Thank Goodness I found you

Lynn_A · 08-07-2010, 02:52 PM

My girlfriend has announced we will be getting a Labradoodle puppy in about 10 days. I know we are going to have to provide for the little fellow's most basic needs, but I'm concerned about two issues.

1. Potty training. I've no idea of where to start. Can you advise me of a fairly reliable means of learning the tricks here. Will something like the Puppy Potty Training program help me? I know we're going to have accidents, but I really want (need) to keep them to a minimum.

2. I have doing some research and it sounds like Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul is a good food. What are your opinions?

I am so happy to have found this site, I just hope I don't wear you down with questions.

LucyWhitePaw · 08-09-2010, 12:05 PM

Hello!

I am so excited to hear you are getting a doodle! We have a 5 month old puppy and she is just such a smart, amazing dog!

We crate trained her, which helps immensely with potty training. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom, so I am with her all day long. What I did was watch for cues when she was out of her crate (sniffing, walking in circles looking for a spot "to go"), take her out about every half hour or so when she was out, immediately after eating/drinking and anytime I let out of the crate and/or when she would wake up from a nap. We did this consistently and she only had 1 poop accident (my kids said they were going to take her out, then forgot) and about a dozen pee accidents. Every accident could have been prevented if we were paying attention or didn't wait a minute before letting her out. It only took a couple of weeks and BAM! One day we realized she had had any accidents in days...I think she was 3 months old.

The other questions you asked about the food - this was something I researched and went back and forth on what to feed for many weeks. I wanted the best food I could find for my puppy, but the more research you do, the more pros/cons you find out about the foods. It was super frustrating. I ended up switching to Chicken Soup Puppy Large Breed and she loves it and is doing wonderful on it! It has awesome ingredients, reasonably priced, my pup LOVES it and she does well on it. I was feeding her Blue Buffalo before and she was constantly sick on it. Not sure why? She actually stopped eating until I switched. Sometimes, it depends on what the puppy likes and what their body can handle.

Anyways, good luck! Can't wait to see a pic of your new puppy!!

foxjazz · 08-09-2010, 12:10 PM

We feed our dog Chicken Soup of the Soul (large breed puppy).

We half fill the bowl, and when she eats, we wait 15 minutes before filling half again, and let her free feed. She never goes hungry, but loves treats.

We noticed to keep 1 or 2 types of treats only, so her system stays in good shape. More treat types, and she has watery poops.

Good luck

LucyWhitePaw · 08-09-2010, 12:24 PM

We ended up getting Lucy a slow feed bowl, as she was eating way too fast. It definitely seems to help some and was very inexpensive too!

Big Jack · 08-09-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyWhitePaw

We ended up getting Lucy a slow feed bowl, as she was eating way too fast. It definitely seems to help some and was very inexpensive too!

Where did you find the bowl? My 12 week old, Willow, scarfs her food. The vet said to up her food to 3/4 cup, 3X's day, and as soon as I put it down it is gone.

Carol

LucyWhitePaw · 08-09-2010, 11:46 PM

That is exactly how Lucy was! I found the bowl at Pet Supplies Plus for like $8 or less. It looks like this:
Skid Stop Large Slow Feed Dog Bowl At Teske's

There are a ton online and very inexpensive!

CharlieBear's Mom · 08-10-2010, 10:08 AM

I have also heard that putting the food on the floor or flat surface--kind of spread out (as opposed to a bowl) will help slow them down. Granted this may not be a good solution for everyone (sounds a bit messy) but may work in a pinch or until you find something else.

As to the potty training -- crate training is definitely the way to go. New puppies can't hold it very long though, so if you are going to be gone for awhile, I would suggest an exercise pen....that way you are confining your puppy but allowing enough room for him/her to have a separate place to potty. We did this with our doodle and used papers....gradually we shrunk the area of papers as he could hold it longer and longer. He still hangs in his exercise pen when we aren't home. While he is completely trust worthy with pottying, he is still very mischevious (at almost 4 yrs old) and will swallow (not chew/destroy/etc.) just about anything....socks, markers, t-shirts, a slip.....you name it and it has probably been down there......sooooooo with that being said.....for his own safety and my wallet, he still spends time in his "house" when we aren't home. He loves his house -- we just have to tell him to go there and he happily complies.

Enjoy your new puppy -- can't wait to see pics!

LucyWhitePaw · 08-10-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieBear's Mom

While he is completely trust worthy with pottying, he is still very mischevious (at almost 4 yrs old) and will swallow (not chew/destroy/etc.) just about anything....socks, markers, t-shirts, a slip.....you name it and it has probably been down there......

Oh, no! This sounds just like Lucy! She is potty trained, but I do not trust her alone. She loves socks, paper, plastic, stuffed animals, ect... and put everything in her mouht. I was hoping it was just a teething stage, but I am thinking it may just be how she is. SIGH

**lindamarie** · 08-10-2010, 10:52 AM

WELCOME TO THE FORUM, LYNN!!
Many of your questions can be answered by doing a search. Put in the key words and VOILA! This forum is filled with great ideas and suggestions!

Congratulations on your choice! Doodles are simply AWESOME!

