June 8, 2021
The day has come. It is time to go get your puppy and bring it home. This is a very exciting day, that you have been waiting for with anticipation. Here is a list of things to do to help your puppy pick up day go smoothly.
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1.) This one is sort of obvious.... Make sure that you have the correct address, day, and time. Take your phone and the breeder's telephone number along, just in case you need additional directions, or need to let the breeder know of an unexpected delay of your arrival time.
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2.) Make sure to bring an old blanket or towel, paper towels, and plastic bag to put anything soiled into. It is not uncommon for a puppy to have a potty accident, or get car sick on it's first ride home.
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3.) Bring either a pet crate, or someone to hold the puppy on the way home. You really don't want to be messing with a puppy, while trying to drive. Puppies don't always hold still, and can be a major distraction while driving if it isn't in a crate, or being held by someone else while you are driving. Another option, is to find someone else to drive, and you can hold the puppy on the way home. The pet crate will keep the puppy contained, but it will probably wine all the way home, so having a second person there to help, is the most pleasant option.
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4.) Make sure you have your final payment for the puppy, in the form of payment that the breeder has requested.
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5.) Do not bring any other dogs with you to the breeder's location.
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6.) When you arrive to the breeder's, make sure you ask these questions:
a.) when was the last time the puppy went potty. b.) when was the last time the puppy was fed/watered. c.) what is the recommended feeding schedule and amount. It is important to keep them on the food that the breeder has had them on for at least 2 weeks. I covered that info in the previous post.
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7.) While at the breeders, do not let small children pick up any of the puppies. Puppies are wiggly and can easily be dropped and injured.
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8.) Make sure to get a copy of the health records from the breeder before leaving. The puppy should have been dewormed at least twice and have its first set of shots, before leaving the breeder. Also make sure you have the puppies birth date. The vet will want to know that information.
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9.) If you have a stuffed animal, towel, or blanket with the mother's scent, bring that along and ask the breeder if she/he will rub it on the mother. A lot of people like to have this done. I personally don't know how much it helps, because when I have done it on a pup that I brought home, the puppy usually soiled it within a few hours and I had to wash it, but it doesn't hurt anything to ask if you would like it done.
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10.) Getting pictures of the puppy while at the breeder's is something a lot of people like to do, especially if they have children. It is fun to capture that look on someone's face, when they see their new puppy for the very first time.
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11.) Be sure to go over any questions that you may have, while at the breeders. Making a list of questions ahead of time, can be helpful.
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Well, that covers everything that I can think of at the moment, and should help you to have a fun visit at the breeders and a pleasant ride home.
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by KJE