Best Way To Meet Your Pup For The First Time?

[DogLuvvr]

What is the best way to meet your pup for the first time when he has been shipped to you?

Should I just open the crate door and allow him to take his time coming out to meet me?

Reaching in and grabbing him to pull him out seems like it may stress him out, especially considering the plane ride he would have just taken.

I want our first meeting to be as pleasurable and stress free as possible for him.

Any advice?

 

[HoundedByHounds]

Honestly, let the puppy guide you. If he is shrunk back @ the rear of the crate....open the door and sit on the floor and just talk with them. Have a squeaky toy and some food and coax him out.

IME having dogs and pups shipped to me? They're always at the front wagging and licking thru the grate...they pop out like nothing happened and need to pee and poop almost right away LOL.

Of course speaking of poop...if the crate is a mess you will simply have to reach in and take the pup out and clean him up....first things first...
Just a bit from my experience.

 

[milos_mommy]

Most likely he'll be eager to come out and play, so you won't need to reach in and grab him, and it will be naturally pleasant as long as you're quiet and friendly and just let him come say hi...don't try and play right away as he'll be stressed and tired and overstimulated. Pet him and talk to him calmly...if he's nervous about coming out, just let him take his time, get a toy and a treat and some water and just sit and let him come to you.

 

[DogLuvvr]

Hopefully he will be eager to greet and get out of the crate immediately. Otherwise, coaxing him out sounds like a great idea! I'll be sure to bring some tasty treats that will ease him out. I would prefer to hold him on the car ride home.

We plan to take him to the car first, though, instead of meeting him for the first time in the airport. I can only imagine people (and perhaps even their dogs too) walking up and getting all in the pup's face while we're trying to encourage him to come out.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I typically don't allow them out too much at the airport. Cargo areas and typically VERY noisy and full of scary smells. I take them in the crate, put it in the car..drive to a quiet area then let them out there. They can ride home in my lap or back in the crate....

ETA: put your collar are leash on IMMEDIATELY. Many folks have lost puppies and dogs that BOLT from their crates and take off...be very very careful because even a small puppy can be lightning quick when they are afraid or spooked.

 

[DogLuvvr]

I typically don't allow them out too much at the airport. Cargo areas and typically VERY noisy and full of scary smells. I take them in the crate, put it in the car..drive to a quiet area then let them out there. They can ride home in my lap or back in the crate....

Yup. This is exactly what I was thinking. I don't need anyone's screaming child running up to the crate hollering "PUPPPPPPYYYYY!!!" Give the poor pup a heart attack.

ETA: put your collar are leash on IMMEDIATELY. Many folks have lost puppies and dogs that BOLT from their crates and take off...be very very careful because even a small puppy can be lightning quick when they are afraid or spooked. ....

Lost puppies? That's awful. Thanks for the tip. I would definitely be careful when taking him out in the car, but probably would not have thought to put the collar and leash on immediately. I'll be sure to do that, thanks. I'll also close the door to the car, just to be on the safe side.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

Yes some truly sad situations have happened. Not necessarily that the pup is hurt or killed, tho that does happen sadly...but more that the puppy bolts from the parking lot or driveway...is in a strange neighborhood sans tags, etc...and well, not everyone who finds a gorgeous 8 week old pup is GOING to try too hard to find the owner.

On that note..having your breeder MICROCHIP or tattoo your puppy can help in those and many other situations that may arise. Even if you are not on the chip right at first...the reader will call your breeder who can then, call you.

 

[bubbatd]

He'll be as glad to see you as you will be to see him ! We'll need pictures !!

 

[DogLuvvr]

Yes some truly sad situations have happened. Not necessarily that the pup is hurt or killed, tho that does happen sadly...but more that the puppy bolts from the parking lot or driveway...is in a strange neighborhood sans tags, etc...and well, not everyone who finds a gorgeous 8 week old pup is GOING to try too hard to find the owner.

On that note..having your breeder MICROCHIP or tattoo your puppy can help in those and many other situations that may arise. Even if you are not on the chip right at first...the reader will call your breeder who can then, call you.

Microchipping/tattooing the pup sounds like a great idea, but he's coming soon and I don't think it would be fair for me to ask the breeder that now. I'll just be very careful when opening the crate door, keep all the doors to the car closed, and put on the collar/leash immediately. That should do the trick.

 

[DogLuvvr]

He'll be as glad to see you as you will be to see him ! We'll need pictures !!

I hope so!! And yes, I'll be sure to post many, many pictures!

 

[HoundedByHounds]

yes and you can get your pup chipped once they are here, and you've read up on it. IMO it's a good investment. No one ever thinks they're dog will go missing until it happens...

Congrats on the new puppy, btw

 

[bubbatd]

I'm surprised that the breeder wouldn't micro chip before shipping !

 

[DogLuvvr]

yes and you can get your pup chipped once they are here, and you've read up on it. IMO it's a good investment. No one ever thinks they're dog will go missing until it happens...

Congrats on the new puppy, btw

Yes, I know there's a bit of controversy on the pros and cons of microchipping, but I'm leaning towards taking that route as opposed to tattooing.

Thanks for the congrats! My weakness in life is an adorable puppy. I really can't wait until he gets here!

 

[DogLuvvr]

I'm surprised that the breeder wouldn't micro chip before shipping !

Really? I didn't think it was standard for reputable breeders to microchip, especially considering the fact that not all folks agree with it.

ETA: I mean, I didn't think it was expected, not that I didn't think a reputable breeder would microchip...

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I don't but I might start...but only if the owner and I agree. It's ticklish with some folks and not like their concerns are completely baseless.

Many other things factor in more highly to me than if the breeder chips or not...or if a new owner wants it done or not.

 

[DogLuvvr]

I don't but I might start...but only if the owner and I agree. It's ticklish with some folks and not like their concerns are completely baseless.

Many other things factor in more highly to me than if the breeder chips or not...or if a new owner wants it done or not.

Yup, same here. It took me a VERY long time to find my breeder.

I did come across some breeders who required that the pup be microchipped, though. I didn't mind, because it's something that I will probably do anyways, but I can imagine some anti-chipping folks could possibly automatically cross the breeder off their list because of that requirement...