She is HERE! She is HERE!!

[Karen]

Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep little pretty girl
Mama loves you, though you miss her
You new human mommy's near

And up in the night sky
Your own angel stands by
Shaianne watches over you
And she and Kylie love you, too

Lullaby and goodnight, go to sleep now sweet baby girl
When you're lonely, don't you cry,
You new mama's standing by

Close your eyes, now, and dream
Chasing rainbows in your sleep
Sleep so soundly and sweet,
Tomorrow's promise you must keep

[shais_mom]

I have decided to call her Keegan. When I call her "Keegan" she turns around and looks. I am sure she is just responding to the sound of my voice.
Now I have to think of a middle name!!!
Maybe Marie!!
She certainly squats faster than I can watch her!! She pees and is off and I find it a minute or 2 later! Any advice, I can't correct her unless I see her do it.
She is still timid and is hiding under the chairs, but I can't expect miracles, its only been a few hours!

[aly]

Keegan is a very pretty name

She should come around in no time with a mommy like you Staci

As far as the potty training, try to get her on a very consistent schedule. The main times she will need to be taken out is before she goes to sleep at night, when she wakes up from naps, after she eats, and after rough playing sessions. When she does go potty outside, praise her until blue in the face so she knows that is good.

I assume you're using Shai's crate which is too big to pottytrain Keegan with. Block part of it off with cardboard or anything you have. She should have just enough room to stand up, lay down, and turn around. If its too big, they have no problems pottying in the far corner from where they sleep.

[crow_noir]

CONGRADULATIONS ! ! !

i am so happy this day has finally arrived for you!!!

personally i liked Aspen over Keegan. i think they both sort of sound like boys names though *shrugs* but it is what makes YOU happy that counts. right gang?! *nudges* *says out loud* "Keegan"

Welcome abord Keegan

[Pam]

Staci, Keegan was my maiden name! (A good old Irish name! ) How was your first night? Oh I wish I could see her!!

[Golden Smiles]

HURRY AND TAKE THOSE PIX TO WALMART!!!! I CAN"T STAND IT ANTMORE!!! YIPPEE!! I am sooooooo happy for you!! I bet she's darling!! I love the name Keegan!!

[Freckles]

In times of extreme importance (like now) I have been known to take a roll of film in for developing with only a few pictures on it. Hint, hint.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Yeah....Keegan is home!!! You know I love that name

Please, please get that picture clicking and get 'em developed SOON! I can hardly wait!

Congrats on your new little bundle of joy. Good luck, and welcome home, Keegan

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Oh! I am so excited for you! I can't wait to see pictures of Keegan. I bet she is adorable! I envy you! I wish I could have a puppy right now. A friend of mine has a Golden and she just had puppies and offered me one. It was so tempting. But I had to turn it down

But I went over last to smell the puppy breath! Andrew and I had so much fun playing with them!

Good luck and finish up that roll of film. We gotta see Keegan's sweet puppy face!

WHOO-HOO!!!!!!! KEEGAN!!!! You all know that I loved that name! But seriously, I hope it is the name you wanted and that it just sounded right !

I cannot wait to see more pictures of her! Keegan just seems to fit a little golden.... And personally, I think it really sounds feminine. It is a good unisex name.

Congrats Staci! I know you will be a great mama and hearing all kinds of puppy stories will be awesome! It's like we will all grow with her - living vicariously thru YOU!

Kisses and hugs to that sweet little bundle of joy. Lexi, Sasha and Maddie say "WELCOME TO PETTALK KEEGAN!!!!"

[karen israel]

OH YAY! Staci, I couldn't be happier for you! How fabulous! How exciting!!! Puppy Power! Great name too!!!! Welcome 'lil Keegan to our Pet Talk world!! Our little celebrity sweetie!

[RachelJ]

Congratulations, Staci, Keegan is a wonderful choice for a name. Good thing you got those supplies when you did.

At 6 weeks she may not be ready for much in the housebreaking department. She is just a baby and there is just not much maturity in that little bladder. I wouldn't do much correcting her even if you catch her in the act other than saying "no, outside" and then taking her out. Also, I would just let her run around in areas such as the kitchen where cleaning up isn't going to be such a hassle, and be taking her out for potty breaks a LOT. Like Aly said, very first thing in the morning, after she eats, before you leave for work, after any play time, if you note that she has just drank a lot of water. As she gets a little older you may find she will do a little sniffing before she pees, so watch for those cues, and then you get to swoop her up and get her out before the deed is done. Do you have anyone that can come in during the time you are at work to let her out as well?

[ November 12, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]

[Albea]

CONGRATULATIONS STACI!
Finaly Keegan is home. How much fun you are going to have.
Aly is right about trying to socialize her and teach her the things that her mom would have taught her in the next couple of weeks. I also got my first Golden when she was six weeks old and it took her a long time to accept the fact that she was a dog and not a person Some of it was my fault because I was so madly in love with her.
Give Keegan many belly rubs, hugs and kisses from us.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by shais_mom:
<STRONG>She is 6 weeks,I thought they were going to wait until they were 8 weeks old, but I guess not
But I was sooooo excited I couldn't wait
I know Candy, you told me to wait until they were 8 weeks, but I couldn't was too happy and excited
</STRONG>

Staci, did the breeder mention why they let the pups go at 6 weeks? Most of the time it's because they are weaned and they don't want to incur the extra expense of vaccinations at 6 weeks and the extra time it takes to care for the now rambuncous little babies. It's not that the pup will have any medical problems that it is critical the pup stays with the litter, it is the socialization and learning that go on between week 6 and 8 that make it important. This is also a major cause of seperation anxiety in dogs as they get a little older.

As much as you love Keegan and will provide the best environment possible for her, you need to realize you are not canine. They learn many valuable things from their littermates such as how to play with other dogs, pack heirarchy, bite inhibition, basic potty skills and more. Leaving the nest early only makes your job that much more difficult.

What you need to do is get the pup around it's other littermates occassionally if you can. Get shots first though. Be very careful around weeks 10 - 13. This is a time when fear creaps in and things the pup was doing with no problems only weeks ago can cause alarm. During this time you want to introduce the pup to many different stimulus but make sure not to go too fast or forceful. Stay away from loud noises during these weeks 10 - 13 unless the noise was introduced earlier. I use to take a pan and spoon and beat them together all the way until the 8th week. I would knock on doors, stomp my feet, sing real loud, etc. You don't want the pup fearful of sounds. Making the noise now will help with noise phobias as the pup grows.

I don't want to alarm you or scare you. You did nothing wrong. If anyone did it was the breeder. It is just that you need to be aware of what goes on with puppy development in order to help Keegan have a sound, stable puppyhood. This can prevent the problems that normally creep up from taking baby away from mom too soon.

I am excited for you and the name Keegan is pretty neat too! If I didn't make this quite clear just let me know and I'll try to clear things up.

We all want pictures!!!!!!

[Rottie]

How exciting!!! Have you decided on a name yet??? I can't wait to see pictures.....