the biggest mistake ever. It didn't take long and I realized I made one of the best decisions of my life and a year later got Vern. Everything you are talking about is so normal and will pass. Before long, you two will be in a groove and you will never know how you got along without him. It just takes time, but enjoy every minute of the puppy stage. It goes by so fast.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Elizabeth, Cooper is just adorable. I'm glad things sound like they are going well. The "What have I done?" and "Am I cut out for this?" are everyone's cries at one time or another during puppyhood. You are both doing really well from what you have said here. Congratulations!