We use Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul.
It all started with our Springer Spaniel a few years ago who had a sensitive stomach toward the end of his life.
Bogart was having trouble with other foods and we switched over to the Chicken Soup and he's doing really well!
Also, I liked the fact that when I had to call them during a "food scare", I got through immediately and the lady was able to explain how this food was not effected.
GREAT FOOD, IMO!

Big Jack · 08-10-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyWhitePaw

That is exactly how Lucy was! I found the bowl at Pet Supplies Plus for like $8 or less. It looks like this:
Skid Stop Large Slow Feed Dog Bowl At Teske's

There are a ton online and very inexpensive!

Oh, thank you so much. I need to do something to get her to slow down. I've never seen a pup eat like this. LOL

08-07-2010, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lynn_A Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1	Thank Goodness I found you My girlfriend has announced we will be getting a Labradoodle puppy in about 10 days. I know we are going to have to provide for the little fellow's most basic needs, but I'm concerned about two issues. 1. Potty training. I've no idea of where to start. Can you advise me of a fairly reliable means of learning the tricks here. Will something like the Puppy Potty Training program help me? I know we're going to have accidents, but I really want (need) to keep them to a minimum. 2. I have doing some research and it sounds like Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul is a good food. What are your opinions? I am so happy to have found this site, I just hope I don't wear you down with questions.

08-09-2010, 12:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
foxjazz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4	I concur We feed our dog Chicken Soup of the Soul (large breed puppy). We half fill the bowl, and when she eats, we wait 15 minutes before filling half again, and let her free feed. She never goes hungry, but loves treats. We noticed to keep 1 or 2 types of treats only, so her system stays in good shape. More treat types, and she has watery poops. Good luck

08-10-2010, 10:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
CharlieBear's Mom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 147	I have also heard that putting the food on the floor or flat surface--kind of spread out (as opposed to a bowl) will help slow them down. Granted this may not be a good solution for everyone (sounds a bit messy) but may work in a pinch or until you find something else. As to the potty training -- crate training is definitely the way to go. New puppies can't hold it very long though, so if you are going to be gone for awhile, I would suggest an exercise pen....that way you are confining your puppy but allowing enough room for him/her to have a separate place to potty. We did this with our doodle and used papers....gradually we shrunk the area of papers as he could hold it longer and longer. He still hangs in his exercise pen when we aren't home. While he is completely trust worthy with pottying, he is still very mischevious (at almost 4 yrs old) and will swallow (not chew/destroy/etc.) just about anything....socks, markers, t-shirts, a slip.....you name it and it has probably been down there......sooooooo with that being said.....for his own safety and my wallet, he still spends time in his "house" when we aren't home. He loves his house -- we just have to tell him to go there and he happily complies. Enjoy your new puppy -- can't wait to see pics! __________________ Karen and Charliebear

08-10-2010, 10:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
lindamarie Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, Michigan Posts: 6,172	WELCOME TO THE FORUM, LYNN!! Many of your questions can be answered by doing a search. Put in the key words and VOILA! This forum is filled with great ideas and suggestions! Congratulations on your choice! Doodles are simply AWESOME! We use Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul. It all started with our Springer Spaniel a few years ago who had a sensitive stomach toward the end of his life. Bogart was having trouble with other foods and we switched over to the Chicken Soup and he's doing really well! Also, I liked the fact that when I had to call them during a "food scare", I got through immediately and the lady was able to explain how this food was not effected. GREAT FOOD, IMO! __________________ Linda & Bogart Dogs=Unconditional love "We have it all! Just like Bogie & Bacall!"

08-09-2010, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
LucyWhitePaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 108	Hello! I am so excited to hear you are getting a doodle! We have a 5 month old puppy and she is just such a smart, amazing dog! We crate trained her, which helps immensely with potty training. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom, so I am with her all day long. What I did was watch for cues when she was out of her crate (sniffing, walking in circles looking for a spot "to go"), take her out about every half hour or so when she was out, immediately after eating/drinking and anytime I let out of the crate and/or when she would wake up from a nap. We did this consistently and she only had 1 poop accident (my kids said they were going to take her out, then forgot) and about a dozen pee accidents. Every accident could have been prevented if we were paying attention or didn't wait a minute before letting her out. It only took a couple of weeks and BAM! One day we realized she had had any accidents in days...I think she was 3 months old. The other questions you asked about the food - this was something I researched and went back and forth on what to feed for many weeks. I wanted the best food I could find for my puppy, but the more research you do, the more pros/cons you find out about the foods. It was super frustrating. I ended up switching to Chicken Soup Puppy Large Breed and she loves it and is doing wonderful on it! It has awesome ingredients, reasonably priced, my pup LOVES it and she does well on it. I was feeding her Blue Buffalo before and she was constantly sick on it. Not sure why? She actually stopped eating until I switched. Sometimes, it depends on what the puppy likes and what their body can handle. Anyways, good luck! Can't wait to see a pic of your new puppy!!

08-09-2010, 12:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
LucyWhitePaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 108	We ended up getting Lucy a slow feed bowl, as she was eating way too fast. It definitely seems to help some and was very inexpensive too!

08-09-2010, 11:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
LucyWhitePaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 108	That is exactly how Lucy was! I found the bowl at Pet Supplies Plus for like $8 or less. It looks like this: Skid Stop Large Slow Feed Dog Bowl At Teske's There are a ton online and very inexpensive!

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