Melina Bea

Thanks for the link, I hadn't considered a petloo, but for that price I might just get that one.

I would try to get him used to being alone (for short periods of time) before you go back to work. This is a great video for it: http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plpp&v=LGxhcb-itO4 At the 8:30 mark she also shows you how to condition the pup to get used to you leaving (opening the door, etc). (She has great videos in general, you can find the full list here: http://www.kikopup.com/Dogmantics/Free_Video_List.html ) Thanks! Yep - we will smother him tomorrow of course! But Sunday / Monday I will let him spend some time alone in his pen (at first with me in view) and also completely alone. Tuesday my friend is staying at our house with him so she will follow the same rules. Then Wed/Thu/Fri my partner is working from home but might go into the office for a couple of hours. Then another weekend where I can control things again! I'm going to be a bit of a control freak... I already get ANNOYED when other people try to tell me how to raise my puppy - I feel like I know it all after reading these forums for the past few months! :laugh: I said to someone yesterday "I wouldn't tell you how to raise your daughter" I hope it didn't come off that way! I wouldn't try to tell someone how to raise their pup, and I also get really annoyed when people assume I haven't done any research. I just thought that video list was a good resource to have :-)

Yeah, I couldn't see that thread but didn't know that was the reason! Better get posting ;) Very funny, thanks for sharing, kelpiecuddles!

Yes, I'm starting to come to this conclusion. Amazing, I was so adamant!

I would try to get him used to being alone (for short periods of time) before you go back to work. This is a great video for it: http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plpp&v=LGxhcb-itO4 At the 8:30 mark she also shows you how to condition the pup to get used to you leaving (opening the door, etc). (She has great videos in general, you can find the full list here: http://www.kikopup.com/Dogmantics/Free_Video_List.html )

That was my reason for getting a toy breed too! I had set things up so that he wouldn't fall, and I wouldn't crush him either. I was quite adamant that he'd sleep with me. I'm now wondering if it would be a better idea for him to get used to the crate, in case of future changes. For example, if we have to go away and can't take him, it'd be extra hard on someone else, or if I'm having a really bad night, I'll need extra room to accommodate my achy limbs! (Hard to explain on here). Basically, I realise he can come sleep with me in the future, but that if he sleeps with me from the beginning, I can't really move him to a crate later on. Not without a lot of drama.

I'm still debating the same, Smash, so looking forward to the responses. I've also started to doubt my unwavering decision to have Louis sleep with me at night. Because of my disability, I'm often bed-bound and that's when I will need his company the most, which is why we thought he'd just sleep with me. But maybe he could use the crate at night and just learn that he's allowed up on the bed with me during the day (on bed-bound days). Decisions, decisions....

Louis last night, enjoying a daddy cuddle

Today's the day Cassie! I'm sure we won't hear from you, you'll be too busy playing with (and finding a name for) your new pup! :laugh: Seld, just one thing to add: never use the crate as punishment or time-outs as you want your pup to associate it with comfort, etc.

Can you share some of what she said Re: vaccines and timing?

So I went to see Louis this evening. He was very lively so it was extra nice to see him. He's apparently fine now, having his shots Saturday morning and, if he takes well to it, I might be bringing him home on Sunday evening!!

Woohoo! I'm sorry KyKy, I hadn't noticed! Have you picked out a puppy school (if you are taking him, that is)? I just got mine confirmed, a few DOLers told me the lady who does them is one of the best, so places go quickly.

Lollipup, that's a great link, thanks!

I'll be visiting fully vaccinated dogs with my pup :) Yeah, I am thinking the same. The more well mannered dogs we can meet and befriend the better. Anyone up for playdates? ;) Same here! Shame there's no DOLers from the ACT getting a puppy right now

Hopefully you can bring Louis home on Monday :) better to be safe than sorry though as I'm sure you would agree. Although the extra wait must be killing you! I was looking forward to getting my puppy on the same day as someone else :) Absolutely agree with "better safe than sorry". When I called yesterday I was given the impression that he was already on the mend, that's why I think Monday or Tuesday will be the day. I was also looking forward to getting my pup at the same time as you and Smash. But hey, look at it this way: at least we won't be stealing each other's spotlight! :laugh:

Welcome Seld, I had missed a page :p

Welcome KyKy! Your pup is one day older than mine! :D Cassie and Smash, you're both so close! To think I would have joined you too. I bet you won't sleep tonight :laugh: I'm so looking forward to the pictures! I'm going to visit Louis today, I couldn't stay home knowing he's unwell, and when he should've been coming home in the morning! I can't resume my countdown until the penicillin does its job and we know exactly when he's getting his vacs, but I think it'll only be an extra 3 days (Monday), so possibly 4 sleeps instead of 1. Touch wood. Fingers crossed. Toes crossed too!

My Night Comforter arrived today! It's really cute although not "caramel" (very dark brown instead). I doubt he'll care, and the heartbeat is so cute!

:laugh:

Mine was 160g at birth (projected to be 2.7kg as an adult). Chihuahuas are smaller than Yorkies, but with a cross you're more likely o have a surprise! Totally off-topic: I recently saw someone say "I have a Teacup Yorkie, he's 10lbs!" :laugh: Standard is up to 7lbs, so I don't know what made her think she has an extra-small dog, except those scamming breeders I mentioned...

Yeah, I wasn't going to, but now I definitely will. Steph, I think there's a lot more scamming going on over there, so any small issue raises alarm bells.

Thanks guys. I know if I'd shared this in the American forums I'd have been told to waive my deposit and start looking elsewhere... They're very wary of breeders and scams, but I really trust our breeder, and she says its nothing to worry about. I still know what insurance companies are like, though... She says she caught them eating their poo (which I know happens), and that might have caused it. She also saw two vets in order to get a 2nd opinion, and they both said the same thing and not to worry. So it sounds like its pretty straightforward and as Steph said, just a fancy way of saying "tummy ache". He hasn't had problems before, except diarrhoea when he was weaned, but we were expecting that. Dory, thanks for the tip, I'll let her know.

Called the breeder and got bad news Nothing serious, but I'm still worried. Apparently, Louis has an "irritated lower bowel" so he's having trouble doing proper poos. The breeder says she's never had this happen in all her (many) years as a breeder. Does anyone know how common this is? He is on penicillin and until he "learns to do proper poos" he can't have his shots. He is very lively (described as "a little yo-yo, always bouncing around") so I suppose it can't be that serious? She says not to worry, but of course I do! After the initial worry about him and his health, I am now worrying that this could come back to bite me in the backside on a future insurance claim. We're going to see him tomorrow and have a bit of a cuddle and a more in-depth chat. (Chat with breeder, cuddles with Louis, of course) Although we like the breeder so much that I would hug her anyway!)

I've been told it's common to feel you're not bonding with your puppy. That it can sometimes take a few months, but it will happen. I worry a bit, because I know I'd probably blame myself for it :laugh:

I'm exactly like this!! This too ;-) Love the pics.