And here's what I've learned

1. Puppies really are a lot of work
2. Even though she goes to the door, if I am not fast enough she will go in the house
3. Puppy biting and play can and does look like aggression at time, but it's really not
4. Puppy breath is absolutely the best smell in the world
5. If you want a cuddly, sweet puppy, you need to exercise her some, whether short walks, or by play...but play also brings on the bitey puppy
6. Puppy zoomies are the absolute best, unless they are brought on by overstimulation, in which case they loose their mind for a few minutes...either way stand back and just watch
7. Just like raising kids, this is the hardest yet best thing I have done in my life
8. Everyone wants to meet your puppy when you are out, you are only a means to their end.
9. Puppies are way smarter than we give them credit for
10. If the puppy chews something innapropriate it is totally MY fault. Even though we haven't had that issue yet, it happens if you blink your eye...so no blinking!
11. Puppies grow so fast, I think that nap she's taking is really like plugging a battery into recharge..she will be bigger and wiser upon waking.
12. When she clamps onto my pants, she's not a land shark, but a crocodile!!!!

There's a lot more but I think you get the idea

I'm so proud of my girl and honestly myself. After one week, she goes to the door to potty...and no I don't consider her potty trained. She knows sit and does know off, but she chooses when to listen with off. I've seen her go from a puppy that only sought out play time to one who seeks me out now, and not just to bite on...and is now willing to learn. She didn't have the patience to learn anything even for a treat the first few days. Now I can tell her to sit, and she does, comes when I call her name. Has learned that the cat must be respected, yet she does at times test this, but the cat quickly puts her in her place. She does not greet us yet when we come into the room, but at least now looks up to see who is here.

My absolute favorite thing about her at the moment is, when she sleeps, and especially on her back, she dreams and will wag her tail and make little noises. It is so cute.

So to all those getting a puppy, or who just got a puppy...find the joy in the small moments, the small accomplishments and just in your puppies uniqueness in general. I think the first week is getting to know them and you!

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Good stuff .... OOPS almost forgot ...what a cutie !

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Mac & Gary

Well said and keep the faith...they grow into one of the best companions you'll ever have! They don't get much cuter than that!

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach

Thanks! I really do love her lots and now that I have relaxed a bit and not worrying over every little thing I am enjoying her more than I thought would be possible.

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Thank you SO MUCH for your post!!! It was comical and heart warming. I am getting two gr's in less than 3 weeks and couldn't be more excited. I read your list and thought x2! lol. I know it's a challenge but am so up for it! I love the puppy stage and can't wait!

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LOL...you are welcome. And Congradulations...There are many more things I could have listed but these are the ones that stuck out the most.

2 pups may or may not be easier, I am interested in seeing how it goes for you. I do know Sage enjoys playing with the lab next door and it really does tire her out for me.

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thanks for a little boost in the optimism department. we get our girl really, really soon and she'll be our first dog ever so I'm more than a little freaked out. just hoping I'm making it bigger and harder in my mind than it will be in real life.

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Fortheloveofgolden's

It's really an adjustment period. I don't know if you can actually prepare yourself totally for it. I've raised puppies before but not a Golden...so I'm new to this too

I'm thinking two might help with the bitey stuff as they will have each other to play with, but I don't know for sure. I know others who have had two and done it and prefer it that way...I can't say as I've never done it.


Congrats on getting your pups soon, and I look forward to pictures, watching them grow and hearing about all the fun or not fun you are having. Trust me there will be days, moments etc...that you will think..wth was I thinking, but I have found it is so worth it!

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I thought I was prepared, but nothing prepared me totally for the reality that is Sage, not the love I feel, the pride when she "gets it" not the frustration when she was so naughty the other day.

Congrats on getting your little girl...I love her picture btw...

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When Shadow would get the zoomies, we just turned on the music and played Maniac from Flashdance.

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