4 days

Wash had his first visit to the Vet's this week.

I wasn't there but I heard he was a very well behaved little pup. His breeder says he got a clean bill of health from the Vet, along with his 1st set of shots.

When I pick him up on Tuesday I'll be getting the papers from Wash's breeder as proof that the Vet gave him a clean bill of health, the proof he's had his shots and the insurance that comes with him.
When you bring home your puppy, don't forget the paperwork. Lots of trainers, Vets, Breeders etc will require and request a paper trail of your dog's health. Proof of vaccination is particularly important for obedience classes.

Today makes Wash 8 weeks old. I can't believe I've only known him 8 weeks. I am so blessed to have an amazing breeder who has let me visit him so much and who keeps me in the loop about everything that Wash gets up to. There are families who haven't visited since the first week that they picked out their dog.
At 8 weeks puppies should get their 2nd deworming, so I have to make sure he's had his 2nd deworming when I pick him up.

I have everything I think I need, with the exception of a dog tag. I'm all ready, and Tuesday can't come fast enough.

-Brandolyn

Wash Update:

-eating hard kibble
-completely weaned from mom
-been crate training for nearly 2 weeks
-nearly house broken
-had his 1st set of vaccinations
-should have his 2nd deworming treatment

All of his siblings are being picked up Saturday and Sunday, while Wash will have a couple days just with his mom and the breeder before I pick him up. It'll break my heart, but I think it's best for him. It'll give him time to adjust to life without his siblings before I pick him up and take him to a new house. Also, having time just him and his mom should be an interesting experience for a puppy. He'll know  that even though his siblings are gone, it's still ok- hopefully it'll help ease him into the transition to being the only puppy at home.

7 Days!

One week left until I pick up my pup!

I am terrified and extremely excited to bring Wash home. 

I know I'll never truly be "ready" for what to expect with him, but I am so excited to start learning. I've talked to everyone I can talk to and picked the brains of my fellow dog owners, puppy owners, trainers, vets and anyone who is willing to share any bit of insight with me. Now all I have to do is the practical work.
I have to live up to my own expectations as a dog owner. If anyone has heard me talk about my hopes for my dog, it's nothing compared to my hopes of myself as a caregiver.

7 more days, then I get to bring him home. Wash is getting his first set of shots tomorrow and I wish I was there. I know I'll be there for every other visit to the vet's but I still want to be there. I'll hear from his breeder soon and get an update on his health and his weight. 

-Brandolyn

Early Christmas

I can't visit this week because all the pups are getting their first set of shots, so instead she sends me this.

I love my breeder :)

~Brandolyn

Week 7 & Puppy Play Date

Today the lovely LNK and I went to visit Wash and his siblings.

Wash's breeder had said to bring our jackets because the pups are exploring now, and she would have them outside to explore with us. As it turned out, the weather was gorgeous, and the jackets only slowed us down when we were chasing after a herd of waddling puppies. We had them out 3-4 at a time, Wash being out the whole visit, exploring and playing.

It's a bit disheartening to realize that outside, people are no longer the most exciting thing to a puppy, but they were nice enough to go explore for a bit, then come back for cuddles.

When we arrived the puppies were in a pen and all jumped up to greet us- much to our enjoyment.

Wash was very friendly this week. He came right up to me, nuzzled and nibbled my hand and bounced away to explore a blade of grass that had distracted him from me. He's still silent. I heard him make a low growl when he was fighting his brother for a toy, but otherwise, no noise. (I'm sure that won't last long).
His eyes seem to be getting clearer. Wash and the other pups were able to focus on us while we were playing, and came when we clapped our hands, waived or called.

I really missed seeing him last week. The little thing really isn't that small any more. The litter currently shares the house with a mature miniature poodle named Tess, and Wash is already the same size as her, 7 weeks vs 7 years, and they're the same size..... Wash's breeder keeps saying he'll be small for a doodle, but if I look at his paws I'd say he's going to be a big guy!

Lots of playtime, then lots of sleep.

-Brandolyn

B7 Update:
-Eating dry kibble, wet with a little warm water to soften it
-Eyes getting clearer
-Very steady on their legs
-Getting curious, liking to explore
-Mostly house broken
-Weaned from their mom
-Already getting starting crate training
-1st set of shots next Wednesday!

And the name is...

*Drum roll*

I recently decided I wanted to make a custom painted dog bowl for my pup. I know it`s not financially clever, but I wanted to, so I did.

