Top tips for bringing a puppy home

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It's been 15 years since we last had a puppy come home with us but we are getting one in a few months. Keen to hear top tips for helping them settle in happily please?

take an old worn t-shirt of yours to the breeders/kennels for them to get used to your smell and also another new puppy blanket for the mother to lie on to get her smell on to it to take home with you.

have lots of patience and kitchen roll.

ask the breeder/kennels for some of their food they have been feeding and keep to that brand slowly changing onto your own preferred if you want to.

(for you, not the puppy)

Expect to stay vv close (24/7) for the first few weeks - that might mean someone sleeping on the sofa, or you having the puppy upstairs (remember that letting the dog upstairs will probably set a pattern for life)

Get enzyme urine-destroying spray to deal with any indoor puddles

Keep slip on warm boots, torch, coat/hat/umbrella (and lead if you have a big garden) by the back door so you can get out quickly even at 1am

Update chip to your details, and register with vet

Best advice?
Don't do it!!

Was coming on to say this, thought it might be overly negative and was relieved you said it first. However, OP has had a pup before so hopefully it'll be less of a shock second time round. Good luck OP

@Pumpkinpatchlookinggood 😆 ooh its happening! I'm sure there will be a fair few 'what the hell have we done' moments but it's definitely happening. We lost our family dog last year and there's been a big void ever since. Although I think I've forgotten the extreme differences between an old 15 year old dog and an absolutely mental puppy 🐶

Depending on breed they will be either chewy or very chewy until they have finished teething. Get plenty of things that it's OK for them to chew on to swop for whatever else they get between those relentless little jaws (I has several rope toys) and take at least one with you wherever puppy goes

If you're going to do either clicker or whistle training, get clicker/whistle before pup comes home and use it from the off.

A long flat lead is good for letting then run whilst out and about until you're reasonably sure they'll come back! On a harness rather than collar.

Arrange insurance. Also suitable car restraint

When I chose out last but 1 dpuppy I had already chosen a name. The breeder was using it from early on. She knew her name when she arrived with us. Actually she is 9 today!

@Pumpkinpatchlookinggood happy birthday to your lovely pooch!

Just keep in mind the first couple of years are the hardest then suddenly the chaotic pup becomes a lovely calm dog. I went through many 'what have I done moments in the first few months. I think it helps if you know how much work a pup is to start with.

Agree with the needing to stay close the first few weeks and don't buy any new furniture just before they arrive as everything gets gnawed!

Cancel any social events for at least the first few months (or years even, if you get a high energy breed!).

Remember your pup is not your old calm dog that was trained. You will very likely feel a mix of emotions, it really is like having a toddler!

Get on lists for puppy class or dog walkers/sitters/boarders if needed.

Puppy proof house. Get stair-gates/pen etc so pup can be somewhere safe whilst you grab gin and count to 100!

Make sure you meet your breeds' needs and get your pup from reputable breeder who will give support if needed.

Look into avoiding resource guarding - taking things away from pup because you're scared they'll swallow it can quickly turn into them guarding items.

Start training asap - basic commands and how to be calm, walk on lead, greet visitors.

And look after yourself. It can be easy to burn out if you have other stuff going on in the family that also needs your time/attention.

We got a puppy a few months after loosing both our dogs at 14.5 and 15 and i honestly forgot how hard puppies are , harder than my kids
Ours wasn't as bad as many but, getting up in the night for toilet breaks , only leaving house short periods, cleaning up a dozen little wees a day etc
So lots of kitchen roll , anti bac wipes for quick cleaning, puppy shampoo, we crate trained at first but he hasn't used one since 18 months old but helped when little and needed calm down time etc.
Resilient beds, chew toys although again ours wasn't a big chewer
We went to puppy classes as soon as possible , lots of socialisation etc and now have a very chilled 8 year old collie but I don't think I will ever get a puppy again

We’ve had our new puppy two weeks now, 17 years after our first one.

l agree with the advice given but I would also suggest you get a crate, we didn’t last time and it is making life so much easier.

I am currently sleeping in the same room on the sofa and let her out once in the night, she’s going straight out and then back to her crate. We have people home most of the day but if we need to pop out we put her in her crate for a sleep. Luckily we can pretty much do this around her schedule which also helps.

I forgot how energetic puppies can be, I’ve just retired and she’s worn me out, especially early mornings but she’s really started to settle well and it’s lovely having a dog again, we lost ours two years ago.

Why did I read this thread? We're getting a puppy this week but she's a rescue so 5 months old. She's the first dog we've had as a family although DH always had dogs growing up and I was always around grandparents dogs. I know it's going to be hard and I'm expecting the worst but I hope I'm wrong

Get a small ish crate (just big enough for them to stand and turn), and at night put puppy in it and lay next to it. I luckily had a spare room so put puppy on one side of the double and slept onthe other side so puppy could hear me breathing/moving and know I was there.

When they wake at 1am 4am etc, straight out in the garden, don't talk, let them wee/poo, give them praise and then back to the crate, lights off and sleep. Night time if for quiet and sleep.

Did this for about a week and gradually moved the crate off the bed, then slowly into the corner beside my bedside table. She happily trotted into her crate after about a month every single night and loved it. It was just for bedtime.

Enjoy!! Puppies are the best and now I want another one!

What breed are you going for?
Our pup made our 2 a 3 in May, bits I would suggest-

Get a comfy bed- ours are from aldi, little girl chooses to go in it because it's toasty warm.

When you get a flexi extendable lead, get the tape lead not the cord, cord leads burn the back of your legs when puppa is running behind you.

We crated (and still crate) our girl, but she goes in there when she chooses.

Make sure your pup is allowed to be a dog, so scavenging and playing, but sleep time is like 16 17 hours a day.

If a brachy breed, think about a raised feeder.

When teaching sit, don't push their bum down (like we all used to when training) get their attention with food and raise it above their nose as they will sit to get their head higher.

Oh and just use kibble as treats rather than over feeding. In the beginning I measured out her daily food and gave her training food from her daily allowance.
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