Alfie's First Bath

Alfie’s First Bath

Well Alfie has had his first bath, after getting very muddy from playing outside in the garden, I was expecting Alfie to try jump out but he did very well. We used Johnson’s puppy and kitten shampoo for delicate skin; we diluted the shampoo, 1 part shampoo to 4 parts warm water. We wet Alfie using warm water and then we poured half the mixture over Alfie and lathered him up, then poured over the rest of the shampoo and I rinsed him all off.

We did try and dry him using a hair dryer on a low temperature, but he wasn't to keen so we sat by the fire having a loving cuddle and I brushed him dry. One thing I found was that, because his fur is so thick the top of his fur was dry but the fur underneath was still wet, so when drying and brushing make sure you brush the under layer to stop matting and from your dog getting cold. Once Alfie was all dry his fur was beautiful, soft and fluffy, the shampoo is fragrance free so Alfie doesn’t smell like perfume, Alfie just smelt clean. which is good really as perfume smells can over power a dogs senses and they may roll out in mud or on the floor to get rid of the smell. so I recommend buying a fragrance free shampoo. I really recommend this shampoo not too expensive; I brought mine off Amazon for about £1.50.

It was so funny not long after we had finished and Alfie was lovely and clean, he needed the toilet and guess what it was RAINING L Well puppies don’t stay clean for long.

Thank you for reading my blog, I love to read your comments so please leave me one at the bottom.

Vicky xxx

Alfie's 2nd Jab

Alfie’s 2^nd Jab

Just a quick one! Alfie went to the vets the other day and I just wanted to write a post on Alfie’s experience. So the vet was lovely, so friendly she explained everything she was going to do. I also asked for Alfie to be Micro Chipped. She said let’s see how he is with the injection and if he is ok we can do the Micro chipping. The vet gave Alfie some treats and he was brilliant, nothing not even a whimper then a few seconds later he started to cry. The vet explained it could start to sting, but I rubbed the area and he soon settled. It broke my heart.  As he was so good she said it was ok to do the chipping. She asked me to hold his head, oh me oh my, what a sound but I know that it is worth it because if anything should happen to him I would be devastated. The vet gave me a spot on for fleas and a little puppy pack which is really good, with treats and lots of information. Alfie was also weighed when we collected him he was 4.3kg and now he is 5.4kg my little chunky monkey, he loves his food.

Well we have to go back to the vets in to weeks to visit the nurse so that Alfie doesn't associate the vets with pain. He will get weighed again. He is growing so quickly.

The day after Alfie has had lose poohs. I rang the vets and they explained that the injection can cause loose stools and if it persists then take him back to the vets. After a couple of day he was back to his normal self again.

Thank you for reading my blog, please leave a comment as I love to read them.

Vicky xx

Crate Training

Crate Training

As part of Alfie’s training we are crate training him and I know some people disagree with this technique but it work for Alfie it’s his little den and it is only for a short period.

We started with making his den nice and cosy, placing a blanket over the crate, putting a bed inside, his teddy with his mum’s smell and a couple of chew toys.

To start with I hid treats in his crate and so Alfie could feel this as a nice positive place and we sat with him gave him loads of praise while he was in the crate with the door open so he was able to come out. When he came out I didn’t say anything I placed more treat in side and gave him his Kong to chew on and continued this for a couple of minute, then I started to shut the door but I didn’t lock it just for a couple of seconds and then longer and longer then I locked it. And continue this training every day until he is really settled.

Well I wish I could tell you that the first time he went in for a sleep he was great, he wasn’t. It wasn’t the crate it was me leaving him and for him not to been able to get me, it broke my heart. For the first 2 night we sat by the crate with our fingers through so he could smell me and he settled off really quickly. Come to the 3^rd night we decided to leave him now and he cried L not for long but it felt like forever, it was the worse sound I have ever heard, but after a couple of minutes he was a fast asleep and didn’t wake till 3.30am for a wee. The thing is not to go to him, leave him as much as it kills you inside. I am sleeping down stair so I can hear him if he needs and wee and I haven’t got to walk down the stairs half asleep.

I have started his routine he goes in his crate for his morning and afternoon nap then bed time, the day naps he goes off great and sleeps for about 2 hours its’ just the night time, but we will keep you informed on how he goes.

