Questions from a soon-to-be owner

[rabidpecan]

I'm so glad I found this place, because I have tons of questions....

1. My breeder said the mom is about 50lbs, the dad about 60-65.....so what size crate should I get? Medium, large?? I plan to get one with a divider so I can make it smaller until she grows into it.

2. We have to pick her up and bring her on a five hour car trip home, but I don't want to waste a ton of money on a kennel that she'll quickly outgrow.........what should I do? Do those cloth ones I've seen advertised work okay? Should I just keep her on my lap in the back with a towel? Any other reccomendations on how to handle that first long trip?

3. What kind of grooming tools will I need? The mom is a full lab and the dad is a full poodle, so I'm assuming she'll tend to have closer to a labs' coat. That's what I'm aiming for, anyway. Is there any type of grooming brush I'll need while she's still a puppy? And how often should I bathe her? I've heard too often can ruin the natural oils in her coat.

4. What size collars and toys should I buy? Any recs on some favorites?

I would LOVE any other tips you might have on how to deal with getting her adjusted to her new home. I have some books I've been reading on puppy ownership, but it's always nice to get more specific tips for the breed. This is my first time owning my own dog and I want to make sure I'm doing things right. Any recs on specific treats and brands of food you like? The breeder says she feeds them Blue Seal, but it's not available near me.

Thanks in advance!

[rabidpecan]

Oops! one more question......

5. Is there anything I should do to make the first night easier? One friend suggested taking an old towel when we pick her up and somehow getting the mom's scent on it, then putting it in the crate with her at night? Good idea? Bad idea? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[hrashelle]

I am not the best on giving advice as my guy is still a pup (albeit a 50 lb pup)

Just wanted to say welcome and can't wait to see pics

[Lucee&Rusty]

Congratulations on your new puppy. Can't wait to see the photos...lots and lots of photos.

We had one of those canvas zip up dog crates. Sounded good but soon realized that they are hot and stuffy in warm weather. Next problem is all puppies love to chew. Cute puppy sitting in his crate....hmmmmm what is he chewing on...you guessed it the zip. Once they chew a little bit into the zip it creates a weak spot. You go out leaving your puppy in the crate and find them running loose in the house when you come back home as the weak spot is now even weaker!!!

Our canvas crate is now in the trash...buy a metal one!

We have Aust Labradoodles with very thick coats so our main grooming tool is a set of Oster metal combs. We thought we were getting down into the undercoat with the slicker brush (but weren't) and after a slicker brush they turn into giant puff balls. Combing them doesn't make it puff up as much and seems to get right down to the skin.

We had a snuggle puppy for our pups when they first came home. It has a heartbeat device and a heat pad in it.

Hope you have lots of fun with your new puppy. I can't imagine life without my two and they haven't grown up sooooo quickly.

[Jac]

Hi! Welcome!
Congratulations on the new addition to your family and on your wonderful attitude! I am very impressed that you are considering all of the things that your pup will need to be comfortable in his/her new home!
Many of your questions have been covered in this forum and so instead of repeating the great advice, I'll simply suggest that you go to the forum topics and run a search... http://labradoodle-dogs.net/forums/ because you will learn soooo much from that! You will probably get answers to questions you didn't know you had!
I will say, however, that if you have a good breeder you should also have a great support system. Good breeders are always there for their new puppy families to help with the transition. Most breeders will already have a blanket or towell that smells like "home" to give to you, so check with your breeder before you buy a lot of things and find out what she/he will send home with the puppy.
Generally the breeder will give you at least a weeks supply of food...and you can gradually add the food that you will be feeding to what you are given. Don't switch completely as it will cause tummy upset.
The crate size is a tough question...if your pup WILL stay within 50-60 lbs, a medium crate will do, but I'd go with a large size. It is better to have one a bit too big than a bit too small. You can, of course, get a smaller one and then donate it to the local shelter when your pup outgrows it.
Best wishes and after you review the archives if you still have questions, please do ask!

[L's Mom]

Well Congrats and Welcome!!!

