Taking Your Puppy Home

So, you reserved your puppy, played the waiting game and it’s FINALLY time for you to get ready to bring your baby home. What do you need to get ready? You may want to start reading the Goldendoodle bible if you are a first time doodle owner and want to learn more about this amazing breed. As you approach your "Gotcha Day" it is wise to start preparing to receive your new family member before they arrive. You will want to consider the following:

1. Plan for the nutritional needs of your new best friend. You'll want to choose a high-quality puppy food and consider vitamin supplements. Their food should have real meat, avoid fillers, and because many goldendoodles are prone to chicken allergies, I recommend whitefish & brown rice by Pawtree, click here to learn more and place and order. If you want to consider other options, click here to learn more and compare options. We recommend NuVet Plus wafer vitamins, click here to check them out.

2. Every puppy needs training, so it's a good time to start thinking about what you plan to do. You can ask local groomers or your vet to recommend the best in-person classes. If you’re open to virtual options, Baxter and Bella's online puppy school provides professional coaching from the comfort of your own home. This puppy school includes more than 75 lessons, over 100 how-to videos, printable charts and checklists, unlimited one-on-one sessions, online classes and courses, training games, and activities, and lifetime support — all for under $200! You can click here to learn more and use code: TEDDYPUPPIES to access a 25% discount. They also have free blog, and podcast training resources you can refer to as well.

3. Plan for the unexpected. All of our puppies come with a 30-day free Trupanion insurance that you can activate on pick-up day with code BR1TP31121.

4. Find a local board-certified veterinarian that you love & trust. You can ask pet-owning friends and family for recommendations near you. When you find a vet you are interested in you can ask them about their approach to medicine and check that their facility is kept clean and that their staff are licensed vet techs. You should make your first appointment within 5 days of your puppy going home to establish care with their practice and so you can make a great care plan. Click here to learn more about planning for parasite management.

5. Order some treats and durable chew toys. Doodles are known to be chewers, so bitter apple spray for teaching them not to chew on table legs is a must and rewarding them for chewing on the appropriate toys. You don’t want to give dog toys that will crack or splinter into small pieces like rawhide, so we recommend Yak chews, cow hooves, and large elk antlers. Your new puppy has razor-sharp teeth and I wouldn’t recommend giving them plush bedding or anything that has small pieces they can break off and potentially choke on. Some doodles are allergic to chicken, so we recommend treats like these freeze-dried fish and CBD treats here.

6. You’ll need to puppy-proof your house. You'll need to decide if you are planning on crate training or want to use a playpen. If you're interested in learning about potty training options and what size crate to choose, you can click here. The first few nights can be hard for puppies to transition to their new home, but the heartbeat and warmth of a snuggle puppy can really help and a blanket that smells like home will be included in their take-home bag. You'll also want to get them a bed of their own and I definitely recommend one that is machine washable, like this.

7. Find a local groomer who is reputable, but don’t take pups in person until they have their vaccines (after 6 months of age). You can carefully trim around their eyes yourself with these angled scissors. This slicker brush is worth its weight in gold and is a staple for every doodle owner and it prevents mats by reaching to the skin's surface. If you'd like to learn more about at-home grooming, click here!

8. You’ll also want to start thinking of a pet sitter and a backup pet sitter in case that person is busy. Rover.com has options if you work away from home and need someone to pop in and take your pup for a walkie.

9. Plan to make a smooth transition for your puppy to join your family. Click here to read a blog about how to prepare for your new puppy's arrival.

But most of all, make sure to have fun with your pup! Good luck on your journey, I hope this was helpful!

***Disclaimer: I am not a licensed veterinarian and this information is meant to supplement, not take the place of seeking out your local veterinarian's opinion for your unique situation. Always consult your vet before making changes to your dog’s routine. I am an affiliate and receive a commission for certain pet products/services when qualifying purchases are made. However, I only recommend products and services that I believe have integrity. I do recommend many products that I receive nothing for, besides the joy of helping fellow dog-lovers out.