We got a puppy!!! Please help prepare me for her arrival!

[clpsmum]

Thanks to all the fab mumsnetters that helped and advised me on which breed to go for. We decided on another cavalier King Charles. We've chosen a little girl and can collect her in three weeks.

Wondering if you can offer your advice as to what I need to do, buy, read etc etc before her arrival?

Life skills for puppies is a fab book, the crate has been our saviour, ditto puppy kongs and busy buddy treat dispensing toys, you'll need a clicker and get watching the kiko pup videos (and have a look through moosemama's threads - she is responsible for a lot of puppy-related spending ;)

Hi there and congratulations! I would say don't spend too much to begin with as you aren't quite sure what they'll like or need until they arrive. Just get the obvious basics.

Places like pets at home allow dogs in and at first when you can't put them on the ground, it's a good little socialisation trip to go shopping for bits and carry puppy with you or place in trolley! The puppy gets lots of attention and you get to choose things that you really need.

I cut up an old duvet into 5 pieces, placed in old pillowslips and scattered these pillows in likely puppy friendly places so our puppy would have a few places to sleep. They get so dirty now I'm glad we have a few to rotate in wash. We decided to wait to buy a proper bed until he's fully grown and hopefully will have stopped chewing and humping his bed by then!!