Bringing my first doddle home in the morning

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

She is 8 weeks old. Anyone have any advice on how to make the first couple days go easy?

My last puppy was 9 years ago and my memory of the first week was of me having to sleep on the couch with him because if not he cried all night long.  I am hoping to have her in the cage at night right away but scared she will cry to loud and keep everyone awake. The breeder took her from mom at 6 weeks but put her with 2 sisters until 2 nights ago she said she would put her in a cage alone but she will be in a room with other puppies.

 

Any other tips on how to get a good start to potty training?  I am going to try the bell method to teach her to ring the bell but have never done it before any tips?

 

 

[Rachel and Ollie]

Hey! Ollie was my first puppy. I was nervous about the first night. I ended up sleeping by his crate (he was fine, but I was all nervous). I got him a snuggle puppy. Did you happen to get one? If not I know that Target has a similar thing for babies. It has a heartbeat and Ollie still sleeps on it (we no longer turn on the heartbeat part of it). This really helped him to acclimate to not having his brothers and sisters. 

I used the bell method with Ollie too. I would bump his nose or paw on it EVERY time we left to go potty. It took a while, but he now uses it to tell me every time he needs to go outside. 

I also ended up keeping Ollie in the kitchen with a gate. It helped me sooo much. It was easier to keep track of him and easier to clean up after him. 

I bet you all are so excited! :)

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

Never heard od Snuggle puppy... wish I did and could have ordered one earlier.

The way my kitchen is set up its impossible to baby get her in there because my kitchen and family room are one big room. So she will have acess to carpet & tile. But beyond that we have a gate up so she should always been in view so I can try to catch her in the act if she has an accident.

[Rachel and Ollie]

If you really wanted something like that I know barnes and noble and I think target has this -http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/toys-games-sleep-sheep/12607004?ean...

It's very similar to the snuggle puppy, but for babies :) 

I have also heard this works -  http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754626&lmd... 

Ollie didn't have too bad of a time in his crate. Some do, some don't. Luckily they are cuddly and like naps :) 

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

Thanks, Well I will be meeting the breeder at a half way point so I wont have the chance to do the towel thing.  The breeder lived 3.5 miles away and we went to her place when the puppies were only 5 weeks old to pick the one we wanted.

I hear this breed is a little better with being ok with the cage and some even like it.  I had yorkies before and they are known to hate being cages and even at 8 years old he would cry in his cage.

 

Thanks for the potty training advice.... BRRR why did I want to get a puppy in the middle of winter???  lol  Its only 7 degress this morning so the night time & early morning potty outings are not going to be my fav part.  I cant wait until she is to the point my other dog was and you could just open the door and let them out alone.  How long did the middle of the night potty trips last?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Did you really mean the breeder lived 3.5 miles away and you met halfway?  Why?  Just curious.  I would have the breeder rub a blanket on the mom or do you already have her? 

One thing I did was have a baggie of Cheerios that I took outside with Bexter.  I kept the baggie right by the back door so it was handy fast.  I would tell him to GO POTTY & then when he did I immediately put a Cheerio in his mouth.  If you wait until you get back in, they don't associate the treat with the deed.  Also - SUPERVISE constantly...limit access to all the house & gradually increase it.  Important to prevent accidents.  IF she has an accident, if you are supervising constantly (which will be tricky with a small child, but you can do it!) you can catch her & make it a teachable moment.  ENJOY your new puppy...they grow up soooo fast!

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

No the breeder is over 3 hours away. And I'm so upset because I tried to contact the breeder and she won't respond back. I would have never expected this out of this lady.

I'm trying potty training with out treats because the vet said nothing but dog food for a week or so since her tummy is messed up.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Congrats and good luck! When are you bringing the 2nd one home? Lol

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

LOL no second one.  I am pregnant and due in May so a 4yr old, puppy doddle & new born will be enough for me for a little bit.

I told hubby I wish we had the money to buy 2 litter mates.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

HA!  The question about the second doodle made me laugh! 

Lindsey...You say no 2nd doodle???  HA!  That's what they ALL say...

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

I had 2 dogs before and it was a pain in the butt not to mention the vet bills.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Congrats on your new puppy.  When I brought Sasha home she was very quiet and such a good girl.  I had her crate in the living room so I stayed out on the couch with her.  She went in the crate and slept the night with no problems what so ever.  When I brought Oliver home 8 months later when he was 10 wks. old I also had no problem, he kind of followed what Sasha did.  I you want the puppy to sleep in the crate at night be persistant and don't waver no matter how difficult it is.  A good puppy is a tired puppy.   With both my doodles I would pick up the water about 9 pm and would take them out for the last time about 11pm and had no problems with them messing in the crate.  Good luck with your new doodle and post lots of pictures :)

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

I tried to put her in there tired but it doesn't work.