Preparation for Arrival

[CherryT]

We bought 3 cheap towels from Tesco's for Molly - we have had her 3 whole days now! And they are great for snuggling into, sleeping on, drying her etc., We also bought vet bed and cut it to size and as others have said, it washes and dries so quickly. And oh, has anyone else mentioned lots of kitchen roll!  Best of luck with your new little one. You won't get much sleep for a bit but they are so gorgeous!

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

Oh, remember to get some wine in (if you drink) - you'll need it!!

[Honormum]

Try not yo get too hung up on the sleep thing, Richard - we've had Teddy exactly 3 weeks today and never had to get up more than once a night for more  than a few minutes...and he sleeps through until the alarm goes off after 7am now.

He has settled  amazingly well - no crying overnight or when left, no destruction (yet!). Dare I say it, even the biting is getting getter!

You may be as lucky as we have been - fingers crossed!

[Richantsmith86]

Thank you all. It will be just me and Oscar for the first week (family on holiday!). I've booked the week off work and the mental preparation has already started! I spent an extortionate amount last night on Amazon but sure the wee lad will be worth every penny!

Thanks to each and everyone of you for your help, it really is appreciated and will fill you in on his arrival!

[jonnytrabant]

Just one more thing. If you both work and will have to leave him while your at work, then source a good dog sitter, for when your both at work. It was 8 weeks before we both had to go to work, then the moment suddenly crept up on us and we were frantically looking for a dog sitter, thankfully the first one was/is ideal.

All of the above is pointless of course if you both don't work or alternately have made other arrangements.

[Richantsmith86]

No fortunately my folks have retired so a dog sitter won't be necessary, they are cruising around Asia as we speak. Is it too early to retire at 26?   

I've got the basic essentials now including a dog crate, spaniel bowl, poo bags (woohoo), a clicker, snuggle puppy, a couple of chews, a blanket for night and a vet bed. Presume I'll need to get a separate bowl for water, any tips? Will need to cut down the vet bed to size, maybe the remainder of the vet bed not needed could be used to catch muddy feet !

Any other tips? One week today!

[Honormum]

We didn't bother to cut the vetbed down - I simply fold it in half because I know one day soon he'll be out of the crate and into a big boy's bed 

I like the heavy ceramic bowls for water - or otherwise, a large metal one (for a thirsty dog). For a tiny puppy, a small metal rabbit food bowl is fine.

You sound like you're all set!

[Holly2009]

Did you say 'Bowls' 

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=98558.msg1453430#msg1453430

[Richantsmith86]

You know your bowls Holly! Looks like I need to get a seperate water bowl to the spaniel bowl for his food, do you use two seperate bowls?

Probably the most stupid question I'll ask on the site but forgive me I'm a cocker rookie! Does the sheepskin side of the vetbed face up?! I'm presuming this is the case!

Think I'm all set, but I'm sure the real learning will start when the young lad arrives!

[Ruby Tuesday]

Yes, sheepskin side up for the vetbed

Personally I'd recommend a spaniel bowl for water. Jem trails so much water over the kitchen floor from any other bowl!

[Lily Freya]

Wishing you lots and lots of happy times with your little Oscar......and looking forward to the photos (they are an absolute MUST)...so learn how to post them. 

There is a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience here.....so you'll never feel alone during the trails and tribulations of early 'puppy' days.  Couldn't exist without this forum now, 

Good luck...Maureen, Ollie, Luis and Gracie. Xxx

[piph]

Oh, remember to get some wine in (if you drink) - you'll need it!!

I had to give up drinking alcohol some years ago (much to my disgust  ) because it started to upset my stomach.  Not drinking doesn't bother me now, but since Ozzy came to live with us, I have wished on several occasions that I could still have a nice glass of red!!!!  So, yes, I agree with Sophie on this - get some wine in!!