If you are leaving her I would give her access to a pen and to water and a pee pad at all times. Will there be anyone with her between you leaving around 2.15am and your brother taking over around 6am? Could she sleep in his room, perhaps, so he can comfort her if necessary? Pups can get very distressed if left alone in the early days, after the constant presence of Mum and siblings - much better to build up her confidence that you will always come back before leaving her completely alone.

 

I’m not sure – I’m looking into getting another crate for her (the one that I have is a metal 42” with a divider and is heavy asf, so no way I can reasonably take it up and down every morning) for his unit (we live in the same building on different floors). I have a furbo camera and would be able to talk to her through it, though I’m not sure how much success people have had with that or if it’s more of a case-by-case thing when it comes to comfort.

 

Oh, I use to work at SEA on the ramp and the shift structure sounds very similar.

(I hated it. Got sinus issues from jet exhaust.)

I think your schedule will workout because puppy will sleep while you are at work.

Remember that their bladders are undeveloped as a puppy and accidents happen even to the most alert poodle parents.

When they pee/poo inside, it doesn't mean you are a bad furparent, so don't feel any shame. You just clean it up and keep moving. Eventually they will get stronger and it will suck less.

I think you will find your routine once you have a puppy in hand. Sometimes it's hard to do this preplanning without a puppy in hand, but once you physically receive it then a lot of things will change and you will find your routine.

 

Yep, DSM! I love that it’s the first job that I’ve had that I don’t actively dread going in every single day (I’m kind of getting there but I think I’m just due for a vacation), but I hate that it’s in all sorts of weather. Every now and then I think about going above the wing, but then I remember that I hate dealing with people 😭😂

That’s what I’m hoping for! Like, she’ll just think of it as going back to bed.

Yeah! I’m definitely trying to keep that in mind. The good thing is that my place has laminate flooring, so not a lot of worries on the cleanup aspect.

That makes sense! I’m trying not to stress too much about it and everyone around me keeps telling me that it’ll all work out and I’ll figure it out as I go, but the perfectionist(?) in me wants to make sure I Do Everything Right (I know I will fail at times. A lot, probably) and I think right now my nerves are just really high (I’ve been waking up literally every few hours, if not once every hour during the night for seemingly no reason. Lately I’ve been giving up and starting my day around 5-6)

 

I'd get a washable pee/whelping pad to line the playpen because a ten week old puppy is unlikely to be able to physically hold it while you're at work. Just wash it often and encourage the puppy to go outside - it's just there as protection for your floor.

When I'm at work, 0730-1100 and 1200-1630, I leave my pup in his playpen with food, water, toys, and a bed. That's been our schedule since he was 12 weeks old (he's a year now) and he never had any issues. They're adaptable! Just provide plenty of enrichment when you're with them and they'll probably sleep most of the time you're gone. I believe he was around five/six months by the time he stopped having accidents on the washable pad I lined his pen with. Even knowing that, I wouldn't ever withhold water from a puppy.

I know the best option isn't always feasible in this economy, but I really feel your puppy would benefit from you taking those first few days off. The transition into a new home can be really rough on them physically/emotionally and if suddenly left alone afterward, I worry that could set them up for more anxiety in the future. If you truly can't, perhaps they could stay with a friend or family member while you're at work? Just for that first week so they can adjust to be away from their mother and littermates.

 

go to work at ~215-225, would she be alright until ~6

In a word, No. If you're thinking that she'll just sleep through, or wake up and quietly contemplate the vast, sea change that's happened in her life, incomprehensible and inexplicable, that's a possibility, not a big one, but it's possible.

What's more likely is that since you have an infant, no different than an infant of most any other persuasion, who is ALONE, TOTALLY ALONE for the first time in their very young life, there will be big emotions. To an infant, ALONE=DANGER. This means fear, anxiety, distress. That fear might be kept internal, shaking and quivering, terrified, or it might be external, crying into the dark for anyone to come help them. No one will be there.

I'm not trying to make you feel badly, life is what it is, but this will not help in building trust. I am trying to help you see through her eyes. If you can't manage to get your schedule where you can be the one she can lean on, ask the breeder if they could board her for a few days until you can get a solid stretch of time together.

And, don't withhold water .

Read these excerpts from the excellent resource that Liz put together. It's good for any age, any time.

