Anyone want to weigh in on a name for our new puppy?

[Bridget and Lupin]

Hi everyone....

I'm new to DK and we are getting our labradoodle puppy on March 16th!!  Our pup will be a cream colored little girl.  I'm completely obsessing over names (among other things!).  I understand that you all love playing the name game, so I'm hoping you'll feel like weighing in on our top 3 choices. I can't decide between Lupin (one of my favorite spring flowers), Marin (from Marin Co, CA which we love) and Mango (funny, goofy tropical name).  And if anyone has any off-beat names to suggest....I'm all ears!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

You might also consider little nicknames that you will end up calling her...My Bailey is hardly ever called her real name...Bailey bug, doodle bug, bug, baby girl are just a few of her names LOL

[Sheila & Finnley]

Mango O'Doodle !!

[Bridget and Lupin]

Ha!  Love it!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

You are good Sheila, very original:)

[Christine & Camus]

My vote goes to Mango.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I hope they are not always in this garage area

[Ginny Nightingale]

I like the O sound at the end--it does get their attention--I have a doodle named Rio and it is easy to say and easy for him to hear when he is waaaay out in the yard--

The pups look so adorable--I have to ask though why they seem to be in a concrete bunker--they must be in an outbuilding of some kind? I raise pups for a breeder and this set up doesn't seem too nice to me--here are some of the pups I have raised at that age...in my kitchen or my family room---have you visited the breeder??

[Bridget and Lupin]

Yes I have, its an addition on the back of their farmhouse.  Totally outfitted for the pups. That is their welping box and they have play areas like your pics above with exercise pens.  Are you seeing red flags I should be aware of?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think that what folks were picking up on (as I had the same first impression) is that the puppies are not being raised as a part of a family.  That they are secluded in some sort of out area.  It is very important at their young age that they be indoors, with people and kids and the regular happenings of the home.  Otherwise you can end up with shy or nervous anxious puppies because they weren't properly socialized when they were puppies.

[Jen and Annie]

I thought this too when I saw the first picture - I thought, are they living in the garage? I agree that socialization with people (lots of ages - kids, adults, other animals) is important from day 1, as well as being able to hear and be accustomed to household noises - like the blender, telephone, doorbell... If puppy is going to be a house dog, there may be a longer transition period for the new owner if home life is foreign to them. They are all super adorable though!

[Star and Goldie]

I would just say to do your homework on the breeder, which it sounds like you already have or are. My breeder did not keep the puppies in her house either which at first concerned me until I did a little more digging and checked everything out. They had a special building for the pups outside. I was concerned about socialization but then I learned that my breeder uses a stimulation program from the military called Early Neurological Stimulation using Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. It's absolutely fascinating. For me, personally, not being in the breeders home did not impact my decision because her stimulation practices had rave reviews and I gotta tell ya, Goldie is by far the smartest and easiest, well mannered pup I have EVER had!

You may check with your breeder to see what type of socialization and stimulation practices they have set up. That will tell you if there are any red flags.

Here's some info on the stimulation program I was talking about. I find it very interesting

Developing High Achievers: Early Neurological Stimulation

[Ginny Nightingale]

I just read it and it does go beyond those first 16 days and completely agrees with what I said above--if they are truly following all the steps, I can see why the pups are well balanced when they come to your home...