Bringing a puppy home is one of the most stressful things you can do. You worry about EVERYTHING (well I did!) From what they eat, where they will sleep and if you should cover your whole carpet with puppy pads! For me preparation was key so I read the Puppy Bible cover to cover which is just the best book (imo) as it gives you weekly updates on what your pup will be going through and how to help and set about making the perfect safe space within our home for the puppy several months prior to her arrival. I chose to create a safe space for her so she would have a place of her own to retreat to somewhere where she could eat and sleep without interruption.
My pups safe space consisted of a puppy pen that was over a meter high (to discourage climbing) with a lino floor just in case of any accidents and any carpet chewing, food and water bowl. She also had her own create with the door open and her bed inside. I wanted her to be happy to be in a crate because she'd be in one in the car, vets, groomers etc. It was just one less worry if she didn't mind it. I did the fun stuff like buying her first very cute collar and ID tag and of course a few soft toys. I should mention at this point she wasn't my first dog so food choices and securing the house had already been done and it was just a case of her meeting the resident dog and him accepting her as much as her accepting him which is a whole other story!
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