Barkley is HOME :) Third Night Update on page 6

[Alli and Barkley]

OMD no one told me how quickly I would fall head over heals for my new puppy.  We love him like crazy :)  He did amazing on the hour car ride home- slept half the time, whined a tiny bit, gazed happily out the window.  Once getting home he went potty outside, then explored the house.  Within fifteen minutes we gave him some food, and he ate about half.   Played a little, back outside, potty again (WAHOO), repeat.  

 

He is already going up and down stairs (three steps off our porch)- should I be worried?  He seems so young to do that.  He was hesitant when we went outside, and I was about to pick him up to carry him down but, he did it on his own.  

 

He hates his leash- likes to bite it constantly when outside.  I just take it out of his mouth and redirect him.  Hopefully he will start to ignore it soon

 

He loves to be around people, especially my 5 yr old- if Jackson is out of Barkley's sight he whines for him.  

 

Enough of that- here are a few pics.  I'll be back for more if I get time to breathe :)

 

Completely sleeping on Jackson.  "Mom, can you move him a bit, I want to get up."  Ten minutes later... "Mooooooooooooooom, I need to get up"

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Happy Mother's Day to you new doodle mom. You are doing an awesome job. Barkley is right on track. No worries about comforting him with your fingers in the night. It will all work out. as the days (and nights) proceed.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

What a great beginning.

We used a cat carrier and placed it on the recliner next to our bed.  This way we did not have to sleep on the floor. 

I am a very STRONG believer in comforting a puppy who has just left its biological mother and  the new mother should also provide warmth, comfort, and reassurance vs. letting them cry.  YOU DID A GOOD JOB!

If you can borrow someone's cat carrier and save your back   :)   Otherwise, this does get better really quick. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Wow...you are a dedicated doodle mom...sleeping on the floor. You are probably a lot younger than me, because I wouldn't be able to get up in the morning :) I think you did great and I agree with Joanne wholeheartedly. I kept our crate next to my side of the bed and just would lean over and stick my fingers in at night. I also would take them out early in the morning (like 4:30 am) and bring them back into bed with us, just so I could get some more sleep. I loved this morning snuggle time. It is entirely up to you to do what works for you with your pup. He sounds wonderful and it does get easier.

[BG and Gavin]

Use your voice to soothe as well.  I did not talk so much as murmur or hum quietly and that did the trick.  They just need to know that they are not alone.

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

That is awesome that he had a great night. I wake up at 530 everyday with Coco. She finally let's me sleep in at 1 year old. I talked to Coco when she whined and that helped her through the first week, but she wasn't comforted by my hand at the time. She still likes to be talked to. After a week I stopped talking to her and told her stop when she would start to whine and she did!! Once you hit making it through the night without potty breaks it gets better. I went with doing out at 11 and then not again until 530. She learned because they don't like to mess in their crates. I pushed back an hour each month she was home.so she moved on to 10 and then 9. She now has times that we go for a 7 potty break and she doesn't have to go again until almost 7 in the morning!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sounds like the first night went really well!  It gets easier and easier!   And what a smart boy to go to his potty spot, good job. 

[Julie and Maggie]

I just bought that same squeaky toy too. It was highly recommended at out Pet Food Express. I like how interactive it is. Now I just need my puppy!

[BG and Gavin]

That last photo is just beautiful!  Gorgeous son and sweet puppy!  Congratulations!

[Jennifer and Jack]

He is so, so cute!!!! I can see why you are in love!!!!!

[Leslie J]

OMD, is he ever cute!!!  It sounds like you are doing everything right!  The first few nights Cocoa was home I slept on the couch right next to her crate (she sleeps in our family room) so I could comfort her.  Soon, she was sleeping right through the night and I returned to my bed.  I'm with you- I couldn't just let her cry by herself.  I'm sure that soon he'll be sleeping well and then you will too!!!

Happy Mother's Day to the human... and new doodle mom!

[Alli and Barkley]

Night two-

Barkley slept like a champ.  So much better than the first whine filled night.  We took him out at 10pm, then he went to his crate, I closed the door and he slept till 1am without making a peep.  At 1am he woke us up with a whine, hubby took him out, he went pee and right back in the crate- he whined for a minute- I went to pet him, then I went back to my bed and he fell asleep on his own without any more whining.  He then slept till 5am!  Out, potty, then he went back to sleep till 6am.   I set his food out and he wouldn't eat so I was so nervous.  Barkley just sat there looked at me and whimpered.  First I thought he was sick, then DUH I realized he had to go out.  So we went outside Barkley peed, pooped, and then he came back in and ate about 3/4 of his food, played for 15 minutes, and he is sleeping again- One tired puppy!  I guess its normally to sleep this much, right?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Puppies sleep A LOT at this age. It is a good thing :) Remember, a sleeping puppy is a good puppy...LOL! Glad last night was better.