Picking up six month old rescue dog this weekend - advice on how to be ready?

[mysteryfairy]

I'm excited but also terrified! We have literally nothing so a basics list of what I must buy would be good.

She is a Shih Tzu poodle cross so I think I need to be in a position to brush her daily from day one?

She is not crate trained and doesn't like crates. Is it too late to give this another try? She currently sleeps on her fosterer's bed with 2 other dogs.

Drive is about an hour and she has previously travelled with a harness. Would you be ok to do this or is a car crate safer?

I haven't arranged insurance yet but have just asked for confirmation of her DOB.

At the moment she is eating pedigree sachets - not clear which ones but have just messaged with a link of my guess to confirm. I'd hope to change this to a higher quality food but assume I'd be better with what she knows to start?

Sorry for random stream of consciousness - any advice appreciated!

How exciting! I would say yes to daily brushing (I have a long haired breed and brush after each walk as his fur gets matted in the harness) but start out slow and try not to pull on the fur more like stroking movements as she might not like to be brushed too much initially, if she was previously neglected.

I wouldn't crate her now if she's not used to it, unless you just have one like a den and have the door open at all times?

I would have someone in the back with the puppy and the harness is fine, again you could get her a crate but I'm thinking to try and keep everything as familiar as possible and not introduce too many new things at once.

With the food, give her what she is used to for a week or so and then can gradually move it to a better one :)

Good luck and post a pic once she is here!

Doggy basics list
Food and water bowls, also consider a non spill bowl for taking water out on trips.
Food that she is used to for the moment.
Grooming equipment, grooming gloves are good if pup is not used to being groomed.
Walkies stuff. Lead, collar with a tag with your name and contact number on. Harness if that is what pup is used to wearing for walks and in the car.
Towel. Pup will get wet and /or muddy
Dog bed of some sort. If pup is still at the chewing stage, a cushion or beanbag in a large cardboard box may be a good idea.
Toys. Depends on dog but perhaps a ball and some kind of tug of war toy and a soft toy. Ask her fosterer what she plays with now.
Lots of love, tolerance and the ability to laugh when things don't go as you planned

Get insurance sorted ASAP it won't cover any illnesses for about 2weeks to try stop fruadulant claims for any preexisting ailments, but usually does accidents. I know a lady that adopted a poodle pup and within first 24hrs it fell off sofa & broke its leg, lucky rescue pack included 4wk petplan cover (even with these Ideally you want to use to overlap not leave till end of period to sort out full policy.
Really need a minimum 7k per year vets fee's cover these days, but highest can afford. I'm with petplan as most vets/specialists happy to direct claim and haven't hiked the annual premiums by more than couple £'s a month even with oldies, even after claims. You get 14 days to read policy & change mind with whoever you pick

Think insurance will be Pet Plan or John Lewis as those are the ones I understand to be lifetime cover.

Unfortunately I struggled to understand the fosterer carer on the phone (and he probably felt the same about me) as he has a very strong regional accent and is also a bit elderly and mumbly. So I know she likes toys but not specifics and also that she walks well but not sure what type of lead on! I’m torn between buying some things today so we aren’t rushing straight back out tomorrow when we get her home and waiting to observe what she has/is used to....

Is it normal to take foster carer a present or gesture and if so any suggestions as to what. I’ll obviously be paying the adoption fee plus a donation but do I give something to him? A thank you card? A gift?

I have the same cross and found the only harness he can't escape from is a perfect fit!!!