Day 1 with Duncan

I have to say... I am absolutely in love with this puppy (as is everyone else in our household).  He is SUCH a good puppy.  Last night we didn't get home until 9:30 and I didn't have the heart to lock him in the crate in the mudroom.  So, I decided I'd chance letting him sleep upstairs in our room and deal with any messes later.  He slept all night and had NO accidents.  (I did have to carry his 40lb hunka chunka up the stairs and down since he's not used to stairs and is so intimidated by them). No accidents all day today and he did great going potty outside everytime we took him out. 

He loves the snow.  He runs and barrels through it.  This afternoon the boys and I went outside with Duncan and Porter had so much fun running and tumbling with him.  Duncan followed him around... such a boys dog.  He's perfect.   He did start to get a little "puppy rough" outside... trying to bite/pull on Porter's coat.  Porter yelled at him and Ramsey ran right over and growled at him and situated herself in between Porter and the puppy until he stopped trying to bite at him.  What a protective pooch!  She's doing great with Duncan, although that's not a surprise.  She's slightly put off by him and, typical of her- she doesn't like him sniffing her butt.  She's so snobby.  She has been trying to play with him outside but she's not all that graceful in her 80lb mass of muscle. 

We took Duncan to the pet store this evening to pick up some puppy toys.  I know we have a ton of ropes and Kong toys somewhere but I can't find them anywhere.  I think they're buried in the garage.  He was very hesitant to get in the van but rode really well.  He didn't want to go into the store either, so I had to drag him over the threshold.  Once he was inside, though, he was good.  Everyone complimented on how calm he was for a puppy.  He would quietly walk up to people and nuzzle his head into their knees or look straight up at them and rest his chin on their leg.  He's so so so sweet.  I think he's definitely forming an attachment to us... he wanted to be right where we were at all times.  He didn't try to run away or pull on the leash or anything.  There were a few other dogs there on leashes and he paid no attention to them.  Right now, as I type, he's laying in my office, fluffed out and snoozing.  Such a good dog. 

And besides his killer personality, I love the fact that Goldendoodles are supposedly low-shedding dogs.  We obviously haven't had him long enough to find out for sure but I'll be one happy girl if he doesn't shed much.  He does seem to have more golden hair than poodle, so we may end up with a normal shedder.  That's okay... he's cute enough. 

If he keeps up his charming ways, I don't think I'll ever own another breed of dog.  A year ago I would have told you I didn't want to do the puppy thing ever again... but now that he's here he's so fun and so cute and sweet.  I think it'll be awesome to watch the boys grow up with him.  I kept thinking yesterday we were nuts for getting a puppy right now.  The boys are still pretty young but then I guess it's a much better alternative than another baby, right?  He's like having a baby except... not all the work or sleepless nights.  So, my Duncan Doodle will have to be my little.... err giant.... baby for the next year or two.