Now that we are married, have a backyard, and have a son capable of understanding basic directions, naturally it seemed time to get a puppy. World, meet River. He is a 10-week-old goldendoodle who is easily the most laid-back puppy I've ever met.
I thought I would work on crate-training. All the literature indicates that it can take a long time for dogs to get used to the crate, and that owners need to slowly train their pups to feel comfortable in it. Last night, River went in by his own choice and sat in there for awhile. I was enthused by this development, but recognized that it would still take awhile for him to feel comfortable enough to sleep there. This morning, however, he went in there again and laid right down, falling fast asleep within minutes. He repeated the scene again later. I guess he is cool with the crate after all...
A little while ago, he started stirring some, and making some weird squeaky sounds in his semi-sleep. I have come to understand, in the four days the he has been in our lives, that this means he needs to potty. We headed outside, and he immediately pooped. Done! I wouldn't say the fella is housebroken or anything, but he is clearly catching on to the basic process.
Thus far, he hasn't destroyed anything in the house or chewed up anyone's shoes. A little while ago, he tried to eat my book. I was expecting a hellion, and River is turning out to be a dream dog. My main goal now is to maximize these early weeks so that we can harness his awesomeness, resulting in a well-trained dog. I don't want to be too lenient with him now, even though his adorableness makes me want to be. We have already decided, for instance, that his furniture days are over. He'll know he's loved even if he can't sit on our couch...
We are so happy to have him here. How can you resist the cute??
I thought I would work on crate-training. All the literature indicates that it can take a long time for dogs to get used to the crate, and that owners need to slowly train their pups to feel comfortable in it. Last night, River went in by his own choice and sat in there for awhile. I was enthused by this development, but recognized that it would still take awhile for him to feel comfortable enough to sleep there. This morning, however, he went in there again and laid right down, falling fast asleep within minutes. He repeated the scene again later. I guess he is cool with the crate after all...
A little while ago, he started stirring some, and making some weird squeaky sounds in his semi-sleep. I have come to understand, in the four days the he has been in our lives, that this means he needs to potty. We headed outside, and he immediately pooped. Done! I wouldn't say the fella is housebroken or anything, but he is clearly catching on to the basic process.
Thus far, he hasn't destroyed anything in the house or chewed up anyone's shoes. A little while ago, he tried to eat my book. I was expecting a hellion, and River is turning out to be a dream dog. My main goal now is to maximize these early weeks so that we can harness his awesomeness, resulting in a well-trained dog. I don't want to be too lenient with him now, even though his adorableness makes me want to be. We have already decided, for instance, that his furniture days are over. He'll know he's loved even if he can't sit on our couch...
We are so happy to have him here. How can you resist the cute??
; "Catching fish")
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