Puppy Love! - Memories

I miss those day when my kids use to curl up with our puppies.  My son had just said to me, "Mom they think I am their mommy!"

REVIEWS of Best Selling Potty Trays

As any of my long time blog readers know, I raise my puppies using the Ugodog Potty tray.   I find these to be the most practical puppy potty system that I know of.

The Advantages of the Ugodog potty tray include the following:

1) Bacteria Free – our indoor dog potty system has a unique plastic design that makes daily clean up easy and of course, keeps it bacteria free. Pee Pads may leak and artificial grass products are difficult to clean so bacteria can flourish.

2) Easy To Clean – the two grate system in the UGODOG dog potty system can be cleaned with a wet town or in a sink (how easy is that!). Compared to pee pads (which dogs can shred) and grass dog pottys (which require a hose and scrubbing to clean), there’s just no easier indoor dog potty system than the UGODOG product.


3) Cost Effective – because the UGODOG indoor dog potty is created with the highest quality materials it will last so you would most likely only purchase it once. With 2 sizes to choose from, the prices range from $49.95 to $99.95. You probably didn’t know that the average dog owner spends about $400.00 per year on pee pads and that the average cost for a grass indoor dog potty product is about $150.00. Compare these costs to the UGODOG indoor dog potty and it’s a no brainer!

4) Dry Paws – The unique convex shaped grates in the UGODOG dog potty product allows urine to pass through the grates and it then collects in the base so your dog’s paws remain dry. It’s easy to see that with pee pads and with the artificial grass potty systems, that simply is not the case. So, keep your dog from tracking urine throughout the house!

OUT OF STOCK:Unfortunately the UGO DOG is currently not available from Amazon or the Manufacturer.   I spoke the the UGODOG company today and they said they are currently out of stock and are not producing the UGODOG potty trays right now.  They said they would contact me when they are making them again.

In the mean time, we have to find an alternative Potty tray for my customers....   It is Winter and there are going to be times when because of rain, snow or extreme cold, it is not possible for your puppy to go outside to the potty.   I HIGHLY recommend that you have a potty tray alternative for your puppy.
Below are my reviews of the Potty Trays available on Amazon.   Please visit my Growing Puppies Webpage for actual links to the Potty Tray.   Purchasing them through the links provided helps pay me for my time in creating Blog Posts like these.

#1)   BLYSS PETS Clean Paws Potty Tray.   

PRICE: $28.95.   Size: 21.5 X 15.5 X 1.25

I own two of these trays.   I don't like them as much as the Ugodog because they ar a bit small.   I feel a miniature size puppy needs more room to circle around and do his business.   The tray can be a bit hard to snap off sometimes.   The small grate holes are harder to clean than the Ugodog grate.  Overall it is not as easy to clean as the Ugodog.   But since there are no Ugodogs on the market right now....this is the next best thing.



#2  PetTyme Grand Potty Toilet.  $104.90

Size  40 X 28 X 2

I like this Potty Tray because it is a nice big size..   At $104.90 it is a bit expensive, which is why I rate it as second place.   The large size is an advantage for your pet to have room to circle about at potty time.   The large size is going to be a disadvantage at cleaning time.  It is harder to soak the tray...you may want to use the bathtub for that.   Nonetheless, if I was planning to use a Potty Tray for more than just a few months....I would buy this potty tray for the nice big size alone.



#3  Pet Maker Puppy Potty Trainer Artificial Grass Bathroom Mat  $22.13

Size 20 X 25 X 1.25

I like the price of this potty tray.  I like the size as well.   But I do not like the artificial grass.   The grass is a mess to clean.  It harbors bacteria and odor.  You have to soak the grass once a week in bleach water, and then it takes a long time to dry.   I do not recommend this potty system because it is too much work to clean.  You will definitely prefer a potty tray that is easy to clean like the potty trays above.  It is the best seller on Amazon, so you may want to try it for yourself.  But I think people buy it because it is cheap and the grass is a gimic that they think will fool the puppy.   I personally think any grass system potty tray is a clean up problem.

Potty Training a Puppy with a Potty Tray in the Winter

1)  When you bring your puppy home keep him in his pen with the Potty tray for the first few weeks so he has no option but to continue using a potty tray.  You can still play with him outside his pen....but only with supervision and after he has relieved himself,   

2)   Keep a potty tray next to the puppy at night time since he will need to go potty at night for the first few months.    Once the puppy is holding his bladder through the night, you can take him outside to potty each morning....or alternatively move the potty tray near the back door and  take him to the potty tray to go potty.

3)  Leave the potty tray near the door where the puppy will be going out to potty.   Put your puppy on the 8 week Potty Training Schedule...but take the puppy to the potty tray every time it is time to go potty wait.  When he starts to potty say "Go Potty" and then give him a treat.  After the puppy has gone pee, wait for him to poop.   

