I just got my puppy (he was 4 months) and I haven't had one in years either. I bought a travel playpen and he slept right next to my bed. Never cried at all. I would put my hand in the playpen. He has a crate now which is in the livingroom, so I can get up at night without him wanting me. Crates are great!
I never used paper with my pup (he was older though) I just take him out about every hour or 2 now. He has his mistakes but he's learning. I don't think I can help you with to much more. Unless you plan on showing your dog, just use some baby shampoo or puppy shampoo you can buy at the store.

Joann thanks for the suggestion. Travel play pen, is that a baby's play pen or a dog thing, that sounds like a very good idea? I did think about a small crate to start out with so I could move it around, especially to the living room. She will need a larger one in a few months. I do not intend to leave her out of my sight until I know she is trained. I will play with her a lot so she won't just be shut away.

Congratulations, you will love her! The best dog I ever had was my Star buddy who passed away Labor day weekend. He was 14 and half years old, and was the best companion and a great walking buddy. He was so easy to train, we had him trained in two weeks. He would just go stand by the door. The standards are really smart dogs.

As for the shampoo, I don't agree. Star came from a championship line and I just used puppy shampoo until he was old enough to get groomed. Then I had him groomed every 6 weeks. Shampoo is shampoo IMO.

Joann, glad to see you posting about your puppy. I was wondering how you and he are getting along. I was hoping you'd post some of his antics in the quirky pet thread.

Vala, I don't have a pup, so I don't have any experience, but I personally wonder, when using the pee papers, how they get trained off of them? I'd be scared they would pee on anything left on the floor, as it's all they know.

We just brought home a black lab pup three weeks ago - this makes our 7th dog in 34 years and we've always used a crate.

Personally I know several breeders and some of them are a little pushy - I use regular puppy shampoo, unscented and that works well for our dogs. Do you plan on showing her? If not then you don't need to worry about the expensive shampoos. Will you be grooming her or taking her to a groomer? You may want to ask your groomer. The hardest part is trimming their nails. What color are you getting?

As for the crate where you want it and the dog will get used to it. Do you want your poodle to sleep in your room? Our lab puppy only whined the first night and that was it.

Will your breeder give you an instructions sheet on how much to feed and how to teach simple commands?
How old will your puppy be when you bring her home? I've never paper trained but they do sell some kind of paper pad at the pet stores that are supposed to attract the puppy ti use it. Then you're supposed to gradually fold it smaller and smaller over time and finally take the pad outside to coax the puppy to go there.

Jasdip the first two poodles I had I kept in the utility room in a large cardboard box when I couldn't watch them and at night. I had paper down on the floor, always leaving one soiled one. they could leave the box at night to use the paper. As they got older the papered area got smaller and I started taking them outside. I didn't have any problem retraining them to outside. I think I will skip the papers this time. I was just thinking of not needing to go outside at night in the winter. Lazy me.

Regarding shampoo, if you can use reg shampoo after they are grown I would us Prell because that shampoo is the best I have every used. My hair always shines.

Your puppy should be just fine with any mild shampoo, I would not worry about it at all. I believe Jasdip is right about the paper training. According to all the doggie "wisdom" I've read and heard, you should never paper train a dog. It teaches them that it's ok to 'go' in the house, and it's hard to re-train them otherwise. As far as crating, most dogs, once they are used to their crate, do not mind it. My most recently acquired dog is now potty trained, but still loves to relax in her crate and take naps. I leave the door open so she can come and go, and it has become her sanctuary. Good luck!

Marie, we must have posted about the same time. This breeder is a very nice guy, he has the blackest poodles in our area. The only reason he breeds is to get more to show. I do not plan to show her, just want a pet/companion, someone to walk with me. She will be 8 weeks old when I get her. I groomed my toy poodles and clipped their nails but do not plan to groom this one. I have already checked prices and places to have her groomed. When she is 10 weeks old I am enrolling her in an obedience class and I am sure I will be the one that needs the training. LOL I am also going to take her to a doggy day care if I can find a good one. If I leave her for a day a week she will be more comfortable if she has to stay a few days if I am hospitalized. I bought a puppy book that will help with do simple commands. I am looking forward to training her. My other dogs were house broken, but not trained. This one will need to be well train because of her size.

The breeder called me and he knows I want a female, but he said the males are much cuter. I will have to think about that.

vala, congratulations on your coming addition. I think that's great. And I LOVE standard poodles! what color will you be getting, do you know? (Sorry if you mentioned that and I missed it).

