Help me prepare for a new puppy (golden retriever)

[DebbieHarryIsMyMum]

I’m so excited to be getting a little golden retriever puppy in a few weeks. As a novice dog owner I’d love some tips on what I need for the first few months. I’m reading online but feeling overwhelmed by choice.

I’m especially interested in things I might need for:

Taking her home from the breeder - it’s about an hour and a half drive and will be her first time in a car. I know about doggy seat belts and have seen the little carriers. I’m not keen on an enclosed carrier as she might be scared but I want her to be safe. What is the best thing to get, bearing in mind she will end up being quite a big dog.

Crate or pen - is an enclosed crate better than a pen, and if so why?

Recommendations for a nice puppy friendly harness - what size and type would be best for a golden retriever?

Any other tips you may have or things I may not have considered.

@pookiedoodlepuppy pick her up this weekend! Promise will update in thanks for all the advice on this thread 😆😊

Robot hoover is my recommendation!

And be prepared for all the glorious Sploots! 🥺🥰

Exciting!

We picked our yellow labrador last week -we too were an hour and a half from her breeder.

For coming home we had an on-seat box of blankets(including a mum/puppy scented one and newspaper lining + a cheap tiny harness that clicked into the seatbelt. (She will be half as big again in 2 weeks - so no point getting expensive harness yet.)
She did sing a bit but then settled down to sleep. (Some pups are sick - but are still likely to be fine as adults/older pups.)

At home we built her a small den (in a crate). LIke most pups she likes to be under something. (The seem to know that they are vulnerable to big bird predators when out in the open.)

I have learned from previous experience that crate should not be too big -as pups like security and a clean bed. They are less likely to mess in the crate if it is mostly bed.

We have made the crate her safe place - and she already takes herself there to sleep in peace when playing with us all gets to much.

The crate now opens into a pen - to give her more safe space and a better view of what is going on even when we are not playing with her.

She sleeps 3 hours out of four!
She is basically an eating machine. Sleep - wake and go outside (wee/poop) play - food (astonishing amounts) then outside for a play (and poop/wee) - then more sleep. repeat.

She has had one round of vaccinations so far (and worm treatments). She probably could go out (most dogs are vaccinated and the diseases are reasonably rare anyway) but is still vulnerable until after the second round. I am not walking her yet.

She isn't bored yet! Everything is exciting. New floor surfaces (grass -gravel - tiles - stone paths) - crinkley paper- toys with squeaks and with bells. Kitchen sounds - the hoover.

I have taken her out (in my arms or sitting in the boot of the car ) to see school turning out time - cows/horses in a field - vaccinated dogs of friends -a family party- bikes and traffic on a local road.

Here she is with a bell toy for the first time. (A nap was required after this encounter :) )

Oh my gosh, she's GORGEOUS!

Love that she needs a nap. There will be a lot of processing going on after that encounter

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs Your dog is adorable , must be about the same age as our girl give or take a week .😍

@StandingOvulation your golden is gorgeous how old?

Soooo lovely! I agree - they do look about the same age.