New Puppy

mav79

Hey all, just looking for a bit of advice,
getting a new puppy in the next week.

First of all apart from a bed, training crate, pet insurance and a few toys what are the must haves that you need?

Then we plan on getting another dog in a month or two, to keep each other company. When looking for a second dog would an older dog or a puppy be a better idea or is it just a case of keeping your fingers crossed that they'll take to each other?

tk123

You'll need poobags and a flashlight for early morning poopoo patrol!

lorebringer

Definitely the above!

Do some research on what food you plan to feed - make sure it is a good quality food that suits your pups needs.

WRT taking another pup - it may be a good idea to wait a few months (maybe six) so that the first pup will be used to the comings and going of the house and you will have some training done with it. pups gel very well, all they want is someone to play with, so there is no worry about the second pup getting on with the first. I would be very aware of socialising the first pup with everything and anything you can think of, and then you can do the same with the second (if the initial pup is used to "strange" things - car, children, hoover etc. it will help the younger pup along when it comes to confidence and exposure). Waiting also gives you time to assess the first pup as to what personality would gel with it best (you don't want a couch potato pestered by a young, hyper pup) and get neutering out of the way before number 2 comes along.

Also, please try to go the rescue route with at least one of your expected pups - there are loads in rescues around the country that are waiting for new homes.

mav79

Cheers for the replies, no problem waiting six months or so for the second dog
it makes perfect sense to get used to the pup and to get him used to us first. Will definitely be going down the rescue dog route.