Picking Up Your New Puppy

[Edenishy]

G'day all....

Finally, after years, I get to pick up our Beagle puppy this Friday morning......am so very excited as im sure you can all imagine. 3 more sleeps!!

Ive never been so excited since being a kid at Xmas!

Theres a few things I wonder about though and basically, I wonder what to expect on the day we pick her up.

Example:

Do you sign a contract or something? (on the breeders website they talk about having to sign a contract saying you agree to putting a puppy on the limited

register but im getting one on main registry)

Do you leave with Pedigree Papers etc or are they sent out at a later date? (The breeder did ask a couple of weeks ago for all our details and asked for

all the exact details on our new QLD Dogs membership card)

I assume there would be at least one piece of paperwork to walk away with....the vaccination records?

Things like that really...

I just want to know what to expect so I can prepare as much as possible and go into this new situation (for me) with as much knowledge as possible. Ive never dealt with a breeder of any animal before. Our only pets we have had were/are reptiles and they were bought from a pet store as we didnt really know better before then.

The breeder has been fantastic though and I do know the breeder said to allow about 2 hours once we got there to allow plenty of time to go over things etc. (shes also going to give us some show tips etc, how to stack etc as shes been working on it already with our puppy).

She already has supplied lots of reading materials already...like the booklet she gives all her pups new owners about the food she has been feeding, worming, photos of parents etc but obviously theres still alot to go over.

Another thing I wonder about is the puppy and car sickness.

After we collect her, we have another 5 hour drive home. Friends etc have all told stories of their puppies being sick all the way home after being collected

and naturally this has played on my mind as I want the long journey home for the puppy to be as smooth as possible.

Shes going to be stressed enough no doubt being ripped from her litter mates etc. She is the first of the 6 littler puppies to go to her new home.

Is there something I can do to help avoid or help this situation if it occurs.

I get a little car sick myself sometimes but find ginger helps settle things. I usually have a ginger tea or something before long drives.

Can a Dog/Beagle have some ginger too? Would that help any?

If so I could perhaps make some ginger dog biscuits or something. Perhaps infuse some water with ginger.

Anyway, thanks for your time and any advise etc you might be able to offer!

[Bundyburger]

Some breeders send the papers with the pup, others in the mail at a later date. My breeder had a folder with Bundy's blue wool 'collar' from when he was born (I nearly cried when I saw that), his rego papers (Which I then lost ) and a few other bits and pieces. He came on the plane from Tassie. I'm not sure how it works when you pick up from the breeders, but I'm sure you can cover all your questions with them

We were lucky, he didn't get car sick. He just curled up on the floor of the car and went to sleep til we got home. Except for when we stopped at Maccas, he woke up screaming, but we were only 5 mins away from home. I ended up nursing the dog and dinner at the same time

Good luck for Friday!

Edited August 31, 2010 by Bundy's Mum

[Niques]

Our breeder had us bring along some empty juice/soft drink bottles to fill up with their tap water to take home so as to not upset his stomach. He came home with a "James" folder with pedigree, copies of parents' hip/elbow scores, vaccination record, worming tablets and LOTS of information on puppy care and the breeder's history, etc (most of which we'd already been given).

When we got there, we got talked through everything in his folder again: feeding and worming, etc. Oh, and we filled out his microchipping form then and there so it was all ready for us to just post off.

As for taking him home, James had started screaming before we even got to the car It was not a pleasant trip home but I'm not sure what we could have done differently there. Just brace your nerves - I was ready to turn around and take him back within 5 minutes of driving off Can't help you on car-sickness, I'm afraid. Hopefully your girl will be fine!

I hope the next 3 days fly by for you

Edited August 31, 2010 by Niques

[Sandra777]

Example:

Do you sign a contract or something? (on the breeders website they talk about having to sign a contract saying you agree to putting a puppy on the limited

register but im getting one on main registry)

I would phone the breeder NOW and specifically ask if there is a contract and if so, to send you a copy. I can't remember the number of sad stories I have heard of people rocking up to collect their puppy, all excited and being presented with a contract, which they sign without reading properly and then find out binds them to all sorts of weird and unfair terms.

I'm not saying the breeder you have chosen is going to do this to you, but pre-warned and all that! Just phone them and ask.

[Dogsfevr]

Puppy contracts can vary greatly .

Our contract outlines all the things our new owners are already made well aware of prior to committing to a pup.

Our contract covers that they have recieved

diet sheet

breed specific info(diet/grooming/introductions to new things/worming/vacc/breed specific health issues/things to avoid/health clearances of parents & the list goes on.

