First puppy in a very long time....

[Newpuppyplanning]

We are finally getting a puppy and I'm very excited! Our last dog was a rescue so we didn't have to do the puppy stage. Dog before that was a puppy nearly 20 years ago. This will also be the first time I've had a puppy with young children. Any advice oh wise doghouse people?

Get this easy peasy puppy squeezy book It will help a lot and get you prepared before your new puppy arrives.

Make sure you have plenty of patience, and also the ability to keep the puppy and the young DC apart as needed.

And time. Puppies are utter time sinks: all that putting them out to pee, and clearing up whatever mess they have made (pee, ripped newspaper etc etc) and the training they will need. The training can be tricky with young DC in the picture, but it's not impossible.

They are lovely, but they are hard work.

Bloody hard work.

Do the research - that book is brilliant as is the Happy Puppy Book - a lot had changed since we last had a dog!

Sign up for puppy training if its running in your area.

Set up a safe space for them to go that the kids know is for the puppy and the puppy isn't to be disturbed.

Socialise lots - different places, sights, sounds. Get them used to the car. Teach them how to be on their own - gradually and slowly.

Don't encourage behaviour that won't be cute when they are all growed up!

Buy lots of toys and chews and have lots of playtime. Enjoy it. Ours is 9 months now and adorable - but I do miss the puppyness!

I'm going to get a crate for the living room so the puppy has a space to escape the kids. I'll get the books mentioned - thank you!

My recommendation is enforced nap times. Making sure puppy gets enough sleep will do wonders for behaviour. It will also give you some down time so that your last nerve is spared just a tiny tiny bit. Puppies like toddlers will go until they drop if you let them but like a toddler the likelihood of a tantrum increases when nap time is due.

Is there a space away from the living room if that's where kids and everyone is playing? A dining room, utility room etc? Sometimes that helps them settle, to have a much quieter area away from the noise. It will help them learn how to settle on their own as well, which is an important lesson to stop separation anxiety.

The living room doesn't have toys in it (in theory!). The kids have a huge playroom and their bedrooms for toys. I desperately try to keep the living room an adult space.