Puppies are SO MUCH WORK.
She's not off to a good start because her breeder is tit. No good breeder would have added her to their list willy nilly, without ensuring they had secured their garden before the pup set foot on their property. I had to walk through fire to be allowed to get my dogs. It was intense, invasive, uncomfortable, and well worth every effort. My house was inspected and I was told the dirty truth of how hard it is, how expensive it is, how much sacrifice is involved. We had to have the garden fully fenced with 6' fencing and concreted in posts, which were inspected before he came home. Everything was gone over. I was taught to hand strip their coat. Cautioned against bathing them too frequently. Only giving them soft toys when they were supervised for fear of obstructions. The exercise limitations because growth plates don't close for 10-14 months, how injuries in their early months can have far reaching implications. Food recommendations, treat choices, holistic treatments to deal with the inevitable runny stools, everything was gone over. Vaccination schedules for optimum health. My breeder followed Dr Dodd's protocol. The importance of not over-vetting the dog. I spent a lot of time at the breeder's getting to know her and she was available to me day and night for the life of the pups. She sobbed with me when we lost them. Now we're doing it all over again, and I had to search high and low to find my new breeder (different breed), and subject myself to the whole process again.
We never used puppy pads. Breeder told me it was a recipe for confusion. I took the puppies out every 30 minutes, after every nap, after every play session, and after every meal. It didn't take long, but it was arduous. Especially during thunderstorms. I was sure I'd die outside, huddled under an umbrella, by a lightening strike. LOL
The best breeders don't advertise on the internet with deposits expected. They don't need to. My new breeder hasn't bred in 8 years and has a long list, but chooses the homes based on her feeling of the best situation for the pup, if "she clicks" with the family. If a breeder isn't listed in the official breed club website, be wary. If they don't have verifiable proof of health testing of the dam & sire, (verifiable on the CHIC database), be wary. All the breeders I've worked with have kept the pup for 12 to 16 weeks to ensure the puppies have socialization with their siblings and Dam/Sire. This was non-negotiable. For the socialization that is almost impossible for humans to replicate. Bite inhibition, manners, etc., are all taught to them by their mama and siblings.
As a result, my pups came to me very grounded, confident, and almost potty trained. They all cried at night the first few nights, because they missed their families and I sobbed along with them. They slept in my room in exercise pens or crates.
It bothers me that Porter is in another room at night. I get it's a delicate situation with Lumi, but Lydia could sleep in another room and alternate with Ali so the pup bonds to both. The whole hand kibble "your choice", "YES", thingie makes no sense to me. Same for the bell. I trained one of my dogs with the bell. It hung at the door and I rang it before opening the door, then he started ringing it too. No treats needed. In the end it was too much faff so we didn't use the technique again.
We've also adopted from the pound. That came with its own issues. Damaged souls that required far more work, but that were so grateful that the experience was fundamentally different to getting a pure bred puppy.
Lydia is on record as being afraid of dogs (her early videos). She's never wanted a dog, never expressed an interest in them. She was firmly a cat person until the other girls got theirs. (Same for Hermés!) It's concerning that she's suddenly doing this. Isn't it a 12 year commitment? I'm not familiar with their life spans, but they aren't short lived to my knowledge. I really hope she's in it for the long haul. So many people get "influenced" and jump into dog ownership without realizing the ramifications.
I'm trying to be less salty, so I'll end on a positive note. Lydia's last video was a nice change because she didn't eye-duck herself to death throughout, focusing more on adorable Porter. The lisping still grates horribly, but it's undeniable that he is a beautiful boy. I wish him all the best, a healthy life filled with lots of mental stimulation, safe play and a loving family. Please God, don't let that poor baby tumble down the stairs. And Lydia, I know you're reading this, please don't bathe him often or dress him up. Let him be a dog. And seriously, get a health insurance policy for him STAT!!