How should I got pick up the puppy from the breeder? Big car and with its cage? Would I need to bring anything else with me?

Also what should I do when I bring it back home? I know I should take it to the vet for check up. I am waiting to get the puppy soon and I was wondering what are the essential materials that I need to buy. I am fairly new at this and really hope any advice would help =).

Also I was wondering should I bring the puppy outside to roam around or should I let it stay inside because of its weak immune system as a puppy?

It's very likely that he will be abit chill the first few days and won't wana go out and if the drive is long he may get carsick, just lay a blanket over the back, unless there are a crap ton of ticks and mosquitoes in your area you take take him for walks, once he gets his second set of vaccines you can take him out for walks and even to the dog park, early socialization is important, I do believe that 2 rounds of puppy shots is all that's needed and a third is in excess.


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You can have him roam around in your yard


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When I bring my foster puppies home, I take a small plastic puppy crate with me, a lot of towels and some baby wipes and plastic bags. I use the small crate for the 1st few months, as it is easy to move from room to room, fits in the car easily, and makes a cozier home for puppy. I use a plastic crate, as it is more den-like for puppy and if puppy should have an accident it all stays inside. I like to have puppy sleep in my bedroom, with the crate covered with a blanket.

Welcome to the GRF

I've never used a crate to bring a puppy home, if I'm alone I use a wash basket lined with an old towel or when I wasn't the driver, I held the puppy. Our crate is ex-large and too cumbersome to move around. Have a towel handy for possible car sickness. Babywipes are a great idea (never thought of that! )

Pick a vet and make an appointmet ASAP to have puppy checked over. You'll probably be told to bring a fecal sample and bring any records from the breeder showing puppy's first shots.

At home have a crate, 2 bowls (water & food), collar, leash, some chew toys and baby gate/s. I would ask ahead of time what the breeder is feeding and buy a bag. If you want to switch foods, wait a few months then slowly tranistions to the new food.

Start housebreaking from the minute you get home. Take puppy out to the selected toilet area every 15-20 min. during the day, also after eating, waking from a nap or a play session. At night you may have to take puppy out once or twice for the first few days or week but s/he will soon learn to sleep thrugh the night. If possible have the crate in your bedroom, puppy won't feel so alone and you'll be able to hear if s/he needs to go out. Praise and give a little treat when s/he goes in the proper spot but don't punish when there is a mishap. Do not allow puppy to go on paper or you will have to retrain when those little puppy piddles/piles aren't so little! It's safe to let puppy play outdoors but stay alway from places where many dogs toilet, for example, dog parks, the grassy area outside the vet's office, common areas around apts. or condos.

Poke around the stickies under the Puppy Section, there's a ton of information.

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

We didn't use a crate when we brought Buddy home. We took three kids and a blanket. LOL!!!! It was a good thing we did. The breeder gave him a bath before we left. He was still somewhat damp when we left. The kids spread the blanket on their laps and put Buddy in there to get dry and comfortable for his ride home. It is too funny, the blanket we brought him home in his favourite blanket to sleep on. Wishing you all the best with your new pup.

Talk with your breeder. See what they recommend. Have you done any reading prior to puppy coming home? If not, it is time! Find a local training center and find out their vaccination requirements and when the pup can begin classes.

You need the basics, obviously: crate, bowls, kongs, nylabones, treats, puppy shampoo, brushes, chew toys, bitter apple, collar, leash, etc.

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I don't know if you need a big car, but definitely a crate makes things EASIER if it's just you in the car. If you have somebody with you who can hold the puppy that would be fine, but otherwise, they are all over and falling off the seat....

With Bertie I put the crate up front in the passenger seat (airbag is always turned off on that side) on the way home. That way he could see me and not be creeped or stressed out. He rode up front with me for a few weeks until he became too big for the crate.

The first crate - you want one that's spaniel sized. He needs enough room to move around and have a few toys in there with him or chews. But you mainly want him to learn to be calm and settled in the car.

I like covered crates because the first few weeks until you get all the vaccines, you will be running to the petstore or places like that while getting him used to carrides (you need to go somewhere EVERY WEEK so the car feels safe and happy to the dogs) with your puppy and leaving him in the car. I absolutely do not want people peeking in my car and seeing a golden puppy.

