Thanks for the advice from those who replied to my message "Advice welcome on golden Retriever Puppy" posted on the visitors board 8th May. As you can see I have now joined up as I have found this site so helpful.

We get the puppy (still unnamed!) in a week and I am getting rather anxious. I feel like a first time Mum all over again, I anticipated all the work which lay ahead but now that it is imminent HELP!! I've booked her in for her first vaccination and have been in touch with 3 people re classes and am going for a look, probably next week. I've been finding out where to get the books mentioned and last evening managed to get most of the necessary bits and pieces she will need. Still trying to decide whether to get a crate, and if so size. Not much space in our house for a 42' one so wondering whether to get a smaller one just to do her as a puppy. If she likes sleeping in it will she miss it when she outgrows it, I wonder? As I previously said, it is hopefully to teach my youngest child that when she is in her crate then she is after some peace and quite and to not disturb her and also a safety issue when I need to collect children from school etc. It means I won't leave the house wondering and worrying if I've missed seeing the tiniest piece of toy that a child has left out.

Any thoughts on how to introduce my two 7 month old ragdolls to the puppy and vice versa? Carefully I presume!

Thanks,

Ragdoll_Mum

Make sure that your cats can escape upwards & they will be fine. Most cats feel safe if they can go upwards & I'm sure they will be fine & yes the cats will be the bosses, Ragdolls are usually laid back aren't they(hence the name)

I would not leave them together alone at this time(some people will never leave cats & dogs togather alone)My cats were always 100 dog proof & I've never had a cat that wasn't dog proof & vica versa. But puppies & cats/kittens should always be supervised just in case. It's the first time in 40+ years that I am catless

Hi,
I have no experience of Ragdolls but have always had Staffords and cats when the new pup Sal (now 18 months) meet the cats the first time when Sal had been home 1 day that evening I sat in the lounge with Sal on the sofa when she was sleepy and let the cats in as they are not phased by dogs/puppies they just carried on as normal, as long as the cats can get away when they want you should be fine.
When Sal was 5-6 months was the worst she thought they were to be chased but after a few sharp "No's" we overcame it easily, plus Oscar (neutured Tom) won't stand for an unruly kitten or puppy :) .
Now the cats mostly ignore the dog,  however the dog adores the cats and can't understand why they won't play "doggie" games ;)
As long as you are confident and let the cats be able to get away when they feel threatened you should be fine.
Karen

I'll make sure that the cats have an escape route.  The puppy will mainly be in the kitchen (utility room is tiny) and as my ragdolls are indoor cats , they need to be able to get to their litter tray which is in the utility room off the kitchen. That's another reason I feel a crate might be a good idea for the puppy at night and when I have to go and get the chn from school, nursery etc.

Hi again,
Good idea, but I'd suggest putting some kind of barrier between the utility and kitchen for when the pup is out of crate as for some reason totally gross dogs seem to find cat poo attractive to eat. Yuk I know but how about if there is a door between the two rooms putting a cat flap in?
Karen 

Yes - definitely get a crate for a puppy when a cat litter tray is around :D :D :D     Once a puppy samples the delights of a cat litter tray, s/he will make a beeline for it every time!   (Think Ferrea Roche ).

Raggies are such laid back creatures, they will probably just say "what on earth do you have there - you call THAT a dog - oh ok - I'm sure we can deal with her okay!"

Enjoy your extending family

Margot

Hello! We have a GR puppy (well a 19 week old monster now) and 2 cats, they are finally starting to get on. I'm sure you'll be fine. We took the litter tray upstairs when we got Leon and put a stair gate in to give the cats free run of the first floor. Big crate not so important when they are babies, if you need it later i'm sure you will make room, trust me! Good luck, bet you are soooo excited!