It covers if sold as show/pet on main or limited .

Spay aspect

Both parties sign that all the required needs to care for this pup have been handed over & what paperwork also go with "said ".

We ensure all our owners are fully aware of what they are signing for .

Generally we hand the puppy pack over a week before the pup is going so they can read through & ask questions where required or that haven't already been discussed.

If people want a copy of our contract they can take that too.

I have rarely heard of any issues with contracts WITH facts from both sides.

[Nushie]

When we picked up Jager we got a huge puppy pack with all sorts of stuff. We didnt sign a contract just had to fill in all the details for his microchip. We spent about an hour at the breeders house which i think was good, she was really helpful, answered all the questions that had been milling around in my mind, plus she told us heaps of other stuff that i had forgotten to ask. During the time that we were there Jager was running around their lounge room investigating stuff so by the time we left he was exhausted and as soon as we got in the car, he fell asleep. So maybe try and tucker the little girl out before you head off on the 5 hour trip home?

Other than that i cant really help but i wish you all the best and expect to see some photos of the cutie when you get her home.

[jazawayaya]

Yes prepare for some screaming!

The most scared I have ever been in my life was driving away from the breeders house with this creature in the back making the most god awful noise I have ever heard...

LOL but she soon settled down.

We didn't have to sign a contract but she just went through all the papers/microchip stuff with us and gave us a list of what she had been fed... also gave us tons of her food to take home (raw) to keep feeding for the next week or so to help her settle in.

its all very exciting!

[Edenishy]

With 2 days to go, it's exciting, but its a little scary now too!

In less that 48 hours, the new adventure begins.

Thanks everyone for your advise and experiences. Very helpful indeed.

Does anyone know anything more about how I might deal with car sickness if it comes up?

Can dogs at least have ginger? If so I will make some dog biscuits up as im sure treating her right away will start the bonding process anyway

and if ginger has the same affect on her as it does me in relation to car sickness, then it can only be an added bonus in hopes that it prevents or helps

with any car sickness she may or may not suffer.

Hmmm does that make sense?

*edited to include the thank you and ginger query.

Edited September 1, 2010 by Ishy

[luvsdogs]

I didn't have to sign a contract, just the microchip papers & Dogs NSW forms for transfer of ownership., I also got copies of the parents health tests, a diet sheet some food, a toy. My girl was nearly 12 weeks old when we picked her up & had a 6.5 hr drive home, she was wonderful slept the whole way except for stops & lunch, as she had already travelled well as a pup & was used to being in a crate.

[Sayreovi]

Can dogs at least have ginger? If so I will make some dog biscuits up as im sure treating her right away will start the bonding process anyway

and if ginger has the same affect on her as it does me in relation to car sickness, then it can only be an added bonus in hopes that it prevents or helps

with any car sickness she may or may not suffer.

Hmmm does that make sense?

I don't know if ginger has the same affects on dogs that it does on people, but wouldn't hurt to try, however I wouldn't go feeding her before or during the car trip. Having food in her stomach may make her a bit sick whereas she might have been fine beforehand.

I would try Rescue Remedy instead, you can find that in the chemist, I've found it useful and have to get more before I go get my puppy

[Genabee]

How exciting for you!

When I collected Genevieve, my breeder provided me with a bag of food, a blanket and a toy for her. All her registration papers, vaccination records, health tests of both parents and some light reading material on raising puppies, the breed and pet insurance was also included. We also went through some questions I had. I didn't have to sign a contract...

My best friend nursed her for the 2 hour car trip home. We used rescue remedy successfully, rubbed it in to the scruff of her neck before we left and a couple of times throughout the trip home. She slept most of the way home... she only woke up when I got pulled over by the police for speeding!!!! I hadn't even got her home yet and I was already a bad influence! She was really funny once we got home though - that is the best bit - you will love it!!!

I don't have any issues with motion sickness. We travel well in the car and have flown well too. That being said, I always squirt some RR down her throat... whether or not that has an effect I am not sure, but it seems to calm her down. I also use puppy essence too.

There are a couple of threads on here, maybe not in the puppy section, could be in general or health, but there are a few on motion/car sickness. I know some of the DOLers give their dogs a little bit of a ginger nut biscuits about 15 minutes before car trips... never have done it myself so cannot comment on the effectiveness of it. I don't know if I would worry too much about it on that trip though... there may be no need in the first place and the dog will be anxious enough as it is.

