Soon to be a doodle parent

[Rosella T]

Hi Everyone!

I am brand new to this site. I happened to stumble upon it while searching for information about crating. In 4 weeks I am going to welcome a little 9 week-old mini golden doodle into my life. I can't wait!!!! This will be my first time owning a golden doodle but not my first experience with dog ownership.

I had a beloved schnoodle for 16 wonderful years. His name was Chico and he was my best friend. Chico was an amazingly smart dog. I loved him with all my heart and losing him 11 months ago was very very sad. I always knew that I wanted another dog after him and I think I will be as ready as I'll ever be next month. I did a lot of research to find a reputable breeder of golden doodles because I wanted another smart dog but not one who looked too much like my schnoodle so a mini goldendoodle seemed like a good choice. Plus I find them irresistibly cute!

I should mention that I also have a cat. She is a gorgeous 7-year-old grey tabby named Charlotte who we rescued from a shelter. She was very upset when Chico died as they were very close. Chico was blind for the last year and half of his life and Charlotte was his seeing eye cat. 

I have to say that I've read a few posts here in the forum and I am just blown away at how wonderful you all are! So nice to find such a lovely and positive corner of the internet. 

I have a question about crates. I plan on crating my puppy to facilitate house training and then when he is fully house trained I plan on weaning him off the crate. I am wondering what size crate to get. The breeder says he is a small F1B mini so will probably weigh from 20 to 30 pounds. The mother is 37 pounds and the sire is 14 pounds. I was thinking I should get the 24" by 18" crate like the one pictured here: http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Life-Stages-Double-Door-Folding/dp/B0...

As I said I don't plan on crating the pup past house training or until he is at least 7 months old. Any advice on crate size or any other tips you all think I should know would be greatly appreciated! My profile pic is of the little guy so you can see what he looks like.

THANK YOU, DOODLE LOVERS!

xo

[Barb & Aria]

My little girl is from Faith #3, she will be ready after March 7 and because my vacation starts a week after so I will pick her up on March 14. Yes it is a coincident, when I was reading your blog i recognize picture setup when I was looking for my baby. Now we can send each other tips on "how to"if we run into problems....LOL. Me to ..cant wait to meet her.. have a great time in England and have a save trip back home.

I am from Windsor...

[Rosella T]

Yes, let's definitely send each other tips! I am picking up my little guy on March 10th and I just can't wait! I will be driving all the way from Montreal to get him so his first experience with me will be a 7-hour car trip! Should be interesting. :)

[Julie and Max]

Rosella you're only about an hour from me! I know your cat loved Chico, just remember your Chico wasn't a puppy and your cat is older and less tolerant now so it might take a bit of time. I have two cats, who've never been around dogs, and unfortunately they are still not fond of Max and he's been here for over four months! He does love the kitties though, and he's very good with them, I just wish they were better with him. I feel bad when he goes up to them, does nothing but stands there and gets his nose smacked repeatedly. :( They are coexisting now, and they're getting better every day but it has taken awhile. 

Maybe your partner will change her mind about being a cat person when you get your doodle. I was a cat person before I got mine. My sister used to say I was going to end up being that crazy old cat lady. :)

I guess now I will end up being that crazy old cat lady who has one doodle!

I was looking at some of the names you posted and I love Cosmo.

[Rosella T]

Julie, thank you for sharing your experience with Max who is incredibly cute! I think my new puppy might end up the same colour as Max.
Chico was 11 when he and Charlotte met and he had a high prey drive so it was a challenge getting the two to live harmoniously. It took a couple of months and Charlotte still periodically smacked him in the nose long after he got gentle with her and just wanted to cuddle. He was blind for the last year and half of his life so whenever he bumped into Charlotte he paid for that too! But it was never a serious smack either. Charlotte is the sweetest cat you'll ever meet except with other cats. She is absolutely awful around other cats. We got her from the SPCA and she had been abandoned on moving day. Her previous family moved away and left her in their old home! The neighbours tried contacting them repeatedly but they wouldn't return the call. Can you imagine? Plus Charlotte was pregnant! She had a litter of three kittens and they were all brought to the SPCA. The kittens were adopted quickly and Charlotte was left behind in a cage. When we found her there she was sitting in her litter pan with her back to the cage door. She was so sad, she had given up but today she is the most joyful and playful and most kittenish 7 year-old cat you will ever meet. She is also the prettiest but I'm not biased. :) anyway we are hoping her maternal instincts will kick in and she will want to mother the puppy.
So what made you decide to get a dog? And when you say you are an hour from me do you mean an hour from Montreal or New York?

P.S. Cosmo is a top contender for names but I am partial to Omar too.