Wow, that is one CUTE dog! Congratulations, I'm sure everyone including the westie will fall in love with him.

Soooooo cute!!! Congrats Colleen!

What a sweetie -- glad you got him home safe and sound!

OMG he is too cute! Best of luck with him!

Congratulations on the new family member.

Coleen...I don't know how I missed seeing this yesterday--I've been waiting for a photo!! Calvin's an absolute sweetheart! What an impish, adorable face!! I know you'll fall head-over-heels for this little one, and Lucy will learn to love him, too. Give him a big kiss for me-- on his nose, right between his eyes (my favourite spot for smooching Wheaties). Congratulations!!

Oh my gosh, absolutely adorable. Congratulations, Terri

Thanks everyone - he's a sweetie. The breeder, knowing our family situation had picked out another of the litter for us. But this guy was the sweetest of the bunch, while the others were trying to eat my shoes from the start (it could only go downhill from there, right?) Which is not to say that he won't be snacking on a wayward shoe, but he actually seems to have manners, if a puppy can. He's playful and can get a bit nippy at times, but he's really a terrific pup. He is really coming around to housebreaking, and he's only had a couple of accidents that were entirely my fault. I think he'll be a terrific addition to the family. Lucy (the Westie) and he are beginning to work out the hierarchy. She's starting to let him know what his limits are, so while they are certainly supervised, I think we just have to let that shake out.

I know you're busy with your new rascal...ummm...I mean, Calvin. And I know he's just settling in. But keep those photos coming! Would love to see a photo with Calvin and Lucy together.

It's been over a week, Coleen. Hope you're still smitten with Calvin. Updates? Photos? How's the little fellow getting along with Lucy?

Hi Cailinriley - thanks so much for asking! We certainly are still smitten. Calvin's very charming and he may even be working his magic on Lucy (S-L-O-W-L-Y). She let him kiss her nose and she's growling a little less each day. The vet came today to check him (and Lucy) out. When he was getting his shots, he cried a bit and Lucy came over to see what was going on and seemed to be worried. He also got his first bath after he inadvertently rolled in some poop. He was so cute in the shower. I couldn't even recognize him. He reminded me of Max from the Grinch! He was really unhappy. He also does not like going for walks. He hid under the car today after he managed to squirm away from me. I'm hoping he will like it more with time.Lucy absolutely lives for her walks.

I will take some pics tomorrow (he's already grown 5 lbs in 2 weeks!)with Lucy!

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I missed this! Bonnie sends her love to Calvin. :)

I need to take some updated pictures of her ... she's about ready for her first haircut.

{{!gwi}}

Bonnie's dad is Duidream (Bonnie O'Connor) and her mom is Ceili (BSara Sorenson and her sister Beth). Where did your little Calvin come from? Does he have an Irish coat?

Are you clicker training him?

No photo, yet, of Calvin and Lucy, but I love, love, love little Bonnie! What a precious tilt of the head!

(Sigh...I miss my Wheaties...)

Oh, Oceanna! She is beautiful! Does she have a boyfriend? I'm sure Calvin would be up for it! (As long as she doesn't growl at him, like some other cranky girl I know!). Cailinriley - I am so sorry about the pictures and I promise I will get them but my computer is down at the moment (here I am checking the GW from the public library!).

I don't know if he has an Irish coat, but it looks very similar to Bonnie's. He came from a breeder in Buffalo - his mom is a Candian and American champion. One thing he inherited from her is he loves to be held like a baby - belly up! I was wondering about the haircut? When do they get the first one? He's getting pretty hairy! How old is Bonnie? Not clicker training but he's doing very well with his sit and down and housebreaking is coming along. I don't know anything about clicker training. I'm pretty much following Brian Kilcommons book (Good Owners, Great Dogs).

Here's some updated photos of Calvin. They pretty much shows the whole dynamic between Calvin and Lucy!
{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Such wonderful photos, Coleen!

In the first one, Lucy looks like she's thinking, "He's touching me, Mom...get him off me!!) She looks much more relaxed in the last photo where there's a little distance between the two. :-) The second photo is precious; typical Wheaten pose!! That one, and the last photo, remind me of Cailin when she was that young. (Riley was from a different breeder, and had a distinctly different look.)

They're both adorable dogs. Thanks for posting the pictures!!

By the way, you have a gorgeous kitchen.

Cailinriley, thank you! There is never a dull moment with little Irish miss Bonnie. :)

Coleen, your little Calvin is as charming as he can be. He can certainly be Bonnie's BF and I'm sure she wouldn't growl at him. I feel sorry for her with no puppy her age here to play with... and I know you're feeling that for Calvin too. Your little Lucy is a cutie pot pie. I hope she comes to love Calvin. But puppies can be hard on all grown ups, as we know. Your kitchen is just beautiful, btw. Do you ever post in the decorating forum?

