I'm ready. Just need the pup!

[Domestika]

Ok folks, I am all set!

I think the only thing I have left to get is a dog seatbelt for the car and to order the right puppy food from my vet.

Today I bought and set up a crate. I set up a playpen. I have countless toys, leashes, collars, food dishes, seat cover/barrier for the car, kennel to bring her home in....

I moved the cat's food and bed up out of the way of the floor a week or two ago to make sure he knows he has a spot to go to get away from the roving fur ball on the floor. I also set up a baby gate in the doorway of the bathroom (which is where the cat's litterbox is - treasure trove for the pup!) and the cat is already very used to jumping over to go in and out. It'll also give the cat a place to go to get away from the pup.

And I still have another three weeks to go! I'm such a superduper organizer/planner. I'm also read three different dog books. And I've registered for puppy classes. The first class is the day before I get her, but I'll attend it alone to see what we miss.

You'd think I'd have a name already figured out...but I don't! I change my name every 2 or 3 days.

Wow, rambling puppy rant! So, pictures:

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

I'm so excited for you! I've probably missed something, but what kind of puppy are you getting? It looks like you've done a fabulous job getting ready!
Do you know where you're getting your car hook up for her / him?
And I'd LOVE to hear some of your names (unless you're wanting them to be a surprise)

 

[Domestika]

I'm so excited for you! I've probably missed something, but what kind of puppy are you getting? It looks like you've done a fabulous job getting ready!
Do you know where you're getting your car hook up for her / him?
And I'd LOVE to hear some of your names (unless you're wanting them to be a surprise)

I only posted once about the pup a week or so ago.

I'm getting a female GSD. She's 4 weeks and 3 days today! I saw the pups for the first time last week. I don't know which pup is mine yet, I just know one of the four sable females is MINE! The breeder likes to wait until pretty close to 8 weeks to start matching up the right pup with the right home.

I don't know much at ALL about seatbelts for dogs. I've seen some pictures and some writing about it, but not actually seen them in action. I'll ask my trainer, maybe. I don't need it right away, thankfully. I have a small kennel the pup can fit in for the car for at least a couple of weeks.

My name list used to be VERY long but I think I'm starting to pare it down a bit. I go through phases where I LOVE one name and then...two days later I'm like "You knnnnoooow, I don't like it".

I'll give you my initial long list, because it's funny:

Nova
Halo
Veda
Gem
Beatrix
Corva
Ralla
Seven
Brix
Sparta
Clover
Puck
Kori
Stellar
Viva

The shortlist (for TODAY anyway!):

Viva
Seven
Kori

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

Our seatbelts came from Ryan's Pet supply. They're awesome and easy to adjust. Plus they were pretty inexpensive.
I love Nova, Halo and Viva. Gem is cute too, and Stellar. Gee, I'm so much help! LOL!!

 

[Domestika]

Our seatbelts came from Ryan's Pet supply. They're awesome and easy to adjust. Plus they were pretty inexpensive.
I love Nova, Halo and Viva. Gem is cute too, and Stellar. Gee, I'm so much help! LOL!!

Hahaha, you sound just like me!!

I loved Nova until I realised that every time I called the dog she wouldn't be sure if I was going to say "Nova" or "NO!".

Halo is cute for sure, but I think it would be better suited to a male? Dunno.
Viva is totally cute and I loved it when I first thought of it. "V"s are a weird sound to make, but I do love the feeling that name gives. It sounds so lively.
Gem is sweet, for sure. And I totally love Stellar, but I worry that when people hear it they will think her name is Stella and that I just pronounce it weird.

Hi, my name is Ali and I am an Overthinker.

 

[Backward_Cinderella]

ROFL
Hi
I'm Typhanie, and I'm stubborn. My next dog's name WILL be Kreacher. Point blank (andnoidon'tcarewhatmyfiancethinks) lol

 

[Domestika]

Oh my husband gets NO say whatsoever. It's my puppy. M.I.N.E. mine. And his suggestions are ridiculous.
"Bestla". Granted, it's in his mother tongue (Icelandic), but still. Who would use that! No one!
I'm leaning towards Seven and he says that he'll have to call her Seven of Nine, like the girl on Star Trek.
I said he at least has to call her Seven of Ten, cause there are ten in her litter.

 

[Hillside]

I still love Nova and VIVA!, but Kori is pretty awesome too.:rofl1:


Oh and for future reference, they make TALL baby/dog gates that have a small door in the bottom for little pets to pass through so they dont have to jump the taller gate.

 

[Domestika]

I really like Kori too (like Corey). I think it's a cute name for a girl.

I didn't know they made gates like that! I got a shorter gate so the cat wouldn't have too much trouble getting over and my HOPE is that the pup will see it as a barrier and not as...something she has to eventually learn to scale.

Though, now that I think about it, a small opening in the bottom wouldn't help much. The cat will be about the same size as the pup when I first get her (cat - Moby - is almost 20 pounds ).

 

[Toller_08]

I love the name Nova... and you could always get around being confused with "no" by just not using no. My dogs have absolutely no clue what no means as all they ever hear is leave it, quiet, etc. depending on what they're doing rather than no. I love Halo as well, and I personally think it'd be great for a girl. Kori is nice too. Looks like you've got a great setup going on! I can hardly wait for you to bring her home.