When the breeder said the males are much cuter, did he mean looks-wise or personality? I, too, would rather have a female. But I'd have to meet them and see which one felt right at the time.

If cuter in looks, I don't know that that matters, at least to me. I'd just want the one that "speaks to me".

We breed and show Golden Retrievers, and here's my 2 cents worth.

Do not bother with a small crate. It'll be outgrown so fast, what a waste. Get a #400 (24" x 36" more or less) wire crate with latch that's comfortable for you to handle and secure when closed. Best I have use a spring int he latch mechanism. Do not get the cheapest crates that are put together with pins, another waste. And don't worry about fancy crate pads or beds right now. Fold up heavy towels or an old blanket to fit the crate; you want something very washable.

The playpens are called ex pens (for exercise, but that's a misnomer). Get a 3' high one for a large dog. We also use them open across wide places in the house. Do use gates or expens to block off parts of your house. Close doors. For everyone who says their puppy chewed up shoes, I say, who left the shoes out and/or the bedroom/closet door open?

In my breed, the boys are definitely more loyal, sweeter, closer to their owners, while the girls tend to have minds of their own. It's not a huge difference, mind you, but ask any Golden breeder which they'd rather live with, and it'll be the boy, 9 times out of 10. Standard poodles might be different, but do talk to the breeder about this.

As for shampoo, don't use people products. You asked the breeder what he recommends and he told you. Doesn't mean that's the only product. Talk to the groomers about what they use. "Mane and Tail" is a great product. But poodle coats are hair, not fur, so my experience is limited. But the pH level of human products isn't right for dogs.

And don't use paper. If you wait and get your pup at 9 weeks, you'll probably have it sleeping thru the night in a week.

I like UPCO for mail order for several reasons. One, they are great on the phone, two, free shipping with $85 order and more (crate, ex pen, etc, all free shipping.) and three, they only send out one catalog a year plus one or two smaller mailings, so you won't get inundated with catalogs in the mail every week. Prices are good, especially when you consider the shipping.

Your puppy is certainly going to a great home!

Here is a link that might be useful: UPCO

I've used human shampoo (any brand) for washing my dog, she's not a show dog but she is a pure bred Wheaten Terrier. Unfortunately, she was very hard to house train. It took about 2 years to fully train her, and she still has an occsasional accident at night. We did use a crate as she got a little older, and it helped. Dogs instinctively won't mess their sleeping quarters. Confine a dog to a crate at night, leave it open during the day. She'd go in there for naps and apparently didn't see it as a punishment. b

My heart belongs to Goldens, but I recently met and loved a standard poodle. So happy for you. I think you got great advice from sushipup. I did not use a crate for my first dog because I thought it was cruel, etc. Long story short, I think a crate is crucial to a happy dog. So happy for you. Please be sure to post regularly about her.

I used a playpen instead of a crate when I first got Carmelita. She's a Havanese. I kept it in the family room and lined it with plastic. I took her out every two hours and I slept in the family room for awhile. She would wake me during the night when she needed to go out.

My only reason for wanting a female was that having had boys in the past, it takes MUCH longer to take walks with the boys - they are busy peeing on everything!! LOL

Congratulations on your pup and I can't wait to see pictures.

I wanted a female because they squat instead of hiking a leg against the furniture or shrub. All I have had are females and no personality problems with them. I expect 2 or 3 nights of whining, but that just goes with puppies. This one was in a litter of 8 so she will miss them. I bought the cage the breeder suggested from Walmart, some of the money goes to the ASPCA. Gordmans had a lot of pads to choose from and I bought one that could be laundered. It has a zipper and I can replace the filling if I need to. the only place I don't want her to go is in the basement. I have an invisible fence and I have an indoor modular that will keep her from going downstairs. I have 3 free training sessions to get him use to the fence. For anyone who thinks that is cruel, it is the only way I can have a large dog. The HOA doesn't allow 6 ft fences.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. It helped me make some decisions. I will post pictures and let you know how the training goes.

Being a crazy cat lady I can't offer advice but I can say congrats and enjoy!

The crate should be where ever you want it as long as you can hear if the puppy wakes up.

I am not a fan of paper training. It is like having to train twice. Yes you will have to get up to let the dog out but not every 2 hours. Just be sure to take her out as soon as she wakes. At first she may wake once or twice during the night. But soon she will sleep longer. They mature fast. You need to take her each time she wakes, after eating and after playing. Be consistent and you will have her trained in just a week or two. That does not mean there will not be accidents. She may not always make it to the door in time but that is just because her bladder is immature.

