Little fear about coming home

[Waiting for New Puppies]

We pick up Duke on Saturday and I am a little freaked out that he could one home with Giardia. I just read its not too uncommon, not that I am worried about the breeder or anything but I've just been reading. His first vet appt is Monday morning so just two days later. Will they be able to tell right away if he has it? Any way I could tell or anything I can do?

[J, B & Fozzie!]

Hi Kira! Sorry I really do not have any advice for you, but I am in the same boat!  We pick up little Fozzie tomorrow and I have your same concerns!  I have read that it is very common and treatable, but takes a few days.  Fozzie has a visit with the breeder's vet today and she is going to be tested for Giardia and Coccidia (both common parasites) and then the breeder is going to let me know the results.  We are taking Fozzie to our vet on Monday for a full check up.  I'm also worried about her coming home with fleas.  I met her last week and saw no sign and the breeder said she is treating all of the puppies (preventative measure) with something that is puppy friendly and goes in their water?  I think I'm being a paranoid polly...but there are so many things to think about with a new puppy! Good luck to you and little Duke (he is so cute!!)

[J, B & Fozzie!]

Hi Kira! I was actually thinking about you and Duke yesterday!  I logged onto DK and saw Duke and he looks so similar to Fozzie! I'm so glad to hear the vet visit went so well!  Our visit went great also!  The doctor said she looked great! How have the last couple of days been for you? It's been going ok so far.  I am feeling a little discouraged today, but my boyfriend keeps telling me to calm down, that we are only on day 3 and she is a puppy.  We have been keeping her crate in the living room, right outside of our bedroom.  The first night she woke up crying so loud around 2:30 (put her in there at 1:00am). My bf stayed on the couch the rest of the night calming her down and taking her out almost everytime she woke up. Then she started her day around 6 that morning.  The next night was easier to calm her down, but I slept on the couch the entire night and took her out about 4 diff times.  Last night we slept in our room and only had to calm her down a couple times and took her out three time, but she still cried a lot.  I think it is slowly getting better??  Today she had a couple accidents in the house which is discouraging, but she didn't have any until today.  I'd love to hear if your first weekend has been similar or if you have advice! 

[J, B & Fozzie!]

I'm sorry!  I didn't mean to make you worry about something else!  We are also doing Easter with our families, so I would assume Fozzie will be getting A LOT of attention!  I read that if you see fleas, you can wash them with dawn (just their bodies), but wet their face.  This will be a temporary fix for you and I, until we can take them to the vet. It is said that Dawn will kill them though.  I just dont want to traumatize her!  It is already going to be a difficult transition I would expect. Are you planning on crate training Duke?? 

[J, B & Fozzie!]

Yeah I would hope she would tell you!  It's not really like she could hide it, fleas are pretty easy to see if you look for them.  We are going to crate Fozzie too.  I think we may start with her out in the living room and then move the crate to the bedroom if she just can't deal.  I have read that sometimes they just want to be near you, but also have read that some doodles are okay in there pretty early.  I think the hardest part is training my boyfriend(ugh) to not let Fozzie sleep IN the bed.  I think after a night of her crying (fingers crossed she doesn't) he is going to cave...I must not let this happen!!! That's funny about your parents, very cute that they are so excited to have him as part of the fam!

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Congrats Kira and JB.

I picked up Murfee on the 23 of March and he tested positive for Giardia. Thanks to these boards, I wasn't to worried when my vet came back into the room to tell me. Now Murf gets a syringe of medicine which he thinks is a wonderful treat, for 10 days. That should clear it up. I picked one flea off him when we left, but that is the only one. I have given him 2 baths in the kitchen sink (think he won't fit for his 3rd bath!) and still have not seen a flea. 

The kennel continues to be a non issue for him. I think it is because I cover all sides, to make it more den like. He whines for just a couple of minutes, but if he is tired, just lays down. 

This past week has been so much fun with him. He is such a hoot and so good with everyone. 

Enjoy your time, because as I am finding out quicker than I am ready, they really do grow fast. I am taking lots of pictures and thats when I can really see it. 

[J, B & Fozzie!]

Congrats to you as well! Your Murfee is so cute!! It sounds like the flea was a random stray, hopefully they stay away. I had to take Fozie back to the vet yesterday since she started squatting a lot to pee when I would take her out. Sure enough she has a bladder infection :(  I feel so bad for her, but she too has some medicine to take for about 2 weeks and she has been a trooper.  The crate training for me has been a little difficult and I don't know if it is normal or not? I wake up from her crying 3 to 4 times a night and take her out each time.  Especially now with the bladder infection, I dont want her to have to hold it.  Do you keep Murfee's crate in your room or somewhere else?

[Adrienne]

Kira & J.B., congrats on your new puppies.  I hope that crate training has improved for you and that your pups have adjusted well to their new homes.

Leave pointers for those of us who are still waiting.

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go get Casey. We leave on Thursday, spend the night in Little Rock, then pick him up Friday morning. This is going to be a very new experience for us. We haven't brought a "new " baby home in a long time. My 2 older dachshunds are both rescues - one at 7 months and the other at 4 years of age. Long story - but short version is we found out the one we rescued at 7 months came from duel champion bloodlines and found the breeder. With her encouragement and mentor ship, we decided to show and breed her. So, after she finished her championship, she had 2 puppies - couldn't bear to get rid of them - so our 2 "younger" (current age 8 yrs) are "home grown."

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Oh no! Disappointing news. We can't pick up Casey till next week!!! Vet has requested litter be held an additional week because some of them have a "cold" and are on antibiotics. So - the big weekend trip is off and we will drive up next week to pick him up. (Pouting - but thankful the breeder and vet are doing the right thing).