Oops, forgot to answer your question, sorry. I bred and showed Wheatens for 14 years. When to get him a haircut is always totally up to you, but most folks go for that first full cut between 4 & 5 months.

He needs a "sanitatary" cut ongoing. You can do that yourself. It's just keeping him cut short around his privates to help him stay clean. They always need us to keep an eye on that.

He also needs to see where he is going. So if he doesn't need an all-over cut but he can't see through his hair, come in with the scissors pointed toward his nose. Clip back the hair over his eyes, but not that between his eyes. You can look at adults to see how it's done.

If you don't want to do it yourself, just tell the doggy parlor that he's not ready for the full thing yet but he needs a sanitary trim and a bang trim. Be sure where you take him they know how to haircut a Wheatie -- some places don't have a clue. They should be able to do the mini cut for you very fast (while you wait) and shouldn't charge you much.

One other thing about Wheatens -- if you love to brush down to the skin and you do it daily, then keep the coat as long as you like. But if you ever find yourself not having the time to keep up with the brushing, it's far better to keep him in a quite short cut than to let him get matted.

Bonnie's coat is real easy keeper so far. I don't know what it will be like when she switches over to her adult coat. Every dog's coat is different.

I keep having to make Bonnie's collar bigger, and I'll bet you do with Calvin too. :)

Calvinriley - thanks for asking me to take updated pics! We all get so busy we forget to stop and record the magic moments. I got some good ones and I think they'll make a terrific collage!

Thanks for the comments on the kitchen. Not one decision in our remodel was made without the generous input of all of the people here. I lived at the Kitchens and Appliances forums! And now that we're done, I find myself (mostly lurking) in the Home Decorating. But funny you should ask, Oceanna - I just posted a question about window treatments for our living room this morning!

Calvinriley--tee hee...your "slip of the tongue" regarding my name shows where your heart is! :-)

By the way, I thought you'd be interested in knowing that I found the name for my girl, Cailin, in an Irish/English dictionary. The meaning of the name is "girl". It's supposed to be pronounced "Colleen", but we pronounced it "Cay-lin".

Sheesh! I can't believe I did that! Sorry CAILINriley!!! Hey - do you have any pics of Cailin or Riley?

Coleen, Here are my sweet Wheatens...a couple of years before we had to say goodbye. They were already seniors, but not yet plagued by serious health issues.

This is Cailin. Her body was strong right up to the end. Sadly, it was her mind that went. She was 6 months older than Riley, and we had her for almost a month after he was gone.

{{!gwi}}

This is Riley. It was his body that failed him, in the end.

{{!gwi}}

They were sweet, gentle, loving dogs. I will never stop missing them.
I hope Calvin and Bonnie give you and oceanna as many years of joy as these two gave me.

Oh Cailinriley - they are SO beautiful! (I'm wiping tears)I'm happy you were able to share many wonderful years with them. Thank you for sharing them with me. No more wheatens for you?

Thanks, Coleen...I always get weepy when I see photos of my Sweeties. I was desperate for the company of dogs when we had to let these two go. I tried to find a Wheaten pup, but the timing was wrong; I could have had one at the beginning of July, but we were getting company and going on a trip across the country.

Instead, I found a wonderful breeder who had pups of my second choice of breed--standard poodles. We were able to get pups in June (which meant they were old enough to be kenneled when we had to leave town). We had planned to get just one, but ended up with siblings. They're a joy...but very active, and quite a bit larger than we're used to. I still want a Wheaten as a third dog but I'm not sure hubby's that keen on having more than two at a time. We'll see...

Tucker and Toby, my parti-poodles...after their first proper haircut. Notice the silly grin on Toby's face? He's probably embarrassed about the blue ribbons! This photo was taken in October. I really need to get some recent ones!!
{{!gwi}}

They do look so sweet. I love their coloring - you don't see many poodles like that! I guess the Wheatens get to you, don't they? I have to admit, every time I look at Calvin, I fall a little harder. Took him to my daughter's lacrosse tonight and he was a huge hit!

Cailin & Riley were lovely -- looking at them I almost feel that I know them... and know what you lost when they left you. Been there, done that too much. I'm glad you had a long happy time with them both.

Your new dogs are really cute. I love the partis!

Calvin is looking good. I love the parti poodles. I've never seen one. My vet has 3 standards she brings to work each day.

Aaaaaw he is lovely, and your westie too!
I used to be a dog groomer and we had a regular wheetan terrier in called Buster. He was my favourite!

Awww, such cute pups. I've never seen a parti poodle - yours are so handsome. Looking at these pictures makes me miss our toy poodle.

