New owner advice?

[Kelly H]

Hi! We are going to be new Doodle parents in 3 weeks! I was wondering you any of you had any tips/advice for us. Thanks!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What an exciting time for you!! I would suggest you check out our Puppy Madness group for doodle owners with doodles under 2 years old. Lots of good puppy advice there!!

 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness

 

I would have to say the best tip I would give you is to get a crate and exercise pen for the pup.  These two items were indispensable for us!!  Good luck and be sure to keep us updated on your puppy!!

[Shelby and Kev]

Show your puppy lots of Love and Always be understanding.  Teach yourself to be understanding and stay in Control. Learn here on DK and online.  There are two different breeds in a Doodle.  Learn about both because over time you will see these traits and it helps with training and health.  Have a blast! Remember,  the first year flies so take lots of pics and give lots of lovin!!!  GrrDoodle

[Donna K & Quincy]

Congratulations and welcome to DK. Check out the groups and you will find most all the advice you will ever need. There are lots of discussions about numerous topics. Whatever your issue there is sure to be someone who has an answer or can at least point you in the right direction. The best tip I have for you is to keep your puppy really close to you when he is not crated, makes it much easier to potty train them when they are not left to wander off to find a good potty spot inside. Enjoy your puppy!

[susan kaput]

Yes - keep him close.  The more on top of things you are, the easier it will be in the long run.  Constant monitoring in the beginning will be a big plus in the long run. The more effort you put in will be a big payoff for all of you.  I put in a lot of time with my minidoodle, Angus.  He's a great dog (he's 3 now), and just a joy.  Good luck to you.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

1 - get a crate and x-pen

2 - check out puppy maddness

3 - check out the food group and the dog food project.com

4 - enjoy your puppy.... expect it to be harder than you think, but extremely rewarding

5v- take lots of photos, they grow up quickly

[Adrianne Matzkin]

don't forget to find and sign up for puppy classes - try your local shelter not PetSmart. Please no one take offense, some trainers in PetSmart are just wonderful but most puppies I have personally met leave classes without enough basic puppy education that you can get with other places.

The classes will teach you how to train you puppy.

Enjoy your rest now because in 3 weeks your life will be forever changed in such a wonderful way!

Don't forget to have fun and take tons of pictures and videos!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Doodles are gentle creatures.  Please find obedience classes that use positive rewards rather than punishment.  And get some Nature's miracle!

[Shelley and Riley]

I have had my doodle for four weeks now and it has been great. My advice is a crate, chew toys, and enjoyment.....and oh...I agree with nature's miracle.

[Camilla and Darwin]

My advice is to enjoy it, because they grow up so fast! And be patient, puppies can be kind of crazy. :-) Good thing they are so adorable.

[shelly]

We use the word "hurry" for potty... we watched a training video once where the woman said to use the word "quickies", but my DH just couldn't do it... so 'hurry' it was! LOL

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Shelly that would be as good a joke for public as Clancy's original name with the command off.

Choosing a name is such fun.  Just remember to pick something that is comfortable for you to use and stands the test of time (hopefully your doodle will live to a ripe old age)

[shelly]

Kelly - Also... I would do 2 things... one - get bells to hang on the door to teach your pup to ring them when he needs to go out.  Ring them every time you take the pup out to potty.. it's amazing how they can make the connection so quickly and begin to use them....

and 2 - keep the crate in your room at night (or buy 2 - one for the bedroom and one for the family room (or where ever the pup will spend the day)... We kept tori's crate in my son's room at night so she could see him and smell him... I even put the clothes he wore on the floor OUTSIDE the crate so she could smell him even better... I say outside the crate to avoid a dangerous situation with chewing and eating pieces of the clothes... it worked GREAT - she slept all night and hardly whined at all when put in at night to sleep.  (I'm sure I can think of more as time goes on!)  Good luck!  You are going to LOVE your doodle!  JOIN ALL OF THE GROUPS THAT CAN BE HELPFUL HERE ON DOODLE KISSES!  Can't wait to see pictures!