'Birth Order'

We often compare how raising puppies is like raising your children. Just like birth order effected how you raised your children, experience also effects puppy raising. Think about that first puppy (or baby). Every day was a special celebration. You were excited about everything and left nothing to chance. That second puppy (or baby) was also a great joy, yet in many ways a very different experience. And then the third, fourth, fifth... puppy (or baby) and well…let’s just see if our experiences are anything like yours.

FYI: This is intended as a joke. We love all of our puppies and work our hardest to help each achieve their full potential.

Lukas - 15th Puppy

Effects on Set-Up:

1^st Puppy: You had the crate, exercise pen and toy bin all set-up the moment you heard your puppy had been born.

2^nd Puppy: You rushed home to set-up following puppy visitation day. T minus 7 days to arrival.

Nth Puppy: No need to set-up, you’re still working up the energy to take it down after the last puppy.

Stryker & Sully - 25th & 26th Puppy

Effects on Preparing for the First Night:

1^st Puppy: You start sleep training weeks before the puppy arrives home. A little mind-over-matter and you’ll be an expert at waking up every 2 hours.

2^nd Puppy: You don’t bother adjusting your sleep schedule. It didn't do squat last time anyway.

Nth Puppy: Piddle Pads and Sleeping Pills are now your best friend.

Brewer - 1st Puppy

Effects on Puppy Toys & Gear:

1^st Puppy: You purchase every recommended toy in your puppy raiser manual and color coordinate all their collars, leashes and vest.

2^nd Puppy: You check to make sure the toys aren't broken and the collars & leashes aren't snagged, then discard only those still hanging on by a thread.

Nth Puppy: Pink looks good on a boy – Right?

Quinn - 23rd Puppy

Effects on your Worries:

1^st Puppy: At the first sign of distress – a whimper, whine or bark – you run to the puppy and soothe them.

2^nd Puppy: You ask nicely for “Quiet” but when all else fails, “Shut-up” is right in your back pocket.

Nth Puppy: You train your older dog how to drape a blanket over the top of the crate.

Praxis - 22nd Puppy

Effect on Treat Giving:

1^st Puppy: If a treat falls on the floor, you put it away in your pocket and toss it in the trash later.

2^nd Puppy: 10 second rule sounds good.

Nth Puppy: Your puppy eats grass, bugs & wood chips anyway, so you’ll just consider it as frosting.

Barron - 11th Puppy

Effect on Housebreaking:

1^st Puppy: You set an alarm and take the puppy out every half hour, whether he needs it or not.

2^nd Puppy: You take the puppy out every 2-3 hours, IF needed.

Nth Puppy: Here’s the door, there’s the lawn…no further explanation required.

Maizy - 19th Puppy

Effect on Training:

1^st Puppy: If there’s a training class offered within 90 miles, you’re there.

2^nd Puppy: You've got the basics down, now it’s time for some competition training.

Nth Puppy: 5 minutes squeezed in while you wait for the water to boil in preparation for making dinner.

Scout - 12th Puppy

Effects on Vacations & Travel:

1^st Puppy: The first time you leave your puppy with a sitter, you send the puppy with a 10 page instruction sheet, every item they own and then you call and email every 12 hours.

2^nd Puppy: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to grab a bag of food, some toys and jot down your contact information.

3^rd Puppy: Ring the doorbell, hand over the leash and inform sitter to only call if they see blood.

Gypsy - 3rd Puppy

Effect on Medical Emergencies:

1^st Puppy: When the puppy swallows stuffing, squeaker, rock, stick, coin, etc., you rush the puppy to the vet and immediately demand an x-ray.

2^nd Puppy: When the puppy swallows stuffing, squeaker, rock, stick, coin, etc., you carefully watch them for a few days waiting for it to pass.

Nth Puppy: You've seen so many things go in one end and out the other, nothing’s really a surprise at this point.