A great product to have on hand when accidents happen is Simple Solution. It removes stains and odor is has a nice light smell that doesn't overpower.

Sushi gave the same advice I would. Except I would add that me buy a crate to fit the full grown dog and black off a portion to make the space smaller for the pups. Do not feed or water in the crate. The crate is for sleeping or resting.
If you put a chew toy in with her be sure it absolutely cannot be destroyed. Kongs are safest for this.

Standard poodles are a sporting breed. They are similar to curly Labs. LOL Make sure she gets plenty of exercise. A tired dog is a well behaved dog.

Please please stay away from rope toys. Those things should be banned. Many a dog has ended of in the ER with a gut full and impacted with "floss" from those things.

Thanks Lynn and Wildchild. I will check out the Kongs. The breeder told me to stay away from the rawhide ones.

Look for the large nylabones, too. Don't get small ones, even for a puppy who will quickly outgrow it. Get the largest ones they have.

I got my crate from Amazon. I bought a large one and it came with a wire partition to block off the back portion of the crate. As Georgy Girl grew, you could move the wire partition back. You don't want to use the whole crate at first because if there's too much room in the crate, the puppy will go potty in there. I slept on the sofa the first week, with the crate at my side because my bed is too high. I bought a stuffed teddy bear about two weeks before I got Georgy (she was eight weeks old) and slept with it to get my scent on it. When it was time to put the crate and Georgy in the laundry room, I put the Teddy bear in with her. There was no adjustment period at all . She never wined, all went very smoothly. The first night I had her, I woke up after four hours because my puppy book said puppies can only go four hours, and I stood out in the rain with her and watched her roll around on the wet grass and have lots of fun but never go. The next night, I didn't bother getting up and she went through the night just fine. Every dog is different. Caesar Milan's book on raising a puppy is very good. Georgy Girl is 50% Golden and 50% Poodle. Enjoy the new addition to your family. You're going to just love her. Oh, and do not use people shampoo. I have found some very nice dog shampoos at T.J. Maxx.

sushi and georgysmom, thanks for the info, especially the chew toys. I won't have any trouble waking up, I do that anyway. I need to have a coat by patio door. I am going to sleep with one of the toys I bought, thanks for that tip. Gee didn't even do that as a child, now I am sleeping with a teddybear. LOL

We got our Shih Tzu when she was about 8 weeks old.Thought I would crate her and get her used to sleeping in one. NOT!...she had other ideas. Put her in a basket next to the bed..I've never heard so much noise come from such a small creature. Put her in bed with me, she slept on my pillow and never heard a peep out of her and the rest is history as to where she sleeps. So, your idea may not be your puppy's idea.

As far as bathing, I take the dog to the groomer.
I wanted a female as well. The breeder said that males were harder to get rid of. Don't know if that is the case here, but perhaps he is pushing a male puppy for that reason.

Stantard poodles are wonderful dogs! smart and loyal.

My 2 cents: If you want a female, stick with a female. unless you fall in love with a male when you meet the litter.

get a big crate that has the movable insert so you can change the size as she grows...Once she gets to a certain age, she will be so well trained a crate won't be necessary. The pup dosen't need to stay in the room with you. Hopefully, the breeder will have the pup on the start of crate training when you get her. Crate training is the very best thing for your pup and for you.

Don't be too concerned over the products the breeder suggests. Your vet is likely to suggest something else. And you do need to see your vet soon after you get your puppy.

Good luck, post pictures!

Georgysmom is right about the size of the crate. If it is too big,the puppy will mess and wet in the cage. I've always crate trained and it really works well for me.

Do a little research on crate training on the internet. It will tell you exactly how to do it. Good luck and can't wait to see pics of your new baby.

My two mini poodles absolutely love their crates. We keep them in the living room because that is where we are a lot of the time. They can be found napping in them a lot of the time. It is really cute, they both like stuffed animals and one of them is a hoarder. His crate is full of stuffies and sometimes it is hard to see the dog in there.

I am definitely going with a crate, a large crate would be out of the way in the bedroom, but close to a window.

Hey deamn, I will not sleep with a dog or an animal of any kind. You do NOT want to hear my tape worm story.

