Wow, the Labor Day weekend was not what I expected it was going to be. Last Wednesday we made the last second decision to get a puppy and we picked it up on Thursday. We got very little sleep this weekend, it takes twice as long to get anything done because one of us has to watch the pup to make sure he doesn't chew everything up, we cleaned poop or pee up more times than I care to remember, and I think I will be hearing the words "go potty" in my nightmares for the rest of my life.

But do you know what?? I love it and this is so worth it. I am 24 and my wife is 25 and this change is exactly what we needed. Before we didn't have any type of routine and kind of just did whatever we wanted without any type of schedule. This will be the best possible training for a baby too. It is amazing to have a living being that depends on you for everything and requires all of your time and attention to ensure that it has proper training and follows the rules. At first I was extremely stressed out, but after a couple days I have grown to love it. My wife and I have been practicing being patient with the dog so much that we have actually become more patient with each other and we are having so much fun. This morning was a little rough since it is the first day that we had to get up, feed the dog, and watch him while we got ready for work, but it will get easier.

I don't regret my decision at all and I am so thankful for all of the advice and links that all of the EOC'ers have given me over the last 4 or 5 days. :D

I'm glad you are enjoying your new pup.

but give it a month and we'll see if you are as enthused about the lack of sleep!

:)

Pictures please

I'm glad you are enjoying your new pup.

but give it a month and we'll see if you are as enthused about the lack of sleep!

:)

He has actually become very accustomed to his cage and doesn't mind it too much. We keep his toys in it, he has a blanket, we feed him all of his meals in the cage, and I give him a treat every time he goes in. I think the reason that he whines is because he likes to be right next to us most of the time. He actually only barked like 2 times last night (which I didn't hear because I had my headphones on, haha).

Pictures please

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2447-1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2436-1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2418-1.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2397-small.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2383.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2399.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2403.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h225/jph102900/CIMG2431.jpg

Omg Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute :d

A very cute puppy!!!! Thanks for the pictures.:)

The bath pic has that universal comment from pets.
"What's a wat? Why's it dwownded? And why you waffing?!?"

Awwwww!!!! What a little cutie! :)

As a new puppy owner you've got it bad.

You didn't notice that you cut your wife's head off in that last shot of the pup, did you?

:rolleyes:

:D

Now we know why you travelled to get your new pup :wink:

I, too, love the bath picture!! Soooo cute.

And your description of your relationship with your wife even improving with your combined commitment is really cool. If you can go about raising a puppy as a true team effort, that may continue to transfer to other stuff too!

Glad to hear he's handling the crate better, and also glad to hear your stress level is reducing.

puppy puppy joy joy :)

Last night and this morning were great and Cooper seems like he is getting better and better with each passing day. He hasn't had any accidents in the last 36 hours or so (although I did catch him once and rushed him out the door before he could start) and he doesn't whine or cry at all in his crate. He also slept ALL NIGHT from 9:30pm until 5:30am this morning. We have our morning routine set so that I get up at 5:30 and take him potty, then bring him inside to feed him. Once he is done, we play for 10 minutes and then I take him for a walk. By the time I get back, my wife is most of the way ready and she takes care of potty duty and playing until we put him in the crate and go to work.

And just for the record, I didn't want to imply that my wife and I weren't getting along prior to getting Cooper, but we really feel like a team now and we almost feel like parents. Didn't want you guys to think that we got a puppy to save our relationship or anything, haha.

And just for the record, I didn't want to imply that my wife and I weren't getting along prior to getting Cooper, but we really feel like a team now and we almost feel like parents. Didn't want you guys to think that we got a puppy to save our relationship or anything, haha.

You didn't? I'd have recommended going straight to a baby to save the relationship! haha ... kidding, really. I didn't think so, and may have mis-stated my post above ... it's just great when things can get better even when they're already good!

As has been said before, a kid (or puppy) can make an already-strong team even stronger, and it can make a weak or rocky team fall apart. I'm very glad it was the former for you guys :D

Cute dachshund! Was the older one mom? I am assuming that was at the breeders?

Cute dachshund! Was the older one mom? I am assuming that was at the breeders?

Nope, the older one is CoCo. He is my wife's other doxie, he is 13 and he lives with my mother in law because he is too attached to "mommy". We tried keeping him at our house a few times but after a week or so, he gets sad and you can tell he wants to go home. We just take him on the weekends. So I guess they are brothers, haha. They will get to spend some time together in a few weeks because we are going on vacation and can't take Cooper so he is going to stay with CoCo and my mother in law.

Congrats dude (and dudet), he is cute even though he looks more like a Guiness...............jk

DANGIT! I thought this was going to be a female anatomy thread :confused:

DANGIT! I thought this was going to be a female anatomy thread :confused:

Sorry man, only a small portion of threads can be that great :cool:

Very cute pup.

Thanks for posting the pictures - cute! Dogs can definately add a lot to a family!