If you know the character Hoban Washburn from the show Firefly, or the movie Serenity, you should remember his Dinosaur friends.

If not, watch this clip :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znxFrgql5dc


Brandolyn

Week 6

The puppies are nearly 6 weeks old!

I can't visit this week, but B7's breeder was kind enough to send me pictures as an update! It's really hard not getting to see my pup every week, and yet, she has said that there are some of the pups owners who have not visited since they reserved their pup.
I just cannot imagine! You make a commitment to your dog, and then leave it completely alone until the day they are ready to go and expect your pup to have an easy transition? The dog won't even know them, won't necessarily be comfortable with them and they're going to pluck them from their mom and siblings and expect everything to be ok?
Sorry. They will be fine, I'm just happy that B7 and I already have such a great bond. Hopefully that means that in 2.5 weeks, we'll have an easier transition than some of the other puppies and puppy parents.

These puppies are so cute, and so amazing already, it's a shame their owners don't get to experience this. B7's breeder is amazing because she's allowed me to visit whenever I can and gives me regular updates about him. I've seen him grow up since week 1, and I've seen how much he has changed. I'm really very lucky.

B7's getting so big!

and here's the family shot!

Here we go (I hope I can tell the pups apart): No name, Jasper, Kay (is yellow, she took Jasper's collar), Red, Sadie, No name and B7.
That's a smart looking group!

I can't wait to visit next week!

-Brandolyn

B7 Update:

-The pups are officially weaned off of their mother!
-They are eating softened kibble and real puppy kibble
-Eyes should be mostly clear
-Learning to use a puppy door to relieve himself outside (Yay smart dog!)

Also, I'm 98% settled on a name.

Which name do you think it'll be?

Grooming

I'm still learning a lot about grooming a dog.

I am not a groomer and I will be taking B7 to a trained groomer but between visits I'd like to be able to trim his nails myself, trim the hairs by his ears, between the pads on his feet, and trim the hair by his eyes if it ever gets too long between visits to the groomer. (this depends on a lot of patience, and trust between myself and B7 which we will build over time.

I've known that brushing, and combing is really important with curly breeds but one of the things I heard recently is that some groomers are taught to pluck the hairs out of the ears of poodles and poodle crossed dogs. I've only heard this from one source so far, and have to do some more research, but to me that sounded unnecessary. If I can keep the hair around and under his ears short then it shouldn't need to be plucked which could potentially cause infections. It also sounds needlessly painful... poor dogs.

More research to be done!

-Brandolyn

To Do list: -put together my puppy kit:
-crate
-bed
-toys
-food
-bowls
-leash
-poop bags

Week 5

My weekly visit with the pups today was a wonderful escape from the daily headache that is my life right now- literally, can't get rid of my headache. I blame the weather. 

My mind is riddled with thoughts of rent, work, puppy training, Christmas, my budget, eating healthy, a new workout schedule and trying to keep some free time for a social life (and of course some time to write) that I've barely had a restful night's sleep in the past several weeks. My brain is too busy, and the sight of B7 just washed all of those thoughts away. (That's funny if you've been keeping up with my running list of puppy names). 

Only a few of the pups came out to visit with me today. B7, Jasper, Red and the other sister (not Sadie). 

The breeder has started separating the pups for short periods of time. While half the litter was with me and the breeder playing together, the rest were outside in a pen with their mother. 

This week it was the shy little girl pup that came out to say hi first. She is the one who is so curly that she permanently has a mohawk on her head. She was very excited to see me and brought Red over to say hi too. 

B7, (and his siblings) although still a little clumsy had their hind legs under control a bit better this week. Their front legs are still uncoordinated when they're trying to get a toy, but they are much more steady on their feet.  I am really impressed that B7 is still silent. I haven't heard a noise from him. Most of the pups snore, or cry or whine occasionally, B7 just seems permanently content. 

They're still babies, so they play for a couple minutes, then take a nap, then play for a bit, then nap again. 

B7 had a nice long snooze in my lap while I was testing his assertiveness. 

             -One of the tests I've read up on to see if a pup will be more dominant, or submissive is to put them on their back, and see if they struggle. Naturally dominant pups tend to wiggle, and fight to right themselves, whereas the more laid back dogs will sit there and look up at you curiously for a bit before wiggling. 

B7 was so comfortable on his back in my lap that he passed out. 

