Puppy arriving soon - what advice

[russianred]

We have been on the waiting list with a reputable breeder for a year. Puppies were born 10 days ago and we are committed to having one. I am a bit concerned about the implications in the current climate. Can anyone advise? Thank you.

If they are only 10 day old then you have a few weeks before they would come to you which is good as things might have changed by then (being optimistic and hopeful).

The main consideration would be the vaccinations (lack off) and where we are with the social distancing. Given most vets are emergency only general checkups to make sure the puppy is healthy probably won't happen. Therefore you need to consider that you might not be able to walk your puppy outside for a long time because of the vaccination delay which will delay proofing training in different situations.

Also if you are struggling with anything the lack of dog trainers that you could normally contact face to face wouldn't be available if we are still in this situation.

Another thing to consider which can happen anytime but now puts it into clear view is what would you do if your household were ill. Fortunately my dog is now old enough that he would just sit and take himself off into the garden. A puppy would need to toilet every few mins hours and could destroy/chew/ingest lots of things they shouldn't if not adequately supervised even in what you think is a puppy proofed room.

If you are committed then I would try and get all the basics by delivery now as popping out to the shops might be harder but who knows as it changes so quickly at the moment. I would also try and see if there are any trainers who might be happy to advise over the phone for training plans and advice etc.

How are you getting this puppy OP as collecting it / having someone bring it to you surely doesn't count as an essential journey.

That is a concern of ours too. The puppies are relatively local to us - and it is 6 weeks away. I guess the breeders may find themselves with 9 extra doggos for some time if nothing has changed.

Thank you for all of that brilliant advice - noted!

Good luck OP

I’m in the same position. Obviously the puppies were conceived before any of this so we weren’t to know at the time.

My pup is due to come to me in 5 weeks. My breeder says we will see what happens at the time and if she needs to keep the pups until a time when we are just social distancing rather than on lockdown then so be it. We’ve also been advised that we can still socialise pup because it doesn’t require contact - we can carry pup to the main road to let pup see and hear the cars, we can take pup to the parade of shops locally and let pup see and hear the people all without actually letting people approach.

We got a puppy 3 weeks ago before all this really got implemented and now have the problem that we cant walk him as he hasnt had his second jabs and the vets arent doing them now. We cant socialise home or take him anywhere for training which was what we planned to do. Luckily we have another dog at home but is still going to impact him.

Hello OP! What puppy are you going to get?

Our much wanted miniature poodle was born 10 days ago, so 9 weeks from now will be coming home with us. Hoping the worst will be over by then.

We are getting a Fox Red Labrador, also conceived (obviously) way before we knew this would be what it is. We are doing to select our pup via video and with the breeder's guidance. He is brilliant and we feel confident will guide us well. She will eventually be a therapy dog at a forest school nursery - at least that was the plan - so the implications for socialisation are quite big. She will have my three to start off with, I guess!

Oh lucky you, I love red labs. Mine is also going to be coming to school with me (in a less official role!) as I work in a SEN secondary. So socialisation is going to be my biggest focus, which I know could potentially be really hard if things are still in lockdown levels (or worse).

But, we shall make do! Mine was born on the 18th and we've agreed 10 weeks old to come home to us, as long as we can travel by then. So end of May.

Had a lovely reassuring chat with the breeder today. Lovely man. Feel a lot better, but the fact remains that there is the issue of collection! We are so excited - had a horrible experience last year where we did our research but found ourselves at what was clearly a puppy farm set-up in a residential house and had to walk away from the puppies. These doggos have an Instagram page (!!) where we can follow every step and it is so clear that they are lovely people who love dogs.

Sounds like he's a good breeder who will look after the puppy's if he ends up having to hold onto them.

Haha, that's cute! I feel so sorry for your experience last year, you all must have been so disappointed. Our breeder is lovely too and clearly dog mad- she has so many of her own, all very well loved and looked after.

I am itching to start shopping. I've already ordered a dog tag!

Hi all. What are we thinking about puppy collections now? I am due to pick mine up in 3 weeks. Thanks x

My friend collected her puppy yesterday, she arranged a collection time with the breeder who put the puppy in a pen in the garden shortly before they arrived. The breeder then waved them off from the back door. My friend bathed the pup when she got it home and that was that!

Just had a text from my breeder today. We have to use a pet transporter company as we live 5.5 hour away

Don’t love bomb your dog and be around it 24/7, as when you go back to work it will not be able to handle being alone and bark all fecking day pissing the neighbours right off.

Somehow work out how to be apart from it sometimes so it can get used to that being normal without it freaking out, perhaps using a crate and a kong to keep it occupied for a minute or two building up to longer while you are all in a different room or in the garden or something.

Your dog will be better equipped for being alone in future and your neighbours won’t have to report you to the council noise people.

The current guideline for the veterinary industry are in place for 3 weeks, who knows how long they'll continue after that. Probably be best for the breeder to hold onto them a bit longer, I would imagine restrictions will be relaxed re vaccines as stopping vaccinations for too long would become a hazard to human health (lepto).