While You're Waiting for Your New Puppy to Come Home
Whether you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of puppies or have already come home with an adult dog and are wondering what you've gotten yourself into, this is where to start. Between shopping trips for essentials items and puppy-proofing your home, here is some reading to get you in the mindset of life with your new dog:

• Whole Dog Journal: Kidnapped From Planet Dog
• Eileenanddogs: Life Lessons For My Puppy
• Ian Dunbar: Before You Get Your Puppy
• Ian Dunbar: After You Get Your Puppy

Separation Anxiety
If all that wasn’t enough, you also need to prepare your dog for life after the pandemic, when you go back to the workplace and your dog is home alone during the day. The best thing you can do is start training your dog to be home alone by practicing leaving your dog at home, even if you’re only gone for a few minutes. If separation anxiety becomes severe, drugs and other interventions may be necessary.

• VCA Hospitals: Preventing Separation Distress During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Ian Dunbar: Separation Anxiety
• Dr. Karen Overall: Relaxation Protocol
• Victoria Stilwell: It's Me or the Dog: Animal Planet

A Word About Housetraining
A perennial topic, careful management of your new dog's access to space in your house during the first few weeks will prevent dreaded accidents and teach your dog the boundaries of their new home.

• Ian Dunbar: Errorless Housetraining

https://www.poodleforum.com/threads/pandemic-puppy-primer.277192/?post_id=3334340#post-3334340

You're in for a very different experience with a poodle. Other breeds don't really prepare you for them .

The "resemblance" to a human toddler has been remarked on more than once and this will likely be thru their whole lives. Poodles stay young at heart for years.

They are smart, very smart, but don't mistake that as necessarily being the same as "easy to train". Smart for poodles means they THINK.

One of the trickiest things with poodles is how they learn by observing. Many unintended lessons are taught this way.

Poodles are smart, savvy, sensitive, and strong in their sense of self. They observe, reason, consider and conclude, with more than a bit of "What's in it for me?". They aren't a separate part of your life, they're smack in the middle of it and thrive with that. It's hard to make clear just how "not alone" you'll be with a poodle in your life, not in an unhealthy way for either of you, but because that's what you both sign up for.

"Poodles are Labs with a college education. My Poodle will do anything your Labrador will do. After a day of retrieving in the field, your Lab wants to curl up and snore in front of the fire. My Poodle wants to be a fourth at bridge and tell naughty stories."
Anne Rogers Clark, the famous handler, all breed judge and Poodle breeder.


Furness 1891
The American Book of the Dog (1891)

"....He is also, in my opinion, more susceptible of education than any other member of his race, seeming to have an innate love for tricks, and needing only to understand what you wish to do it immediately, and then enjoy the fun of it as much as you do.

"Yet, notwithstanding his wonderful intelligence, the greatest patience is required in teaching each new trick. Remember that he is even more anxious to understand you than you are to make him comprehend what you wish, and that a word of encouragement or a friendly pat on the head goes ten times as far as a scolding or a blow. At the same time, bear in mind that the greatest firmness is required, for if a dog for a moment suspects that your whole heart and soul are not in the matter, he at once thinks it must be of small consequence and loses all interest in it forthwith.

"Make him think you are both doing something for mutual amusement, and he will respond and do everything in his power to follow out your wishes, provided he is already firmly attached to you; and in this lies the secret of success or failure in all training; for as he cannot understand your language, he must know by heart all your gestures and intonations...."

Poodles believe in equal rights I can't imagine my life without a poodle or two in it.

---

and these words from a well-known and respected breeder from the early 1900's and for decades beyond:

Chapter 2
POODLE CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT

TO A TRUE dog-lover any dog is lovable, be he mutt or pure-bred, but there must be some reason why those who have ever owned a Poodle are rarely satisfied with a dog of another breed. Possibly the reason lies with human nature itself.

Invariably we love most those who need us most, and a Poodle really needs his master or mistress, and their affection and approval. First and foremost I think among Poodle traits is his intense desire to be the dog you want him to be; because of this he should never be chastised. Punishment at first hurts his feelings and this later may show up as resentment expressed by stubborness and confusion. A change in the tone of voice is sufficient to indicate to him that he has displeased you for, even as a young puppy, his ears are attuned to different inflections, and in them he seeks reassurance and approval.

A Poodle was once brought to me by his owner who complained that he was unruly and disobedient. Could I, she asked, do anything to help her? I took the dog into my kennel. At first he was difficult to manage—morose, unresponsive and stubborn—but I soon discovered that he was in a highly nervous state underneath all the bravado. So I set about to win his confidence. I never punished him, but when he failed to obey me I ignored him and made a great point of praising and petting all my other dogs when they did as they were told.

