Picking up our new puppy next week.....never had a pup before....could I have a puppy shopping list and a few tips please?

[immortalbeloved]

I am very excited

But slightly overwhelmed too

We are very used to dogs and have had several, but I've never had a puppy ('tis something of a necessity this time... long story!)

So what do we need before we pick her up? Any any tips to make the first few days/weeks go a little smoother?

Thank you in advance

Obvious stuff - water/food bowl, bedding (nothing expensive as most pups eat their first bed!)lots of toys.

Crate
newspaper or puppy pads if you want to use them
anti-chew spray
old towels to dry pup from the rain
rag or such that smells of mum for first few nights
treats for house training

Check garden for any escape routes and fix.

Buckets of patience!!

Have lots of fun!

Also check which food she/he is eating at breeders and get some. If changing to a new food, this needs to be done gradually to avoid upsetting delicate tums.

Find out when breeder last wormed her and when she needs worming again.

Book with vet for first course of vaccs if not already done!

whoops forgot puppy collar and lead.

Although they can not go out for a while, until after vaccs done, you can get her used to the lead in the garden, will make it much easier when you do go out!

Huge quantites of paper towels and simple solution to clean up the huge amounts of liquid poo the puppy produces during and after the journey home (brought our 8 week old home yesterday and there was poo everywhere!)

A crate
spare bedding (due to reasons above)
basic grooming kit - brush and nail clippers
toys
collar and name tags
food - same as breeder
puppy pads
vets appointment
lots of time and patience

Have a radio handy so you can put it on low in the place where the pup is to sleep as this is supposed to make them feel less lonely.

Toy rotation chart. Ask newpup - she's an expert

Ha ha bella.

small alarm clock and hot water bottle!

wrap them in a blanket or jumper together and put in pups bed when sleeping, she will love the heat from the bottle and the ticking from the clock helps them to settle as it it a similar sound to mothers heart beat (apparently).

Oh and a camera so you can take and share piccys with us

No, seriously, should you wish to be a proper puppy owner and Do Things Properly, you will find than an excel spreadsheet of puppy's toys will help immensely.

Actually, I'm a bit lax. Mine is handwritten .

And many congrats, btw.

My tip is to kiss their lovely soft puppy tummies as often as you can before they turn into 35kg brutes

Mine is going to turn into a 7 lb ankle nipper

One of my cats is heavier than that, spugs

Congratulations, though

Mine will be a 70kg whopper bella

Thanks so much for all the tips everyone, I really appreciate it

I am mix of excited and nervous at the moment but I'm sure we'll be fine, I'm just very concious of wanting to do everything properly iyswim

and on that note.....is a puppy crate essential? I've heard them talked about and I can underdtand why they'd be useful, but do we have to get one do you think?

70 kg? Swiss Mountain Dog? Newfie? Tell, please

Would put puppy crate top on the list, tbh.

mastiff my boy dog is already over 70kg

So a puppy crate is essential then? Ok great thanks I shall add it to my list, do they have to sleep in them all night? Is it ok to have it in the bedroom? Sorry for all the questions

Oh wow. Fantastic dogs

I'd definitely get a crate. Makes house training easier and gives you a safe place to put pup when you can't watch them. Also gives pup a nice cosy den for much needed sleep/naps

You can put the crate in your room if you want, by all means. I have 2 existing dogs and put my new pup in our room for the first couple of nights, then she went into the kitchen with the other dogs and jumps into her crate very happily.

If you decide to use puppy training pads, check out the Boots Staydry bed mats - only £2.99 for 10, a lot cheaper than specific pet ones.

Very best of luck

Hide all your nice shoes ismy top tip.

ouch!

crates are essential for over night and when out!! stop them having accidents (as long as not left too long!) as they see it as their own little bed (put bed in crate) - we move crate whereever we are to start with) but always carry pup from crate to garden to do a week (to save for accidents on the way!!)

simple solution is a must have - pets at home sell it and is the best thing for getting rid of the scent etc of any accidents!

I would skip the training pads (as just have to train them to use the garden anyway) and go straight to taking them out in the garden every half hour or so for the first few days, with lots of praise when perform, then just watching closely and taking out after food, when wake up, after playing etc!

good luck and have fun xxx