Take with you a couple of old beach towels and a bottle of water. It might be worth stopping half way home to toilet and have a drink. He may well get dehydrated if his fluid intake isn't kept up. A soft toy to chew on/play with can also help to distract them. If you can, have someone nurse puppy (swaddle pup in blankets, helps them to feel secure and less likely to wiggle out of your arms!!).

Enjoy it and take lots of photos!!! You don't realise how fast they grow!

[Starkehre]

Congratulations on your new puppy.

Lots of great advice here.

Regarding travel, I always crate a new puppy for the trip home. Keep the crat dark as possible as this is more settlign for pup.

I would not recommend holding puppy for the trip. Puppy will get hot being held and will probably struggle and make the trip very upsetting for everyone. Pup will become more anxious with so much going on around him and will be more likely to vomit this way. He will associate the holder with this first stressful trip.

Pop pup in a crate and ignore. Puppy will probably not be car sick, but if he is, clean it up when you get home. I would not be feeding puppy any ginger as it is new to his system and may cause all sorts of other issues out the rear end and with his tummy.

Also, just make a bit of extra effort to drive smoothly.

Another suggestion other than a crate is to use a sturdy cardboard box. This way if pup does become ill or eliminates, you can just throw it out at the other end of the trip. Also any nasty associations are thrown away also, rather than using the same crate you might be using later on. This must be a carton that is not going to be able to be chewed up easily.

The breeder will ensure he has not been fed for several hrs before the trip. Just drive and ignore the crying.

Enjoy your gorgeous new baby, and try not to be so stressed about the vomitting. If it happens, it happens, but it probably won't.

[HeavyPaws]

Take a garbage bag {one of the big ones for bins} and a heap of old towels and bedsheets. When we picked up our last pup we bought old toddler bedsheets on ebay, 20 sets for $10, and a heap of cheapo towels from a $2 shop.

She threw up and pooped and wee'd and threw up again. As soon as anything got dirty, in the bag it went. And in the bin the bag went as soon as we got home

[Edenishy]

Again thanks for all the great suggestions and tips etc!!

I had planned on crating her on her way home. She has her at home metal crate and one of those hard plastic travel crates. I personally believe that she would be safer in the travel crate as opposed to being nursed home in case of emergency etc. I will remember to cover her up and make it dark too!

I will be sure to take lots of towels etc. I had planned on using towels as bedding in the crate in the car. I too bought a few from a cheapo store.

The sheets are a great idea too...something I will have to keep in mind but sadly I wouldnt have time to buy some off ebay etc.

How much are they usually in the shops? (cant say I have ever had to buy any)

I am going to take one of her blankets we have for her crate here at home and let her litter mates etc play with it for a while before we leave so she can

take the scent of them home with her for a little more comfort.

I will try not to stress about the possibility of car sickness. Just after reading so many stories of little pups throwing up on their way home, I just wanted to try to make the long journey home as stressless as possible knowing she will already be stressed from being ripped away from her litter mates etc.

She is the first out of the litter to leave for a new home.

No doubt I will also be driving home like an old granny....or new parents leaving a hospital with a new born. I anticipate the journey home will be a long one....driving slower...stopping for puppy toilet breaks etc.

Im sooo excited and so tired...I have not been able to sleep from excitement! Here I am trying to enjoy my last few nights of freedom to sleep (knowing all thats about to change with the puppy) and yet I cannot! I think I may need to take something this evening to help me sleep and get a really early night!

We have to leave for the breeders at 5am so a 4am start. For me, this is beyond early! We hope to be home at 5pm.

[HeavyPaws]

Find a cheapo store, and they'll have sheet sets pretty cheap. I used sheets because she was crated on the way home. I used a fitted sheet for a toddler bed {elastic on the corners} and sat her crate in the middle. The sheet covered the bottom on the crate and sat halfway up the sides so it caught any 'spillage'

[Guest]

should i be worried that when i picken up my puppy the only thing that the breeders gave me was his vacination papers??

i picked ike up about 3 weeks ago, and i got him microchiped and C5 vac

but everyone is talking about rego papers??

should i have gotten them?

[Bundyburger]

should i be worried that when i picken up my puppy the only thing that the breeders gave me was his vacination papers??

i picked ike up about 3 weeks ago, and i got him microchiped and C5 vac

but everyone is talking about rego papers??

should i have gotten them?

If your dog is from a registered breeder, yes you should've recieved them, or at least been told when to expect them.

[Guest]

humm.. i got him from Snowstars... Shiba inu breeders that i found on this site.. one would assume that they are a registed breeder???