At the start he was completely indifferent to my cold shoulder. However, as he became attached to me, I could see him watching me with the other dogs; and one day after a particularly flagrant act of disobedience, he came to me of his own accord as if in apparent apology. Of course I made a great fuss over him upon which he strutted a bit with pleasure.

This was my first sign of progress but it was still a long time before he obeyed me instantly and acted as a completely normal, happy dog should. He became as amenable as any of my own dogs. Lest he should forget her, his owner had visited him frequently and he seemed to include us both in his affections.

I was interested in finding out what could have caused this dog to lose temporarily his breed’s inherent character. I found he had been raised in a large kennel, one of dozens of puppies; that he had been looked after by helpers who had more dogs under their care than they could handle properly. In his new home his owner’s gentleness was overshadowed by the behavior of a worker on the place who impatiently shouted orders at him. That dog finally grew into a devoted companion which followed his mistress wherever she went without even the restraint of a lead.

The Poodle is always at his best with those who understand him. Such understanding of course is innate in people endowed with the true “doggy sense.” Because not all have been given this sense, I think that the Poodle is not everybody’s dog!

If you want a dog which you can regard as a piece of furniture or as a mere addition to your possessions, do not buy a Poodle. If you are looking for a companion that will share your daily life, respond instantly to your moods be they gay or sad, that will adjust himself to your kind of life as long as you are with him, then a Poodle is your dog. He is very demanding of his owner, but only for intangible things, such as love, approval and understanding; these he must have if he is to develop to full emotional stature.

A contented, well balanced person will have a calm, self-possessed Poodle because the surrounding atmosphere promotes contentment and banishes nervous tension. That is how sensitive he is, how completely your own character reacts on his. Perhaps you may feel that he asks too much, but if you can give him even half of what he wants, you will never lack companionship and you will never feel lonely.

From the book "Poodles in Particular" by Alice Lang Rogers

 

First, do try and have at least a few days at home with her when she first arrives, to ease the transition from her home with the breeder and begin to build the bond between you. If you and your brother are to some extent going to be sharing her care I would set up a pen in his room too, if that can be managed and he will agree, and leave her with him on the nights that you are going to be working. No need to wake him at 2am - let him take the puppy when you go to bed yourself or after the 10pm pee break. Work out a schedule together for meals, games and naps (lots and lots of naps!) and provide your brother with bowls, food, toys, pee pads, enzyme cleaner, etc, etc - make it all as easy as possible for him!

 

For what it’s worth, I brought my mini home at 10 weeks and he slept through the night (10pm - 6am) in a crate in a neighboring room without any issues. I’d prepared for the worst given everything I’d read but found that daytime potty training was much more challenging (I live in an apartment building), and my pup couldn’t be left in a connected crate/pen setup with pads unsupervised because he’d start trying to eat them. My breeder had gotten the pups used to sleeping in their individual pens from 7 weeks onward, and had long started them on outdoor potty training, though.

Maybe ask your breeder how your pup’s doing sleep-wise? Your schedule might actually be fine - it just all depends on your pup. You could also see if your breeder willing to hold your pup for another week - gives them a bit more time to develop bladder and bite control with mama and any littermates that are left (or if they’re gone by 10 weeks, used to being more alone).

 

Um... I would say the first two weeks are crucial for potty training. A pup has to be taken out every 20 minutes as he needs to pee...

 

Hello! I’m super excited (and nervous) to say that I’ll soon be bringing home my first puppy! She’ll be a 10 week old standard. Unfortunately, my new work schedule is also set to start the same day as her gotcha day, March 8th. I’ll hopefully be able to figure something out with some coworkers for the first few days (or if not, I have some sick time to spare), but in any case, I need to figure out a routine/plan.

If I get what I assume I will (our schedule is set on a bid – we’re given basically an excel spreadsheet of different shifts available, which are then bid upon by seniority. I’m pretty high up, but not high enough for my first choice), I’ll be scheduled 3a-830a with Friday and Saturday off (I’ll probably do a split double one day, so I’d give one of my shifts away and take someone else’s 12p-630p so I’d get an extra day off).

