Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Molly Rose 13 week update (exec summary!)
It has been so difficult to find time to type up an update, but I figure that's a GOOD thing and it means we have had a fairly uneventful dive into puppyhood =)
Feeding:
Molly is 13 weeks old, around 9 lbs. and growing bigger every day! She is eating three meals per day and we have almost switched over to Orijen Puppy from Life's Abundance. She never eats a meal in a regular bowl, instead, we use the slow bowl and this 'bob-a-lot' feeder. This is great work for her brain AND it slows her down. I've never seen a dog devour her food so quickly. Her favorite treat, besides the vary rarely given "duck" treat I have, is crushed ice or a small piece of carrot.
Training:
We attend a puppy class on Saturdays at Peace, Love, Dogs, in Houston. This is a very good class, with optional play/socialization time beforehand. My sons have taken turns attending and it's great to have them involved AND offer other folks the opportunity to train their puppy to behave around children. I read The Dog Whisperer and Good Dog Good Owner books as well. Molly knows how to ring the bells by the door to potty, she knows sit and down, and she happily goes in her crate for a piece of kibble - our main treat option.
Sleep:
Molly sleeps all night in her cozy crate that is in our master bedroom. She loves it and even tucks herself in if we take too long getting ready for bed. She makes sure snuggle puppy is with her - before bedtime, she will drag him out to the living room and pounce on him a few times. That toy worked well at soothing her in the beginning. She started sleeping through the night after a week at home. Molly takes her naps wherever she lands during the day, with cold tile being her favorite surface. Almost forgot, she loves to sleep under my couch. She will not fit there much longer!
Issues:
The main issues we need to work on are bite inhibition and life with a three-year-old human. The latter is more difficult than the former, lol. We yelp when she bites and I think she is getting better. She goes nutso when she has the zoomies and is like a biting machine at that point. She's chewed holes in socks and a rug - while being supervised! She is very quick and runs off with things before you realize it. Keeping the three-year-old from hugging her too tightly and sticking his face in her face is a big challenge. I'm on top of it, but he is so stubborn too. They are never left alone.
We are so happy with Molly! She surprised us with her LOVE of water and mud. Our shelties were too prissy for that. So, many baths have already happened. She also loves to catch june bugs mid-air and gnaw on the playground mulch in our backyard. I'm waiting to order her a fancy dog beg after we get out of this chewing phase. The crates are perfect for now. We need more puzzle toys and will look around at Chewy.com.
I will attach a few photos if the iPad will let me - tucking herself in the crate and playing in the living room.
Thanks for reading!
Feeding:
Molly is 13 weeks old, around 9 lbs. and growing bigger every day! She is eating three meals per day and we have almost switched over to Orijen Puppy from Life's Abundance. She never eats a meal in a regular bowl, instead, we use the slow bowl and this 'bob-a-lot' feeder. This is great work for her brain AND it slows her down. I've never seen a dog devour her food so quickly. Her favorite treat, besides the vary rarely given "duck" treat I have, is crushed ice or a small piece of carrot.
Training:
We attend a puppy class on Saturdays at Peace, Love, Dogs, in Houston. This is a very good class, with optional play/socialization time beforehand. My sons have taken turns attending and it's great to have them involved AND offer other folks the opportunity to train their puppy to behave around children. I read The Dog Whisperer and Good Dog Good Owner books as well. Molly knows how to ring the bells by the door to potty, she knows sit and down, and she happily goes in her crate for a piece of kibble - our main treat option.
Sleep:
Molly sleeps all night in her cozy crate that is in our master bedroom. She loves it and even tucks herself in if we take too long getting ready for bed. She makes sure snuggle puppy is with her - before bedtime, she will drag him out to the living room and pounce on him a few times. That toy worked well at soothing her in the beginning. She started sleeping through the night after a week at home. Molly takes her naps wherever she lands during the day, with cold tile being her favorite surface. Almost forgot, she loves to sleep under my couch. She will not fit there much longer!
Issues:
The main issues we need to work on are bite inhibition and life with a three-year-old human. The latter is more difficult than the former, lol. We yelp when she bites and I think she is getting better. She goes nutso when she has the zoomies and is like a biting machine at that point. She's chewed holes in socks and a rug - while being supervised! She is very quick and runs off with things before you realize it. Keeping the three-year-old from hugging her too tightly and sticking his face in her face is a big challenge. I'm on top of it, but he is so stubborn too. They are never left alone.
We are so happy with Molly! She surprised us with her LOVE of water and mud. Our shelties were too prissy for that. So, many baths have already happened. She also loves to catch june bugs mid-air and gnaw on the playground mulch in our backyard. I'm waiting to order her a fancy dog beg after we get out of this chewing phase. The crates are perfect for now. We need more puzzle toys and will look around at Chewy.com.
I will attach a few photos if the iPad will let me - tucking herself in the crate and playing in the living room.
Thanks for reading!
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image.jpg, 1.1 MB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose on
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Here is her crate photo, with the Etsy crate cover in place - love it!
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image.jpg, 1.2 MB
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Permalink Reply by Jody Neeley on
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I have a little boy who will be four next month. We are planning to get our first puppy a bit later this year. What things have worked with your son in handling your puppy? Molly is super adorable by the way :)
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Four will be so much better than three :). This is my third boy, and I'm looking forward to catching my breath at four years old! So, that is very good for you.
We have rules he must follow - sit and let her come to your lap, don't corner her, don't pull on her (now, I tug on her, etc., to get her used to this handling as I hope she can be a reading therapy dog). The most important rule that he seems to break is not putting your face in her face while she's nipping. We are working on that constantly. I give him lots of praise for doing the right thing and making good choices. He helps me fill her food dish and water bowl, he gives treats (kibble) by hand, he helps her go out to potty (he loves to use the pooper scooper claw). My older sons, nearly 9 and 6, help model the behaviors too.
You will love your puppy and your son will be so happy :)). Give him small responsibilities related to the puppy and teach him to respect him/her and I'm sure he will do very well. -
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Thank you for the words of wisdom. I also have a six, nine and eleven year old so I am hoping they can help model behavior too. Fingers crossed ;)
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Permalink Reply by Olivia & Chanel on
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We picked up now five month old Chanel a month ago and really can't imagine life without her. Sounds like Molly is doing great. Can I ask why you switched to Orijen from Life's abundance. I am contemplating the same switch as Chanel seems to eat more of the Orijen
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Permalink Reply by Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear on
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Olivia, I can answer the food question. Just put LA into the search bar, lots of discussions. LA is no where near as good for your puppy and LA is sold by breeders as a pyramid sort of thing to make more money after the sale of the doodle.
Origen is a very well respected company with healthy kibble. One of the best! -
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Yes, what she said! :)
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Sounds like you guys are doing great and Molly is sure a cutie.
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Permalink Reply by Tina McNerthney on
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What a doll! It sounds like Molly is learning quickly, potty training well and sleeping well. I don't have small children, so no advice for you there except try (as much as you can with three year old) to set clear boundaries for both your little boy and the puppy and reinforce and practice positive interactions.
I am impressed that Molly is bell trained, too. That's great.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on
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Molly Rose is adorable!
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Thank you, all! She is a doll. But, since I typed this, she has shown that she just rings bells to play outside. Go figure :)
I'm struggling to make sure I read the Orijen puppy chart correctly - for a 10 lb. puppy who will be 35 lbs. as an adult, she should have how much?? I feed 3x day. This chart is not clearly intuitive. I know Karen answered a question about it the other day and I will look in the food group.
http://www.orijen.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Orijen-Feeding-Guid... -
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