New puppy - how are we doing? Pupdate post #17

[Mara]

She graduated to a “big girl crate” last night, now that she’s big enough that she won’t be tempted to use one end to potty. It is in our bedroom; only one dog (Zoe) sleeps on the bed. Chelly is 12 and can get up on the bed, but he doesn’t get to stay there because I worry he’ll hurt himself if he needs to get down in the middle of the night. We’ve got hardwood floors; Zoe knows to get up and down at the foot of the bed where the rug is, but Chelly was a kennel dog previously.

We do make sure all of Ziva’s needs are met before she is crated, and when she’s in the x-pen. Mainly we don’t want her learning that all she has to do to get out of confinement is pitch a fit. Not that we plan on frequent crating, but definitely at night until she’s housebroken, and for things like the quarterly visit from the exterminator. She does have toys and things to chew in there to keep her occupied.

I’ve noticed she gets extra fussy and whiny when she’s tired.

[thatmoody]

It always surprises me how much sleep puppies need! Ours is 18 months now and we’re starting baby agility (we’ve done some rally and scent work already; he likes rally but wasn’t all that great at scent :D).

I’m so glad your crew is adjusting; our older dog (14, also a mini poodle) is a pretty stern taskmaster, but he’s been good for creating a respectful pup! I’ve taken him up to my daughter’s; she has a puppy of the same age and it was good for him to get to go to the barn and learn to “dog” a bit more freely LOL. It sounds like Ziva is doing fantastic; I love ECS and would have one in a heartbeat.

[Mara]

It is a really cool breed! I’d known one or two before meeting SO and thought so even then.

I had an American cocker in my 20s and 30s. He was clearly a product of backyard breeding - he was huge, well over the breed standard, and his jaw was so undershot you could fit a thumb in between his upper and lower incisors. He looked as though he had a permanent pout. I loved him to bits, but in my idiotic youth I did so many puppy-raising things wrong, especially with regards to socialization. Somehow we all survived in spite of my mistakes!