What do you do on Day 1?

[Lily]

Just curious what everyone has done with their new Doodle pup on Day One (and two... and three...) for transition and bonding. Our Dood is coming home next Friday and we are so excited to have her join the family. I would love any ideas and suggestions!

Thanks!!

[Tammy & Gracie]

If I can remember our first days; play, pet, love, eat, poop, sleep, pee and repeat over and over and over! It may seem overwhelming at first especially if this is your first pup in 10 years, but it passes way too quickly. Enjoy!!!

[Kyoko]

This sounds right! I think that is all we did, too.
I also put her in a crate while napping, too. Charlie was not a big eater, so I hand fed her as well.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I do remember that it was important to take him outside after sleeping, playing, eating and chewing. And the only accidents we had were when we didn't. The days fly by with just keeping a constant eye on them and keeping them safe as well as giving them appropriate chew items.

[Lily]

Thanks so much, everyone! Just reading your input is making me feel a little more prepared. ;) This is our first puppy in 10 years so I can barely remember what it's like to have a little one in the house.

One thing that make me curious though, Cheryl, is your comment about not doing much petting/playing unless the pup comes to you first. What does this train them to do? I am guessing it might have something to do with showing who is "alpha"? I'd love to hear more about that. :)

[Lily]

That makes sense! We have another dog at home too, and I don't want puppy to be overwhelmed. Our current dog is ten years old and generally doesn't like to have much to do with other dogs so I'm hoping they can at least coexist peacefully! How did you introduce your dogs to each other?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

All the puppy stuff will come right back to you, just like riding a bike. Just keep the puppy very near to you for quite awhile. When we got our doodle, Roo, Storm was 15. I just held the puppy in my lap and let Storm investigate him when she wanted too. Her bed was off limits to Roo, reenforced by Storm, myself and DH. As old as she was Storm still enjoyed playing with him and cuddling with him on her terms. Roo slept in his little crate right next to Storm's bed. He never cried once about the crate, maybe because of her and maybe because the breeder had done such a good job of crate training early. Maybe a little of both. We have never had a problem introducing a puppy into our family with an older dog or dogs in residence. The problems come later when the puppy becomes a teenager, then there can be a little crankiness between them. Almost always they settle it themselves without too much trouble. When we kept our son's 12 year old dog for awhile with our two doodle puppies, we called him "the sheriff" because he would step in if he thought they were getting to rough with each other.

[Erin and Dexter]

A LOT of snuggling, our little guy was a real lap dog. Went out every half hour or so I think. tried to play with him as much as we could to try and bond. Have fun! :)

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

All of the cuddling and playing as everyone else has said. Also, I didn't set an alarm the first night and Lucca peed in his crate. Hence I had to clean it in the middle of the night. The next night I set the alarm for every 4 hours. I would carry him out on a leash and have him pee. Then quietly put him back into his crate. No lights, no talking, just quiet praise after he peed. I also used a video baby monitor. It worked great and gave me peace of mind because he wasn't sleeping in our room and I could see his every move in the crate. Gradually as he got older he slept longer and longer.
Enjoy, I, also hadn't had a pup in 12 years. It's been an experience. They grow so so fast. It's hard to believe Lucca is almost full grown already.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Something that has helped us these first 4 weeks has been a gate - we keep Lady Peri blocked off in whatever room we are in. Puppies really do need your attention at all times so they don't destroy something or potty on the floor. I think in a few weeks we are going to let her have a little more free reign in the house. But for now, confining her allows us to "catch her in the act" and correct her chewing and accidents on the spot. You can't correct them after the fact. She now goes without an accident for a week and then we usually have a little slip up. Oh and get the poochie bells to hang on your door. Ring them every time you take Lily out. She will catch on fast. Peri uses them every time she needs to go outside and she potties immediately. Good luck!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Is Lily home today??? How is the sweet girl?

[Lily]

No, unfortunately she has to stay with her litter for another week as the girls weren't mature enough to leave their mom yet. So now it will be NEXT Friday that we have our darling girl home with us. I know the extra week is what's best for her but... I am going crazy with anticipation! Thanks so much for checking in with us though, that is so sweet of you. :)

[Sue & Willy Babe]

I did the same with Wilson too Pet, hold, pet, hold, play, lots of hugs and snuggles, showed him where to poop and pee, and he still goes in the same spot to poop willy is 13 months old