So, you have researched hard about finding your cockapoo
puppy, have decided that the only route to go is to buy from a licensed
breeder, and have been to see the pups with their mum and have chosen your new family member.

The puppy is due to come home to you at 8 weeks old, and you want to be properly prepared, so here are a few tips.

If you are crate training, which is a really good idea, I would suggest a medium-sized crate, as this will give you room, whilst still a puppy, to put the bed at the back and a toilet area at the front, so that if puppy gets caught short during the night, there is a place that can be used – they do not, generally, like to be dirty in their bed, and the crate will still be plenty big enough once puppy is an adult.

I recommend an old hot water bottle, or similar, in puppy’s bed at
night, as it is not so much their siblings that they miss, they have you now, but the bodily warmth from sleeping all cuddled up together.

You will need food and water bowls, puppy pads or newspaper, and maybe a toy or two.

If you have a garden frequented by foxes, I would advise trying to fence off a small area by your house for puppy when first home, to prevent picking up anything from the foxes, until puppy is fully vaccinated.

You will not need a collar right away, but it is a good idea to let puppy become used to wearing one. Do not put one on when you are not around until puppy is used to wearing one though, as they
can, at first, scratch at it, and can get their foot caught in it and cause
themselves a panic.

Puppies have quite delicate tummies to start with, so do
not be tempted to give anything other than the food that they are used to until you are quite sure that their tummy is totally settled – you can, however, give the very occasional bit of plain boiled chicken – be sparing though, as they love it, and are likely to decide that chicken is all that they want to eat from now on!

Enjoy your new puppy.