Don't suppose anyone's particularly interested, but I'm so excited I had to share the news with someone. We brought our new puppy home yesterday and whilst I acknowledge its very early days (should that be hours?) he has settled in fabulously!

He's an 8wk old apricot standard poodle and we've called him Toby. He's a totally gorgeous bundle of fluff and we're all completely smitten. We had the pick of the litter and whilst all his litter mates (all 11 of them!) were little cuties, Toby quickly identified himself as the pup for us. He's a solidly built little chap and the breeder told us he was a nicely rounded pup who came somewhere in the middle of the litter's pecking order. When we first met him, he was friendly and inquisitive without being over the top and desperate for attention. A couple of his litter mates definitely wanted to steal all the limelight, and another couple (one in particular) didn't seem at all interested in people.

Anyway, we brought him home in a secured cardboard box on the back seat and he slept for most of the journey. When we stopped at the motorway services he was a little bit sick (so thanks for the tip about the kitchen towel and wet wipes!), but other than that he was the perfect little traveller. Once we got home he was keen to explore his new environment and was most interested in trying out his crate. He has been eating and drinking well, and has done ALL of his 'business' outside so far - not one single piddle in the house - I certainly wasn't expecting that! The breeder said that he was well on the way to being housetrained but I had no idea he'd be this 'switched on' as to where to do his business. He was even dry overnight (we took him into the garden at about midnight for a bedtime pee then we took him out at 6am this morning). He cried a little bit (no more than 10mins) when it was bedtime, but after that we didn't hear a peep out of him. I was expecting his first night with us to be far more traumatic for all concerned.

He's very people oriented and doesn't leave my side (my husband thinks we should re-name him 'shadow'). On the whole he seems a very content little fellow - happy to dash about and have a good play, then settle down on my slippers for a nice nap.

All in all - the perfect pup! Thanks for listening to my waffle!
Lucy.

(Should mention that I'm not expecting his impeccable behaviour to necessarily continue as I fully appreciate he is still a tiny baby and last night could have simply been a happy fluke - regardless, I'm just pleased the first night went well :) ).

He sounds lovely :) Take plenty of pictures - they soon grow up and you forget what they looked like :D

Daisy

Congratulations! :-)

congratulations i bet hes so cute,he has been rearlg good concidering it was his first night,hope fully that will carry on for you.my nan used to have toy poodles loverly little dogs! enjoy him :) ive pmd you. x

He sounds a really little poppet at the moment - the perfect puppy!!!   However, you'll still enjoy him when we turns into a right little rascal!

As Daisy says - take loads of pictures - you'll soon forget how tiny he was!

Margot

Many congrats on Toby, he sounds lovely :)

A little word of caution though, make sure you DO get him used to being without you for a few minutes at a time ...you mentioned that he could be called your shadow as he follows you about ...best to avoid Seperation Anxiety right from the start :) (speaking from experience here :D )

Im glad you found the pup of your dreams. :)

aaaaaaaaw congratulations :) Enjoy

:-D :-D :-D

Thanks everyone! He really is a little angel. Still not had any accidents in the house (not even overnight - from midnight to 6.30am) and he's settling down to sleep no trouble at all. Last night he cried for no more than 2mins tops, then snuggled down and we didn't hear another peep out of him till the morning.

Thanks for the word of caution re: preventing separation anxiety - I'm getting in the habit of leaving the room regularly, making sure he stays behind, and so far he seems perfectly happy to just settle down for a quick nap until I return.

I'm just making the most of it as I'm sure this is just beginners luck and he'll soon turn into a proper little rascal! :D

He sounds almost too good to be true :)  He is probably dreaming of all the naughty things he will get up to when he has you firmly under his little paw.

Have fun and enjoy, he sounds lovely.

Sandra