What to expect when bringing home a puppy!

[Cedars]

Hi guys, I'm new to this board so hi =]

My boyf and I are buying a puppy in the next few days, a labrador. Its our first dog (we already have two horses) so I'm a bit nervous!

Does anyone have any tips, or things to suggest? Don't spare the gory details!!

Flamehead x

 

[Booboos]

Welcome and congratulations! It will be loads of fun and you'll spend all your time playing with the puppy!

I don't know if you have picked a puppy already, but if not, check both parents are healthy with kind temperaments, the litter has been well socialised so far and ask for hip scores or anything else that affects this breed. Avoid any puppy that looks sick or very timid, but also any puppy that seems too forward and aggressive (looks cute when they are small, but is a nightmare when they grow up).

Try to take the puppy to the vets for a general check up and first vaccinations as soon as possible. He can also advise re worming and flea treatment.

Ask the previous owners what he has been used to eating and keep to the same diet for a while to avoid upset tummies.

Invest in loads of chews! They will keep the puppy busy and off slippers, furniture, etc!!

I am a big fan of crates, they give the puppy a safe place to sleep, help loads with house training and keep the house from being wrecked when you are not there (if you are interested in using a crate, search the forum there are quite a few people who discuss how to use them).

Expect some sleepless nights until the puppy settles and try to make sure someone is around for most hours during the day (especially to let the puppy out for toilet, but also for play!).

When your puppy's vaccinations are done look out for local puppy classes, they are the best fun, and training classes.

Post pics!

 

[popsicle]

My Lab was good as gold really. He slept with me the first night and after that he was in his own bed in the kitchen. He cried for a few mins and that was it. He did take a while to be clean at night though, I ended up having to get a cage for night time for a few months until he learned to hold himself. He is two now and my lovely perfect baby. Labs are the best dogs. Here is is at 10 weeks.

 

[Cliqmo]

Aww sooo cute!! Expect fun, frolicks and frustration

 

[Louby]

Sleepless nights

Stock up on Kitchen Towel

Destroyed garden

Lots of cuddles

My boys one now, never thought we'd make it but hes adorable and I wouldnt be without him!!

 

[bumper]

Puddles..lots of them! Kitchen roll and an appropriate animal disinfectant a must.

I also am a huge fan of crates: my boy adores his even though he is now almost 9 months.

 

[Halfpass]

I'll 2nd the kitchen roll - you can never have too much!! Stock up on nappy bags. They are great for clearing up little accidents!!!
My lab puppy is now 12 weeks and is adorable.
He has a cage which I leave the door open to and he uses it to sleep in, well out of the way of my older dog.
The first few nights were noisy but once he got into a settled routine it was much better. He now takes himself off to bed at 10pm goes out for a wee at 11pm and wakes at 6am. He is not clean at night yet but is very good at asking to be let out in the day with only the occasional accident.
This forum was very very helpful to me when I got my puppy.

 

[Louby]

Oooh newspaper and lots of it!!

 

[Spudlet]

Our old lab was the best but he was an awful chewer - he ate his way all the way through a wooden door panel

We found a weak solution of mustard was the only think to stop him - so you may want to make sure you have some mustard powder handy! It does stain woodwork though so I wouldn't use it unless he turns out to be a chewer

DEFINITELY newspaper - it is a MUST!!!

Also you might not want to get a posh bed straight away - Barney had an old cardboard box with lots of blankets because then little accidents and chewing didn't matter. He will also grow like a weed so boxes are cheaper to replace!

Oh and make sure your camera is working cos you will have lots of pictures you want to take