8.27.17
It’s matchup week!!!
Doing the temperament tests with the puppies was a blast and I loved getting to really see the small differences in their personalities. This litter has the most similar personalities between the puppies than I have ever seen! If I wasn’t switching them out myself and if they didn’t have different looks I could bet they were all one puppy–everyone tested very responsive and I think the main thing in picking one will be what “look” you like best/which one just melts your butter.
Now begins the matchup process! I will start with the first person our list after a few days so everyone has time to review and think about the puppies. This process can take a while so please be patient if you don’t hear from me for a few days. Also, please keep in mind there are other families waiting for their puppy match up after you! If you are not signed up for Puppy K this is the time to order your vitamins and food so it can be there when your puppy comes home!
Each puppy has their own video with us preforming the tests on them. Please review the test in order to see what behaviors the puppies exhibited to earn the results they got. Keep in mind, this is a guideline for you to use–not the final say on their personalities. An adult dog’s behavior is going to be a combination of its nature and your nurture.
*real life warning!–We did the first video several times trying to get “nothing else” happening in regards to our one year old, other dogs, clean house, etc…but it wasn’t happening. So please don’t mind the life interruptions, laundry, toys, and other dogs. But I hope you’ll see your future puppy is being raised with real life along with us and maybe it will seem familiar! 😉 #reallife #momlife #puppylife #thankful
Green:
Blue:
White:
Red:
Orange:
Silver:
Pink:
Yellow:
Teal:
Talk to you soon!
8.20.17
Next week is matchup week!!! This week we will start the temperament tests and do videos of the puppies. Here is how the match up process will work: Between now and then Jake and I will perform a temperament test on each of the puppies. Please read that article so you know what tests we are doing and you can think about the kind of temperament you are looking for in a puppy.
Keep in mind that with Golden Doodles there will not be any extremes and you are going to find more similarities between each of the puppies than differences. In addition, your puppy’s personality will be a combination of it’s nature and your nurture. So having a good training foundation is key. You can read through our Biggest Mistakes Made When Housebreaking to help you avoid pitfalls.
After we have done the temperament test with each of the puppies, we will look through all the applications and pick our top 2-3 puppies for what you were looking for. Then we call the first people on our list. Together we talk about the puppies that stood out to them and the puppies that stood out to us for them. After going over the test results and talking it through they will pick which one they want. Once they are matched up, we will repeat the process with the second people on our list and so on until everyone is matched up.
Often people are concerned with getting matched up with the “right puppy.” My advice is always to not worry about it! The process always feels very natural and organic. And remember–they are all super cute and it is hard to go wrong! The only problem I run into is when people have their mind set on ONE puppy and that puppy gets chosen. To avoid that, please keep an open mind and open heart to all of the puppies and narrow down your favorites to 3-4.
Only two spots left for Puppy K! Be sure to sign up if you wanted your puppy to participate!
Whew! Now with all that in mind, here are the puppies and their pictures this week:
8.11.17
I can’t believe how fast these guys are growing! And they just keep getting cuter! If you haven’t already done so, this is the time when I recommend taking a look at the New Puppy Check List and start getting everything you need.
This week we have added in straw to their play area as mama is no longer cleaning up after them. They have more access to the outside (except night time) now and can be indoor or outdoor.
It is so much fun getting to see their little personalities show! Here is a little video of them playing outside!
Weekly pictures:
7.31.17
Three weeks old and getting bigger every day!!! This week they have started walking around, finding their voices, and have their eyes fully open! I love this week because there is a new discovery for them everyday!
Mama Pearl is starting to enjoy some small periods of time away from her puppies but is always eager to get back to them.
I have added a Puppy Kindergarten class for Pearl’s litter so you are able to sign up if you’d like your puppy to participate. Puppy Kindergarten is when you puppy stays with us for an extra week and we do the first week of potty training and crate training. If you have the time/energy/will to do this training yourself, it is a great bonding time. However, it does help smooth out the transition home and by the end of the week they will be sleeping around 7-8 hours and able to hold their bladders for 30-45 min. And there will still be lots of training needed afterwards! Check out the link for more details and information. I will only be opening up 5 spots as that is our max in order to ensure proper training and attention for the puppies in class.