When you are not at home you can put your puppy back in his pen with the Potty tray.  I have found that after a few months the puppy won't use the potty tray in his pen anymore.  He will cry to come out of his pen when he needs to use the potty.  So if you are at work, enlarge the puppies pen so he has more space to sleep farther from his potty tray.  

4)  As the puppy gains bladder control, the puppy will also be developing a habit to go to the potty tray on his own.  In bad weather you will be so glad you have a suitable option for your puppy. 

5) When the weather is warmer in the Spring, you can start taking your puppy on leash past the potty tray, through the door and out to the outdoor spot that suits you.  Tell your puppy to go potty and treat him.  Place the potty tray just outside the door and let him smell it, so he realizes that it is now outside.   Let him run past the potty tray for several weeks so he will know to run to his new spot.  

6) As your puppy bladder matures and he can hold his bladder long enough to be fully reliable with the outdoor potty spot, you can remove the tray altogether.   You may want to hold onto it for the next winter.  

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas to all our blog readers!    We had a very happy and blessed Christmas and are still enjoying the wonders of the season!   Above is a photo of Crystal and Ginger on Christmas morning.   Crystals litter is due in February.   Ginger is our 8 month old Schnoodle from Winnie's litter. 

Zoey, Winnie, and Bianca....My assistants try to help me get all the dogs in one photo...but this is all we could manage.

Some news in our home is that we are preparing for Coco's retirement.  Early in December, in anticipation of that day, we brought home a new Toy Schnauzer, named Bianca.  (see photo below).  Bianca came from the same breeder as Coco and is the same size that Coco was at her age.  She looks super tiny, but I anticipate she will grow to be 8 - 10 lbs.

 Other big news... 6 Miniature Schnoodle puppies were born Christmas Eve.   These puppies will be ready to go home in February 2019.   We expect these puppies to be about 12 -15 lbs average.  We still have 3 females available.  Email me if you are ready to place a deposit on a female Schnoodle puppy.  GrowingPuppies@gmail.com

Hope your Christmas was a Joyful one!!!   And may you have a Happy New Year!

Winnie enjoys the visit of a good friend.

Ginger the Schnoodle at 6 months

Merry Christmas from Woody!

Lafitte Update

Received the email update from one of our Schnoodle customers and thought it would be fun to share...

Lafitte is such a joy.  I can't imagine life without him.  He is exceptionally calm and well behaved for a puppy.   People are shocked when I tell them how young he is, because he is so calm.  I take him to work most days with me and he sleeps and entertains himself for the most part.  (as long as I tire him out with a walk or run before hand:-) ).   He's pretty much completely potty trained at this point, and he has been so easy to train I never ended up going to a puppy class.  He loves people and dogs, and is an expert subway rider.  I took him to everything since day one, so he pretty much is flexible and comfortable wherever we are as long as he has his blanket and a toy.

I feel like your pups get such a good start in life, and are so well cared for and socialized!  Thank you so much!!!!

Lafitte dressed as Pirate Lafitte for Halloween

Our Schnoodles Celebrate Halloween

2 Angels, Aubey and Charlote

Darth and an Ewok, 

LaFitte the Piratte

Perrin the Bumble Bee

Chewabacca with Rey

Woody dressed as Woody!

Bella Perella

Rider the Motorcyclin Schnoodle

There's a new Schneriff in town!   Nigel

The Solution to Cold Wet Rain...new Doggy Sweatshirts!

            It seems that in Fredericksburg, Virginia we jumped from Fall to Winter overnight.   The rain cannot decide if it should stay liquid or turn solid.  It is oh so miserable outside....windy, damp and COLD!   When I take my doggies to the doggy door, they just poke there head through the door and sit there looking out.  Then they look back at me as if to say, "You are kidding right?  You don't actually expect me to go out there do you?" 

        Well the dogs must have found their way out in between rain clouds because the afternoon rolled around and I had no potty accidents.    But Ginger (5 months old)  was clearly having an issue.   She was following me around the house barking and barking.   "What is your problem Ginger?"   In my mind I am thinking.  "Is she asking me to take her potty?   She has never done this before.   Does she really care that much about going potty outside?  That cannot be."

         The phone rang and I walked about trying to escape from the barking puppy.   I walked to the back door and she scratched at the door but would not go out.   A few minutes later (me still on the phone), Ginger is quiet and I see a puddle nearby.   Boo hoo.  She had been using the doggy door so well on her own.    Well, now I know that she clearly understands that she is SUPPOSE to go outside.  Too bad I was so busy that I didn't excuse myself from the phone call to go outside with her.   Oh well.  I am still pretty happy to know that going potty outside is super important to her!

