Puppy Prep: Tips for New Puppy Pickup Day

When to Get a Puppy

In general, the best time to get a new puppy is when they’re between 8 to 10 weeks old. By this age, they’re ready to bond with humans and have learned important socialization skills from their littermates and mother. In addition:

• Try to bring your new puppy home when you can set aside a few days to spend with them. Whether you take time off work or if it’s during a long weekend, these early days together will go a long way in helping them adjust to their new home.

• If possible, pick up your puppy in the morning. This will give you all day to help them get used to their new surroundings.

Once you choose a date and time, you should also come up with a pickup day plan for the car ride home and for your home itself. To help out, we’ve put together some checklists of things you can get and do for your big day.

Making Your Home Ready for Puppy Pickup Day

To help your puppy stay out of trouble:

• Remove or puppy-proof any potential safety risks such as electrical cords, small choking hazards and houseplants.
• Lock the lids to toilet seats and trash cans plus cabinet and closet doors, especially those where you keep toxic products like cleaning supplies.
• Don’t forget to puppy-proof your yard too.

As for things you’re going to need every day, you can pick up the following new puppy essentials at your local Pet Supplies Plus: [Hyperlink to PSP product pages.]

• A crate or dog carrier – This will give them a safe space where they can comfortably nest and den.
• Water and food bowls
• Puppy formula food – Get what the breeder or shelter is feeding them, then transition to what your veterinarian recommends.
• A cozy and comfortable bed
• Puppy chew toys – Choose ones made for teething (for their “baby” teeth). And don’t get them something tiny or toys that could break into smaller pieces. Your puppy could choke on them.
• Treats
• Poop bags and training pads – Lots and lots of them.
• Pet gates – Chances are not everything can be puppy-proofed, so pet gates are a great second line of defense.

Getting Ready for the Car Ride Home

If possible, bring someone along when you pick up your new puppy. They can hold and comfort your fur baby during the ride home.

Except for the extra human passenger, Pet Supplies Plus has everything else you need for pickup day:

• A crate or dog carrier – If it’s just you that’s bringing puppy home, this will keep them safe and make them less of a distraction while you’re driving.
• Poop bags and cleaning supplies – Puppy accidents do happen, so bring along things like cleaning wipes, paper towels and odor neutralizer.
• Adjustable collar or harness plus a leash – Put these on before you get in your vehicle. A collar is snug “enough” when you’re only able to fit two of your fingers inside the collar when it’s around your pet’s neck.
• Puppy chew toy – A good, car ride distraction.
• A blanket from home – Give the breeder a blanket beforehand, so when you pick up your puppy, they’ll have something familiar and comforting for the ride home.
• Water, food & travel bowls – If the trip home is going to be a little long, you don’t want your puppy to get hungry or dehydrated.

Puppy Pickup Day: During the Car Ride

Picking up your puppy is prime bonding time, so try and get as many family members involved. Just don’t overdo it.

If all that attention is making them nervous, have everyone pull back on the puppy handling. Once in the car:

• Make the ride home nice and quiet.
• Give them plenty of space and air.
• Take bathroom breaks (accidents can happen when they get too nervous or excited).

As much as you want your friends to see your little bundle of joy, go straight home. Your puppy needs to adapt to their new address as soon as possible.

You Made It Home. Now What?

Once you get out of your vehicle, let your puppy do their business and, if you have one, take them to their designated bathroom area. In addition:

• Just like in your car, create a calm and relaxing environment at home. Overstimulation (e.g., loud noises, too many new faces and voices) can frighten your puppy.
• Let your puppy explore your home at their own pace. This could mean running around like a puppy tornado or even letting them hide.
• If you own other pets, keep them away from your puppy for now. Give your new fur baby a day or two before you introduce them to their new pet family members.

As a puppy parent-to-be, try to learn what to do before your new puppy even sets paw in your car and home. This is a nervous time for them, so “script” their pickup day by having the right mindset and getting pet supplies in advance. And if everything doesn’t go according to plan, that’s okay. Life is supposed to be full of little surprises (good thing you got lots of poop bags and training pads, right?).