My partner and I have been looking for a rescue dog now for a couple of months. A few minutes ago I got a text "picking up the puppy on Saturday". I'm now both really excited and a bit terrified. What do I need to buy tomorrow to be ready for the puppy? This has all happened much sooner than I expected. The dog is 2 months old. My list at the moment is:

* water and food bowls

* a bag of puppy food

* a bed to sleep in (I'll use some old towels for blanket)

* a toys to chew

* some sort of treat

Will we need to buy some sort of cage to bring it home? If not, what is appropriate? Cardboard box with some blankets?

Other things such as vaccinations, sterilisation, heartworm medicine, leash, name tag, chicken wire to stop the puppy escaping from the garden can wait, I think. I really just worry about the immediate requirements. Please, any advice appreciated.

Much of "what you need" depends on who you are.

If you will be crate training the dog then you need to consider that, if you will be flying with the dog you need to consider that. Where you live and how you housebreak the dog needs thought too. (condo/house etc) Is the puppy leaving the litter-mates for the first time? If so you need to take that into consideration ......

Have you found a vet? Had the puppy treated for Parvo virus etc?

The list goes on and on

Crate training is a no, as is flying with the dog. The dog will be in a house with a large garden in Bangkok.

Will keep the puppy inside for the first few weeks until all the vaccinations are done - apart from going to the toilet. (That's the dog, not me.)

Yes, this will be the first time the puppy will be away from his siblings. What issues is that likely to cause?

Really at the moment I'm 100% focused on what I need for Saturday. Everything else can wait.

Crate training is a no, as is flying with the dog. The dog will be in a house with a large garden in Bangkok.

Will keep the puppy inside for the first few weeks until all the vaccinations are done - apart from going to the toilet. (That's the dog, not me.)

Yes, this will be the first time the puppy will be away from his siblings. What issues is that likely to cause?

Really at the moment I'm 100% focused on what I need for Saturday. Everything else can wait.

Yes, this will be the first time the puppy will be away from his siblings. What issues is that likely to cause? When we got or Husky dog it was the first time that he had been separated from his siblings and he would not eat anything at all for days and really struggled to drink also. My wife force fed him with milk and water through a dropper, so be prepared for this.

He is now a fine healthy dog but it was touch and go for a while.

Rick

IF the pup is howling (at night) : put a sweaty t-shirt or so from you (or the misses) in his "bed".