I am no expert, but I do have 2 Labradoodles under the age of one, so it's still pretty fresh in my head... here's what I know worked for us...


1. My breeder said the mom is about 50lbs, the dad about 60-65.....so what size crate should I get?

I just got Large metal crates with a divider, and the truth is I never even used the divider...

2. We have to pick her up and bring her on a five hour car trip home, ........what should I do? .... Should I just keep her on my lap in the back with a towel? Any other reccomendations on how to handle that first long trip?

I have heard/read it's better, if possible to put a towel down and ride with the new puppy, with 5 hours, may want to think about a pit stop, so be sure to bring a collar and lead, and lots of towel... just in case

3. What kind of grooming tools will I need? .... And how often should I bathe her? I've heard too often can ruin the natural oils in her coat.

We have 2 doodles, one with a thick wavy fleece, and the other with a thinner spiral fleece... I have various tools, but the ones we consistantly use are the comb and a pin brush... Bathing should only be done when needed, we use Best Shots products.

4. What size collars and toys should I buy? Any recs on some favorites?

get some good chew toys, like kongs, maybe rolled raw hide, plush toys will be good while he is still young

Something that smells of there old home may help, snuggle puppy can help, we feed Canidae, when switching foods be sure to go slow,

You will love having a doodle, they are the best!!! And you will continue to have questions, this is a great place to come with them!

Oh, I think it's also important not to over do it with the puppy in the beginning... the move itself has to be enough excitement for a while!

Can't wait to see and hear more! CONGRATS!!!

[sdrudge]

1. My breeder said the mom is about 50lbs, the dad about 60-65.....so what size crate should I get? Medium, large?? I plan to get one with a divider so I can make it smaller until she grows into it.

I got a small cage for our mini f1 i should have gotten a large.


2. We have to pick her up and bring her on a five hour car trip home, but I don't want to waste a ton of money on a kennel that she'll quickly outgrow.........what should I do? Do those cloth ones I've seen advertised work okay? Should I just keep her on my lap in the back with a towel? Any other reccomendations on how to handle that first long trip?

We had a 3 hour drive when we got Cacao and a 8 hour drive for Beau. ((We really like doodles.)) I would say about every 2 1/2 hours stop for drink and potty break. We would give them water in the car and then stop in 15 mins after they drank the water.

I keep Cacao on my lap when we got her. Beau was 11months old when we got him and we took a dog bed he laid on, and toys.

Kennel get a metal one or a airline one. But get a big one. You will be glad in the long run.

3. What kind of grooming tools will I need? The mom is a full lab and the dad is a full poodle, so I'm assuming she'll tend to have closer to a labs' coat. That's what I'm aiming for, anyway. Is there any type of grooming brush I'll need while she's still a puppy? And how often should I bathe her? I've heard too often can ruin the natural oils in her coat.

A good Doggie Brush. I bathe mine every four weeks or eight.

4. What size collars and toys should I buy? Any recs on some favorites?

http://lupinepet.com/ I love the guarantee on the collars. Cacao was a chewer and i so thought she would chew her collar. But they will replace it no madder what. Plus they are cute.


[/i]

1. buy a large crate. Your pup could end up bigger than 60lbs.
2. When I picked up Maya (she was flown to me) I rode in the back with her with towels down. That was on a Friday. On Monday Maya and I made a 10 hour drive and she was in the back with towels down by herself. She was great.
3. I bathe Maya only once a month (prior to me putting on her flea meds). I use the furminator brush every once in a while on her. Se has more of a labby coat.
4. Puppy love thier toys. Maya had all sorts of plush ones and had some kongs and nylabones. I have read too much about the dangers of raw hide so she has never gotten that.
5. Collar. Maya was 27 lbs when I got her. I bought her an adjustable collar size MED and she is still wearing it today at 60lbs
6. Maya came with a towel that smelled like Mom. I let Maya sleep in my room from day 1. She stayed in the crate til she was potty trained. As long as she could see me she was fine.

I think that is all your questions. Congrats on your new pup!