          But that story is a digression.  I actually started this post to tell you about our new Doggy Sweatshirts that arrived in the mail today.   I am so excited that they arrived just in time for the shift in weather.  I have rain coats and sweaters but they are not the best fit for our lifestyle..  Raincoats work fine for a walk, but they don't work well in the house during the day.  Sweaters are cute for a short time, but the dogs go in an out all day long and the sweaters get snagged on branches and pick up debris.  After several days they look so bedraggled.   So I decided to try some sweatshirts instead.  Each dog got a sweatshirt in a color to match their collar. (I have personalized color coded collars for each dog, so guests know who is who.)   That way everyone in the house knows which shirt belongs to which dog.   The sweatshirts are stretchy and cozy....comfortable enough to wear all day....and washable.   Even Zoey who is getting a big round puppy belly fits nicely in her sweatshirt.  I am thrilled.  I will share a link to the Amazon seller below.   Now hopefully the sweatshirts give a level of warmth that help these doggies to face the elements!

Here is the link to the Dog Sweatshirt.   The cost is only $6.50 - $9.99 depending on color and size.  Shipping took 2 weeks for delivery.    Coco (pink) , Crystal (blue) and Ginger (green) are wearing the size L.  And Zoey (purple) and Winnie (turquoise) are wearing size XL 

Update:    And some of our Schnoodle customers shared their puppy photos with their sweaters too!   You have to admit.   Schnoodles dress up pretty smart!  

Thank you for sharing your photos!

Lafitte in his sweater.  Nigel pokes his nose out of the bag!

Rider in his very handsome winter coat.

Raising Ginger from 9 week - 14 weeks of age

Here is some big news.  After 10 years of breeding dogs I finally kept one of my puppies!   People are rather astonished when they hear this.  Why would you buy a dog from someone else when you have such wonderful puppies of your own?   Well the answer is quite simple   To keep one of my puppies as part of my breeding program would require me to have a different stud dog with a totally different genetic background then her father. 

So the exciting news is that we have a new Red Miniature Poodle named Jasper...Jazz for short.   So I have a second stud, and I have kept one of Winnies girls for my own.    That puppy is Ginger, from Winnie's litter, and I am excited to share her story of how I raise her with you!

Ginger at 14 weeks soon after her first "puppy cut".

Given the fact that my kids attend 4 different schools, ( grade school, middle school, highschool and college!) we had kids starting at all different times through the month of August, and it was a super busy time for me.   So I wouldn't say it was the best time for me to start training an 8 week puppy, but like many of my customers....life is busy, and you need to do your best. 

I thought it would be helpful to all our new puppy customers as well as potential puppy customers to outline the training and socialization that I have done with Ginger to possibly give you some ideas of how to  incorporating a new puppy into your life.

8 Weeks:
Between 8 and 9 weeks of age, all of Ginger's litter mates were going to their new homes.  It was time for Ginger to start the next phase of her life too as an official member of our family.  As soon as Ginger turned 9 weeks of age, I took her to the veterinary for her second set of shots (3 weeks apart from the 6 week set of shots).   With those shots taken care of my comfort level with taking Ginger out in public would be much greater!

9 weeks
 Unfortunately, my family was scheduled for a week vacation at the beach on Aug 4...and I had not counted on a new puppy at the time that we booked the house.   So just like many of my puppy families during the month of August, I was scrambling in my head to think of who I could trust with Ginger.   I already had a college student lined up to house sit, and watch my adult dogs.....but I did not want to overwhelm him with the responsibilities 4 adult dogs....and a 9 week puppy.

Lucky for me, I have a friend who has a lot of experience with dogs who was able and willing to take Ginger for a week.   So at 9 weeks of age Ginger was starting fresh with a new family, just like her litter mates.   During the week at my friends house, she had quiet time in her pen with her Ugodog, as well as outdoor potty breaks and playtime out on the lawn with my friend and her other pets.   When I got home after the week, Ginger was thrilled to see me!   It felt so good to be loved and remembered!   I was not sad that I had left her.   Because I knew she had had a really great week experiencing a new place, with new people and new pets.   Her socialization time (after her litter life) was off to a great start!.

10 Weeks:
My puppy was now a week older.....I could see that during my week away, Ginger had made great strides in her outdoor potty habits.   She was going potty as soon as we took her outside, and was doing great holding it inside during playtime.   She had also got really good at climbing out of her pen, so I immediately ordered a pen with a lid so I had a secure spot to leave her when I was away from home.  During the day Ginger prefers a 24 inch wire crate that I keep in the kitchen.   She settles down happily in the crate and watches the family go by, or naps until it is time for her to go potty again.

Car Rides:   The car rides are very short at 10 weeks.  I drop my son at the bus stop, so we are home in less than 10 minutes.   Its a very gentle way to  make her very comfortable in the car.