 

[Domestika]

Hmmm, that's interesting. I had been thinking about "No" after I went to a puppy class a couple of weeks ago and the trainers didn't use the word "no" once the entire class. And all the books I'm reading on puppy training, I don't think any of them have said to use the word "no". And I do really like the name Nova.

I've talked to a few people who had a name all picked out for their dog before they got it and when they saw the dog went "No way, you're not a [name]". I think as long as I have a few awesome names on the shortlist I'll be able to pick out the right one pretty quick once I have her, like within the first day I think.

I'll see the pups again on the 4th and then I'll go get her on the 18th! It seems like just yesterday I saw their pregnant mom, but now it feels like soooo long until I get her!

 

[SmexyPibble]

Wow, awesome job! You ARE looking ready for it! Good pup mum already..

 

[ihartgonzo]

Wow... Viva is one lucky puppy! Errr, I mean, "she". Lawls!

It's obvious which name I am partial to, but all of them are adorable. I love Nova. : ) I'm sure she will be plenty smart enough to tell the difference. I use "ah-ah" noises wayyy more than no, anyhoo.

I can't wait until you get her! Squeee

 

[shadowfacedanes]

I like the name Corva. (Reminds me of my boy's name - Corvus)

Looks like you've done an AWESOME job preparing for the new darling. I was curious why you ordered food from the vet though? (Just curious because most vets I've worked for/seen didn't carry foods I'd touch with a ten foot pole! And they mark them way up in price too! Not trying to interrogate you by any means!)

So, is the time going by slowly enough? I remember when Hannah was 5 weeks old and I had three more weeks to wait for her. Oh my God I didn't think I would make it! But since she's been home, the time has flown by...she's now three years old.

 

[Domestika]

I liked the name Corva too, until my husband told me that "kurva" means prostitute in...Polish, I think? Kinda ruins it a bit.

I'm ordering food through the vet because I work for an animal hospital and I get it at cost. And I like the diets we carry. Diet is SO highly debated that I don't even want to mention the brand. You know that someone will chime in "You know that's made of kitten parts, don't you?!" or some such.

Time is going by SO slowly. The first while went by really fast because I made a decision really quickly. I met with the breeder the day I got back from a long trip overseas, met the pregnant mother and put down a deposit that day (I have another dog from the same breeder - I didn't pick her on a whim!). She gave birth like...two weeks later, which went by like a flash. And the first 4 weeks were gone in a second. Then I went and met the pups at 4 weeks and time has stood completely still since then! Each day is like "OMG, it's only a DAY closer?!"

For alllll the reading I've done and question-asking, I still don't feel completely prepared. This is my first puppy. But I mean...you can't be 100% prepared. I have all the stuff I need and I've done lots of research, but the puppy is always going to be a variable. :yikes:

Your pups are adorable, by the way.

 

[Hillside]

I really like Kori too (like Corey). I think it's a cute name for a girl.

It is indeed, it's mine too. :rofl1:

I didn't know they made gates like that! I got a shorter gate so the cat wouldn't have too much trouble getting over and my HOPE is that the pup will see it as a barrier and not as...something she has to eventually learn to scale.

Though, now that I think about it, a small opening in the bottom wouldn't help much. The cat will be about the same size as the pup when I first get her (cat - Moby - is almost 20 pounds ).

Well the pup and the cat will only be hte same size for a short while. Django for the longest time saw our 26 inch baby gate as a SOLID barrier. Well we brought a certain Doberbrat home and the first DAY she jumped it and since then can you guess who else jumps it? Monkey see, monkey do.*sigh*

 

[AllieMackie]

Congrats, Domestika! It's great to see prepared folks like you getting a puppy the proper, planned way.

Of course, nothing will prepare you for all the randomness and crazyness that a puppy brings into your home. And puppies will ALWAYS surprise you. It's just part of the puppy package.

 

[Jynx]

ok having my puppy just turn 17 wks old yesterday (and the same breed))),,,my one suggestion in the beginning,,CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP ! LOL..

The first couple of weeks, nite time was a bear! LOL...thank god it is warm out..But I have to say,,I haven't had an 8wk old puppy in like 9 years,,and boy was it culture shock !!! LOL..

I can honestly say tho, it does get better, but in the beginning,,you'll say, probably like I did, WHaT WAS I THINKING? LOL Of course I have 3 other dogs as well and 5 cats! so it's not like I had one dog to devote all my time to, altho that puppy eats up most of my time..

I like the name "nova" as well,,,and I just started puppy class with Masi, and we do not use the word no,,in fact I really don't use the word anyhow,,we work on "leave it"..vs "no"..I think "no" can get nagging...

Anyhow,,good luck and let us know what name you pick,,and which girl you get ! It can be sooo exciting,,but really catch up on your sleep now )))
diane

 

[Domestika]

ok having my puppy just turn 17 wks old yesterday (and the same breed))),,,my one suggestion in the beginning,,CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP ! LOL..

Thanks for the advice!!
There are some new pics of the girls here (from today).

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81884

I still haven't got a name figured out though! There are so many I like. Right now I'm stuck on Kori and Viva.

 

[kidsanddogs]

It sounds like you are an awesome future dog owner. You are so well-organized and prepared. I commend you for all of your efforts. I would only suggest one thing: in all of your excitement, make sure you don't overwhelm your little girl. Watch for, and learn, her signs of stress. Give her lots of time to rest and learn her environment. I have no doubts that you will be a great mom to your little one. Congratulations!! I can't wait to watch her grow.