I have also added a puppy pen so when I go to work his has a place to stretch and play. I have put puppy pads down so he can go toilet while I am at work and I have got a water bowl which connects to the crate's sides. 

I will write an up dated post for crate training letting you know how he gets on.

Thank you for reading my blog please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom as I love to read them.

Vicky xx

Week 1

Week 1

Sorry it has taken so long, I feel like I have had a baby not a puppy :) Well in a way I have really. 

Well where shall I begin? It has been a very bumpy rollercoaster ride but a very fun one at that. J

I am off work for 2 weeks which if you can do I really recommend, to help train Alfie his basic skills; well I am trying to should I say. I am trying to get him in to a routine so I can manage his toileting and feeding times ready for when I go back work.

I have so much to talk about so instead of writing a whole essay for you to read I am going to break it down in to different posts.

• ·         Potty training
• ·         Training Classes
• ·         Feeding
• ·         Routine
• ·         Socialising
• ·         Crate Training

And lots more.

I can tell you that as soon as you have a puppy you will have lots of visitors so make sure you have lots of tea and biscuits at the ready, but this is a great opportunity for you puppy to meet new people.

Alfie is now 10 weeks old which means he is due his second jab and I have booked him in to the vets for Monday which I am not looking forward to it but this means that we can start to take him out for walks in the park which I am so excited about but I will keep you informed on how it goes.

One thing I want to say is it has been a very emotional time for me and one thing which I feel is to blame is all of the different research which I did before collecting Alfie. Having a dog is not text book, all dogs are different and what it says in a book is not how it works and I found it hard to deal with, thinking it was all going wrong.

I am not saying not to do your research as in some aspects it really helped but don’t do too much, you need to have clear ideas of what you want to do with your puppy, use your common sense, as you are going to have to deal with your little puppy crying which they are going to do and it cripples you and let me tell you it does more than you could imagine, but I would not change it for the world, 5 days in and I am loving it and I would not swop it for the world it is the best thing I have ever done and all of the crying and heart ache that I am going through now will work out for the best in the end J

Good job I have got a great family who is there to support me and for Lovely Mary who is always at the end of the phone with advise. J

Thank you for reading my blog please leave me a comment at the bottom as I love to read them. 

Vicky xx

Introducing Alfie

I would like to introduce

Alfie

Our 9 week old Goldendoodle J

We collected Alfie today and I am amazed how quickly he settled with us. The travel back from Minehead was great Alfie slept the whole way back, 3 and a half hours. So far we have had 2 wee’s and 1 poo but only 1 of them made it outside J but when he did we made loads of fuss.

Alfie has had Burns dry puppy food for tea with a little cooked chicken and he has wolfed it down, which is great as I was expecting him to go off his food for a couple of days.

Mary again has been great, she showed us how to worm

Alfie and has given us a great puppy pack including 4 week Insurance, a teddy with mum’s sent, a pack of Burns puppy food and lots of great advice.

It was very emotional leaving Mary behind, this is it, it is all on us now, WOW the responsibility I felt but I know she is just l the end of the phone.

Alfie has had lots of fun playing with his new toys and now he has fallen sleep on his bed but I will keep you all informed with potty training, training and much more as we go.

Thank you for reading my posts; I love to read your comments so please leave me one below thanks.

Vicky xx

Collecting Our Puppy

Collecting our puppy.

Well what can I say? The weekend we collect our little puppy has finally arrived at last. It feels like it has taken forever to get to this point but never mind now it has finally come. We have set up his little bed and made room in the cupboard for all of his food and yummy treats. J It’s going to be a long drive down to Minehead to collect him but it will be worth it.

When we collect him I will take some picture of him at home and I will write an induction post and let you know how his first night went. 

Wish us luck. 

Please leave a comment at the bottom if you are collecting your puppy this weekend and let me know how it went. 

Vicky xxx

7 Days

7 days today and I will be picking up our little Puppy.

We are puppy proofing our house, getting down to a puppy’s level and having a look to see if there is any choking hazards or any where they could get trapped. J

This is going to be a long week, having to wait 7 whole days, “Oh me oh my” what am I going to do with myself.

Thank you for reading my blog please leave a comment at the bottom if you are getting a puppy soon and tell me what you are doing to get ready for these precious little puppies.

Vicky xx