I would like to hear it. LOL

I love standard poodles because they are so smart and easy to train. They are almost human. I am training my friend's new poodle now.... a dream to work with and I increase the hours between walks as the days/weeks go by. No problems in getting up to do that. We are sleeping normal hours now.

You know to be consistant in whatever you do.

I remember you announced this over on the computer(?) forum I think and you have a name like Daisy picked out.

Have a great new year with your little girl.

My first two dogs were female and my last two who I have now are males. I don't see a lot of difference but all four were different breeds..Afghan hound, greyhound, Boston mix and Dachshund. I never had a crate for my first two but my Boston came with a crate from his previous home and he loved it. So when I rescued the Dachshund 18 months ago, I put him in a plastic crate I used to haul a few cats to the vet. This was temporary till I ordered a wire crate from Amazon to match the one Ziggy has. The Dachshund balked and whined but when the wire cage came and I filled it with soft blankets and put it beside Ziggy's , he went right in. Anytime I leave for awhile and when I go to bed..I yell CRATE and 8 little paws run over to their crates. Sometimes they go in during the day. I buy my shampoo for them at TJ MAXX..Very nice selection. I don't use human shampoo on them. And I never slept with any of my pets.

Her name is Molly.

Lily, I love the "CRATE" yell!

I have to buy a camera, mine didn't work the last time I tried it. I bought one which I took back, out of a dozen pictures, none were sharp.

thanks everyone, I sure have enjoyed sharing this with you all. It is so quiet at my house, but I think that will soon change.

Oh I love puppies - as long as they are someone elses - lol. My boy collie is almost 7 months (and 57 lean pounds). He hasn't lifted his leg against bushes yet and was neutered last week.
Buy some odor neutralizer now for your carpets. I was diligent about letting him out, but it seems like at first they will never learn - and then all of a sudden it is done.
Oh gosh the chewing. A big pup can reach stuff!
He has claimed my watch several times, gathered and ate rocks in the yard so much I had to spray them with don't chew formula (something else to stock up on).
Anything is fair game if he can reach it and he is tall and lean so he can squeeze into places you wouldn't imagine..
I started him in a crate, but now he goes to his room - my washer dryer/bathroom rooms off the kitchen and I have a baby gate across to pen him in. He goes in there when he gets too wild and then he will curl up and go to sleep.
If I were you, I would go see the pups and pick the one that picks me. I had 8 lively pups to choose from and it was tough.
I think male pups are slightly more goofy - like male boys - lol.
Good luck! Hold the checkbook close because the first year is an expensive one. Puppy shots and neutering!
Kathy

Thanks Kathy, I know they are expensive. I got a cat last year and it cost me $300 total and it was already spayed. I had to take her back, I can't live with a litter box and wouldn't let her out because of the fox that has a den in the trees behind the house. I won't let the pup out alone until she is mature even then I will keep an eye on her even though she can't get out, dogs can get in. In the 5 years I have lived here I have only seen 2 strays.

I've house-trained at least two dozen Goldens, and I've never ever ever had a pup pee in a crate because the crate is too large. Never. Don't worry about it. The baby will grow into it so fast!

Your breeder will probably pick a pup for you. He'll keep the best structured pups for show, but he'll know which are destined for pet homes. So don't be disappointed if the one you think is the star of the litter is the pup he's got his eye on. Your pup will be healthy and well-socialized, and that's what will count.

And yes, it's a great idea to train to a word. We use "kennel" and it really means to go into whatever enclosure we designate: the kennel runs, the crate, the car, an ex pen at the park. "Kennel" means go into. They learn fast, and it'll make your life easier.

Can't wait to see puppy pictures!

When I had my toy poodles back in the 60's I told them it was time for bed and they went right to their box in the utility room. I don't remember the exact words, but they knew what I meant. My husband made the door to the room a "Dutch" door so I could see over it the lower part and hopefully they didn't feel abandoned when I went shopping.

I have a shittzu and he loves his crate.Puppy groomers say use dawn.

Since you had dogs before , I'm sure you know that animals love routine. So especially when you first get her, establish the way things roll in your house and stick with it. Neither of my dogs has had an accident indoors. I swear my dogs can tell time and days of the week. In later afternoon they both know it's walkies time so they come and hang out with me till I get their leashes. On Sat. night when we crate them and go out to eat, they expect a chewy "present " when I return and sit there at my feet till they get it. They never do it during the rest of the week. One of Ziggy's best friends is a black standard poodle named Dixie. A wonderful smart sweet dog.