Either way, here is a list of the items I recommend for smoothing out the transition. I have transition blankets available here–let me know if you’d like to get one of our’s ($20) or feel free to mail in your own! All of these items are in our “recommended” list but it explains how/why it helps your puppy in its transition home.
Here are pictures and weights!
7.14.17
Our little guys are just over 1 week old! Many of them have almost doubled in weight!!! We are so impressed with Pearl and how she is able to keep up feeding 9 babies! Needless to say she has quite and appetite!
While they haven’t opened their eyes yet, you can tell they are getting more mobile. This week they continue to spend all their time sleeping, snuggling with their mama, and nursing. We continue to monitor their hydration levels and temperature and make sure everyone’s getting their fair share of mama’s milk. Pearl is amazing to watch–she has a rotation system! She keeps 2 in between her front paws, one off to her side, and nurses the rest. While in between her paws, she gives them a good cleaning and then rotates them!
I have now made a sign up available for Puppy Kindergarten. Puppy K is a class we provide to help transition your puppy to your home. They stay with us for one extra week and we do the first week of potty training and crate training. By the end of the week most puppies are able to hold their bladder for 45min and sleep 7-8 hours in their crate. It is a nice stepping stone for your puppy as they are still in a familiar surrounding, with some of their siblings, but get put on a schedule and introduced to some basic things. You can read more about it and/or sign up on our Puppy Kindergarten Page. You still have some time to think about this option–but we do only open up 5 spots and we do usually fill up!
Here are their weekly pictures!
And some more of them together…
We are over the moon in love with these 9 beautiful standard f1 goldendoodles from Pearl and Cooper. Pearl is an amazing mama and delivered these sweeties on July 5th. They will be ready to go home September 2nd or September 9th, if you sign up for Puppy Kindergarten.
The First Days
Pearl appeared to be starting her labor Tuesday night, during the 4TH of July celebrations. I mentioned to Jake that I thought the puppies would be arriving that night so he stayed up with her (my hero). She didn’t seem to notice the fireworks at all! She had her first puppy at 6am!
The first 48 hours are the most critical time with puppies. Jake and I take are constantly watching after them and making sure everyone is able to latch and get their fair share of mama’s milk, especially with so many siblings fighting for their turn. If needed, we supplement a feeding with goats milk. We make sure they are all hydrated, at the right temperature, and get lots of bonding time with their mama.
In their first few days they have not opened their eyes yet and can’t walk. They crawl around quite impressively, however, and can get to mama’s milk. They also don’t bark or cry yet and instead make a sweet chirping noise. All of their time is spend eating or sleeping with Pearl.
Since she had 9 puppies, we divided them into two groups since competition for the milk can leave some stranded. Pearl appreciates the smaller groups and doesn’t seem so overwhelmed. She doesn’t like to go for walks quite yet, and we have to coax outside for potty breaks and to stretch her legs. She is always running back to the door and wanting to be let in. She is such a good mama!
What can I do now?
I am the planner in our family and like to do things ahead of time! If you are like me and are excited to get everything ready, check out our new puppy check list. For a complete list of recommended products, see our resources page.
Here are some other articles as we begin this process that I hope will be helpful:
10 Tips For First Time Puppy Parents
Mostly, this is the waiting and watching time. Each week I will post updates for you to enjoy! I will also include more instructions/recommendations as we get to them.
Which puppy is mine?
Many people are eager to know which puppy will be theirs. I know it can seem impossible right now to have to pick just one!
Here is how this process will work: Since they are still so little, it is hard to determine their personalities and coats. When the puppies are 5 1/2 to 6 weeks old we can see their personalities more and will preform a temperament test on each puppy. Then I will read through everyone’s application and pick out my top 2-3 puppies for each family. After watching the videos, I will ask you to do the same. Then I will call the first applicant and review our picks until they have picked out a puppy. I will repeat the process with the second applicant and so on until everyone is matched up.
DON’T WORRY! This is a smooth and simple process and it has gone wonderfully every time! My only caution is to not get your heart set on “one puppy.” Instead, I ask that you keep your heart open to all the puppies. And for now, just sit back and enjoy ALL their cuteness!
Finally, their debut:
And some more of them together….
The Grace Between 
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