What Should You Expect During Your Puppy Pickup Day?

Adding a new member to the family is such a big decision. Questions may be swirling around your head about timing and whether your family is truly ready for a new puppy. Don't let the nervousness spoil the excitement of getting a new puppy! This blog explains what’s going to happen during your puppy pick-up day and what you'll need to know during your journey home! Let’s dive in!

Preparing the Puppy for Pick- up

First up, we will discuss the puppy bag that every pet goes home with. The puppy bag contains all the pertinent information on how your puppy was cared for prior to your arrival, including the vaccines administered, de-worming treatments, and any vet records. The puppy bag also includes very specific feeding information, which our team will go over with you before you head home with your new best friend. The puppy bag also includes their brand of puppy food, along with a few other treats and toys.

What Happens on Puppy Pick-up Day?

Not all new puppy owners will experience the same puppy pick-up day because each of our customers could be in a separate stage in the process. Typically, when new families arrive, we discuss the puppy pick-up bags, as mentioned above, and then they meet the parents of the puppy they are interested in. Families often feel more connected to their puppy once they get to meet the parents.

If you have already chosen a puppy, then it's time to meet face to face! However, for customers still deciding on which puppy they will be taking home, you will get a chance to spend time with the puppies that have been selected with your family in mind. From that point on, it's up to you to choose which special puppy will be yours to take home.

Timing and Logistics for the Big Day

When planning your visit to the ranch, be sure to schedule an appointment and arrive on time. Pick-up day can last a couple of hours depending on where you are in the process, and we want to give each puppy and their family enough time to get acquainted and ask as many questions as you want. Keep in mind the world is still very new to your puppy, so don't plan to bring a large group of people to pick-up day. An extra set of hands, or someone to watch the puppy in the back seat while driving, is more than enough.

The Ride Home: Keeping Things Calm

Before you leave with your puppy, our team will help set up the crate in the car and help keep the puppy calm as they adjust during the ride home. Each puppy has their own personality, but early exposure to time in the crate and in the car will help them grow into a well-rounded pup.

When traveling, keep in mind how far you are from home and who you're traveling with. If you're roaming far, stop frequently to give your new puppy a chance to use the potty and burn off some of their never-ending energy.

Puppy Proofing Your Home Before Arrival

A week before you are slated to pick up your new puppy, Kuykendall will send out an 11-page document with detailed information on how to prep your home for the puppy’s arrival. This puppy manual will include how to puppy-proof the home for a puppy who's chewing everything, what to expect during the first few days, how to help your puppy sleep well at night, and much more to support a smooth transition into their forever family.

Quick Tip: Each puppy has their own personal brand of destruction. Watch your puppy for any patterns they show. For example, maybe your puppy likes shredding paper products more than chewing on shoes. Remove as many paper products from your puppy's eye level as possible, and replace them with something suited to your pet.

Bonding with Your New Dog

You’ve made it home with your puppy! Now what?

Once you’ve made it back home, we recommend you keep things calm, cool, and collected for the puppy. Your puppy has ventured away from the only home they've ever known, and it can be incredibly overwhelming for them. There are new people, a new house, and lots of new smells to acclimate to.

Be very gentle when handling your puppy, but if you're both up for it, you can work on bonding exercises right away. That can look like something as little as feeding them treats from your hand, or just talking to your puppy. While gentle play is recommended, it's never too early to start getting your puppy used to their new routine. Introduce your puppy to their crate, where they can find food and water, and the outside space for potty breaks and playtime.

Common First Day Challenges

The first few nights at home can be rough for both you and your puppy. Whining, crying, not sleeping at night, constant chewing, and accidents in the house are common characteristics of the first week at home. The puppy years are as equally frustrating and disruptive as they are joyous and lovable, but know that the puppy stage is only temporary and you will miss it once it's gone. With a little patience and a lot of puppy love, you and your puppy will be settled before you know it.

Ready to bring your puppy home? Contact us today to learn more about our available puppies and what to expect on your pickup day!

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