Cockerpoo Puppy arriving in 10 days - help

[ShallallalAa]

Posting for traffic and advice thanking you all ever so much - we put our names down for a cockapoo puppy from a registered breeder months ago and the puppy will be ready for collection in 2 weeks. We are confident the breeder is reputable and have had personal recommendations for them which we trust. I work from home 80 percent of the time now so confident we can look after the puppy properly long term.
I have never owned a dog before but DP has always had dogs and I am feeling very out of my depth, especially with the arrival during lockdown.
We have visited the breeder and met the parents before the lockdown but we have not met the puppy before lockdown. We have been sent regular videos and all looks lovely and I trust that that the puppy is well and healthy.
DP will pick up puppy by physically distancing from the breeder at handover, taking all the precautions and the breeder is about 5 miles away - I think this would be classed as essential travel wouldnt it?
We are going to pick up essentials from Pets At Home in the next couple of days - crate, toys, bed, pads, food. Anything else? The puppy is on a raw meat diet I understand should we continue this?

What are your top puppy /cockerpoo puppy tips?

What will we do about puppy socialisation?

The puppy arrives microchipped (breeder does it) with first vaccines but we do the next ones - need to find a vet we like I am guessing?

I don't like the sound of crating though - is rhis really the only way?

Our house is quite small - where should the puppy have its own space ideally?

Should I get a shark pet hoover to deal with the hairs?

Thank you!!

You must have a dog breeding licence if either:

you run a business that breeds and sells dogs
you breed 5 or more litters in a year and sell any of the puppies

www.gov.uk/dog-breeding-licence-england-scotland-wales

I really don't think you need a dog sling, your dog isn't going to fit in one for long and while it's that small just carry it in your arms.

A harness is a good idea, I have a julius k9 one and I don't like it - it seems to restrict my dogs movement so I'm on the hunt for one with a Y shaped front instead of a strap that goes across her chest

@vanillandhoney

I didn't know that. Quite worrying now I think about it.

Do you think registering with kennel club guarantees standards though?

We just got a shark it very good with long hair but also recommend a terminator hairbrush as well

I really don't think you need a dog sling, your dog isn't going to fit in one for long and while it's that small just carry it in your arms.

There are lots of people on the lock down socialising thread who have said they found them incredibly useful it gets tiring seeing even a small pup in arms very quickly.

Sorry I can't recommend a brand but if you pop over to that thread you'll probably find a recommendation there

How exciting! We have possible cockapoo (rescue so not sure) and got her age 2 so no puppy experience. Our first dog so we felt a bit like you but trust your instincts, it will be a wonderful addition to your family.
Top tip- tone of voice is everything! Doesn’t really matter so much what you say but they understand a low, serious tone and a high, upbeat tone. Keep it simple and enjoy.

Yes this is evidently a commercial breeder churning out crossbreeds for financial gain

Its not the sort of place I'd want to support and I'd definitely want details of health checks.

@ShallallalAa I don't want to sound critical but you don't really seem to have done a lot of research in this area?
Its really important that your pup comes from parents with good temperaments and is raised in a home environment as that genetic and environmental legacy will have lifelong impacts on behaviour. Have you met both parents?

Can I strongly suggest that you approach the breeder about using the puppy contract
puppycontract.org.uk/
There's lots of good info on that website for you do consider as a puppy buyer and no reputable breeder will have a problem with it.

Do you think registering with kennel club guarantees standards though?

Personally, no. It helps weed out some dodgy breeders but it's by no means failsafe!

My DDog , (yes she is DDog not just Dog) travels on a childs booster seat tied In with a god seatbelt clip. She also sleeps with DD6 and i, in one big bed, makes her feel like part of the pack .
Dogs are so therapeutic and relaxing that I'd break lockdown to collect him as a mental health necessity.
I don't approve of crates at all - if you value your soft furnishings more than your pet then dont get a dog! But then I hate seeing anything caged, it's totally unnatural and wrong.

This is our boy. He’s nearly 6.

We keep his fur cut short because he will go from being fine and no matts one day to covered in them the next- he goes to the groomer every 6 weeks (fortunately he had just been groomed before lockdown!).

He was incredibly easy to train and is very food motived. He loves other dogs and we are part of a local poodle cross walking group and (in normal times) walk with them three times a week. He also goes to a doggy day care once a week.

He does resource guard but if I throw a bit of cooked chicken at him he releases the item no problem.

We used a crate for the first 7-8 months but then he decided he didn’t want it anymore so we stopped. He has a bed behind a chair 8n the corner of the living room where he likes to hide.

I’m home all day but he’s happy to be left on his own- I slowly built it up from 30 minutes at a time.

Get physical proof of all tests, vaccinations, health checks etc. You're purchasing a live sentient being and you need to get it right. If anything seems wrong don't be afraid to walk away. A friend bought 2 cockapoos and at their first vet check was advised to give them back due to health issues.The heartbreak was horrendous for them.
I'm sure it will all work out fine but it's an emotive subject and i live beside one of the largest puppy farms in Europe so it's hard to ignore.