While he was dozing: I played with his legs, his paws, his ears, his lips, checked out his teeth, all to see how tolerant he was. He woke up a few times; specially when I was playing with his mouth, then looked at me as if to say "What?" before falling asleep again and I moved his feet around. 

The breeder was watching me and was impressed that I knew how important it is to get your puppy used to being handled. 

B7 is part poodle, and as part poodle he'll need regular grooming on top of regular doggy exams. I will be trimming his nails throughout his life, and brushing his teeth, his groomer will have to handle him to shave him down, and vets will have to handle him to thoroughly complete their exams, so he might as well start getting used to it at a young age. 

(waking up after I played with his lips to check his teeth)

(passed out again when I started playing with his paws)

He may not look huge in the pictures, but he's growing so fast!

-Brandolyn

B7 Update:

-5 weeks

-Eating softened kibble

-will start being weaned from his mom very soon

-his eyes are clearing up more. He can focus on me from a few feet away, but is still unable to focus on anything in another room

-Back legs are steady

-Still easily tired

-Beginning to be house broken. Already know not to soil their bed, to pee on the training mats, and go to the door when their mom is around

-had their first 3 dewormings last week

-B7 is still timid, but will quietly separate from the pack to slowly explore on his own. A brave, curious pup. 

Research:

-I'm looking for training classes that don't use treats. I don't want to train with treats, who will let me work with my pup, in their class without treats?

Sleepy Dogs

As I await my weekly update from B7's breeder, I'd like to show off how handsome my pup already is.

These were taken back at 4 weeks (this Friday he'll be 5 weeks). 

At this point he's still cautious, calm and quiet. I still haven't heard him make a sound. 

His eyes were still having trouble focusing more than a foot in front of him, and he was very uncoordinated. Like toddlers, he tripped over his feet a lot. 

Over the half an hour I spent with him I caught B7 napping 3 times. At this point the puppies wake up long enough to crawl out of their crate, pee on the mat, sniff and cuddle a bit before falling asleep again. 

Here are my favourite pictures of an exhausted B7. 

(this is my favourite) ---^

Aren't they cute?

-Brandolyn

B7 Update 4.5 weeks:

-Baby teeth (including molars) 

-Pups are eating softened kibble

-a little over 4 lbs

-have had their 1st 3 de-worming treatments

I'll update you more when I hear from the breeder, or go to see B7. 

Puppy names in contention: 

-Pan

-Wash

-Pippin (pip)

Reading materials

In an earlier post I referenced the books I am reading to prepare myself for owning, raising and caring for a puppy and eventually a dog.
The book I'm finding the most helpful are:

1-Brad Pattison's UNLEASHED
It is a wonderful book, written by an inspiring dog trainer and trainer of dog owners. He illustrates for the reader WHY dogs do the things that they do, so that you can understand them better and fulfil their needs. It's a fantastic read, and it's funny too. Brad Pattison also has a show At the end of my leash. It's full of tips and tricks for owners who cannot stop a dog behaviour, or who are getting a new dog. 

Next on my list I have,
2-A Breed specific book: Golden Doodles
This book outlines general qualities of the breed. Average size, weight, exercise level, coat, grooming needs, health problems, and anything else an owner might ever want to know about the Golden Doodle, including its' origins.

3-The Last Dog Training Book You'll Ever Need
This book is all about training. How to house break your dog. How to crate train. How to train the dog not to jump on furniture, and anything else you would ever want to learn about training. Pretty obvious by the title.

The last book on my list, and probably the one I re-read most often is:
4- The Everything New Puppy Book
This book title is also fairly self explanatory. It covers everything you could ever encounter with a new dog. It's been my life preserver over the past 2 months; it keeps me afloat when I panic over some minor detail I hadn't considered.

At the end of the day, my best advice to any future dog owners is to do your research. Go to the library and take out a few books. Don't trust just one book, and if there's something a book suggests you do, but you don't agree, then either don't do it, or ask others (another dog owner, a trainer or a Vet) for their opinion. These books are guides, not rules.

Happy research!

-Brandolyn

Next on my research list is: Finding the right Dog Training School
And Agility Competitions vs Flyball

Week 4

After 2 weeks of anticipation, I saw the puppies today!