[Bella]

We brought Mabel home in the back seat, with me, and she was fine for 6 hours. We were reluctant to get out for a loo break as she didn't have her final shot so we fuond somewhere secluded and let her out for a wee.

We were lucky though. People had told us to bring heaps and heaps of newspapers and paper towels and regualr towels for "mopping up". We didn't need a single one.

Mabel has a 48" long and 32" high crate. She's not that big but remember you have to allow for bedding and the flying leaps she takes into her bed It did seem huge when we got her but 9 months later and it's just right.

[rabidpecan]

Thank you guys so much for all of your help! I'm definitely going to be spending a lot of time on these boards doing some research. I spend some time on other forums and whenever I brought up buying a labradoodle people practically bit my head off, saying I was helping puppy mills. I tried explaining that I've found numerous sites with very well-informed breeders, and that the breeder I am buying from has her kennel license and a two-year health guarantee, and all that, but they wouldn't listen. It's nice to be able to talk with people who are just as excited about this breed as I am.

Anyway, we don't pick her up until about August 6th, so we've got a while to plan. Keep those tips coming!!

[rabidpecan]

Oh! And here's another question.........the breeder says she's giving them her first vaccinations, but I'm a little unsure of stopping for potty breaks on the way home. Is that safe? I figured we'd have to make sure we stopped somewhere out of the way, so she won't be around too many people and other animals.

Also, we'll be getting her early in her 7th week.....should I wait before taking her out on short walks? We live in a subdivision with lots of kids and other dogs, so is there a certain set of vaccinations I should have before taking her out where she might meet other (unknown) dogs? During her 8th week, when they're supposed to develope fears, should I keep home and away from other dogs (even ones I know are safe)?

[lmtoth2]

Oh! And here's another question.........the breeder says she's giving them her first vaccinations, but I'm a little unsure of stopping for potty breaks on the way home. Is that safe? I figured we'd have to make sure we stopped somewhere out of the way, so she won't be around too many people and other animals.

This is definitely a concern. When we got Dex we had a 4 hr drive home. We stopped and went to a far away corner of the stop with him and put him down just to pee and then carried him back to the car. It was probably still a risk, but we didn't have any other options.

Oh - for your other questions, I would get a large crate...we had a soft crate we bought at target for the car ride home (it was only $20 and buckled into the seat belt - he loved it and continued to ride in it until he outgrew it). We buy toys at dog.com (cheaper than Petsmart)...he loved stuffed toys when he was younger, but then we got Kirby who shreds things so only tough toys now.

I didn't let Maya around other dogs unless I knew they were safe. (Friends dogs that I know go to the vet.) And we had playdates in my yard unitl Maya had all her shots. (Here they are completely vaccinated at 4 mos). After that she went everywhere I could take her.

If you stop to potty stop at an out of the way place. And I would limit her exposure until your vet says it's ok.

[blueteal]

Originally Posted by rabidpecan

Oh! And here's another question.........the breeder says she's giving them her first vaccinations, but I'm a little unsure of stopping for potty breaks on the way home. Is that safe? I figured we'd have to make sure we stopped somewhere out of the way, so she won't be around too many people and other animals.

At that young age i would stop for a potty break but carry her to
a spot that you have made sure no other dogs are around and no dog feces
Also, we'll be getting her early in her 7th week.....should I wait before taking her out on short walks? We live in a subdivision with lots of kids and other dogs, so is there a certain set of vaccinations I should have before taking her out where she might meet other (unknown) dogs?

Until she has had all her shots, up to sixteen weeks I would not take her out anywhere in public, but limit to your own yard. You can do a lot of
leash training and other training during this time.
During her 8th week, when they're supposed to develope fears, should I keep home and away from other dogs (even ones I know are safe)?

Keep her safe in your yard and dogs that you know that have had all their shots can visit for socializing, but make sure these other safe dogs are
immunized.

[MaxandMe]

everyone here has given such great advice i don't think i have anything to add

except if you do soem searches (button is at top of this page) you can find 4 years worth of topics with awesome advice/info/ pictures of items along with websites too.

also Walmart and Country Max will sell certain items cheaper than other major petstores

CONGRATS!!!