Documenting the wild, rewarding journey of raising our Goldendoodle pup
Raising a young puppy on a busy property is a daily masterclass in patience, energy, and rapid growth. Since bringing Lola home after our girl Kloe passed, our daily cadence has completely changed. She is actively taking charge of her surroundings, testing boundaries, and transforming from a clumsy pup into a confident, adventurous companion.
Every week brings a brand new milestone. Teeth are coming in, her coat is changing, and her world is growing far beyond the bounds of the back porch.
Life in the Fast Lane
Goldendoodles grow really quickly. Collars that fit two weeks ago are already pushed to their last notch. Beyond physical size, watching her cognitive growth has been one of the most fascinating parts of this stage.
Lola is learning how to read the room. She has gone from endlessly chasing her own shadow to actively watching us for cues. Her personality is coming in full force. She’s equal parts clever problem solver and absolute goofball. She has learned how to fetch her favourite squeaky toy on command and ring the bell by the door when she wants to play outside.
Navigating Life with Other Animals
Growing up around horses, cats, and our older dog, Bernie, who’s four years old, means Lola’s classroom is bigger than most. Learning animal etiquette is a huge focus of her daily routine right now.
With the horses, she is learning that paddock fences are boundaries, not play gates, and that hooves require respectful distance. With the cats, the prior intense, nose-to-nose curiosity has given way to a tentative mutual understanding. Our boy dog Bernie has stepped into a full-time mentor role. Watching Lola mirror Bernie’s calm demeanour shows just how much she relies on pack dynamics to learn the ropes.
The Crazy World of Puppy Training
Training a high-energy breed requires continuous consistency. Some days feel like massive breakthroughs where commands click instantly. Other days, her puppy curiosity takes over, and a stray stick or leaf in the yard completely derails the lesson.
We are focusing heavily on recall, leash training, and channelling her boundless energy into productive outlets like scent games and agility-style obstacles around the yard. It takes real stamina, but the effort pays off every time she successfully pauses, looks up for direction, and chooses to listen.
What the Future Looks Like
Lola is filling our space with endless motion, goofy zoomies, and plenty of muddy paw prints. She is growing up fast, but we are soaking in every chaotic, joyful phase along the way. Stay tuned for more updates as this smart girl continues to find her stride!
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