I was exactly the same as you OP. Zero experience. I read loads, asked on here, asked other dog owners etc I got my dog just before Christmas.

You are just as able to be a great dog owner as well as anybody else. Just do your research and be open.

A crate is fantastic! You're giving your dog a safe secure place of their own. Best thing we did. It is SO NOT like having a baby re sleep training or crying training etc!

You might love your dog like a baby ( we do!) but they are DOGS.

You CAN do socialisation things. Carry your pup out and about. Take them out see the bins being done and any street life you can. The supermarket queue. obviously not touching the ground.

The best thing we bought was the car seat strap that you just plug into your car seat to keep them secure. He soon got used to going in the car with treats and reassurance. You could do trips around the block.

You can do this OP!!!

My rescue girl.No idea what she is for sure. We were first time owners and the first fortnight was full on but wouldn’t be without her now. She’s a gentle, loyal soul. Good luck.

People need to calm the fuck down about being Council licensed.
My Council requires licenses for everybody breeding ‘for profit’ ie everybody except hobbiests. So even just one litter a year they require a license. That way we can ensure the conditions are adequate, the dogs are healthy and the puppies are sold with the correct vaccinations, chips, paperwork etc.

OP, you’ve had some good advice on here, plus the predictable comments about poodle crosses, buying a puppy instead or rescue etc.

Everyone brings up a puppy different.
Structure, routine and patience are the main things.

Crating provides a safe space for the dog, a good idea is to feed the puppy in the crate, with the door open, so they can go in and out as they wish.
Then set a rule that your children must not touch the dog when in the crate.

Good luck and photos when possible please!!

Cockerpoos are hard work at the best of times....you are going to struggle in these times I don't know why people are going out buying puppies right now...boredom? I'm guessing slot of dogs are going to rehomed after lockdown.

Get a crate but you don't need to shut him in it. Leave the door open, but you'll find that most dogs like to go in to their own safe space.

Please use a crate as you have a 5 year old. It's not a cage - it is a safe space for the puppy.

I don't know why people are going out buying puppies right now...boredom? I'm guessing slot of dogs are going to rehomed after lockdown.

Surely anyone with a reserved puppy just now did so long before any hint of lock down. My pup was conceived at the end of December but had been planned for months previously. Cockapoo breeders tend to have waiting lists however the one my sister got the mum was scanned in pup with 7 and went on to have 12 🙈. So i suppose sometimes there are spares.

God, there are some spiteful comments here!

No - people aren’t buying puppies now through boredom 🙄 You go on waiting lists for puppies.

No - being licensed by the council doesn’t mean the breeders has 5+ litters a year and “churns” them out.

No - cockapoos aren’t “hard work at the best of times”. My friends cockapoo was easier than many pedigree puppies.

Yes - There are some people who get off on putting a dampener on other people’s joy and get pleasure from sowing doubt and upset.

So lovely to see all the lovely dogs and thank you for the encouragement!
I really don't want to support a puppy farm and I think these people are reputable breeders. Their dogs live in the house with them and they seem keen and concerned about the dogs welfare what we do etc.
I have tried for years to adopt but have been turned down repeatedly by rescue shelters due to the children's ages, so turned to getting a dog this way. Wasn't sure what else to do, to be honest.
Here is the text I received just now from the breeder, and she has sent over the dads health certificate... Does it all sound OK?

Hi there they were born on the 3rd March , they are wormed fortnightly with Drontal from 2 weeks old. He is having his first vaccination on 23rd April and I can send you a copy of the dads PRA certificate, the mum hasn’t been tested but we haven’t ever had any health issues with her. The second vaccine has to be compatible with the first which is Canigen DHPPI and Lepto 2. I will put worming info and flea treatment on your information sheet when you take him and feeding routine etc .

You are allowed to drive to exercise as long as the length of the exercise exceeds the time taken for the journey.

Pick up the pup on the way back from a half hour walk nearby.

She sounds well organised OP. Don't worry, majority of mumsnet won't be happy unless you rescue a lurcher but even then few people pass the test of being acceptable to have a dog. You've actually had it quite easy 😆

I got my first puppy 13 years ago, a very well bred lab with all the tests and some field champions on his KC paperwork, though he was from someone's pet. He is amazing and still likes a good walk now but has 1 sore elbow. Very good going. I have also had over the years 2 rescue dogs, who came with plenty of baggage but were healthy and came with no guarantees and have been just as rewarding.

@ShallallalAa

Just seen you have a small child

It is ESSENTIAL that you are familiar with the principles of active supervision and canine stress signals
The following links are useful
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs/

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/company/children

https://doggonesafe.com/Dogbiteepreventionforrparents

cooperandkids.com/teaching-your-child-how-to-interact-with-dogs/

Active supervision: