Anyone else waiting for their puppy?

[Jenn and Bogey]

I thought it'd be fun to see who else is currently waiting for their puppy.

What stage in the wait are you?
What type of doodle?
Color or gender preferences?
Any names chosen?
Any favorite puppy items purchased?

[Jenn and Bogey]

Through doodle kisses, I discovered doggy dan. He's an online video based dog trainer. I highly recommend him. His training is more than teaching commands, but how to live every day life based on these five golden rules so your dog sees you as pack leader. He has a three day trial for $1, but I've stayed on. He has this series called project Moses where he documented how he trains his new 8 week puppy. We will also be attending puppy kindergarten to learn basic commands and get some socialization.

My breeder feeds the pups canidae pure land and since it's on the recommend food brand list from the food group we are going to stick with it. Do you know what your breeder is feeding the pups?

I will definitely post photos. Photography is a hobby of mine so I can't wait to have a new little model. :)

How are you handling the wait? I've been obsessively checking my breeder's website for new pictures. Hehe. Do you have anything left to do to get ready for Piper?

[Tanya & Piper]

Thanks for the info on Doggy Dan! I will definitely have to check that out! I am planning to take Piper to puppy kindergarten too--along with my daughters! ;)

My breeder uses TLC Whole Life -- I'm not sure if I'll stick with that or go with Orijen or Wellness Core, once the puppy has had time to adapt to her new home!

We have the option of visiting/meeting our puppy for the first time on Aug-29. The breeder is located 2.5 hours away, though! Do you have plans to see River before the "gotcha" date? Will you pick out your pup or does the breeder?

The wait is pretty hard--I keep thinking about what it will be like with her here! We have two kittens, too, so I'm also trying to figure out the best way to lessen the stress of a new " intruder" for them, too!

I think the main thing left to do is to read more on training. Though Piper will be the third puppy I've raised, I still want to be sure to avoid mistakes that I've unknowingly made in the past and give her the best opportunity to be a wonderful dog! I've bought the metal crate, bully sticks, a few Kongs, bags of dog treats (with extra-special ones for potty training), a crate pad, etc. I still need to buy poop bags, a leash, a tag, a few more chew toys and something to secure her in the car (we have a mini van, too). Piper is expected to be less than 20lbs full grown, so I'm thinking about one of those "booster" box-like seats for her, but I'm not sure yet.

What is on your Amazon list? What dog tag are you considering from Etsy? I got engraved "collar tags" from boomerang tags.com for the kittens (they don't dangle) and while they've been great for them, I'm not sure that that is what I want for Piper.

I hope to receive a picture from the breeder, soon! :)

[Jenn and Bogey]

Our breeder is 3.5 hours away so we will not be able to make a trip out til gotcha day. Do you think you will go visit? I'm totally jealous if you do. :) My breeder matches us up. We find out on August 28th. Luckily, we are busy with summer camps, trips and back to school that hopefully these last few weeks fly by. 

I've got a bunch of the basics on my amazon list like shampoo, brush, exercise pen, crate etc. I do have a puppy sling carrier on there. I want it for going to the vet or out in public before River is fully vaccinated. That way River can't touch the ground and I can (hopefully) be hands free.

Here's the vendor from Etsy I am using for the dog tag. It's going to take about two weeks to make because I asked for a custom tag to look like a doodle. :)

How often do you get pictures? Ours has been about every two weeks and we just received some last week so I have to wait a little longer. Hopefully you get yours soon!

[Nancy & Echo]

Beautiful dog tag!  Thanks for posting the link - I didn't know they made such beautiful ones.  I guess its a risk-vs-benefit for buying dog tags that dangle (possibility of getting caught in metal meshes) vs collar tags.

My breeder matches us up too.  It must be so hard to wait.

I'm just starting on getting more dog experience (I have virtually zero) by volunteering at the city animal shelter.  Almost all of their dogs are either pit bulls or chihuahuas.   After going through the recent pit bull discussion, I'm clearly hesitant about walking pit bulls, but realize that people can get bitten more often by small chihuahuas since they have few other means of defense. http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/my-community-is-up-in-arms... . 

I clearly need more skill in reading dog communication.  They said we are there not to train the dog but for the dog to have 'free time'.

[Tanya & Piper]

Oh, joy! We got our puppy fix the other day when the breeder sent us photos of Piper, at 4-1/2 weeks! Though we can't wait to meet her, we've decided not to visit until gotcha day, which is only 2 weeks later. In the meantime, we'll have to get by with hopefully more photos!
Jenn, when do you plan to surprise your kids? How old are they? When is your gotcha date?
Here is the most recent photo of Piper...

[Nancy & Echo]

Oh my, what a cutie! I love the white markings.   I'm so happy for you.I'm probably not adding up right, but the puppy will be with the mom until its at least 8 weeks old (2+4.5 = 6.5?)?  My breeder doesn't want any visitors until Gotcha Day, for fear of bringing in parvo, etc.

[Tanya & Piper]

Thank you! Visiting day happens when the puppy is 6 weeks old...we're going to wait 2 weeks beyond that to meet her for the first time, at 8 weeks, which is when we bring her home. Though I have to admit, it's a bit of a struggle to not go at 6 weeks to see her!

[Jenn and Bogey]

Piper is adorable! The white markings are so cute. Our gotcha date is Labor Day weekend. Our breeder is in the same city as my sister so we are disguising the trip as a visit to Auntie and Uncle. My kids are 7,5 and 2. We plan on picking up River and leave the kids with my sister.

How old are your kids? They must be so excited!

Our next milestone is this coming Friday. We found out who we are matched up with. :) The wait is so hard!

[Nancy & Echo]

I know you can't wait.  Will the breeder describe your puppy or send you pictures?

Since this will be my first pet, how far in advance do you make the appointment with your vet for the first health check?

Are you going to get dog health insurance?  I'm planning to, but haven't decided on the company yet.  It sounds  like one company won't let you sign up until your puppy is 8 weeks old, then there's a 1 week waiting period.  So I guess if the vet finds out something seriously wrong at the initial visit, that might not be covered since it would be a pre-existing condition?

[Tanya & Piper]

Our kids are 5 and almost 10--they are so very excited and can't wait to meet her--in TWO weeks!
How did yesterday go? Did you find out if you'll be receiving a boy or a girl? Did you receive any photos? Please post, if you did!

[Julie]

Hi! So excited to be waiting on a puppy too! We wi pick the puppy up September 30th. It took awhile but we found a breeder we are comfortable with. I am beyond excited to meet the puppy at 6 weeks. Then I am sure the last two week wait will be the hardest:)

Glad to find some others waiting for puppies to share with!

[Nancy & Echo]

Welcome Julie!  I don't have any advice because I still have quite some time to go, but I'm so excited for you.  I hope you'll post descriptions and pics of your new puppy.  Will you or the breeder be picking the puppy?