Viewing a puppy tomorrow...

[Wotsitsareafterme]

If I bond with it I would be looking at picking him up beginning of July.

I have had a dog before but she was adult. Could you kind mners make me a list of what I would need please?
I have so far listed; stair gates, bed, bowls, pet insurance. Do I need a crate? What's this paper trading business?

Is it cheaper to bulk buy food and if do from where?

Puppy training classes yes or no? I found some locally but wonder if I can keep dd2 occupied during it she's 2. Dd1 would love it she likes order and learning.

Do you start routines immediately with a puppy?

I will be at home most of the time until well into September now so think this is a good time to bite the bullet with a much longed for dog.

They are cocker puppies btw

Toys can go to the top of your list. Tough, chewy type toys. Happy puppies chew. Sad puppies chew. Bored puppies chew. Playful puppies chew. If you don't provide toys, it will happily use furniture, shoes, door frames etc.

You will have to decide if you want to crate train or not. If so, blankets etc to go in and over the crate. The idea isn't to make it a cage but a safe, secure den your dog can be happy and comfortable in.

Again, food is different depending on your planned methods. Are you feeding cereals and tinned meats or raw feeding? There are various pet wholesale sites who do bulk feeds, but if you don't have much space and you're only feeding one pup, it probably won't be much of a saving.

Definite yes to classes! Social interaction is even more important than the training. Are they from a working bloodline? If so, stimulation is doubly important as pup might develop unwanted behaviours if it's brain is not regularly exercised.

Yes to routine, just like a child. It helps the dog to know how to behave and when. It might take a couple of weeks to settle into your routine though, so don't stress if it takes a while.

Hope that helps!

Thank you twiglet now you mention it a friend with a new puppy told me about the toys. I will let the kids choose they toys they will love that!

I would choose dry food if it's suitable. I don't like the tinned food smell but I will feed him whatever. My greyhound had dry food with gravy on it she thrived on that and it was so inoffensive.
I found a puppy training class that's overseen by the mayor sounds so official but might need to find a parking place for dd2 for an hour but it's not forever. I see what you mean about the socialisation I would have said that about kids too

Wear an old t-shirt today and put it in your washing basket tonight so it gets nice and smelly. If you like the puppy leave it with the breeder - that way the puppy will get used to your family's smell and you can take it home when you pick up the puppy as a comforter. We used an adaptil collar on our puppy when we got him and he was very chilled about coming to live with a load of strangers...

I'd keep the puppy on whatever food the breeder is using for the first couple of weeks. If you do want to change, gradually swap the new food for the old

Don't bother with puppy pads or newspaper on the floor - it's too confusing and will delay toilet training. Get some simple solution (from pets at home or other pet shops) as that will completely get rid of any traces of smell in case of any accidents

Crates can be fantastically useful but don't treat it as a substitute for training

Home-sourced treats are miles better than shop-bought ones - try little bits of cheese, cooked chicken, hot dogs, chorizo instead

If you're not happy with how the puppies are being raised, if you don't see at least the mother, walk away - don't be guilt-tripped into buying a puppy because you're rescuing it

It helps loads if it reassures you I'm seeing them with both their parents who are family pets

Your puppy training class is the mayor a member of APDT or another recognised training organisation, if not find somewhere else. There are lots of people with no formal training or accreditation running puppy classes that use out dated methods.
Start your routines from Day1.
Some puppies you bond with immediately, but others not so much they will still become good dogs with training.
I assume that you have checked all the correct health checks are in place and are of satisfactory scores.
Don't be afraid of walking away if the puppy is not right, best not to take the kids.

So, did they choose to breed them (as in, looked at health scores, familiy history etc), or did they just let it happen?

Hi all, breeder talked me through planned litters and health scores Etc I stayed 2 hours and has no pressure to buy but the puppies were stunning and glowing with health. I chose the smallest golden boy. Mum and dad were gorgeous and dad especially was exactly how I visualised my adult dog, sleek, glossy and full of beans and love. Thanks for the advice I felt prepared with a lot of questions all of which were carefully explained by the breeder

Ah lovely. What are you going to call him?

I want a puppy

No idea!! Think I will let the dds name him with some guidance. If i had taken to the black one I was quite keen on Bobby but I don't know now as I chose the golden one

Our friends have a golden one called Jarvis

I want a G name!