New puppy

[new2doodles]

We are getting our first puppy in a couple of weeks. She is a blonde labradoodle and we are planning on naming her Finley. I have never had a puppy growing up and my boyfriend had a lab when he grew up. What is some advice you all could give us or maybe some specifics on doodle puppies on what we can expect. We are super excited to have her join our family.

[deepnite10]

remember he s dog and not a person..

learn how her mother treated her..and try to duplicate that interaction with her..

and of course there s those thing you ll need to get to prepare for homecoming..id recommend a crate and chew toys..and puppy safe your home..they love to chew and chew..

[Nikkiey]

Don't get frusterated. At times you may think you have a very naughty puppy when you actually just have a 'normal' puppy. Just remember that no puppy purposely does things to make you mad, they just don't know and understand the rules of the house yet. Be patient and be repetitive and soon you will notice Finley turning into a well behaved family member!

[Daisy'sMom]

Patience Patience and more Patience It will take a few months to get thru the really intense time of training/housebreaking but once you do that you'll be great! Consistency and repitition is key. And I highly recommend crate training, there's lots of info on this forum and online in general. I just talked to my friend a few days ago who got a puppy in December (wheaton terrier) because they loved our dog so much. We talked about how wonderful their Wheaton is now but she thanked me again for my honesty with her when she talked to me before they bought the puppy - I had warned her how much work it is initially but that your hard work pays off. She was overwhelmed and frustrated in the beginning but now their puppy is truly wonderful and she thanked me again for coaching her through and helping her see and realize that it's all so worth it! Puppies are wonderful and bring so much joy, so when you get frustrated just remember it WILL get better! I don't mean to sound all negative like it will be horrible, it can just be a lot in the very beginning sometimes, just enjoy your new family member and have fun

[Daisy'sMom]

I forgot to add, definitely puppy safe your home as someone else said. I didn't realize until after we brought Daisy home that I really needed baby gates and to block off part of my house. You also need some chew toys to help redirect when he/she gets ahold of something they aren't to be chewing on

[Mel]

i second everything already said, my puppy is only 5 months old so we are still learning and adapting.
We found the first 2 weeks the hardest....i admit i was tearful at times and felt very overwhelmed. It got easier and easier each week and now we have a good routine. I have 2 young children so things were hard at first with the nipping and jumping that puppies do....he still does it but less lately.

This forum was a life saver for us so remember to use it a lot and search for any issues you may have...you can be sure that many others have been through all kinds of things with their doodles.

Routine and consistency are the key, also doodles are smart and learn quickly so you may want to look into a puppy training class.
good luck and keep us posted !

[deepnite10]

Originally Posted by Mel

We found the first 2 weeks the hardest....i admit i was tearful at times and felt very overwhelmed. It got easier and easier each week and now we have a good routine.

this sounds like how my daughter-in-law is trying to deal with new born
twin girls..

as for us macho men..we feel like crying sometime too..

but, unlike the twin s..dogs become much easier to deal with..

[Riverkatie]

There is a wonderful book called "Before and After you get you puppy" by Ian Dunbar.

I have just brought it, and am reading it at the moment, so cannot comment fully yet, but it seems excellent.

My new puppy comes the weekend of 18/19th June so we will be doing this together! Perhaps we could support each other. Have you a photo of your pup? There is a picture of Ruff aged 3 weeks on this forum somewhere, I shall find the link.

Katie.

[Labralover]

Getting a new puppy always brings a little anxiety into the home. You are on the right track because preparation will help reduce this, and bring your puppy into a wonderful environment from the start. The last thing that you want to do is bring a new puppy into a toxic environment as they will pick up on that! Specifically for me, I did much of the same planning that you are doing. After I thought I was puppy proofed, I consulted my vet. He really gave me some great insight as to what additional steps I needed to take. For example, making sure that all the cords to my appliances were hidden. He also said that I need to make sure before getting the puppy to know which rooms were puppy friendly and which ones are not! His advice was invaluable!

[Brenna's Mom]

My Brenna has been with me for one week and I have an 11 year old part terrier, lab and who knows what else.
Brenna is, smart but is driving poor Kali dog crazy. I know they will get to be buds, but right now, it's kind hard.
She is good in the crate and is sleeping through the night. Only woke me a couple of times the first night, I put my hand in the crate, she licked it and settled down.
She is starting to go to the door after eating and drinking. I'm amazed.
I'm 70 and lost my husband in March, so a new pup is good for me. Keeps me hopping.
Question, how much weight does a pup put on in a week? I am letting her graze her food and she is not a pig, will eat some then walk away. She is getting treats for being in the crate, going potty and sometimes coming. I've never had a really fat dog and trying to keep her active.
Any good hints for an old lady trying new tricks?

[Jasper'sMomma]

Brenna sounds so smart!! Isn't it amazing to watch the light-bulbs come on for them!?!?!

Jasper came home at 12 weeks and he wasn't a real hungry guy either. Like Brenna, he would kinda come up and check it out then nibble and wonder off...

I was worried that we wasn't eating enough, but he has grown about 2 pounds a week since bringing him home...

What did help and work wonders for us, is a play pen in the dining room that we use to feed him and to let him chill out in when we can't keep an eye on him...

he is now 17 weeks and fully potty trained but the play pen is still a favorite hang out for him and he goes there for a drink or for food when he knows its time. We leave the door open unless we are gone or we need to do chores or whatever...

Good luck!

(the play pen will also give your 11yr old a break too, , we have a 9yr old lab that sometimes just needs some down time)

[becka]

Sadie also seemed like a picky eater for the first week or two that I had her. The vet suggested that each time I feed her, I put the food down for 15 minutes only, and that she would figure it out. (And also to subtract whatever she didn't eat from the next feeding.) After a week or so her appetite improved enormously, and now (at 18 weeks) she inhales her food as soon as I put it down.

The vet also said that as long as she was pooping at least a couple of times a day, she was getting enough food.

[Brenna's Mom]

Brenna just seems to eat until satisfied. Working the the "come" command today. Smashed a Milk Bone with a meat cleaver today and everytime she comes when I call her, I give her a bit. I think she is catching on.
Maybe she's too young, but no harm in trying.