It’s been five days now that we have loved on the new member of our family, a puppy we (okay, I) decided to add to the already demanding back to school transition. What’s one more thing?
His name is Friday Hopper Hampton–Friday because Lainey fell in love with the name and was completely committed (even though he came with the name Brinkley, and I petitioned to keep it because of You’ve Got Mail), and Hopper for the fine strapping man that is Chief Hopper in Stranger Things whom I fell in love with after slipping into the abyss of a 3-season binge-watch marathon over the summer (I know, I’m late to the game). I remembered after Lainey named him that Mr. Rogers’ puppet is King Friday, and so now he is King Friday to me. Other nicknames include Small Fry, Stir Fry and Freaky Friday when he’s speed-running figure eights in the living room at 5 am.
The plan after Latte died has always been to add a puppy to our family after the summer. Since that had already been agreed upon, I took the liberty of surprising the family (Lainey was in on the surprise a few days before). And by surprising the family, I mean I walked into the house at 10:30 at night while Brett was watching T.V., and I said “Oh hey, this is Friday. Surprise!” His reaction is something I will tuck away in the 1000 Reasons Why I Love Him box that carries me through the harder moments of marriage. He laughed–shook his head and laughed for a good several minutes, holding Nella’s hand with one hand and reaching out to pet the puppy with the other and a sweet little “Hey Buddy.” Five minutes later, he called the puppy to sit on the couch with him and watch T.V. Go Google “Dads and Dogs Memes.” You’re welcome.
And the moment the puppy was placed in Lainey’s arms earlier that night? Tears pooled as I watched a little part of her that has been sleeping reawaken. It was an electric moment I will never ever forget.
I loved Sophie and Latte, but I don’t think I realized their impact on our home and family until they were gone and the grief of a pet loss felt bigger than I imagined it would. The dogs were our family for as long as we’ve been a family, and the space without them has felt so different. It is nice to hear paws tapping on the floors again, nice to restore the dog food jar’s true purpose, nice to walk into Lainey’s bedroom and see paws draped over her legs while she reads. After losing our dogs, I love this puppy so much more knowing what he will become in our memories…a legend.
As for how the last five days have gone, it’s exactly like having a toddler in the house. We are crate training (like letting your kid cry it out in his crib), and the kids get so sad when he cries. I take him out about 27 times a day, yet he’s matched that in presents he’s left for us in the house: “Mom! I made you something! Mom! Look what I made you! Mom! Mom! Mom! Handmade present, office floor, go get it!”
Safety Dad™ has added Friday to his roster of Lives He Must Keep Safe, instructing me very seriously on the dangers in our house that could hurt him. And Dash. Oh heavens. A puppy is one thing. Dash with a puppy is a monster of a responsibility of its own.
I’ve found Dash locked in the dog crate with the puppy on at least five occasions. “He wanted me.”
Five of Nella’s Barbies are now missing hands, three heaps of Friday-marked laundry are piled in front of the washer, one sandal is missing, and Mrs. Hedgehog turned her entire home to face the wall to prevent B&E and missing property. Puppy training advice welcome!!!
But then we have this:
…which makes it all worth it.
Kelly says
My husband just lost his mom to cancer, so we decided to get a puppy. Even though we already have an 11 year old dog and a 4 year old cat. We both work full time with two kids. ? feels crazy and so right at the same time. We get him at the end of November. A mini bernedoodle ❤️
Reenie says
Oh gosh ~ he’s adorable.
This cracked me up: I’ve found Dash locked in the dog crate with the puppy on at least five occasions. “He wanted me.” HA!!!
Maria says
So happy for you guys. You are BRAVE but there’s nothing like having a dog(s) (or, in my case, cats) to greet you when you get home. He’s one lucky pup! p.s. I love Brett!
Nadege says
I might have missed it but what type of doggy is this ADORABLE pup?
No advice here as I am still attempting to reason with myself about (not) getting a dog.