Let him sleep when he wants to sleep. Train him to relax and sleep without you constantly touching him and being in contact with him. This will help overnight or those times when you want him to sleep without you around.

Play with him when he's awake and coming into your space for attention. And I would be sitting on the floor and encouraging him to come to you to play vs you chasing him all over to play with him. It helps later on when you are starting to train 'come'.

Always have treats in your pocket. I use bread for puppies because it's bland and you can break it apart and give tiny pieces. Puppy milkbones (very small and broken in half) work too. Any time your puppy comes running to you, you pull a treat out of your pocket and telling him 'good come'. Never get in the habit of just giving treats 'just because'. Treats should always be connected with something like puppy running to you or after they've gone potty outside. That makes the treats 'high value' and helps them learn faster.

Get started on a feeding schedule - usually 3 or 4 times a day. Keep in mind that the first few weeks, it will be food in/food out with their digestive systems. You can feed 1/2 to 3/4 cup 3 times a day to start with. Moistening the food with warm water (not hot) helps with a fussy eater.

Get used to a potty schedule. While the puppy is awake and moving around, you need to be taking him out every 10-20 minutes. Let them sleep if they are sleeping, but rush them out immediately when they wake up.

Yep. Within a couple days. You need to get puppy set up at your vet. Some vets are nice enough to have complimentary exams for new patients if they are puppies. Primarily because they know you will be coming back for shots and health visits. But even if they don't - you want to get them in, set up, looked over, and get that first fecal test done to make sure he doesn't have any parasites. And you will probably get your first heartworm meds pill at the same visit. And set up your schedule for vaccinations.

*** Before you leave the breeder with your puppy, make sure you have that schedule written up and in your hand before you leave. As well as any information on worming, microchips, etc.

You need 3 rounds of the distemper/parvo shot, 2 rounds of lepto, and rabies later on.

Ask the breeder what kibble they've been feeding the puppies. You want to buy a 15-30lb bag of that exact kibble to feed your puppy.

You want to buy chewie things of all different textures - rubber toys, nylabones, antlers... do not really give any edible bones for a while. Probably an exception are himalyan cheese sticks. I bought those for Bertie and they were a LIFESAVER. o_O

You want rope toys - because the texture will help with their teething later on.

You want soft toys - because you have a retriever and inevitably they will want to have something soft to carry around and chew on.

You want to buy a puppy collar (nothing crazy, it will last only a month if that). And a leash.

You want a brush (pin brush or slicker) for brushing your puppy out. You won't be brushing his belly too much with the slicker, because it can scratch his bare skin. But it's important to really get your puppy used to you brushing him every day everywhere else.

You want toenail clippers or a grinder - whatever you intend to use. As this is your first puppy - have the vet show you how to trim nails. Even if you decide to always take your puppy to the vet or a groomer to have the nails done, it's important to know how to clip your own dog's nails.

You want shampoo.

And you want a big wire crate for home (a different crate than the one in your car).

And don't forget to stock up on puppy treats. Stay away from the super meaty ones that are loaded with salt and preservatives - for right now. Mother Hubbard type biscuits are awesome and don't upset stomachs.

That probably depends on where you live.

When I picked up Bertie, he and his brothers had just had a bath because they had been outside playing all morning.

And the way I raise puppies and keep my dogs... they go outside frequently. Not just for potty, but to get fresh air and get a chance to run around and play (with me out there with them). It keeps them from building up too much crazy energy.

Good luck, and have fun!

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

THANK YOU ALL!! I really appreciate all the advice and will use all the tips given. I will do my best to prepare for this great day =)

i would buy a crate not just for traveling but for potty training. not a huge crate just big enough stand, lay, and turn around in. he/she prolly gonna cry so bring a blanket to put over the cage, helps calm the puppy. your pup will prolly be okay 2 go outside to potty if the breeder gave pup wormer and 1st shots and reputable breeders have a 3day vet contract but if not i still would take pup 2 the vet asap. dont let the puppy around other dogs they can carry diesease. i even brought a blanket to the vet so stael wouldnt b sitting on the dirty sick doggy floor.

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The more ppl i meet...the more i love my Golden Retriever