*SPRING PUPPY VIBES*
My puppy process so far
Right after puppies were born
- buy big/basic/boring items from large online store (I did dog.com, petedge is good too as is amazon): Crate, leash, DE, long lead, basic collar, toy box, dog food container, bowls, bowl mat, grooming brushes, shampoo etc..
- Email trainers/training schools. Find out methodologies, prices, class times, times, class types etc.. try and go visit and check the places out
- Start checking out vets on yelp.
- Start reading training books and making a plan on how/what you are going to train and when
Puppies 4 weeks or so
by this time you know one of them is going to be yours for sure for sure (I am paranoid on very young puppy health and crisis but after 4 weeks they are basically sure things) although not sure which one yet
- call favorite training school, sign up for puppy class
- start puppy binder.
(buy binder with clear plastic front. buy hole punch and some dividers) Make section for vax records, pedigree, emergency info, feeding info, emergency contacts, emergency vet etc... basically one big place in case there is ever an emergency or someone needs to dog-sit)
- Call a top rated vets and talk.. find someone willing to work with me on minimal vax etc.. and finally make puppy's first vet appointment
8 weeks
- Puppy proof the crap out of my apartment
- Start filing apartment documents and make appointment for puppy to meet with management. Deal with paperwork.
- Shop for general/more fun items: crate cover, clickers, treat jar, blankets
9 weeks
by this time I knew which puppy was mine so
- Buy collar
- Buy general non-fun toys, I don't know why I waited this long lol weird paranoia about toys I guess but (kongs, balls, chews etc..) I try to save stuffies for when puppy arrives.
- Buy dog food
- Review training plan
- Decorate puppy binder! Start putting birth date, decorate cover, pictures of puppy's parents, liter-mates etc..
- Hang up puppy door bell
- give the apartment one more GOOD scrub using cleaning products I will not be allowed to use once puppy arrives lol clorox, sanitizer, etc..
- Pack bag to go pick up puppy lol which is where I am right now.
Once he gets here
- Let him get settled, start feeding schedule and housebreaking schedule..snuggle.
- Take 1000 pictures
- Start teaching him his name lol
- Training and socializing trips I have planned (work, the mall, the park, etc..)
- Take him to go pick out some stuffie toys
- Take him to go buy his first tag. (It's a weird tradition I have)
- Take our picture together for the binder. Decorate with his name