Sky

Okay, Colleen, it's time for you to show us a Calvin photo update. :D

Bonnie got her first haircut tonight but I didn't take off much as I might show her. I'm going to need a helper to get a good pic of her. Here is a BEFORE pic that shows you why. Am I the only one who gets pics like this and lots of shots where the dog has just left the frame? I need to teach a stack/stay...

{{!gwi}}

Here is an AFTER but it's not a good shot (or a great haircut yet):

{{!gwi}}

Now let's see Calvin please?

What a sassy little girl your Bonnie is!! So full of fun! And what a beauty. She looks very pleased with her new haircut.

Thanks, everyone, for the lovely comments about the poodles. It doesn't show in the photo, but they have almost perfect tuxedo markings. Their backs are mostly black--except when they've been wrestling in the yard; then, they're no longer black and white...they're dark grey and light grey. Regardless, we think they're handsome, too.

Yes. Coleen...we're waiting for updates!! Please?

Thanks, Cailinriley. Yeah, she's a leaping, grinning bundle of puppy fun... but that makes picture taking hard.

Yours are just lovely. They remind me of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream - yum! You mean they actually get dirty? hehehe

Yoooooohoo! Coleeeeeen, your tuuuuuurn!

Oceanna - Bonnie is adorable! She is very "bouncy" just like our Calvin. Tht first shot is absolutely pecious - totally captures the wheaten! Here's a new pic of Calvin from today - lounging (rough life he has!) He desperately needs a trim around his eyes. He's so bouncy that I'm afraid to do it - may have to call the groomer to see if she can help out. {{!gwi}}

Calvin manages to be cute and handsome at the same time! Has Lucy warmed up to him?

I was always cautious trimming the hair around the eyes, but my dogs' experience with the groomer helped a lot. As soon as the scissors came out, the dogs stayed still. I kept a good grip on their muzzles, just to be sure. And I had a pair of curved, blunt-end scissors that are specifically made for trimming around the eyes. Without a sharp pointy end, the scissors didn't make me as nervous. The scissors look similar to the one in the link, but it wasn't straight. Something like this would work just as well, I think. Any good pet store should have what you need.

Sending my hugs to both Calvin and Bonnie!! What sweethearts they are!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Blunt end scissors

Oh, Colleen, Calvin sure is a cutie pie! He looks so serious under his nice shady hidey place. Thanks for posting the picture and please keep the pix coming.

Giving Bonnie a haircut wasn't easy. Puppies are a challenge, but first haircuts are the worst. It's not easy to give a haircut to a moving target!

For doing around the eyes I use thinning shears. They are blunt on the ends. They give a nice raggedy natural look around the eyes. Straight or curved regular blades tend to give a chopped look I don't like.

To work around the eyes I grab a hunk of beard to hold their head steady. I don't want to take any chances of poking them in the eye.

I think if you call a groomer and ask for a tidy up on a pup who's not quite ready for his first full haircut, and take in a bathed and brushed/comed (to the skin -- no mats) dog they aren't going to charge you much or take very long. It would probably be a good junior practice session for Calvin too.

I wish you lived next door. Our pups would have such fun romping together and we could train them together too. :)

I never thought to look for thinning shears. I don't like the chopped look, either, but at least I got to see their eyes. I'll have to remember to get some...if I ever have another Wheaten. (I'm working on it!!)

It's been over a month, Coleen and oceanna! Updates and more photos, please!!

Hubby and I have decided to add a female to our family. We are going to meet a Wheaten breeder on Sunday, but our poodle breeder has female pups available, as well. It's going to be a hard decision! I wish we could get one of each, but 4 dogs would be stretching things a little!!

So, how are Calvin and Lucy, and Bonnie doing?? :-)

Hi, Cailinriley! How exciting about the new dog! Of course, I'm now biased towards Wheatens, but whichever one you choose will be terrific I'm sure! You will have to post pics!

Calvin's doing terrific - we had an invisible fence installed and he's adjusting. He had a very hard day the day it ws installed, poor thing. But he needs to run and I won't take him to a dog park. He learned very quickly about those "flags" and now all I have to do is say the word when he's approaching it and he comes running back to me. We started obedience school and he's doing well. Finally starting to get better on houebreaking as well (although I probably just jinxed myself!)We're going on vacation and when we return he is due for his first haircut, which he so desperately needs! I'm going to be very nervous because I don't want them to take too much off. Now, if only Lucy would start to love him like we do!

Where is the breeder you are meeting on Sunday? Please let me know what happens!

Calvin got his first haircut today - desperately needed as you can see from the "before" photo. He seemed a little self-conscious when we picked him up - but maybe I am just thinking that because we can finally see his eyes!

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Oh, how cute!! Look how soft and cuddly he is!! Being able to look a Wheaten in the eyes is the best thing! Thanks for posting the photos, Coleen. Calvin is a handsome young lad!