Sunday Puppy Report
Since I don’t want this to turn into a dog blog, I decided that I will just post a puppy update once a week…probably on Sundays.
Today, I will start by showing some pictures from yesterday.
Here we are, picking her up from the breeder.
Her car ride home….Is that the saddest face you’ve ever seen? The poor baby already missed her mommy.
Although, she was very playful when she arrived home. (It really wasn’t warm enough for shorts but my son had basketball that morning)
She had plenty of bonding time.
And lots of play time.
Obviously, she was exhausted by the end of the day.
Oh, but don’t be fooled, my friends…That little innocent face was not trouble-free.
She threw up 3 times in the car.
Pee’d two times in the playroom.
Pooped once in the playroom.
And I was bringing her outside probably every half hour.
Then bedtime came…
First, she fell asleep peacefully in her crate.
My husband took her outside around 11:00 p.m. while I tried to sleep. Oh, did I mention that Friday afternoon I came down with a fever, chills, sore throat -general flu-like symptoms. My fever was gone yesterday but I still feel terrible.
Then around 2:00 a.m. the crying and howling began. Apparently that downstairs playroom where she sleeps is not far enough from our bedroom.
Previously, I read that you are supposed to let her cry and when she is calm and quiet then you can let her out.
So, I came downstairs and reclined on the couch in the family room until she settled down…
After awhile, I finally went to her when she was nice and calm and discovered she pooped in her crate.
Just wonderful.
Apparently I got the whole crate training thing wrong. I guess I should have just taken her outside when she started crying and then if she cried when I put her back in the crate, THEN I should have let her cry.
So I brought her directly outside where she pee’d once and then I put her in the fenced play-yard in the kitchen while I cleaned out the poop with this:
Thankfully, it really worked and got rid of the smell. I then finally got her back to sleep at around 4:30 a.m. and I went to bed.
When I heard her howling again around 6:30 a.m. I ignored her a bit and then she abruptly stopped.
Since I was suspicious, I came down to find my 8 year old comforting her and talking to her in the sweetest voice. First, I wasn’t thrilled that he went to her while she was crying because I didn’t want her to think she can cry to get attention. Then my heart kind of melted about because I realized he thought he was doing a good thing.
And actually he was because she pee’d as soon as I took her out.
It really was wonderful watching him bond with her…a real reminder of why we have this puppy.
But I can honestly say, I am not thrilled yet. Yes, I think she is adorable and snuggly but all this running outside and cleaning up accidents is not fun. It’s not like I didn’t know what I was getting into. I read tons of books and asked friends for advice. It’s just an adjustment for me. I loved my life the way it was before and I am not dealing well with the change.
We’ll see how I feel in a few days though after my flu/cold goes away and I get some SLEEP!
Do you have any advice for housebreaking?
Do you have anything positive to tell me to get me through these early weeks?
Maybe everyone in the house should wear ear plugs to bed. Adorable puppy!
We both wanted to take Ike back to the breeder the first week we got him. Seriously. It's a major adjustment. Soon she will be a part of your routine though. And the potty training will get better! They have such small bladders when they are puppies!
Rosie is SO sweet!! I had to show her to my family and, we had a good laugh at your story! Sorry! She'll have it down in no time. I don't know if I can wait till next Sunday! We put the crate in our room for about 6 months until we gave her the run of the house.Hope you're feeling better soon.
Oh my goodness – you have such a precious, sweet angel on your hands and in your home, now. Congratullations!I will look forward to the weekly "pupdates" on your little one's adventures! They will be a highlight as I recover from back ailments!Enjoy all that baby-chick-like puppy fur!Best Wishes to all of your family-Linda
Oh, I remember the first few weeks after bringing Bailey home and it was in December with the holidays and stress. I was so exhausted! It will get better.
You poor thing. I hope that you are feeling better soon. I remember having a puppy and wondering what I had gotten myself into. Much like babies, this time will go by fast! In the meantime, just keep on doing what you're doing…you'll figure it out!
She is adorable and I remember those puppy days, it was like having a new born again. The best advice I can give you is to be consistent, it will get better and she will catch on.I am sorry you got sick thru all this, that really stinks. I hope you are feeling better and that the nights are getting better as well.xoxo
Haha! I've always said that puppies and babies have to be cute so we don't kill them. They cry at night because they are used to sleeping with their littermates, and they don't like to be alone. Have you considered putting her crate in your son's room? Kids don't need sleep like we do! 🙂 You will feel better towards the dog when you feel better period. It will get better, you will love her, and you won't remember a time when she wasn't a member of the family.
She's beautiful! And a big YES the first weeks are tiring! I've not had kids so can't compare but the lack of sleep and constant potty trips were tough. Our Golden caught on to potty training so quick, less than 10 days quick, so keep taking her out half hourly or after eating, sleeping and playing! If she's not in her crate/pen watch her all the time…yep, it's not always fun, but she'll get there, she's adorable! 🙂 xo K
Rosie is so cute!
OMG, my husband and I are squealing over here! She is such a little FLUFFball! So so adorable! We have a golden and I am telling you…they are the BEST dogs. Really so good-natured, smart and loyal. You will love love love her to pieces! 🙂
Oh my word. I am in love!
She`s so pretty! She`s gonna be a big one judging by the size of her paws!Sxo
Thank you so much for sharing the ins and outs of little puppy days! I guess it's a bit like a having a baby – once you know he doesn't need you over night then you can just leave him to learn to settle down to sleep on his own…but it's the first days that can be soooo tiring!Sarahx
And when I said 'he'…I meant, of course, *her*…sorry!Sxx
She is absolutely adorable! What an sweetie pie. House training is a real ordeal, but they always get it eventually. That said, I have a hallway carpet that needs to be replaced. :(Hope you feel better!
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear you are sick. House training a new puppy when you are not feeling good is not fun. Unfortunately, I don't have any tips for you. Our first dog practically trained himself, so of course we thought our second would be a piece of cake. Not so! She's now four and still leaves us occasional "presents" around the house. Good thing she's cute. Rosie is adorable. Seeing these pictures makes me want to get another puppy 🙂
How cute is that! Love finding a new great blog to follow. I'm now a follower on the new linky tool. Follow back so we can stay connected, Lori
Hope you are feeling better soon! Having a new puppy is like having a new baby…a big adjustment~ it's all you do for awhile. Things do get better…she is adorable!
Oh my gosh Shelley!!!!!!!! She's so yummmmmmy!!! God made them so cute for a reason….it's like having a newborn in the house, isn't it?! I hope you are getting some sleep and feeling better. This baby phase will pass and she'll be sleeping through the night in no time. She's gorgeous, I have no idea how I missed this post but am looking forward to weekly pics of her!
DON'T FORGET THEY DO TEETH AND ITS PAINFUL FOR THEM AND THEY DO CRY THERE ALSO. SUCH A CUTE SWEET BABE.OH AND THEY GET CAR SICK SOME DOGS UNTIL THEY GET USE TO THE MOTION.
Hello Shelley – first, so sorry you got a fever with all this…I hoping you and everyone are 100 percent now.Second, THANK YOU for sharing all the puppy photos – oh my gosh, I am so in love! Especially with your son holding him – how precious…all of the photos are perfect for a storybook!Thank you so much for the puppy pick-me-up!XOs!LindaSand and Sea
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