What to expect when you're...well...expecting!!!

[Janet and Guinness]

If you are reading this and are not in possession of your puppy yet, then I admire you, cuz you are just like me!!  I searched high and low to find someplace to read about just what to do with a new pup.  You see, my husband and I did not have pets growing up and our children (14 and 11) have had limited exposure to dogs, let alone puppies.  I wanted to find a book, an article, something that would tell me what to do from minute one....I did not want to mess this puppy up....I have great children, how hard can it be, right??

Yes, I, like you, have read all the books out there, asked everyone for advice (all varying in their opinions), stocked my puppy basket with all kinds of supplies, purchased a crate (2 actually) and waited for the 'due date'!  We dont need to chat about breed selection because you have already made what I think to be a wise choice, in purchasing (rescuing) a doodle.  

SO waiting for the day......bought the crates, the poochie bells, the dog food (a brand recommended by my breeder), some liver treats, some Kongs, a Tuffy toy and a soft blanket.  Ok ok ...I also bought puppy shampoo, dental foam, nail clippers, the stuff to use when you make a mistake with the nail clippers, a grooming brush, poop and scoop bags, a bully stick and an exercise pen.(did not use it as a pen, instead used the folded pen to block off our doorways)  Yes, a little type A here but I wanted to be prepared.  (what I would add to this list looking back is a container of dog wipes ...more on this later)

Day One:  My husband and I head to the breeders with our children around noon.    Everyone excited but I have a heaviness in my chest..feeling like our lives are about to change and I have no idea if its going to be for the better...that's normal right?  Breeder said to hold puppy going home (about a 20 min drive).  Pick up was calm and informative, we watched Guinness (our choc brown mini aussi doodle) pee outside (oooo and ahhhh-ing) and then we took the blanket the breeder gave us (scented with mom and siblings), all the paperwork etc and piled into the car.   I wrapped Guinness in the blanket I brought (Canada...winter) and sat in the backseat between my children.  We spoke calmly the whole way home while Guinness whimpered and squirmed but was pretty good all things considered.  

Arriving home, my husband took Guinness right out to the spot in our yard that had been cleared (snow..Canada) for him to pee, which he did.  We then carried him in, right to our family room that had been puppy proofed and gated off.  In this space, we had one of the crates, his dog food dishes and his toys.  We put out food but it stayed untouched for most of the afternoon.  Guinness wandered and explored, we kept our interaction low key, not too much fuss or babying..just let him sniff around to get comfy.  Within an hour he was napping on the soft blanket.  Right after the nap, we took him outside, he peed....then peed again inside!!   He ate and then had a huge poop outside.  

There are four times we knew that Guinness had to go out:

1.  After a nap   2.  After eating.  3. After being let out of his crate  4.  After a vigorous play session

That is pretty much always I guess..

Guinness stayed content to hang out and play or nap for most of the first day...we were outside for pee breaks quite a bit (I recorded the times and 'events' and I still am, heading into week two)  Around 8 pm we removed his water bowl and tried to keep him from completely conking out until 10 pm.  The breeder said the pups were sleeping by 10pm and up by 630am.  No night time pee breaks she said...is that too good to be true??  She also suggested that for the first night or two that we flip the crate upside down, remove the plastic tray and put his mat on the bottom.(with the blanket the breeder gave us) This allows you to slide you hand in thru  the wider spaces that are now at the top, so that you can soothe your pup when he is crying which I think is a guarantee for the first few nights.  So we did that to the crate that is in our bedroom, adjacent to our bed (my side)  I did have to get up quite a few times the first night, slid my hand in, gave him a gentle rub and said...shhhh  lie down, each time.  I let this happen for two nights, then righted the crate so I could not do it anymore and just used my voice to say shhh lie down if he whimpered....this lasted 2 more nights and by night 5 I did not hear a peep from my pup...yep   10 to 7......no going out midway thru the night, ever!!!!!!!

Day 2 to 7:  Looked like a steady stream of napping, pee breaks and play time.  I did not put Guinness in his crate for the amount of time that the books recommend during the day.  I did use the Kong (stuffed with dry kibble and packed in with Kong yogurt in a tube) and a teething Kong that had kibble pushed inside to lure him in the crate.  I did have to leave Guinness in his crate to run my children to school and to get groceries.  For these times, I gave him the Kongs, made sure he was calm, closed the door and walked away...no fuss   Upon returning home I could hear him whimpering and I did not let him out until he was not barking and sitting calmly.  So far this routine has been working well and occasionally I see Guinness crawl into his crate and play with the Kongs.  That is good, right ?  I do have the luxury of being at home currently so I am able to watch him closely, and when I can't, in his crate he goes.

**Day 3 we had a Vet visit, for the full once over, shots etc.  Our Vet was wonderful with us, patient and kind to Guinness.  We felt so reassured, I hope you find a good Vet too...ask around, it is worth the piece of mind .  BTW we opted for no pet insurance..major bills are pretty rare with this breed but can happen...Vet suggested putting the $$ aside that we would have spent on premiums..this way we will have a little bank roll if we need it, but its not gone to the Insurance company. Vet also mentioned that with the type of curly fleece Guinness has, he may have issues with "cling-ons" that could cause potential clogs to the poop shoot.  Yes, this did happen about three days later.  A quick trip to the groomer had Guinness clipped in that area (a reverse Brazilian I call it) and all seems good now.  We use baby wipes if we see anything 'hanging' around there.  

