New addition to the family - it has 4 legs and a tail!

JAYMESMOM wrote: I am so excited we are a getting a 12 week old lab mix puppy tommorrow. I am getting if from a woman I work with. Her son bought it 5 weeks ago without her permission and now doesn't have the time to care for it. He can sit and shake and is almost house broken.

The kids don't know yet. It is going to be a surprise after school. We are only paying 50.00 for the puppy and all his supplies (including kennel).

I have my kitchen locked off with baby gates so I shouldn't have to kennel him while I am gone.

My mom and dad think I am nuts but I love animals and he needed a home full of love.

We just have to decide on a name. They call him Tank but that sounds like another word that I don't want people to think we are calling him. Several people already misunderstood me when I told them the dogs name. I would appreciate any suggestions since the one I liked MAX - is what my sister wants to name her first child if it is a boy.

kimberley replied: congrats on your new addition! i want to see pics!!!!!!

lol i guess you can't name your dog the same as your nephew
what color is he? you could go with goldie or blackie? or let Jayme name him i have to see something before i name it. James had no name for about 4-5 days

gr33n3y3z replied: Congrats on the puppy
I cant wait until I see a pic
doggie names
Bailey

3xsthefun replied: Congrats! Can't wait for pics!!

I'm not very good at coming up with names but here are few suggestions: Rex, Trevor, Mack, Bob, Joey, Howie, Bo, Boo, Scout.

mom21kid2dogs replied: Congrats on the new puppy!! Your kids will be so excited!

Might I recommend a Gentle Leader head collar? We have a 16 mo old lab mix, too! He's now 71.5 lbs!! This collar has been a Godsend as he's needed tons of exercise and it makes it so easy to walk him. If you've never owned a dog before, dog training is a great idea and worth every penny. Your new guy is almost at the perfect age for training classes.

Puppy names I like:
Roscoe
Denver
Major
Tyler
Cody
Hershey

Can't wait to see the pictures!!!

moped replied: Hey Cool

I have always wanted to name a puppy CHASE

mammag replied: Congratulations! I don't have any name suggestions but just wanted to say....watch the table legs! Rigby chewed everything when he was a pup....teething. I mean everything!!!! Labs are especially mouthy like that. They are great dogs but we had to crate him anytime we left because he would chew the corners of the stairs, the wall corners, table legs.

Can't wait to see pictures of the little guy!

A&A'smommy replied: awww I love puppies I want a cavalier prince charles springer but they are SOOO expensive

bwalkerletters replied: Congratulations Gwen on the new addition!

paradisemommy replied: congrats..i like the name kaimana or koa

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I LOVE DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our dog's name is Owen...
And I like Tank! And I like Max!
What about Mr T, Beezer, Joey, Kramer, Fido, or Guiness??

My parents hate that we have Owen with a baby, but they have finally come around after visiting and seeing how great Owen is with Wil. It takes a lot of patience with little pups. Using a crate during the day helps them learn that they have their "own safe space". It's also a great way to potty train. Some people think it's mean, but it really helped our dog. Good luck! And have fun!! Can't wait to see a pic!

JAYMESMOM replied: Well we have our new puppy. So far so good - only one accident. He is kinda nippy so we are working on that. He wants to play.

Jayme is jealous of him and gets aggravated with him when he won't go away from her when she wants. She is my extra appendage today but after reading the other post today. I don't care.

He is a black lab mix. We have decided on Baby Scooby. Baby since that is what Jayme calls him and the Scooby because that is my favorite cartoon and the only name everyone agreed upon. I am going to have my next roll of film put on disc so I should be able to post pics next week.

He is so loving and right is passed out on the floor. We all wore him out.

He even walks good on a leash.

But I would appreciate any tips on how to solve the mouthing/nipping.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Make sure you have a lot of chew toys on hand. Don't let him chew on things like shoes, or clothing, or furniture, because once you let him, he'll think it's okay from now on. Don't even give him an old shoe because he won't know the difference between the good ones and the bad. When he's nipping at something you don't want him to nip at, distract him with one of his toys and pat him on the head or rub his belly to make him feel good about the "good" (dog) toy. Say "good boy/girl". He will finally associate the good with the bad and learn that "his" toys are what he should be nipping at, not your hands, clothes, or all of the above. It is sure frustrating and hard work raising a puppy...just hang in there and they grow into these wonderful dogs that are almost as loving and wonderful as your kids. Can you tell I love dogs...?

PetsMart has good training classes. Inexpensive and well worth it! My little Owen graduated with honors!