Afternoon everybody. Thought it was time I posted, as we have just been told from the breeder that pups will be ready an about 6 weeks. Need to start getting organised.

Now we have had dogs before, so know whats what, but its been 10 years since we have had a puppy and even then she was 13 weeks when we got her.

What supplies should we not be without? Got a crate and a mountain of vet bed, but thats about it. Looking for advice on toys etc. Whats best for young dogs.... also any other puppy advice that has maybe changed in the last 10 years

Thanks

What breed are you getting? That has a huge bearing on toys, for example most sighthounds don't like hard plastic toys, they'd prefer soft squeakys but a lab pup would destroy that in seconds  

Yeah probably should have said... its a Eurasier

If he's anything like most spitz, then things that can be eaten or destroyed!

My pups favourites have been tuggirs and empty milk bottles, boxes etc. Odd socks tied into a knot in the early fays.

Mine all liked to stash stuff, especially things they pinched, like tea towels, hand sweeping brushes. Some loved chewing chunky fruit wood branches, about 2 inches in diameter, and a foot long.

Get a pair of slip on slippers with an outdoor sole so you don't need to change shoes in the night when puppy wakes up to do the toilet at night. Have an overcoat ready at hand too in case of bad weather and all cleaning supplies ready to quickly clean up accidents. Don't underestimate the effect of sleep deprivation when you have a new puppy in the house, it's just like having a baby, only except slightly worse. I always forget this, I think new puppy smell completely eradicates the memories of standing in the garden at 2am, in a howling gale, in your jamies, waiting and patiently (!) encouraging a puppy to do the toilet. Also with my gundogs I have always spent 5 to 10 minutes with them if they get me up in the night after toileting. For puppies this will be the first time they have woken up and not had a warm body next to them for comfort, to be able to stretch out a paw and find comfort in a sibling next to them. My rescues, also a case of 'where am I and what's next' need a little bit of comfort. I think behaviouralists/trainers recommend that you have a clinical approach to night time interventions, keeping it to a minimum. Me, I spend a bit of time with them, it might be only 5 or 10 minutes, then off to their bed with the command "Lie down and be good". I often spend this time to teach them their 'off' switch'. I don't like crates, but each to their own.

I agree with all the above, except I try to be fairly uncommunicative as I don’t want a quick trip out for a wee to become a ‘thing’ ie wake her up and get attention/fun.

Make sure all the washing and ironing is done, have easy to make or ready meals, clean the house from top to bottom. Then you can spend all your time enjoying your puppy. It will seem hard going at first, but this time will go very quickly really and your puppy will become a gangly adolescent before you know it. Oh, and sniff your puppy lots of times, there’s something quite special about baby puppy smell and they have gorgeous pads on their paws which soon goes once they out on walks.

Am I the only one who doesn't like puppy breath??

No and thank goodness I’ve found someone who thinks the same!!! Puppy breath I can’t stand, the puppy smell (press your nose to a clean pups head) now that I love!!

Didn't get notifications for some reason.

Thanks very much everybody. Loads of good suggestions, some things I'd never thought of.

The crate will be more of a safe space for pup and I'd just like to have the option if need be in the future. Jess, my old girl, just sleeps in her bed beside our bed but we crate trained her and I like knowing she will happily go in 1 if I ever need her to.

Ill get some slippers and a good coat for the Mrs, haha. She is a light sleeper, and also works with kids so has the patience....

Its gonna be a shock to the system but as said its for a short time relative to the whole dog experience

Puppy breath leaves me cold