Maggie, I've had bi-focals for more the 25 yrs. Fact is, with my eyes I have to wear glasses when I sleep jut to see what I'm dreaming about.
As to feeding advice, Connie has WAAAAY more experience with raw dog diets then I do and I got started by just tossing scraps out of the cave entrance.

You beat me Bob - I am laughing too hard to find anything to come back with - it was the cave entrance that did me in ... you rule you old dog you

Although your post isn't exactly advice in the normal sense of the word, I am going to paste it into my word doc so I can always have a chuckle when I am taking myself too seriously.

We leave in 10 hours to pick up my new bay boy - I will breath his puppy breath and report to all of you who miss it how wonderful it smells.

I was scared of the responsibility but now even though I am still feeling a slight trepidation, I know I can find the answers here.

Anyone volunteering to babysit? A new mom has to have a break lol j/k We will be (literally) joined at the hip.

Looking forward to your return with the pup.
When you get home just let the pup make the first moves. With some it's sometimes to easy to make the pup uncomfortable but the owner trying to hard. Now if you get one that walks in like it owns the place I can only say, hang on for the ride! Those can be the easiest and most fun to train motvationly.

Bob, thank you. He is beautiful and I love him. I will follow the advice written here and do my best to give this beautiful pup the chance to grow into a healthy well adjusted dog - if all he ever does is love me, that's enough. Mushroom hunting is only a perk lol

I am afraid that he fooled me - he seemed fearful when I put him on the gravel - so I though ahh precious little guy is so sweet - then he ate (he threw up all his food on the way home) and once he got a tummy full - he owned the gravel lol - so I will let you know how it goes and follow all the advice from you people with years and years of knowledge.

Super excited for you and Heiland Maggie!

First night in his new home.

Heiland stopped jumping up on his Expend because I did the little poke and said nope - 10 to 15 times - so he found out he can bull rush it .. since I can only hold one section at a time he had a blast. I wish I had that on a video so I could laugh at it often.

Thanks David, for telling me what to do re. the Expen. I am super excited too.

So far he hasn't done his business in the house. Of course I took him out at 12:30 - 2:30 and 4:40 - it's not that he stopped screaming in between but it changes to an even higher shrill (imagine) when he has to pee. I think he slept for an hour or so but it might have been a dream in the 20 minutes or so of sleep I got. Not complaining - it's what puppies do when they miss momma.

He is confident, saucy and loves to bite me - hard - I yell ouch and give him a toy - he would rather my arm but I am going to get him some more toys - maybe a rubber arm? (grin)

Did I mention he is beautiful, that he has a diamond on the middle of his tail and has the best puppy breath ever but wanted to eat his poop? I didn't let him so he still has the best puppy breath ever.

He is quiet in his crate now (yes!!)and my ears have stopped ringing so I think I will try for a few more winks.

Hi Maggie. Congrats on the new puppy. I don't know if anyone mentioned this already, but with everything now, keep the same idea as what you're doing with the potty training. Spend your time teaching and shaping what you want, not trying to stop things you don't want.

With the jumping on the xpen, I'd anchor it down. The reactions from you could become a game with him and create a habit you don't want. The poking stuff works on TV, but since you've seen how much fun puppies have biting on your hands, to me it seems like its only going to make it that much harder to convince him not to do that.

One of the first steps to teaching him some self control is not letting him out of the pen or crate till he calms down. Its a little bit of a waiting game sometimes, but it fits right in with the potty training you're already doing.

Hello Steve, thank you for giving me sound advice - Yes, I am planning on anchoring it down.

You experienced trainers make things look easy - but you've spent years honing your skills. Glad you are open to sharing what you know with me.

I am a newbie to all this so I just marvel at those of you who started years ago and have it down. I decided to post my experience with Heiland's first night to bring back memories of your early days and hopefully make you chuckle - OK and to inspire you to say a little prayer for me too

I read in the posts how even the most experienced of you are open to learning new things. That's modelling a mind set that I respect and hope to emulate.

In retrospect he probably was too excited to be put in the Expen yesterday - today would have been better and will be better. I will do my best to stay on schedule with him and be consistent - thanks for the encouragement.

I just like dogs, same as you Maggie. Where's the pictures??? Lol.

Ah Steve, you have no idea what a nut I am with the camera! Soon I will swamp this post with beauty that will blind you all!
haha _ I remind me of the first time mother thinking her baby was the most beautiful baby in the nursery

I am running your words through my head Steve -
Spend your time teaching and shaping what you want, not trying to stop things you don't want.

I think I understand what you mean - Concentrate on what he is doing well and reward? Be calm and redirect when he is being the hellion.

I have to find something he likes .. he won't take the tiny bits of cooked chicken and has lost interest in his kibble as a reward - I will order the treats from LB today and in the mean time try some other healthy choices that Connie and Anne suggested.