Please tell me it will be ok

[Allmynamesaretaken]

We get our new puppy in 4/5 weeks and I am soooo excited! It's a jack Russell and we have to travel 300 miles to get him. I have bought crates, beds, toys, bowls, collar and lead, poo bags, grooming brush, etc. I have read the "perfect puppy" and "owning a jack russell" and everything I can find on the net. Looked at vets, pet insurance and puppy classes. We have 3 teenagers who have been begging for a dog for years and I am at home all day with our 3 year old. I am just so worried that it will all go horribly wrong like it has with so many people.

Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated!

Judging by the preparation you've put in, I'm sure it will all turn out lovely. The biggest mistake people make is treating their pet like a substitute child. A dog is a child not a baby and as long as you remember that and treat him like a dog, you won't go far wrong. He needs consistency and firm but loving leadership, plenty of exercise, a good diet and training. It will be fine. Congratulations!

There are far more people for whom it has gone brilliantly than there are those who have struggled.

I'm sure you'll be fine!

Just to say, we got our puppy 2 weeks ago and he is fabulous... yes he is a mischief, and trails mud everywhere, and our sofas are covered in blankets, and house training is definitely hit and miss, but already he is a member of our family, and to see the way my DC light up when they see him in the mornings makes it all worthwhile. I love him to bits.. we all do.

You seem to have done all the prep, and you will find the time to spend with him, so don't worry.

In terms of tips: bear in mind that until he is vaccinated you wont be able to take him out too much and when he is little you can;t leave him for too long. So make the most of your freedom now...

Thank you all for replying, I have never posted before and it's really nice that you took the time to. I am also glad that you all think it will be fine. The kids think I am going to be a nightmare as I keep telling them things they can/cannot do, I don't want to be a nightmare, I want them to enjoy having a well behaved dog.
What kind of dog do you have wizzler? Did he cry at night? My 14 year old son wants to sleep beside him in the kitchen until he settles in!
I know he won't be able to go out but I have read that I should carry him to different places to socialise him, did you do this?

I carried my dog outside or she came in the car with me to friends houses etc. as I really wanted to socialise her as much as possible. I also let her socialise with friends dogs at my house before she was vaccinated (as I knew these dogs were vaccinated). It all paid off and she is a very dog and human friendly dog, who is also completely laid back about any loud noises, traffic etc. Its well worth the effort so good luck!

Sooo jealous! I have a lovely JRT, who has been briliant family member. You have taken the time to research, you will be fine!

You are right, socialisation is vital, mine is a little bit of a micheif bastard with other dogs and this is because i didnt socialise him as a pup.

Ask at your local vets, they might offer "puppy parties" these are free socialisation sessions for pups who have had their first vaccinations, which yours will have had by 8 weeks. These are brilliant socialising opportunities, they also get the dogs to see the vets as a fun place to be, also the nurses who run the clinics tend to pick a topic each week to talk about, and available for any questions you will be bound to have.

Oh and hes gonna yap the place down the first few nights, you have to be hard if you don't want him sleeping in your room. My dog sleeps in our bedroom so it wasn't an issue for us, but be prepared for a few sleepless nights.

My little dog ( Rafa)is a toy poodle.
He sleeps in a crate which is working brilliantly.
The first 4 nights we put the crate in our bedroom and he cried a little. The crate is now in the kitchen and most nights he is clean .
I set my alarm 30 mins earlier than normal for the mornings, and he and I enjoy some quality time in the garden while I drink coffee ( I am the one at work all day, DH looks after home, kids and puppy) before anyone else wakes up.. its quite a relaxing time!
My DC are much younger than yours, but we have a list of Rafa facts on the noticeboard whuch they can now recite ( leave him alone when he is in his crate, no one under 35 should pick him up, don't wake him when he is asllep etc et!)
I am trying to socialise him as much as possible, have introduced him to other dogs who I know are vaccinated, and various people. He seems quite a robust little chap so far.

We got our golden retriever puppy 2 weeks ago (same day as wizzler ) and it's been brilliant. She is already a member of our family and we are all in love with her. We put her in her crate in the kitchen from day 1, she cried for a couple of nights and has been brilliant since. We take her out at midnight and at 6 am and she is dry. Good luck and enjoy your pup, it's unbelievable how fast they grow!

wizzler - i saw the pics! What a gorgeous dog. It's good to see some good experiences of puppy ownership on here. there are some horror stories! Nice to even the balance

Allergic.. remind me of this post when I am tearing my hair out in a few months time!

wizzler, don't be tearing your hair out! I am getting my pup later in the year (fingers well and truly crossed....). I need posters like you to tell me it will be OK!!!! I am getting, hopefully, a yellow lab (though I am partial to black labs too) or a golden retriever and I cannot wait!!!! You are going to be my cyber guru . Sounds absolutely great to be a doggy mum.

I love hearing all your stories about your lovely puppies/dogs and all the helpful tips
I am so glad I have found "the doghouse"
Think I will be on here lots!