Kelle says
He’s a Welsh terrier
LouisE says
We got an Airedale about a year ago. So kinda similar temperament. My big advice for house training is don’t let the dog out of your sight. Baby gates are your friend. Keep him in a small space with you so you can notice The second that he looks like he needs to pee. And you can take him outside and reward reward reward. If you catch him peeing (and you actually have to catch him in the act. No point in doing it later) make a loud sound like a clap to startle him and make him stop and whisk him outside. If he goes outside then reward reward reward. Good luck!
Crate training nearly broke me because our puppy took months to get used to it but thankfully now she’s quiet and relaxed in there.
Heather Bower says
We love the book _The_Other_End_of_the_Leash_! We’ve trained three puppies and four humans with it!
Kelle says
Ha—thank you! Will check it out!!
Jen says
My best advice is 1) Don’t start with free reign over the entire house and 2) get everything off the floor except for his toys in the area he’s allowed to roam. I know this is very hard with kids, but it worked so well for our dog when she was a pup 12 years ago.
We started with gating her within the kitchen plus family room area, and made sure nothing was on the floor except her toys. We played with her in there, her crate was in there. We were diligent about keeping that floor clean of shoes and kid toys for months.
Slowly over time, we expanded the area she existed. Slowly, we started leaving other other items on the floor.
It really worked well. She never chewed anything but her toys, and potty training was way simplified too. Thank God, on the chewing, because this dog has razor blade teeth and goes through chew toys like nobody’s business. I can’t imagine all the shoes and furniture she may have destroyed if we were lax about that!
Good luck!
Kelle says
We are realizing that today. Free reign has caught up with us. So has blankets on the floor. Ordered a baby gate today to make him a “play pen”
Blissmamaof3 says
Free reign is earned, not given??
Karen says
Just when I didn’t think your family could get any cuter…and then you got Friday Hopper Hampton! OMG!
Love, From Wisconsin
Molly says
He’s so cute! I think it’s really smart that you got him at the beginning of the school year, because that’s when new routines are getting set, so taking care of the puppy can be part of the new routines of the school-year.
It’s been a while since Wanda was a pup (she is 13 now, waah!), and she’s by no means a “model citizen” (we say she’s 80% good dog and 20% bad dog, haha), but here are some things that worked for me when she was little:
– Crate training (which of course you’re already doing!)
– When I took her outside to go potty, I’d wait until she was actually in the act of going and I’d say something like “Go potty, Wanda! Good girl!” so she could figure out what “potty” meant
– Lots of dog toys/chew toys/nylabones, etc. available all the time
– Someone told me that they can only “hold it” for 1 hour per month of age, and that seemed to work well for deciding how long we could be gone from the house while she was young (so when she was 4 months old, I’d make sure to not be gone from home more than 4 hours)
– I read Cesar Millan’s books (Dog Whisperer) and the biggest takeaway for me was to make sure the dog gets enough exercise. I used to take Wanda on a long walk one time per day (usually in the morning before class, like 30-45 min.) and then a smaller walk in the afternoon or evening. This didn’t happen every day, but she was definitely more well-behaved when she got sustained exercise.
My biggest regret is that I didn’t socialize her very well. I was in grad school and not socializing myself haha, but still, I should’ve had her meet lots of people and animals when she was young because she’s pretty snobby and bossy with other dogs and I wish she could just get along!
I love all the pics of Friday on your Instagram. I don’t think you can ever “overdo” it with pictures of babies or baby animals!! 🙂
xoxo Molly
Constance says
Congratulations on the new puppy! This time will pass just as quick! I saw on your Instagram story with Dash and Friday by the puppy dishes. Dash was playing with him-pretending to eat with him-please be cautious as Friday may not understand yet that his person is playing, and my nip him on his face. For chewing-there is an amazing product called Bitter Apple-smells like apples but to puppies it tastes horrible! It has gotten us though three chew happy dogs. Again-congratulations!
