Prepare me!

[CunningAtBothEnds]

After much consideration, we are finally getting a pup! He is currently with his mum, and is only 3 weeks old, his mums owner is sending me pics all the time, its really a lovely experience thus far! Mum seems lovely so do all his sisters, all seems great!

He is a cairn, with a bit of jack as his mum had it away with an neighbour, so technically a jacairn but i cant abide these daft designer dog names!

Any way, thus far we have got him a collar, a few toys, bed etc, planning on getting him a harness when we can try it on, and lead.

Anyway we are planning on shipping DS1(almost 4) off for the night when we bring him home, to let him acclimatise in relative peace! We have DS2 who will be nearly 8 months, and several stair gates! We arent planning to crate him.

Anyway any tips for:

• first night?
• introducing him to DCat?
• training DS'?

We have already taught DS to wait for dogs to come to him, had discussions on when to leave dog alone etc...

Anyway first night tales and tips plus general tips greatly appreciated

[sweetkitty]

I'm going to watch this thread we are on a breeders waiting list puppies due in 2 weeks, am hoping there's a little girl for us.

It's very exciting

[Sammy3]

I highly recommend crate training, especially as you have young children. It's really not cruel. Once a dog gets used to it, he/she sees it as a safe place, which it will use for safety if overwhelmed by the kids. It makes housebreaking a lot easier & also gives you peace of mind, knowing that your pup is safe & sound at night. It's important to make sure your kids know the crate is off limits to them (never let them play on it) so that the dog knows that's his/her space/den.

I also recommend a toy from the breeder (or give the breeder one you've bought) so that you can take home the comforting scent of its mother.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Yes to a crate.

[Sammy3]

Forgot to ask if you've bought any dog training books. I bought <a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/044657886X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1373235415&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX112_SY192&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">My Smart Puppy when I bought our puppy & it's very good.

[Sammy3]

Meant to say never let your kids play in the crate, not on it

[beachyhead]

I second a crate. We bought a blanket and gave it to the breeder for the last two weeks she was there, then brought it home with us full of mum smell for the puppy to sleep with.

Co gratulations

[CunningAtBothEnds]

Thanks all. Will give crate some
Consideration, going to ask what food he is on so I dont upset his tum. Should I expect him to sleep alone / at all the first night?

Any tips for introducing him to Dcat?

[GrimmaTheNome]

I don't have any experience with cats, but I'd guess it'd be a good idea if you get a crate - or otherwise the dog's bed - to get it ahead of time and make it clear to the cat that it should stay out of it.