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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

We might be getting a rescue puppy on Friday - what do we need to get?

20 replies

MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 19:26

It's all happened quite quickly. I applied for a 4 month old rescue puppy today that's being brought back from crete. Having a home check tomorrow. If we're successful we would need to be ready to collect on Friday evening! I've always had dogs growing up and spend a lot of time around dogs, but it's been a long time since being around a puppy. What would we need to get other than the obvious like food, bed and lead?

Is it a good idea to have a crate/cage?

OP posts:
Daisydoesnt · 13/10/2020 19:29

Blimey OP you don't really sound like you've thought this through if you don't even know what you're going to need, or if a crate is a good idea?!

Are you sure you've really thought about this properly? A puppy changes your life - it's like having a baby only they start crawling on day one and stop stop for about 12 -15 years.

Original poster
MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 19:36

I do realise that a dog will completely change our way of life. It's not something we've just had an idea to do today. We've talked about it for a long time and have waited until our children are old enough. It's just that this dog came up today and it's moved along quite quickly. I know what I need to look after a dog, I just thought it would be a good idea to hear from people that have experienced the puppy stage more recently than I have, in case they recommend anything I had not thought of.

OP posts:
newpup123 · 13/10/2020 19:38

We have a new puppy. So far we have crate, blankets, towels, toys, food & bowls, training treats, collar & lead

AlternativePerspective · 13/10/2020 19:40

Personally I wouldn’t get a dog from abroad, especially a four month old puppy which is likely to not have been socialised and which they are going to get rid of at such short notice. Finding out today that a puppy (presumably more than one) will be coming into the country on Friday sounds distinctly dodgy.

But either way, food/bed/toys, you could get a crate but if the puppy has been kennelled or kept in a cage on a puppy farm then a crate could be traumatising for it...

BiteyShark · 13/10/2020 19:42

Vet
Pet insurance
Poo bags
Head torch for toilet trips in night
Crate/play pen/Baby gate
String toys for the chewing
Food
Training treats
Lead, collar and name tag

I am sure I have forgotten lots.

Squiffany · 13/10/2020 19:43

What reason do they give for this puppy being available? Will they take it back if you get it checked at your own vet and all is not as it seems? Is it a reputable and registered charity?

How much are you paying for the puppy?

Original poster
MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 20:20

It is a registered charitable organisation and I know of someone who has adopted a dog from them. They have a social media presence and website and I've been following them for some time.

I can ask more questions tomorrow. It's not a forgone conclusion yet. I just want to be as prepared as I can if we are successful in our application and if we proceed. The puppy will have been vet checked and vaccinated but obviously not neutered yet. We would have him neutered when he's old enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 20:21

The fee is £400

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 13/10/2020 20:23

Towels, blankets & cleaning items for any accidents! Of which there may be many! Get some insurance quotes together. Check what food he’s been fed. Dog bowls. Good luck!

Floralnomad · 13/10/2020 20:41

We decided on a Thursday that we were going to have a dog and got a 4/5 month old puppy from Battersea on the Sunday , it was fine . He came with a collar / lead / some food / antibiotics for his kennel cough , we had only gone up to have a look and see what they had available so had nothing ready . I called my sister on the way home and she bought over her doggy playpen and went to PAH for me and bought bowls and a couple of toys to start us off . We never had a crate , just used the pen for a couple of weeks then dog proofed part of the hallway for when we were out / asleep . He was our first family dog , youngest child was 11 although we had lots of dog experience in my extended family .

Skyla2005 · 13/10/2020 20:49

Well done for rescuing. Don’t listen to people trying to deter you. It’s a really great thing to do. Wish more people would do it instead of encouraging more breeding We rescued ours and have never looked back. They need time and patience to settle in I would advise a crate with a comfy bed at the back with blankets and newspaper at the front incase he needs toilet in the night. I think they feel safer in there for sleeping but we covered the bars up with blankets to it was more like a den all cosy. We also took her to the vet to have a proper check up and get registered and signed up for the monthly flea and worm plan so we don’t forget to do it. Good luck

Ellovera2 · 13/10/2020 20:58

Hey OP. I'm sure you've considered all of this but I was like you, too. Had previous dog experience, did loads of research, recognised charity, did all the prep. Everyone (Inc the charity) said 4 months is so young just like a puppy he won't have any issues.
I absolutely adore my dog from abroad but his issues are too lengthy to go in to here (1 year on). We can't go for walks when other people are about, he can't see other dogs, he is terrified of everything outside our home, we can't take him on holiday (so don't go), we can't have people to our house. Fear reactivity is something no one ever mentioned to me and you would not believe how much it affects your life. We trained and tried to socialise from day 1 and now pay a lot for a behaviourist. We are making progress but it's honestly harder than I would have imagined and I probably wouldn't have done it if I'd have known. It's certainly not the lifestyle I had imagined and it's going to be a very long difficult journey.
I love my dog but wish someone had said this to me. I was trying to do the right thing and was so against getting a dog from a breeder. An older rescue from the UK with a known history would have been better.

Moondust001 · 13/10/2020 20:59

This is massively rushed. You applied for a 4 month old puppy today? To get quarantine free entry to the UK a dog must have its rabies innoculation, which cannot be given until it is a minimum of 12 weeks old, ad then a clear test 30 days after that. That is cutting it scarily close for a four month old rescue - it was rescued at birth? Then they decided to place it without a single check as to the potential home environment - you applied today and it's supposed to be arriving Friday.

You may be the best possible ever adopters - but this is definitely not the best possible rehomers because there is nothing at all that gives confidence here.

Original poster
MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 20:59

@Floralnomad that's good to hear that it turned out well. When I was in my early twenties I went with my parents and a dog they already had to the local dogs trust and we ended up coming home that day with a scruffy white terrier who stole our hearts and had a fab life until he died age 15.

We may be on a learning curve with a puppy but we've got a lot of love to give and we live in the middle of the countryside with fields and walks literally right on our doorstep and a good sized garden.

OP posts:
Ellovera2 · 13/10/2020 21:01

Meant to say I've had rescues from the dogs Trust before so I am experienced. These dogs from abroad can be extremely traumatised and since getting him I've discovered so many people in the same situation (online support forums). It's an amazing thing to do but think hard about it.

Original poster
MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 21:03

@Ellovera2 that's interesting and certainly food for thought.

OP posts:
AlwaysLatte · 13/10/2020 21:05

Aw how lovely!!
One thing that I found enormously helpful was an enclosure I could take them to outside for a wee at night without them having the run of the entire garden in the dark! (our current one was an autumn puppy). Then after they've been (and you've rewarded them :-) you can move the bars so the poop is now outside the enclosure so the pup can't tread in it!

PicklePorkPie · 13/10/2020 21:10

A crate is a great idea ime. It gives somewhere safe for them and for you to.place them.

Food bowl, water, lead, collar, blankets, bed, car crate/ seat belt, food, toys, chews.

Get registered with vet to check vaccines, wormers, lots of love, patience, time, training,more love,more patience and kindness.

Good luck and enjoy him too. Everyone has strong opinions in dogs (especially on mumsnet) but I've found dog ownership both lovely and testing. But much more loveliness!!

Original poster
MistyMinge2 · 13/10/2020 21:22

The reason for the quick turnaround is because they'd ideally like him to go straight to his adopters, rather than settle him in a Foster home, only to be moved again. They do have fosterers if needed but would rather not put him through being moved again. I am compiling a list of questions to go through tomorrow and your replies are helping with that.

OP posts:
M0rT · 13/10/2020 21:29

I have a puppy, you will need ankle boots...for the biting 😂
Good luck, they are adorable if exhausting!

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