Michelle says
When our pug was a puppy my husband used escape conditioning to teach her to bark at the door to go outside. Whenever we would take her out we would always go to the same door, put a laundry basket over her, and when she would bark we would give her a treat, and then take her out to go potty and give her another treat. We did this repeatedly until eventually she went to the door, barked, and went out to the bathroom. She did get lazy over the years and gave up on the bark, but still just went to the door and hoped to make eye contact with someone walking by. Ten years later, and still doing the same thing.
ndj says
Isn’t “Stranger Things” the best? I think season 3 is my favorite so far. I love that you used Hopper’s name — what a wonderful character! (And actor also— have you seen him interviewed?) Thank you for your blog, Kelle. I am such an admirer of your writing, as well as your dad’s writing.❤️
Kelle says
I’m not usually for sci fi, but one episode in, and I was GONE. And yes! Season 3! It’s all the 80’s stuff. That MALL!! So right out of my childhood. The chemistry of all the cast, the wardrobe. So many incredible throwbacks. And then Hopper. LOVE him. I need to dig up other stuff with him because he’ SO good! Thank you for the sweet comment!!
nDj says
Same here, sci fi isn’t usually my thing either. But yes, the chemistry is great between many of the characters. And great acting by the adults and older teens, especially. (That bathroom stalls scene with Steve and his co-worker— so well done! P.S.You absolutely just made my whole week by writing me back.☺️
sarah says
as silly as it sounds we did this when we first got our beagle .. tie some jingle bells on the door ring them before taking him out .. eventually he’ll ring it himself when he has to go out .. our dog still rings her bell to this day almost 8 years later .. good luck! he is adorable! you can see the joy on everyone’s faces to have that love in the house again!?
Jeanie says
I love Friday! I don’t think I knew that you lost both Sophie and Latte. I’m so sorry and truly feel your pain. I always wondered what kind of a dog Latte was. I have a five-year-old labradoodle who was really a good puppy. He was potty trained in just a couple weeks and chewed very little that he shouldn’t have, although he did have run of the house. I always took him out to potty right after he ate and as soon as he woke up. I finally got lucky after all the stinker puppies I’ve had. Congratulations on your new dog! And please let me know what breed Latte was.
Sarah Clews says
You are so tempting me to get a dog. We are on the fence but I want my 2 year old to be older. I think we will all enjoy it more if I don’t have 2 babies in the house.
Dawn Huling says
No matter the additional work it adds to your already crazy schedule there is NOTHING like that price;ess smile on Lainey’s face as Friday kisses her. Beautiful, non staged genuine from the heart smile. Beautiful!. And King-Friday Hopper is adorable.
Jayne Hampt says
Nora and Theo want to come visit you (puppy)!
Martina Frankovits says
Hi Kelle! We are in the same boat over here with a new puppy!!! Congrats, the name is adorable! Having just lost our last of 3 dogs in June, I loved your words about the loss of Sophie and Latte. It really hit my heart. So true about loving this puppy so much more knowing what they will become in our memories. Good luck with Friday!!!
Catherine says
I am 100% team puppy. I grew up with dogs and my children have always had a dog in the house too. When my Maltese that I had for 17 years passed away a couple years ago, I underestimated the hole he would leave in my heart. I sat on a list for months after finding a responsible breeder for a Pomeranian (a breed I have LONG wanted) and when we got him, wow, you are so right, I love him even more knowing how much he means to us and how wonderful a puppy is. Minus the home made gifts. Luckily, Pomeranian poos are quite tiny. 😛 Congratulations on King Friday!
Merrie says
We’ve had a lot of pet loss over the last few years, so I feel you! My latest post is about our newest addition to the herd. Ours is named Baxter. 🙂 Congrats on Friday — love the Hopper addition. ST is the BEST and he’s my favorite, too!
Kelly D Henrichs says
So adorable!! I loved reading this!! Friday scored a pretty great home!!
Ndj says
Agreed, the cast has great chemistry! Several scenes this latest season were so well-acted and written that I teared up, including the one in the mall restroom stalls with Steve and Robin. The fact that you responded to my comment totally made my whole week, Kelle! ?
Ndj says
Oops! So sorry for the accidental duplicate comment— technology is not my strong suit.