So, in this scenario, my shift starts at 3. It’s a 25 minute drive, and I usually leave 45 minutes before my shift to make sure I’m early because we rely on a shuttle to get from our parking lot to the terminal/work area (I could likely get away with leaving 35 minutes before my shift, but I’m always early to everything, hence the current 45 mins). If we remove food and water an hour before bed, go potty and to bed at ~630p (obviously we’d be up later on double days, but we’d get to sleep in the next morning), get up for a mid-night potty break at ~10p before back to sleep, then potty again before I go to work at ~215-225, would she be alright until ~6 when my brother could give her some breakfast, let her potty, and play with her? If so, do I put her back in her crate, or do I let her go freely between her crate and xpen*?

*Should I put a pee pad on the floor in the pen? I’ve heard so many people say so many differing things.

Is there anything I should do different? What else am I missing? I simultaneously feel like I’ve looked into so much but also feel like I know so little, it’s a bit daunting. Anything helps!

It takes time to crate train a puppy & they are not used to being alone after leaving their mother & siblings. They also usually need to pee every 2 -3 hours & will not go in their crate unless they are desperate. A puppy that is only 10 weeks old will not be able to go 4 hours without going potty. I think the puppy will be very anxious being left alone & may cry a lot & it may cause issues with separation anxiety. If left in xpen the puppy may chew on baseboards or walls or whatever it has access too. It takes time to train them to get used to being alone & they need to know that someone is there for them. Could you brother stay with the puppy or the puppy stay with him so he is there to reassure it & take it out if it needs to pee? If you leave a pee pad on the floor in the pen the puppy may just chew it up.

 

Hello! I’m super excited (and nervous) to say that I’ll soon be bringing home my first puppy! She’ll be a 10 week old standard. Unfortunately, my new work schedule is also set to start the same day as her gotcha day, March 8th. I’ll hopefully be able to figure something out with some coworkers for the first few days (or if not, I have some sick time to spare), but in any case, I need to figure out a routine/plan.

If I get what I assume I will (our schedule is set on a bid – we’re given basically an excel spreadsheet of different shifts available, which are then bid upon by seniority. I’m pretty high up, but not high enough for my first choice), I’ll be scheduled 3a-830a with Friday and Saturday off (I’ll probably do a split double one day, so I’d give one of my shifts away and take someone else’s 12p-630p so I’d get an extra day off).

So, in this scenario, my shift starts at 3. It’s a 25 minute drive, and I usually leave 45 minutes before my shift to make sure I’m early because we rely on a shuttle to get from our parking lot to the terminal/work area (I could likely get away with leaving 35 minutes before my shift, but I’m always early to everything, hence the current 45 mins). If we remove food and water an hour before bed, go potty and to bed at ~630p (obviously we’d be up later on double days, but we’d get to sleep in the next morning), get up for a mid-night potty break at ~10p before back to sleep, then potty again before I go to work at ~215-225, would she be alright until ~6 when my brother could give her some breakfast, let her potty, and play with her? If so, do I put her back in her crate, or do I let her go freely between her crate and xpen*?

*Should I put a pee pad on the floor in the pen? I’ve heard so many people say so many differing things.

Is there anything I should do different? What else am I missing? I simultaneously feel like I’ve looked into so much but also feel like I know so little, it’s a bit daunting. Anything helps!

It takes time to crate train a puppy & they are not used to being alone after leaving their mother & siblings. They also usually need to pee every 2 -3 hours & will not go in their crate unless they are desperate. A puppy that is only 10 weeks old will not be able to go 4 hours without going potty. I think the puppy will be very anxious being left alone & may cry a lot & it may cause issues with separation anxiety. If left in xpen the puppy may chew on baseboards or walls or whatever it has access too. It takes time to train them to get used to being alone & they need to know that someone is there for them. Could you brother stay with the puppy or the puppy stay with him so he is there to reassure it & take it out if it needs to pee? If you leave a pee pad on the floor in the pen the puppy may just chew it up.

I don’t know all of the details, but the breeder has been working on crate training the puppies and getting them used to being in their own crates, though I know I will still need to work on it once she comes home. I was talking to a coworker who I forgot literally lives on the same street as me, and she offered to drop by and let puppy out and make sure she’s doing okay after she drops a relative off for work in the mornings, so she’d be at my place at around 5 – so it’s still not ideal, but it’s an hour earlier than what my brother can do. I also got some shifts moved around, so I have 4 days home with her before I go back in to work. Again, not ideal, but it’s better than the original 1 (scheduled) or 2 (after trading).

I talked to my brother’s staff (my brother has special needs, but his care needs are low and he’s mostly independent), and she said she didn’t think it would be a good idea to have her sleep at his place because if he woke up for whatever reason, he would be too excited/distracted and want to play with or pet her instead of going back to sleep.