Impatiently waiting!

[Katie & Charlie]

Hello everyone!

Thanks for the warm welcome to DK!

Our little guy is almost 2 weeks old now so we have a long way to go before he can come home.  He'll be ready before Christmas but we'll be away so he'll actually be closer to 10 weeks old when we get to bring him home.  The waiting is torture and yet very exciting at the same time!  I'm having a blast reading though all of the great info here as well as other places.  I have a puppy shopping list all ready to go and I even know what food we're going to feed thanks to all of the great people here at DK! 

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

this site is wonderful and so helpful.. I read a lot of books on bringing home puppies, but learned more here. can't wait to follow you on your adaventure.

[Katie & Charlie]

This is an emotional time for me as well.  I had a Golden Retriever for 12 years and we had to put him to sleep due to cancer back in January of this year.  I've had time to heal, but still, I don't think a day goes by that I don't think of him.  I'm so excited, words can't express but I almost feel a little guilty being so happy when my poor Barkley is gone.  :(

[Julie Kaartinen]

I'm just starting into week three with my 10-week old Goldendoodle, and we're FINALLY getting into a routine!  The first week was rough and I questioned my decision to get a puppy numerous times! 

She's sleeping through the night now (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) so that's extremely helpful.  Crate train, crate train, crate train!!  She cried and howled for approximately 15 minutes the first few nights she was home, and I had to go into another room to keep myself from responding to her, but now she doesn't say a peep and settles right down!  She's even put herself to bed a few times!  I have super soft bedding in her crate, plus a large puppy-friendly stuffed bunny to keep her company.  I also have the crate draped with a heavy blanket, and drape a small baby blanket over the door to the crate when it's lights out.  That makes her feel very secure and her surroundings den-like. 

She knows how to "sit" and "down" and we're working on "shake."  However, she's learned to run from me when I try to catch her, so that's a problem we have to get under control ASAP.  She think's it's a game, but it's not funny when I need to catch her! 

She's tons of fun, very precocious, and very smart!  Potty training is going well, and we've only had a few accidents in the house this past week!!  Enjoy your new puppy when s/he arrives!  The wait seems excrutiating at times, but it's well worth it!!   

[Katie & Charlie]

I'm so glad you guys are starting to get into a routine, Julie!  What you just described is what I've been worried about.. those first few weeks.  We're definitely planning to crate train.  I had a Golden for 12 years and that's how we trained him in the early days.  Worked like a charm.  He was so easy.  I hope this one is cooperative as well but I'm trying to prepare myself for a difficult pup, just in case!

Good luck on finishing up the potty training!  :)

[Katie & Charlie]

Now the problem is coming up with a good name.  All of the good ones I've thought of won't work for various reasons... neighbors have a late dog with that name, friend has a son with that name, husband doesn't like it, etc.  ugh... this isn't easy.  It doesn't help that I'm horribly picky.  :)

[Julie Kaartinen]

Yes, naming is hard, as I don't care for the "common" dog names!  I had my heart set on Raina, but my husband vetoed that immediately, saying it sounded too much like his ex-wife's name (Renaye)!  I told him to get over it as they've been divorced for over 25 years, but he wouldn't budge!!  We ended up with a Finnish name as that's where my husband is from.  Kaija (pronounced "Kiyah') means "pure" but we choose it just because we liked the way it sounds.  Keep us posted on what you choose! 

[Katie & Charlie]

Julie, Kaija is a beautiful name.  :)  I will definitely keep you guys posted.  I received some wonderful suggestions in the puppy madness group but I can't let Charlie go.  I just love it so much.  It's certainly not original but I can't get it out of my head.  The general consensus so far is that I should just ask my neighbor (who had a dog named charlie put to sleep a couple of years ago) if she would mind.  No harm in asking, right?

[Donna K & Quincy]

Congratulations on your new puppy! It is such an exciting time. DKers love to play name the puppy , just start a discussion about what you'd like in a name and watch the suggestions roll in. You may just find one you like. Good luck.

[Katie & Charlie]

Thanks, Donna.  I will do that!  :)

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

you could go over to your neighbors and say. I loved your dog, charlie and we are getting a puppy in december and we are naming him after charlie. would you like to be godmother and pay to have him fixed? okay, maybe leave the last part out.