Lynn Ann says
BEST. THING. EVER! We’ve had our new puppy since beginning of December (start of school holidays here in Aust) so we could spend LOTS of time with her and it has worked like a charm. 1. “Start as you want to finish” – well mannered, socialized, well trained dog – yep. 2. We hung a bell at our back door that we kicked with our foot everytime we went outside to do wee-wee’s and she now swipes at that bell anytime she needs to go outside – we all come running from anywhere in the house when we hear that bell like there is a fire happening but it works! 3. Enjoy the puppyness – wish I had spent more time just cuddling and enjoying her littleness – just like our two legged kids, they grow up too fast! What a lucky pup to join your pack. xoxoxox
chris says
Animals can indeed heal pain. What a cute pup!
Nancy Elfrink says
Welcome Friday. You are one lucky dog!
Susan runge says
Hi Kelle,
Congratulations on the wonderful newest addition to your family. Hopper is adorable. You all are in for some fantastic times with him in the years to come…and, so are we! 😉
I am new to your blog here and am glad I found it as I’m quite taken with you, your family, your love of color, your writing and your wonderful attitude. You have great style! So, forget TV, I’m looking forward to binge reading thru your blog years and catching up – I have limited free time on a regular basis but am looking forward to some pretty sweet enjoyable reads in airports, on vacations & over holidays…will have to ration to extend the pleasure. haha
I live in NYC where dogs are often not allowed in our apartment buildings and, with limited time on my part, it doesn’t seem fair to me to relegate a pet to solitary confinement while I’m out at work, etc, so I haven’t gotten to have pets as an adult. I grew up with them in the South, however, and watched my dear mother diligently train our dogs thru the years. She learned new tricks with each one and a major one on the last dog, Raggill (a gorgeous blonde Cairn), was part of the potty training process.
For the first few months, Mom only allowed her outside on a leash – sounds harsh but remember this was school faze and with school there are rules – so that she could teach her WHERE, by redundancy, to do her business in the yard. Mom used the same back door every time and walked her on-leash to the same spot over in a corner off to the side where no one normally went. Raggill eventually associated this little corner as her bathroom so that by the time she was allowed out back off-leash she diligently went on her own – with Mom watching, of course – to her little corner for relief. If Mom saw her heading somewhere else in the yard she would put her back on-leash for another week or two and try again off-leash until it was no-fail. Due to Mom’s dogged perseverance (sorry, couldn’t resist the the pun), Raggill learned this so well (Sweet Girl!) that later on even when she was already out back playing on her own, when the urge arose she nevertheless scooted over to “her” little corner of the yard to go potty. As a result, no one ever had to worry about accidentally stepping on a “present” or, in the case of little kids, rolling around on the ground playing and landing on one. Yuck. Everyone was forewarned so knew exactly where in the yard to avoid strolling. It took a few months but she had YEARS with us so it was definitely worth the extra effort. (Side benefit: the lawnmower took care of breaking things up into “fertilizer” during summer months and for the rest of the year there was a conveniently small area for waste collection.)
Raggill was a wonderful dog and brought us much joy. As will darling Hopper to your family. So, good luck,…and, many thanks in advance for your terrific work here for your readers. I know you enjoy it but it’s a lot more on your already super-full plate,…just please know that we appreciate your efforts. All of them. 😀
Cheers!
Susan
Susan runge says
Er, make that FRIDAY Hopper Hampton! Pardon me. Hopper was stuck in my head for some reason as I was commenting earlier….was it the previous post on the TV character? the fact that my nephews once wonderfully named their pet frog Hopper & it has stuck in my head ever since? a few minutes of distraction? Whatever it was….welcome King Friday, Small Fry, Stir Fry, Freaky Friday and, of course….Friday Hopper Hampton. I can tell you’re in for a marvelous life ahead filled with lotsa good livin’, lovin’ & laughin’. 🙂
Susan
aNNE says
About the best thing we did was take our now 3-year-old Shih Tzu to puppy socialization classes. There were puppies, owners and a professional dog trainer to answer questions while the pups played. We got helpful hints about everything from house training, picking up dogs, bite prevention and the dogs were socialized. The biggest benefit was hearing how other pet parents handled some of the same issues we had. We then signed up for a 12-week family puppy training class. Children (3 up) welcome. Puppy training was consistent across the family and the kids understood why, that we were not being mean and learned all the basic commands. It tickled me no end to see a 3-year-old former biter, yell “No Bite,” turn her back and ignore the puppy.
