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The doghouse

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Picking puppy up today. Really nervous

23 replies

CleverQuacks · 01/08/2022 12:28

Hi all
The day has come for me to collect my puppy. She is a cocker spaniel. I am really really nervous! I want to get this right and worried about the puppy blues etc. Any first day suggestions?

OP posts:
Pantouffle · 01/08/2022 12:43

Why are you anxious? Have you owned a dog before?

Presumably if you're picking your puppy up today you've actually done your homework and are fully prepared. If not why not?

Get yourself 'Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy' by Steve Mann asap. It's a great book full of practical, easy to follow advice for bringing up a happy dog

CleverQuacks · 01/08/2022 13:39

Yes I have owned a dog before and I have already read that book along with a few others but getting a new puppy is a life changing situation. I think being anxious is expected. I was kind of looking for some top tips for the first 24 hours.

OP posts:
user1477249785 · 01/08/2022 13:44

It's normal to be anxious but there's always a contingent on Mumsnet ready to tell you you aren't ready for a puppy. Ignore them.

First 24 hours: reconcile yourself to not much sleep! But most of all enjoy it. You are about to meet your new family member.

LizzieBet14 · 01/08/2022 13:57

We brought our puppy home a few weeks ago & we were nervous too! My husband has had dogs before but me & the kids hadn't!
We were so keen to get it right & we got through with a mixture of love, cuddles & giving him time to adjust. Obviously we had everything ready at home for him eg food, bed, toys etc but we just took his lead. If you've got kids i think it's important that you try to manage their expectations (this was probably the hardest bit for me & they're teenagers!
We 'puppy-proofed' everywhere & probably did too much.... I was nervous about how the first night would go so I slept downstairs too. Luckily he was great and I only had to spend one night with him as he settled well.
Good luck - we can't remember life before him!!

LizzieBet14 · 01/08/2022 14:09

Ps And don't forget to take lots of photos - they change so quickly ❤️

ohblowmedown · 01/08/2022 14:19

First 24 hours....put her out for toileting very regularly (every time she wakes from a nap, after playing, after eating or drinking), use a key word for going to the toilet so she associates it with going, give lots of praise.

If you're crate training feed her in the crate, play with her in the crate (not you inside it obvs) place her in it when she is napping, so she builds a positive relationship with it.

I wouldn't have visitors, just keep things calm and give her time to bond with you.

Play with her, but have plenty of calm time as well, try not to over stimulate. Allow her time to get used to her surroundings. Good luck!

PortalooSunset · 01/08/2022 16:34

Well the very first thing you need to do is post a picture on here!

FuckingHateRats · 01/08/2022 17:57

We need a photo!!

How exciting ❤️

Definitely echo the advice about taking outside very regularly and praising toileting outside. When I think back to a month ago, our pup was weeing every half an hour or so!

FizzyBiscuits · 01/08/2022 18:47

We get our pup home in a couple of weeks and I'm nervous too. I think it's normal because, as you say, you want to get it right from the start.

Following for the tips!

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 01/08/2022 19:32

Presumably if you're picking your puppy up today you've actually done your homework and are fully prepared. If not why not?

No need to piss on her chips!

I don't know anyone who wasn't nervous bringing their puppy home. It's totally normal to be - it's a massive change in your life!

Impossiblepossibilities · 01/08/2022 20:48

Pantouffle · 01/08/2022 12:43

Why are you anxious? Have you owned a dog before?

Presumably if you're picking your puppy up today you've actually done your homework and are fully prepared. If not why not?

Get yourself 'Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy' by Steve Mann asap. It's a great book full of practical, easy to follow advice for bringing up a happy dog

I’ve had dogs for over 30 years, but I am always nervous when we bring home a new pup. It’s completely normal and if anything, shows that you care enough to want to really try to get things right.

OP, I brought my latest pup home 4 weeks ago and I was nervous too. Most importantly, try to relax and enjoy her. They are only little for a short time and all she really needs at first is to learn that you are her people and that she can trust you to have her back. Lots of love, cuddles and fun. Swapsies when/if she gets hold of something you don’t want her to have, distract from things she’s heading for that aren’t a great idea and reward her generously when she gets things right. Keep things calm at home and limit visitors at first, while she learns it’s her safe place and gets use to your routines. It’s all about love, trust and confidence, they’re your foundations to build a happy confident dog

As others have said, take her outside every half an hour for toiletting and reward her when she goes. Ignore any accidents indoors. You will gradually get to know her pattern/timings, which means it gets easier.

Naps are absolutely essential. Overstimulation is the main source of land-sharking and a well rested pup is more receptive to learning. If she struggles to settle, licking and chewing are the two activities that will help her calm down and start to feel snoozy. Lickimats (supervised) are good for this and my boy loves the ostrich tendons and bones (which aren’t as stinky or messy as some chews) for a good old chewing session.

First and foremost though have fun!

Hotenoughtoburnasausage · 01/08/2022 20:51

Op you really can't expect folk to believe you have a squishy dpuppy without photo evidence..

Northernsoullover · 01/08/2022 20:53

I'm just here for the pics 😊

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 01/08/2022 20:54

Photograph please or we don't believe you 😉.
Bringing home a new puppy is a huge responsibility, so if you are a a mix of excited and anxious it shows you are taking your responsibility seriously.
Enjoy every second!

SchoolNightWine · 01/08/2022 20:56

Prepare everyone for the biting stage - they are not known as cockerdiles for nothing😬 Usually worse when they are tired, which is very often at first. Teaching them to settle and sleep right from the start will make life with a spaniel so much easier.
Enjoy - they are the best🥰
Oh yeah, and where's the photo!

NellesVilla · 01/08/2022 21:07

Photo please, OP!

Proud dog mum here. First and foremost, lots of love, cuddles and patience. Regular toilet visits to garden and praise when she ‘goes’. Not too much exercise out of home too soon.

Enjoy her! They’re lovely and I’ve never met a spaniel I didn’t fall in love with!

WinterMusings · 01/08/2022 21:19

Spaniels are THE best!!

I can't wait to see her photos!!

I am SO envious! I can't wait until I can have another spaniel (lifestyle currently unsuitable-sadly)

just give her lots of cuddles & lots of wee trips outside & a safe/quiet spot for lots of napping!!

CleverQuacks · 02/08/2022 13:09

She is home and running round like she owns the place already. She slept all night last night (10 til 6) which really surprised me. Only had one accident in side so far. I love her so much!

OP posts:
LizzieBet14 · 02/08/2022 13:31

Can we see her please? 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Userss88 · 02/08/2022 19:56

Hope you have a lovely first afternoon with your new family member.
What did you call her? Please share a pic when your ready!

missbunnyrabbit · 02/08/2022 20:07

I'm hoping to get a puppy in a year and I'm anxious already! I think it's an enormous responsibility and you want everything to go right and you want your puppy to be happy. I hope it all goes well for you.

letsghostdance · 02/08/2022 20:42

Pantouffle · 01/08/2022 12:43

Why are you anxious? Have you owned a dog before?

Presumably if you're picking your puppy up today you've actually done your homework and are fully prepared. If not why not?

Get yourself 'Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy' by Steve Mann asap. It's a great book full of practical, easy to follow advice for bringing up a happy dog

You absolutely need to get over yourself. She's just using this forum for what it's for - sharing and asking for advice.

Hope everything has gone well, OP!

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 02/08/2022 20:45

CleverQuacks · 02/08/2022 13:09

She is home and running round like she owns the place already. She slept all night last night (10 til 6) which really surprised me. Only had one accident in side so far. I love her so much!

Photos please Grin

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