Please could I have some advice on puppy stuff?

[threetinytots]

Have reserved my new puppy today and am very excited!

We won't get him for another 4 weeks, but want to be all prepared, so what things do I need to buy? Have thought about the obvious stuff, like a bed and bowls but would also appreciate some advice on what you think would be the best kind to get? Many thanks

imo the most important thing to get is a good book - one that will guide you through everything. I found this one brilliant - it has teh practical stuff and ways of starting training from day one.

you also need to think about whether you want a crate. we didn;t use one - we had a very dog proof kitchen and we were fine without - but some people swear by them.

other stuff - lots of toys. and you need to think about ways of dog-proofing the house - if a dog chews a shoe, it's really not his fault - he;s just being a dog - it's our fault for leaving it accessible - so have a good like round the house and see if you need to get some storage bits and pieces to protect shoes etc.

there's lots more advice in that book (and, I'm sure lots more from mners). what breed are you getting?

Thanks hatwoman, didn't think about a book. The one you recommend sounds great!

I think we will probably get a crate - thought it would be good for when we are out and also for night times as a safe place for the pup.

Will definately look into storage for anything that is likely to be chewed! And lots of toys in the hope of preventing chewing!

What is the best way to bring him home in the car? Should I get a soft carrier, or will he be ok just in the boot?

We are getting a nova scotia duck tolling retriever.

just been to look them up in my book (not the Haynes one...my lovely reference book with pics of every breed) - they look lovely. and imo gun dogs are great - very clever and trainable, child friendly.

most books say they shoud be restrained in the car - either in a crate or with a harness, or one of those dog barrier things. I think the main issue is that if you do have an accident a dog that isn't contained will do him/herself - and you - serious damage. I have to confess though that we have been lax about this. we bought one of those barrier things but the blummin thing kept collapsing and eventually broke - and we haven't got round to replacing it . On his first journey home we just put him in the boot with a blanket - and tried our hardest to ignore his whines (as per the advice in the book - don;t reward behaviour you want to stop). thankfully we didn;t have a long journey.

it's so exciting having a new one...our lab is a year now and I've got a slight case of canine broodiness!

For coming home and travelling to the vet when you have a new puppy, we used to pop ours in a box on the passenger's lap, so we could talk to them and make sure they were OK and not rolling around the boot. Once they outgrew this, we put them in the boot behind a dog rack (we have 2 enormous labs).

Think a crate is a good idea, and lots of chewy toys for them. And a mop and bucket and lots of floor cleaner. And if you can find out from the breeder what food they are using, you could make sure you have some of this ready for them - doesn't matter if it isn't your food of choice as you can gradually change it, but for the first week or so it is good to keep using the same food.

This is my favourite puppy book:

here

I'd also strongly recommend classes - puppy socialisation ones first (ask at your vets) then obedience classes.

Get some second hand towels from a charity shop - very useful for bedding in the early days when they get soiled a lot

All the best!

Oops!

here

Thank you all. Will get both books that have been recommeded - so hopefully I will be a puppy expert by the time we get him!

The towels are a great idea, will definately be scouring the charity shops. I have been looking into local puppy classes too. I presume they can't go to these until they have had their last set of jabs?

Also, with the crates, what size do you think I should get? Are the metal cage type better or worse than the ones with fabric ones?

Yes, you can start puppy socialisation once he's fully vaccinated, and proper obedience classes are usually from about 16 weeks old.

There's a critical 'window' when they will adapt to new situations and experiences without fear, and this ends at 14-16 weeks (depending on who you read!!!) so it's very important to get them out meeting other dogs before then.

I've never used the fabric crates (too worried they would be chewed) and I usually buy the biggest size recommended for the breed (most of the manufacturer's sites will list their crate sizes for particular breeds).

HTH [BGRIN]

am having no luck whatsoever with my smileys today!