My pup Khloe is now 10 weeks old. She is a mixed lab/Shepard cross (any maybe a couple other things in there too!). When I met her at the shelter she was a little shy at first, but came over within a couple minutes and wanted all the pets at scratches. They did not have too much background on her as she came from a northern restricted access reserve. They let me know they brought her around other dogs, kids, people and cats and she was good. A good bill of health all things considered and I though 'hey why not!". Both my husband and I work,own a house, great secured big back yard, I thought it was meant to be! We had been looking for a dog for a long time. And with myself now working from home, figured it was perfect timing!

Wags - When I brought her home she definitely took her time getting used to everything, a good 3-4 days before totally comfortable. Sniffing around, checking things out, eating dead leaves in the back yard, running around lots. But other wise was good. She already has her favorite spots in the house. Doesn't care to go into the kitchen much unless its meal time. She does not mind me near her while she is eating. One morning I walked away after putting her food in her bowl, she followed me to the kitchen to let out a couple barks! I walked back to her food and then she started eating. I can put water down while eating and she doesn't mind.

Wags - Crate, what crate?! She went into it as soon as she saw it and passed out her first night. And fingers crossed she stays this way! Our system as been I just sit by it, she goes in and lays down, treat, I shut the door and wait, treat. I wait until she is settled and walk away. She has whined a couple times but nothing extreme. If I have to leave the house we do the same thing and little issue. We have it in an area where it is easily accessible to her so a couple times when cleaning she has gone right in to nap.

Wags - Potty time, the best! Only 4 accidents in the house so far! But I have cleaning spray on hand. Tons of trips outside but its been worth it. At least every 1-2 hours. I get up at night after 4 hours to take her out and she as only had one accident in her crate. I have it lined with puppy pads so clean up is easy.

Wags - Since I am working at home I have a little area for her in my office. She has been great. She has her toys, she often naps or plays. I often think "how did I get so lucky?". I always say "lets go to work!" and she runs to the office! She is used to loud phone calls, different people on speaker and everything.

Wags - I have started teaching her name with treats and she has started going to the door when she needs to go potty. She HATED her collar at first. I have been doing all the positive training and have been doing in the morning "collar, let out of crate, potty, food, potty and then play! It seems to be working well so far! Very slowly introducing the leash, which has been tough...

Vent - The lack of sleep is real!! Oh my goodness.... a couple times I have had to take a second not to get frustrated. I just keep reminding myself she is just a puppy! But like a baby, a couple times when shes napping I take full advantage of that!

Vent - Because she came from not the typically puppy background I do worry that maybe something happened before she got to the shelter. She was found at 7 weeks and brought to the shelter for treatments and what not. When meeting new people, she will stand a couple feet away and watch. After a bit she will warm up but already a couple people have questioned it or said "they have never seen a puppy act like that". But I guess all puppies are not the same? Sometimes she does the "nope don't touch me!" with me and backs away, but sometimes she wants all the love you can give. I have had people come over, and when she is fully vaccinated she is going to be around some of her dog cousins who are awesome around all dogs, so fingers crossed!

Vent - training, now I know this one can take years... Shes getting the hang of her name, so that's a start! Her collar is okay now, but oh boy the leash.... I am worried we had a major set back today. I've been letting her sniff it, treat, touch it with her paw or nose, treat, play around it and so on. Latched it yesterday and today and let her drag it around, more treats. I have been watching her the whole time to make sure it wouldn't get caught on anything. But today she dragged it though some poop... so I picked it up with out and tension on it (she was laying down) to wipe it off. Holy hell, she jumped up, thrashed around, pulled backwards like I was dragging her along. I quickly let go but it took around 20 minutes for her to come over to me so I could unhook it. I guess back to square one? I do have her signed up for a puppy manners class in a couple weeks after her second round of vaccinations. It is with a great school/dog facility (they get amazing reviews and hard to get in). So hopefully I can learn a couple more things. But my concern is that she has to be on leash in the class....

Anyways! Thanks for letting me chat! If you have any suggestions it would be helpful!