A Red Puppy Sat Guard at the Front Door Before the Guests Came
Anyone coming in from the cold will have to get past the greeter first. A curly red Goldendoodle puppy sits squarely in front of the blue front door, a wreath of greenery with a golden bow hanging on the glass behind him. His coat is the color of a copper penny, his dark eyes shine and his neat front paws sit on the floorboards. Coats hang on pegs, boots line the wall and a plaid mat waits in the corner of a busy, lived-in entryway.
A greeter puppy is lovely, but the front door deserves some training. Many dogs get over-excited when visitors arrive, jumping or dashing out, so teaching 'sit' and 'stay' near the door, rewarded with small treats, makes holiday gatherings calmer. Goldendoodles are social and clever, which helps them learn quickly, but they also need daily exercise and gentle brushing to keep their curly coats from matting. During busy holidays, a quiet room or a crate with a chew toy gives a dog a place to rest away from the crowd. Mind open doors in winter too, since a fast little puppy can slip out quickly.
For now the door is closed, the wreath is hanging straight and the puppy is waiting politely. He has no idea that the whole house is about to fill with cheerful voices, but he looks ready for them.
