I'm a Brand New Doggie Mom!!!

[Pam]

Karen, welcome to the dog boards!!!!!!!!!! hehe! I posted on your other thread, but just wanted to jump in here and say another big CONGRATULATIONS to you and your family!!. I can't wait to see and hear more about this precious little one. I think the names Inky and Gizmo are cute, although I have no suggestions myself. Oh what fun!! A doggie for the kitties to enjoy! LOL! (Andy says to tell Marius to "hang in there, it's really not so bad!" LOL! LOL!

[Cookiebaker]

CONGRATULATIONS KAREN & NEW PUP!!!

What a cutie pie!!! That is so exciting, and of course we can't wait for pictures! I am so happy for you!!

[KYS]

Welcome to the dog side.
She is just adorable.
I love both names Inky and Gizmo.
Either name would be perfect for her.
How is she getting along with the cats?
Congratulations
Karen

[primabella]

Welcome to "the other side" Your little girl is gorgeous! How about the name Gem, since you said she is like one? Keep us updated with more pictures.

[Rachel]

Congratulations, Karen! I am so happy for you.

The website the Laurie recommended for you in the other thread is excellent. Those trainers also have authored an excellent book called *Good Owners, Great Dogs* which as a new dog person it might be worthwhile to get a copy.

I know you must be a bit overwhelmed right now, but just use common sense, like any new mother would. Your dog doesn't look like a puppy anymore, so you will have the advantage of better bladder control, but the general rule of thumb would probably apply, for going outside to potty: first thing in the morning, the very last thing at night, after eating, after vigorous play, and maybe at the least every four hours during the daytime for starters.

All that said, your dog will have its own personal habits, which you want to make a mental note of. Often it is better to adapt yourself to their schedule. Mine generally poop around 4 pm. and eat around 5:00 pm so they don't have to poop after eating. Maybe they will ask to go out sometime in the evening, but generally don't have to go again until right before bedtime (which in this house is quite early). The upshot is that you and your dog will work out a schedule together. It is going to take a while for you both to figure it out. The key word here is schedule. A consistant routine can be very helpful to the dog.

Please let us know all the details of what is going on. This is so very much fun for us to be involved with you in this wonderful experience. You will love living your life in the company of a dog.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Karen, she is just adorable, I love that picture of her, if she had a beard she would look just like Daisy, lol. I'm cracking up, you are going to love being a doggie Mom like the rest of us. Give her a hug from me and and have fun with her.
Jackie, Perry and Miss Daisy

[ChrisH]

Oh, Karen, she is just adorable! Many Congratulations!

[anna_66]

Originally posted by KYS
Welcome to the dog side.

Same here!

I'm so glad to hear that this little cutie pie was the one for you, I thought she might be from your post about her
Sounds like you have everything you need to be a doggie mom!
Now, that being said....

CONGRATULATIONS KAREN!

I can't wait to hear what wonderful name you've picked out for her.

[gini]

Karen, what exciting news to read this morning. You have been wanting a pup for so long and she is just adorable.

I hope you had a good first night. I will be anxious to see your own pictures of her. I just love her ears.

Everyone is giving you such good advice. You will be an old hand at this in no time.

God love you for adopting a shelter pup!

[Crikit]

CONGRATUALATIONS KAREN!!!!

She's a cutie no doubt about that.

[ChloeLove]

Aww! She is beautiful. I know when you first get a dog it's pretty overwhelming! When we got Chloe, she was 5 already, but it was still strange because she was our first ever dog,and I was always like, "Goodness! What do I do?!" But it gets pretty routine after a while, and you two will get used to each other, and it will all be normal. Good luck!

P.S-I think she definately looks like a Gizmo!

[apcrs5122]

Congratulations!!!!!!!! She is adorable! I don't have any advice (right now, I may later), but I would love to see more pictures She is gorgeous, so unique looking. Her ears look Papillion-ish. Anyway, congrats again!

Oh and what name(s) are you thinking about calling her?

[Rachel]

Originally posted by apcrs5122
Her ears look Papillion-ish.

I thought that as well.

Come on now...we must have an uppydate. I prompted myself to clean my bedroom with the reward being able to check out what's going on with you and your new doggie.

[wolflady]

Thank you so much for the great advice all! I made it through the first night. Actually, she did so well. She cried for only a little while in her crate, then she went to sleep and slept through the entire night! Aaron and I slept in sleeping bags next to the kitchen, because we both didn't know what to expect. I took her out this morning and she made her pee pee's and poopies! I was so proud of her! LOL

I can't believe how exceptionally well my 3 kitty babies are doing about this new addition. Actually, the new pup is the one having issues. She sees the cats and starts barking at them. In the shelter she was scared, but she had no reaction to the cats there, but now she's barking at them and seems to want to go after them. I hope I wasn't wrong about her prey drive. She was probably scared in the shelter, so when we tested her on Bob, she just looked at him and that was about it.
Her tail is wagging, but the barking and lunging on the leash is no good. What should I do about training her to accept the cats! LOL I thought it would be me training the cats to accept the dog, but it seems it's the other way around

When we came in with her for the first time yesterday, Marius was right at the door being really curious. The little pupster just started barking and went behind my legs, but continued to bark. Marius just kept looking at her probably thinking, why is this cat barking at me?

Any tips in the arena? I sure hope she can get along with the cats!!

As far as names, I'm still not sure. I have a list of some that I have been thinking about:

Mishka
Kali
Miaya
Matoki
Kashka
Roxy
Lakshmi
?????


**hugs**
Karen

[cocker_luva]

Originally posted by wolflady

Still no name though! I'm thinking!

what about Ebony or Butterfly. (ebony b/c she's black or butterfly b/c of her ears.)