Our dog is not crate trained. Not for lack of trying. She loathed, despised and hated the crate. Nothing we did would change her mind. All we got was a scared, depressed dog who would not eat or play for hours after coming out of the crate. We gave up the crate three months in.To this day she will behave, play well, do her business until we close a door and she cannot get to us. Once we gave up the crate she was 95% accident free within two weeks. We took her out every hour increasing the time in 15 minute increments while she was awake until we learned he cues.
She learned to “go potty” on command. If I could not keep my eye on her, since the crate was a no go, she had to sit next to me on the sofa, bed or whatever. Other than that she was restricted to the kitchen. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, behind the baby gate with her. At night she was in my bedroom, her bed behind a baby gate next to my bed. After she was accident free for 6 months she gained access to the rest of the house one room at a time. She was almost two when I realized she had access to the entire house and had been accident free for at least a year.
sANDY says
I potty trained my Cockapoo (or she trained me) in about 2 days! You have to have the mindset that the puppy is like a newborn. Do not put paper down in the house as it sends mixed signals…you’re showing the puppy it’s okay to do it’s business in the house. I literally set my alarm for every 3 hours the first week I got my puppy. I would take her out in the yard each time…yes midnight, 3 am, 6 am, etc). By the end of the week she understood that outside was where her bathroom was and the 3 hours stretched to 4-5 hours. She never once had an accident in the house and she is now 9 years old! Good luck…puppies bring joy!
Margaret says
We have a six month old puppy and are finding our way through the joys of raising him. We started with puppy pads to pee on as well as taking him outside. We also bought bells to hang by the doors and touched them every time we took him out. After a week he was able to ring it himself to go out. Works like a charm now, at home and at the cottage! We also clicker trained him. There are lots of tips online about how to use the clicker and it’s invaluable when you need him to attend immediately(when the dog escapes and you need to catch him without chasing). The only problem is the kids love clicking and it loses it potency if overused.
I love all your photos and look forward to more stories about King Friday and his adventures with your family!
Cindy cole says
Oh Kelle… so adorable… looks like an airdale!! We had one for nine years!!! Precious.. we had to get a dog trainer to help us and the big thing was to keep him contained to one area for awhile… no run of the house!! You will have all sorts of problems with a dog this size (he looks like he’ll be pretty big) am I right? It’ll be worth it in the long run. And, find out the correct toys for him so he doesn’t get something stuck in his intestines. No soft stuff!!
The crate is great!! Have fun in this new bundle of joy!!!
Cindy cole says
Oh and one thing … they make these waterproof furniture covers that aren’t beautiful but they sure save your furniture… unless you have leather…
amazon … check them out… washable and so easy…
Cindy cole says
Ok I just saw he’s a Welsh Terrier… small Airedale !! Love! Def won’t get as big!!
Lauren B says
I definitely understand dogs after loss. We unexpectedly lost my dog – the puppy we got when we got married 8 years ago – in May. And it was like I couldn’t breathe. The house felt SO empty (even with little kids). I was at the shelter two days later. You’re right- the sounds of paws on the floor, happy wagging tails at the door, and of course, the cuddles. We went with an adult dog this time and I have to say… never going back. By day two she was clearly housebroken, almost never gets into things, and is just super chill. I may never go back, haha! But gosh, that is one crazy cute puppy. 🙂 Congrats on your new addition.
Jagannath Barman says
Such A Nice Post, Keep Up The Fantastic Work. Thank you so much for your family topic … I Really like it
J barman says
Great post!! Thank you very much because you are willing to share very useful information to many people…
Rosemary Hepner says
Easy to read, simple instructions that worked when I thought that I would loose my mind if I had to clean up one more accident. https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Puppy-Training-Works-Walton/dp/0971866902
Bozeman says
Awesome stuff thank you!