Toddler, 4 yr old, doodle puppy any positive thoughts on this

[Kimberly Park]

Hi, I am new to this forum, and going to be doing the puppy thing for the first time in a long time. Being a dog groomer I have ended up with my share of people can't keep their dogs situations over the years. We decided the next dog would be one we pick out. I want a poodle which goes back to what I do for a living. He wants a golden retriever. So we're compromising and hope to have the best of both. Our collie is going on 12 or older. So on one hand it's the perfect timing house is child proofed, already dealing with messes and toddler potty training daily. on the other hand We have 2 boys 2yr old and 4yr old and it's the middle of winter in northern Ontario brrr. I recently teased a friend about her getting a puppy in the middle of winter (gets 20 below freezing here) then I had to go look at a litter of puppies and fall in love, anyways the decision has been made and our life will once again change in a week when the 4 legged toddler arrives.
Now I've read some wild stories on here and have prepared myself for chewing, messes etc, u all and your puppy stories are scaring me lol.
Anyways any tips in regards to puppies and toddlers and keeping sane?
Also any thoughts of her coat type? I was hoping to have a non shedding dog, but the more I read up the more she seems to be the retriever type. I doubt any shedding would be near what we have with the collie. Of course 4 of the other pups had thick curly coats, poodle muzzles but there was something about her and my little boys that just made the decision. She is f2 both parents were doodles. She is 6 weeks old in the pic. Sorry for all the rambling, last minute jitters lol.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Oh My...she is a cutie! I don't know who told you that she would look more like a retriever. I see a full face full of "furnishings". She looks like she will be very much fluffy and Doodly! I can't help you much with your other questions. Nor can I say she will or won't be a shedder. Most of the time, the curlier ones have more likelihood of not shedding but with the mixed breed, anything is possible!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I love the red color, and those eyes!
She looks wavy already, and her face has the furnishings that are part of the doodle look.
She looks like she will have more wavy hair, maybe the others in the litter will look much
curlier like a poodle.
My doodles have more of a wavy look, they shed very lightly, so you never know.

I think based on recent posts here, be sure your children learn to never pick the puppy up,
esp when sleeping.

We potty trained Yogi during winter months. A very cold snowy winter. Brrrr! I really didn't think it
was a big deal. It's all in your mindset.

Enjoy your new puppy. Be sure to check into the training and food forums here. Many great
supportive people to help with your doodle.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

My Lucy is a wavy girl and she also sheds but very little. Mostly I get it all when I brush her. Daphne (the white one) does not shed at all and of course Pippa does have the whole Retriever thing going on so she does shed. But, she's small (35 lbs) so its not so bad. I have all three possibilities...lol!

[Laura and Angus]

So adorable! Congratulations on your new baby :) the only things I'm going to say are you should 1) crate train immediately 2) you may want to consider getting one of those puppy playpens and 3) pick a "time out" spot for breaks when puppy gets too bite or over excited and you need a break/calm-down period. From what others have written about their toddlers...separation seems to be important, but also so is talking to your little ones (mostly the 4 year old) about using quiet calm voices around puppy. Our doodle is suuuuper energetic and excited kids voices used to send him into a frenzy. Good luck with everything!

[Diane D]

congratulations! She looks adorable! I've learned that getting a dog is a like getting a child, it's a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get! Some will be calm and loving, others will be spirited and loving, some will come with a bag of problems! Good luck and enjoy the ride!

I have a thick curly coat and the only hair I see is in the slicker brush.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

She is adorable.  I think the important thing to remember is not to leave the children and the dog alone together (use baby gates, ex-pens or baby corrals  until the puppy is more trained and they are trained in how to deal with a lively dog - I am sure very different from your current older dog.  Doodles tend to be very active pups as well as a hugely people-oriented breed, demanding of attention. They are really smart also and will get into trouble if not given enough attention and exercise. You will regret getting a puppy for a while, but if you persevere with training, you will have a wonderful family pet.  Lots of work, lots of fun.   I think the pup looks pretty doodley - as for shedding it really is the luck of the draw.  As was mentioned earlier the fast movements and high voices of kids can get puppies over-excited,

[Kimberly Park]

Thank you all for the replies and tips. Our collie is only unattended with the boys at night as he sleeps in the 4yr old room they have this weird ateach me to bUT only at night lol. . Aside from that the 2 yr old is always in my sight especially around Prince. He is tolerant to a degree however spent most of his life without kids. He runs around with the boys outside (more imitation distance hearing but if u didn't know better ud think it was adorable) but doesn't interact with them in the house. He pretty much does his own thing. This is where it will b a a very big change. Baby gates have been set up for about 3 and half years. Guess they will stay another year lol.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Keep us posted on how it is going.  :-}

[Kimberly Park]

Well tomorrow is the big day. I'm looking forward to a month from now when puppy will be part of the family and routine sets in. I know this will be a novelty for the boys during the beginning. If she is screaming thru the night while in crate do you all have any suggestions? Apparently she ended up in crate alone door shut so she thought she was stuck inside at breeders and they said she doesn't like to be in there apparently she has a very high pitch bark and whine that happens in the crate.
I did start to read the other post about whining in crate, however I stopped reading it when there was a story about it going on for 5 months, my 2 year old still doesn't sleep thru the night so I'm trying to set up for positive thoughts lol.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

There are crate games, special treats (like filled kong), putting a blanket over the crate - all things you can try.  Most dogs can be crate trained, but a few just get so anxious when in the crate that it becomes a battle not worth winning.  One of our dogs just couldn't get used to the crate and we gave up and put him up on the bed with us which is where he ended up for his whole life.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

When my pups were little and whenever I have had fosters, it seems to make them feel better or maybe its a signal for bedtime, when I cover the crate with a dark colored sheet or blanket. I keep the crate close to my bed so they know Im there but they cannot see me. If they can see you, the crying is worse. Just ignore the crying as long as you can but If the crying gets escalated, just tap the top of the crate and say "enough" or "no" or whatever word you want to say. 

If you have a snuggle puppy (stuffed puppy with a heartbeat) that can be comforting. I know when I was younger, my mom would put a hot water bottle or a ticking clock covered with a blanket in the box (we didn't have crates back then).

[Melissa]

We've got a new puppy too (our second in two years) and she doesn't love her crate either. What made ALL the difference with both puppies is putting the crate next to my bed and sticking my hand in when crying happens. Seems to help a lot. Also I cover it with a towel.