Potty Training
I have Ginger on a Outdoor Potty schedule.   She can use her Ugodog in her pen, when she is there, but mostly she would rather go outside.   She will cry pitifully if she needs to go potty.   And I immediately take her outside and she does her business roght away.   After that I can let her run around the kitchen with the big dogs for 30 - 45 minutes...I still supervise her playtime.....and then she goes back to the crate for about an hour.

At night time, I put Ginger's crate next to my bed.   She used the potty tray until she was 11 weeks old.  But by then she was easily climbing out of pens.  So it was just easier to keep her in a wire crate where she could not escape.  By 11 weeks she was also holding her bladder from 11 pm to 6:30 am....so I was Ok with taking her outside to potty.  If I want to sleep in...I take her to use the potty and then put her back in her crate and go back to bed.   She doesn't start her day officially, until I start my day.  And she sits in her crate quietly watching me get ready.   She is so good.  She lets me take all the time I need to shower and get ready in the morning.   She doesn't make a peep.  When I am ready to go down and start my day, she comes along with me.


Commands
This week I am training Ginger to SIT.  I give a hand signal and lift the treat slowly over head.  When she sits I give her the treat.  I will train her with the hand signal first and then add the word "sit" when the visual cue is already learned.

Leash Training:  
I got Ginger an Harness in size Small.  It is better for her not to be jerking her little neck in getting use to the leash.  I do not drag her along on the leash.  I patiently wait, taking a few steps until she starts to follow me.  I do not drag her along or yank her.   There is no rush here.   If I have to get somewhere with her, I pick her up.   Usually I do some time letting her follow me on leash and some time walking with her in my arms.   My first trip to Petco was an uncomfortable place for her.  She would just sit down or try to pull away.  I just picked her up for a few minutes.  And went about my business.  A few minutes later I let her walk some more.  When she stopped and sat, I picked her up for a few more minutes.  It was fine.   She was developing a comfort level with the new place and it requires patience.

Grooming:
I have trimmed Gingers nails several times over the weeks.  I gave Ginger her first puppy cut at 10 weeks of age. (Sept 9) I did not cut the fur too close.  It was a super quick trim with the shears.  She didn't like it too much and tried to gnaw on the grooming shears...which is what puppies do.   But it was not agressive biting...just the puppy play biting.  I had my daughter hold her still and did a very quick all over trim of her body and legs.  (the photos are of Ginger after her puppy cut)    I gave Ginger her hair cut, to get her use to the grooming process.   After I was finished, I missed her fluffy puppy coat.   If I had it all to do over again, I would instead use  a large attachment comb on the shears to give Ginger the grooming experience without taking off any of the fur.    Oh well, she is still cute...and fur does grow back pretty fast.

SOCIALIZATION:   It is super important that you spend the first few months with our puppy exposing her to as many new POSITIVE people, pets, places and experiences as possible.  At this age everything is new for Ginger and I watch her closely to make sure I am not presenting too much too soon.   If Ginger appears stressed by whining, yawning or hiding,  then I pick her up and take her to a more comfortable situation.   

The list below what I documented for this week with Ginger:

The Car:  Short Car Rides to the bus stop daily

The World:  Visit to Parking lot, and Petco store:   4 adults, 2 children.

Kid Playtime:   4 children from the neighborhood come to play with our puppies regularly.  I also visit the play ground regularly so she can meet a ton of new children.

Adult Playtime:  I have had 10 adults and 4 teens come over to the house week and interact with the puppy..

Puppy Play time at Petco:   2 adults 1 child and 1 other puppy (4) months old Collie)

Field Hockey practice at the park -  4 adults, 6 teens, an Puppy meets a dozen people and experiences a new place

Pet Store:    3 adults and 1 other puppy (10 mths old Golden Retriever)

Ginger still has a lot of training for the months ahead.  I hope that this blog post encourages you not to waste anytime socializing your puppy while he or she is still young.

Winnie's puppies go to their homes

The past few weeks Winnie's puppies have been going to their new homes.  I am so grateful to all the wonderful people who have chosen one of my Schnoodles for their own.  Although it is bittersweet to say goodby to these little puppies that have been such a big part of my life over the last 2 months.   I am overwhelmed with joy to experience the excitement of the new families as they come to take their little companions to their new home.

The time is right for these puppies to leave the stage of litter socialization and begin to learn the social cues of human interaction.  They need to bond with their new families and experience the world in a broader way now.

Thank you again to all of you who have made this wonderful puppy journey possible for me and my family.  As I say good by to your little furry friend I am already excited for the new litters to come!

Coco (Lilly) goes home to Hampton, VA

Emma (Violet) goes home to Maryland

Gerkin (Daisy) goes home to Washington, DC

Yoda goes home to Florida

!