They are growing so fast. They have out grown their ribbon identifiers and have little coloured collars now. I was so excited to see my B7 with his open eyes and his teeth that one of the first things I did when he finally toddled over to me was to gently pull up his lip to see his teeth for myself!
His eyes are still quite hazy, so they look blue in the light, but if you look carefully you can see gorgeous brown irises.
I was a little disappointed when I came into the house to see B7 and he didn't run up to me and say hi. Then I remembered:
1- he's never "seen" me before
2- he's still learning to explore, so he's shy
3- his eyes aren't fully developed so he can't focus on objects more than 6" away (roughly)
4- he's still a baby dog and isn't running anywhere!

I settled on the ground outside the pen and crate set up for them and waited for the pups to come to me. They were sleepy, slow and unsteady, but cautiously curious. B7 was the last to come out of his crate and the last to say hi to me, but he was very excited once he recognized my smell. He hung around me a bit, and visited the breeder and then went off to visit my mom and grandmother who had come with me today.

The puppies were very curious, but easily startled. I noticed B7 in particular would fall over, or retreat from loud noises (apparently I thought his brother was cute, and I made a noise he disapproved of) and fast movements. The breeder said that since they cannot focus well yet, fast movements appear even stranger and more abrupt and startling to these young pups. I had to be very careful to stay calm and quiet for the rest of the visit.

I brought a list of puppy names, and only a few seemed to really stick:
-Wash
-Pippin
-Jarvis
-Gunner <- paintball name the breeder picked out (She's wonderfully clever)


I really liked the name Jasper, but one of the black males was already named Jasper- he's the big one walking around like Eeyore with the yellow collar in the video. He looks sad because it's a new collar and he thinks it's heavy :p I got him playing later and he forgot all about the collar.  

watch the video below, and enjoy the cuteness. There are two light pups in this litter and 5 black. The golden one is NOT B7, she's a girl named Sadie. B7 is the almost white one. When they're side by side it's easy to tell them apart. Also, B7 and Sadie are very close. It'll be sad when they go to separate homes.

B7 Update:
-He has molars now! Kibble food next week!
-His eyes are open, and he can focus on things close to him, like a toy, but cannot focus far away (Like the person holding the toy) So puppies get really in your face to explore.
-Movement is good. Wobbly and unsteady but determined and persistent.
-Co-ordination is still poor, tripping over things a lot.
-Still silent. His brothers make a sharp "Yap" once in a while, but mostly still just grunts and squeaks.
-Starting to explore, easily spooked by fast movements and loud noises.
-The mother has started taking some personal time away from the pups. They are big and needy.
-On top of soft food, they still feed from mom. (Now the pups are so big she must stand to feed them, no more lying down.)

Puppy Names

To be perfectly honest, choosing the right puppy name has been the hardest task in the whole process of getting a dog. It's dreadful!
I have known B7 for close to 4 weeks now. I've seen him several times and still, every time I show someone a picture of him they ask,
"He's so cute. What's his name?"
and I've responded with a prolonged pause "...."

The thing is, I have many names I have thought of, but B7 is so young, that his personality hasn't had a chance to develop. I feel like I can't get a name to stick yet, because the last times I've seen him he's only been a cuddly, little lump. Now, he has his puppy teeth, he can see and he's very good at toddling around- he's practically a real dog!

I see him Friday, and will be testing out a few names to see if they fit.

In no particular order, my list is so far (with inspiration):

-Pippin (LOTRs)
-Pan (Peter Pan)
-Whistler (Blade or the mountain)
-Jasper (Ski mountain)
-Wash (Firefly)
-Westley (TNG)
-Archer (Stargate: Atlantis)
-Apollo (BSG)
-Helo (BSG)
-Thor (Marvel)
-Jarvis (Ironman)
-Hopper (Paintball)
-Finn/Finnigan (HP)

I desperately want to name him Cyrano, or Jean-Valjean... but those don't roll off the tongue easily...

Name suggestions are welcome! The Nerdier, the better :)

-Brandolyn

Fun Fact of the day:
Puppies need several shots to fight against illness: Parvo and rabies to name a couple.
1 set of shots should be done at 8 weeks (before you get your pup)
4 weeks later, at 12 weeks your pup needs her 2nd set of shots
4 weeks after that, at 16 weeks your pup will need her 3rd and final puppy vaccinations.
HOWEVER
Some vets will try to split up the 3rd set of shots, and make a "4th" appointment for shots. This then charges you and extra "exam fee" for the extra appointment.
Watch out for that... You don't want to spend more money on your pup, or put your dog through more stress if you can avoid it.