We will be getting our little girl in 3 days. She will be 8 weeks old. This is our first puppy. We have had a Chihuahua before, but it wasn’t a puppy. I have 2 days off and will probably be with her the whole time to try and get her to be comfortable in our home. We also have a 5 year old son who has been wanting a puppy for a while (she is going to be a surprise), and 2 cats. I’ve read that a lot of people give the breeder a blanket or something to get the scent of the mom and siblings. Unfortunately we didn’t have that option since we live several hours away. We have been communicating via phone and email. I know my son is immediately going to want to start playing with her, but I don’t want her to get scared. I also want her to feel comfortable with us and our home.
Any suggestions on how to make her feel comfortable and at ease when we get her? Should we prevent our son from trying to play with her the first couple days until she gets settled?
ETA- I forgot to mention, the breeder said they have been socialized with children and cats.

I didn't have a blanket with scent of mom for my pup either. She seemed to adjust fine in my home without it. I would let your son play right away with her just as long as you are with him always. Goldens are very mouthy so expect a lot of play biting. Have a ton of toys for her and just give her lots of love and attention and she will adjust to your home in no time!


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When Hank came home he was thrown into our chaotic house which included our 4 y.o. granddaughter and our resident (and boss of the yard) cat right off with no adverse effects.
I wouldn't worry too much. Just have his crate open so he can get away for a nap if he wants.

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

Take a blanket with you and ask the breeder to rub it on the mom and siblings. There will be enough scent for a while. I just visited my breeder last week and the scent from holding the pups etc stayed on my clothes till I washed them and I left the shirt in the living room for days so the cats and old dog could sniff them...

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They will actually be bringing her to us or I would.

I am sure that the breeder can spare an old towel or even a small dish cloth and rub on the mother. We had an old towel and just threw it on her bed. I don't know if it did anything but Rose acted as if she was born in our house from day 1. We drove home with her and before we brought her in the house we stopped outside at a designated potty spot which has become her spot for #1. She has a further back spot for #2.

well that does put a twist in it doesn't it...

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Just make sure of a few things. Teach your son that the puppy is a baby and he needs to be careful with her--he's the older "child." puppy always needs a quiet place to go to if possible. Teach your son that he needs to watch and make sure his friends are gentle with her. You should always supervise when the two are together, to protect all concerned, especially if there's food around.

A great game to play with the whole family is "pass the puppy." whole family sits on the floor in a circle, with feet touching (forms a small pen of sort) and gently passes the puppy around. Each person has a chance to hold the puppy, get licked and sniffed, etc., then passes it on. Great way to introduce the puppy. You can roll a ball back and forth, etc.

Congrats! Be sure to post some pictures.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Tell your breeder of your concern and ask if she will get an old handtowel or any piece of cloth and put with the Momma and siblings for a few days or at least wipe over the Momma a bit. Really helps on those first few nights when the puppy is put into his crate and missing his old family. Most breeders can figure out something and understand this. Really can be a help.

Do watch your son and the pup when they are together. In a month that pup will be all teeth and still too young to know when and what to bite. Your son needs to be advised to not get the pup all wound up too. When the adult teeth come in and training starts to sink in it gets better, but kids need to understand that a puppy is a baby and doesn't know what to do and so must be trained and handled with care. Just watch them both closely until this time passes.

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