Newest Member Of Our Family (more photos post #24)

**Rachel** · 05-25-2008, 10:44 AM

Surely you don't think you can get away with that brief of an introduction. Inquiring minds want to know all the details....has this been a long anticipated addition or a spur of the moment falling in love? Coco is a perfect name for a little chocolate bean. You said it right - what a doll baby. Now that we know about Coco, you will also have to keep us enthralled with puppy tales.....that is.....if you have the time. (snicker, snicker).

**Daisy and Delilah** · 05-25-2008, 12:33 PM

What a cutie patootie!!! We need more pictures of the little angel. Congratulations!!!! Welcome to Pet Talk Coco!!!

**Craftlady** · 05-25-2008, 12:48 PM

Coco was not long anticipated. We were going up to Tractor Supply where they allow outdoor flea market. There was this truck full of cutie puppies. Momma had 11 puppies (2 died). Girls were black and boys were brown.
First one I picked up was Coco and he fell asleep in my arms. We were hooked

Last 24 hrs has been fun. I just pulled out two tics (one each ear), clipped his nails which he loves. Trying to figure out his potty and poop schedule. He does like the hot water bottle wrapped in one of my shirts. Also, we play music on dish all night.
Needless to say, a few accidents and now I put the puppy pad right outside his cage. I'm off to take a much needed nap, it was a short night last night.

Skinny (our one cat) was a pistal at times last night. After 3 a.m. Coco demanded more attention LOL

**Rachel** · 05-28-2008, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Craftlady

After 3 a.m. Coco demanded more attention LOL

Now just who is training whom? Don't get the little bean into a routine that you don't want to follow. A middle of the night potty run outside is reasonable, but no playing around. Back to bed and *go to sleep*. I think I would cut off the music too. I'm assuming that you have the cage in your bedroom.

**Craftlady** · 05-28-2008, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Rachel

Now just who is training whom? Don't get the little bean into a routine that you don't want to follow. A middle of the night potty run outside is reasonable, but no playing around. Back to bed and *go to sleep*. I think I would cut off the music too. I'm assuming that you have the cage in your bedroom.

His crate is in the living room.
I'm using potty pads because he barely makes it out of the crate and has to pee 99.99% of the time. Only time he fusses is because he has to potty. We dont "play" anymore in middle of the night that only happened the first 2 nights. Now he settles down within 5 minutes and goes back to sleep. Actually Coco likes the christian music station, we play it during the daytime if t.v. isnt on a particular program.

Unfortunately, at 3:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. hour during the school year, hubby is up doesnt leave the house until 5:10 a.m. This morning Coco didnt wake up until 4:30 a.m. and hubby had been up for about 1/2 hr.

Once Coco gets older he will stay down in the basement at night.
He will be able to hold his bladder longer too.

**lizbud** · 05-28-2008, 06:41 PM

You could try picking him up in your hands & not let him walk out of
the crate. Then place him where you want him to pee. (outside or on a pad)

He'll be able to hold it longer as his bladder grows a bit. Coco is a tiny little
guy & sure is a cutie.

**Craftlady** · 05-28-2008, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by lizbud

You could try picking him up in your hands & not let him walk out of
the crate. Then place him where you want him to pee. (outside or on a pad)

He'll be able to hold it longer as his bladder grows a bit. Coco is a tiny little
guy & sure is a cutie.

I put the pad just outside his crate. Cant wait for the bladder to grow more

**Rachel** · 06-01-2008, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Craftlady

His crate is in the living room.

Once Coco gets older he will stay down in the basement at night.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Dogs are such pack animals, they crave being with their people. Plus if he were ever needed to wake you during an emergency or protect you from an intruder, he wouldn't be able to accomplish any of that in the basement. What are your concerns? There are lots of people here who might have suggestions to alleviate what you foresee as a problem.

**Craftlady** · 06-01-2008, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rachel

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Dogs are such pack animals, they crave being with their people. Plus if he were ever needed to wake you during an emergency or protect you from an intruder, he wouldn't be able to accomplish any of that in the basement. What are your concerns? There are lots of people here who might have suggestions to alleviate what you foresee as a problem.

Rachel,
#1. The "concern" is SIZE.
We live in a small 1 1/2 story house.
The largest kennel made for his full grown size will NOT fit in my small livingroom along with the furniture. I cant have a couch in the room because it's so small. 3 chairs (reliciner types are in the room).

#2 Coco is going to be 50 lbs at least and will be size of a regular full grown lab IF the beagle size doesnt take over. Also, we dont have to worry about "intruders" we dont live in the city nor suburbs but a rural county setting.

#3 My 4 cats will ALERT us to problems.

#4 Basement Issue: He will be kept in his kennel at night (for sleeping).
He will be kept in his kennel when we arent home during day or evening.
This we are doing for his own safety and preservation of our furniture and belongings. Without supervision there will be disasters.

Otherwise he will be allowed upstairs when we are home.
I'm guessing from your "concerns" you were NOT aware he was going to be a BIG dog and not a small one the size of a scottie terrier for example or weiner dog.

UPDATE:
He slept 6 hrs straight last night before waking up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My kitties got me up in middle of the night... LOL
I'm happy to have had more sleep.

He loves the Christian Music station we play at night.