Day 7 we expanded Guinness' living space to include the kitchen...he had a pee accident on day 7 (one of three since we had him home) but fully my fault.  He explored the new space and had to get used to being "under foot" since he was now following me around everywhere...our hardwood is dark brown, almost his coat colour so things are still a little dicey when we are walking around.  By  Day 7 I noticed Guinness's appetite increase, he couldnt eat his kibble fast enough when I put the bowl down so the breeder said increase his serving size slightly.  Feeding three times a day, btw, and removing kibble after about a half hour.  

I am currently only on Day 10:  all things progressing like clockwork....most important, as a family, we have remained patient and consistent...all using the same cues  (go pee,  get busy, leave it, down, come)  Yes, I feel like I have a new born, that my life is not the same that it was before, but I do know that it will get easier and life will go on.  Guinness is a great little pup, so loving and obedient.  I really do marvel at how calm he is...for now.  I know things will get crazy at times and that we are all just finding our way.....Common sense does seem to help and having read a lot, I am always choosing which strategy to try and sticking with it.  

You are going to love your new addition...they will test you and your patience (and your sanity) but they are pretty amazing creatures.  Just remember that they are not babies, dont humanize them even tho they are so flipping cute, they are dogs after all.  

Just as a last note, these are the strategies I am trying...crate training ( a MUST, dont argue with me on this one), tethering for short periods during the day, Poochie bells to let us know when he has to go out, and I am trying not to treat train...instead I use treats to reward behaviour I see occurring  (i.e..  when he is laying down nicely, I say Good Lay Down..and give him a treat, same when he wanders in to his crate)  Guinness gets lots of positive praise for peeing outside or for laying on his mat etc)  Treat training can be a slippery slope and is a quick way to get compliance, but I like rewarding him with praise and treats when he is doing things he should "naturally" not on command.  Yes you can argue with me on this one, everyone has a system that works for them, you will find yours.  Whatever it is embrace it and be consistent.

Have fun................

[Debbie and Bentley]

Since I will be getting a doodle this fall, I definitely need a refresher course! Thank you for this, and I will be anxiously watching for future updates! Guinness sounds like an awesome puppy. Your children are a good age to enjoy him :)

[Brittney & Cally]

I also think you should look into pet insurance. You can search through the discussions because there are a lot of great ones and a lot of suggestions for different companies. This breed has a bunch of "genes" in the melting pot so there are a lot of issues that could come up and it would be good to have that reassurance of something were to happen!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I love that you waited  to write a blog and what works!! Mine are well past new puppy stage but as I read it it makes perfect sense. 

I also do not agree about the no insurance part. It isn't for the 'regular' vet visit stuff - it is for the G-d forbid stuff like a swallowed piece of sock or lego that no one saw or a torn ACL because a dog lands wrong when running. It is worth for me the peace of mind that I never have to make a choice between the care of one of my 4 doodles and money. I work with Doodle Rescue and I can't count how many doodles have been adopted out through us because their former families could not afford life saving surgery.

The other part I would check into is the food your breeder suggested. If you haven't already join the Food Group and read what others have researched. 

I can't wait to hear more of your life with Mr. G!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great blog. I really think every pet owner has to find their own way of doing things, like you said.  I do very little by the book and some would say, "well, we can tell," but for the most part, it works for us. Sounds like you are doing a great job. I also have Pet Insurance for both my dogs and highly recommend it. These dogs are no different than any others and can have major vet bills, but again, you have to find what works for you. Good luck!

[Janet and Guinness]

Really good point about the Insurance....I will read the posts here and decide what our next steps will be

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Your blog is terrific and you are doing a terrific job. Puppyhood is a challenge which you are obviously managing really well. I have one (big) word of caution. You opted for no insurance???!!!! Whoever told you this breed doesn't have problems is not telling you the truth. All dogs potentially have (very expensive) problems. There are many many discussions on DK about this subject. Some from people who suddenly found themselves with very large bills for puppies. Torn ligaments, accidents etc etc etc. you name it we've heard it here. My puppy Boris recently had surgery on both shoulders. The bill is running at $5000 at the moment. He is sixteen months old. Unless you can put about $3000 into a fund and add to it monthly or are wealthy enough to manage an unexpected large bill I would urge you to get insurance.

[Janet and Guinness]

Thank you both for reading..I am not sure how to comment back individually so will just say thanks for the comments.  I agree that the Poochie bells have been great but Guinness is now just sitting at the door and giving a little whimper so I know he has to go.  (no body slamming hahaha)  Funny how we all find our way..thank goodness for this site...it has been a beacon for me!

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is a terrific blog! It sounds like your family is doing a great job with your pup. Congratulations. I know new puppy owners are going to be happy to read your story. Everyone's experience is different, but you have given a wonderful description your first days with Guinness.

[Brittney & Cally]

I love this and it is great for those who wonder what the first few days will be like. I agree with crate training! Cally got the bells and understood them but soon stopped using them and alerted us by barking or body slamming the door which I think is the most adorable thing ever! ( check back with me on that when she is 50 pounds or so though! LOL)  I too did not do the treat for going to the potty and it worked out for me I just did high praise and she was potty trained in two weeks! Sounds like you got a handle on things and I cannot wait to see how Guinness progresses!