One Happy Dog

One Happy DogBert

I just had to share this picture with you.

He looks like he is smiling. This picture was taken on holiday, I just love it I think he looks so cute.

Thank you for reading Doodle's blog. If you believe dogs smile leave me a comment below.

Vicky x

Doodle Weekend

Doodle Day!!!

What can i say about doodle day AMAZING!!! We all loved every minute of it. We stayed at Porlock carvan and camp site which was lovely, we stayed in the rally field which had sea views and the facilites were great. 

Saturday

On Saturday night we went and met some doodles in the Top Ship Inn in Porlock the food was great, to be introduced to everyone. Alfie's brothers and sisters and their mummy's and daddy's were lovely, everyone was so friendly it was like we had already met. It was so nice to be able to talk to them about Goldendoodles as most of the people we know  have labradoodles. 

Alfie waiting to meet his family

Casey is from the same litter as Alfie but is Smaller than him.

This is Merlin, Alfie's older brother from 2012 litter they also have a blog http://merlinthedoodle.wordpress.com/ which is one of the blogs I looked at before having Alfie. Merlin is a lot smaller than Alfie.

Sunday 

On Sunday we went for along but very lovely walk by a river up Exmoor. They were all off the leads and and it was amazing watching Alfie run, go paddling in the river and chase his brothers and sister and I was amazed he never went to far from us. The best thing I did was to  put on his bandanna on so I could keep track of him, in the sea of doodles.

Then to finish of this brilliant day we had a Doodle Party with different event that the doodles and there families could join in on. Alfie when in for the scruffiest Doodle but he didn't win which in away is a good thing, there was a games for just the men the best 6 legs where they get judges on their legs, tunnel race and whistle sit for the children. It was such a good day.

Mary going about to attempt the Tunnel race.

What an amazing weekend we had, we all lovely every minute of it. Just want to say a huge thank you to Mary for organising this day and we can wait for next year when we can meet up again.

Thank you for reading please leave a comment below as I love to read them.

Vicky xx

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Alfie, Happy birthday to you.

Birthday Boy

I cant believe how quickly the time has gone. We want to wish Alfie's brothers and sisters a very Big Happy Birthday and I hope they are having a great day. Thank you for reading my blog, Please feel free to leave a birthday comment.

Vicky xx

Alfie's first holiday camping :)

Summer holiday!! 

Well Alfie went on his first holiday in a tent the other weekend and what fun he had. Before we went we put the tent up in the garden so Alfie could get use to what it looked and smelled like. I thought he would find it a bit daunting as it is quite big but just like Alfie he wasn't bothered. We went in side snifter it and that was it. We left it up so he could get use to it. 

As we have never been camping with a dog before, we found it hard to find a space for Alfie to sit. We though we would have enough room as we were only going for the week. Oh no the car was full and poor Alfie only had a little room on the back seat, but he was amazing curled himself into a little ball and fell asleep. Note to self roof rack for next time or take less. :) 

Traveling down was a nightmare stuck in holiday traffic 4 hours it took :( Look at my little mans face, I no I keep saying it but he is brill, he is so patient. 

We put the tent up and put Alfie on a long line that is screwed in to the grass. Alfie loved walking around the tents and lying on the grass. 

We then went to the beach at Weston Super Mare and he went paddling in the sea and had so much fun, though he does not like the waves.

Paddling with dad

After been at the beach all day he slept the whole night till the next day. We worn him out :) 

 An evening stroll after a thunder storm which again didn't bother him head stuck his head out if the tent and watched the rain come down. I think this is down to letting him experience lots if sound and different things from such a small age and not making a big deal of things if there was a loud bang or something. 

Then back to the beach to finish off our holiday on Brean Sands. Found out that he love horse poo :( that is not so good. Alfie has started to lye down if he sees another dog walking pass, looking all cute and as soon as they get closer enough pounce at them in playful mode like come and play. Poor dog pops themselves. 

Thank you for coming to have a look at Alfie's first holiday please leave a comment at the bottom as i love to read your stories and tips about dogs.

Vicky xx

Alfie's Routine

Alfie’s Routine

I have just found this from when I first had Alfie and I did not up loaded it. This was the routine I was trying to implement, but nothing ever goes so smoothly . 

I am trying to get him in to a routine ready for when I go back to work, so I can manage his naps and toileting.

6.30-Alfie wakes up

7.00 –Breakfast

7-10 Play time and Training

10-Walk

11-Nap time Alfie sleeps about 2 and half hours ish

1.30-Dinner

1.30-4 Play time and Training

4 –Walk

5-Nap

6.30-7ish-Tea

7-10-Play time and Training

10-Walk

11-Bed

I take him to the toilet when he wakes up after play time, about 15 minutes after he has had food and 30 minutes to an hour in between, as it depends on how much he has been drinking. This routine will change when I go back to work but I wanted Alfie to have set times in the crate so he could get use to it.

This routine won’t work for everyone, as you have to decide a routine what will work for you and your puppy and this will take time as you need to get to know your puppy, so don’t worry.

Thank you for reading my blog, please leave me a comment at the bottom as I love to read them and let me know if you have ideas about what you would like me to write about.

Vicky xx

Alfie's First Day Out

Alfie’s First Day Out

What a lovely day we have had! We went to Rhyl, Wales for the day the weather was great lovely and sunny but extremely windy. Alfie could walk on the beach and have a paddle in the sea. He loved it J digging holes and running around, but it didn’t take long though before he became tired and we had to pick him up. Our poor arms felt like they were going to fall off. He slept the whole way home, he was tuckered out.

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

Vicky xx

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