Hi Everyone,

It's been 2.5weeks since Mattie came home. We have been adjusting to our new little girl and loving her every minute. I think we have been over prepared in a sense because it's been somewhat of a "breeze." We feel as though we might be doing things wrong and thought we would ask all of you experts. She has yet to have ANY accidents in our home or car rides. But we do take her out about every 45-60m during the day/evening.

So Mattie is crate trained at night. She goes into her crate around 11-1130, snuggles up to her lovey and then sleeps all night long until about 6-7a. Some of the time in the am, we have to persuade her to get up and start her day. Depending on how much activity she has had during the day she could sleep 8-9hours long. Not once does she cry out during the night. Is this normal? Should we still be taking her out during the middle of the night?

How much water should she be drinking during the day? She always has "some" water in her bowl, never completely empty. If it's anymore than half full she thinks it's play time and chooses to step in it and make a mess!

She has been eating 3/4c three times a day. Our vet said we should be increasing her food to 1 1/4c three times a day....but she never finishes the food with the increased amounts. Yet the 3/4c amount she inhales within seconds. During the day she doesn't get many treats...few minutes with a bully stick usually when I'm on an important work call.

She has definitely gained weight since being home. She came home weighing 7.5lbs, we estimate she is 10-13 range. Our scale at home doesn't register that low...so we are simply guessing. But Mattie is flourishing by all accounts that we can see.

We have begun to socialize her to various family and friends. Each time she has done well and is more than happy to be around anyone that will give her attention. She seems to be happy and full adjusting to her new home comfortably.

Any opinions or suggestions are most welcome.

Sounds like you and Mattie are doing great!! They get big so fast!! Would love to see some photos.

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Dave

ChrisandJanelle, the really great news is that you got an easy puppy. Don't wake her in the middle of the night; she's controlling her bladder just fine. I have never gotten up in the night with a puppy. Their last bathroom break would be around 11 p.m., then they slept until 6 or so. As for the food, some people switch to two meals a day rather than increasing the amount at all three meals. I'd give her the amount she can comfortably consume for three meals, then switch to twice daily meals in a month or two. Honestly, it sounds like you're doing a wonderful job all the way around with this puppy. Keep up the good work, and congratulations on getting a easy keeper.

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Golden retrievers think life is a party thrown especially for them

Maddie sounds very similar to Loki at that age. Apart from some jealousy evening zoomies over our older dog, he was a breeze to raise & train. He's just over five months old now & still a breeze. I guess some pups are quieter than others & your baby sounds as if she is doing fine.

Sounds like Mattie is doing great. I definitely wouldn't increase to 3.75 cups per day. Please read up on Rhonda Hovan's Slow Grow Plan. I'd keep her at her current food intake for a while yet.


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Sounds like you all are doing great--be thankful you're getting a full nights sleep!

Sounds like she's a very sweet pup! But we do need some pictures to be sure...

If you have a chain pet store nearby (especially if it has a vet office in it), you can weigh her there once a week if you're interested. Most pet chains seems to have scales. I did that when Tucker was a puppy and it was fun to watch him grow and chart the info. I still weigh all three regularly as it helps me keep track of how they're doing.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.