Puppy Awareness Week (PAW) - Part 4

So you've done all the leg work, researched your breed, made your choices, found your breeder, saved your pennies, puppy proofed and talked to your family. You're ready for your puppy. Or are you?

Like preparing for a baby there's a fair bit of kit you're going to need! You're going to need everything from bowls, food, toys and a bed, a crate, to a carrier to transport your puppy home in, a lead and collar, blankets, puppy training pads and maybe an experienced friend on hand, should you need some advice. Don't forget things like pet gates, for puppy proofing and cable covers to keep little teeth safely away from wires! When you get your puppy the breeder should have included a small bag of the food he/she has weaned your puppy on to. Cross tapering on to a food of your choice over a period of 1 - 2 weeks is always best to avoid upset tummies! Food is an important part of your puppies life, so taking some extra care and choosing the best food you can is priceless in preparing your dogs body for a healthy life.

Our crate!

(Ours is from the Croft website, it's an Alpine cage in pink)

Now you've got all you need, found your perfect breeder, gone to see some puppies they have available. You have a furry multi pup whirlwind of cuteness dashing around your feet, so how the heck do you choose which bundle of love to take home?

I have to answer this with a story - When you go to see a litter, it's likely you'll have seen a picture of the litter and whether you admit it or not you're probably going to be leaning towards 1 or 2 pups based off the photo. I did it, with my first Chihuahua, Buffy. I went with 2 of her litter mates in mind, when we got there however 1 was far too timid for us and the other I didn't click with. I never looked twice at Buffy in the picture, but as soon as I picked her up something clicked and I knew she was 'the one' for me.

Buffy's Litter 

(You can see her easily, she's the only one with a mask lol!)

If you can put looks aside, there will absolutely be one puppy who grabs your heart and is not going to let go. If none of the puppies do that then don't be afraid to walk away, you owe it to yourself and to that puppy too, it could be perfect for someone else. There will be other litters. Buffy's markings/colouring may not have jumped out at me but her personality did and I think she's as beautiful, if not more beautiful, than any of her litter mates ever could be.
Love isn't fur deep!

At this point you'll have a puppy! Congratulations :)
If you thought choosing your puppy was a labour of love, you best take a deep breath, because tomorrow comes the training...

Love & licks,
Rio, Jonny, Buffy, Rafferty, Monroe, Lily and Lola.
xo

P.S Sorry this post went up a little late - we had a busy morning having our new fence put up! We'll post all about it in a few days! :)