In just a few hours, we will be dog owners. 1 piece of advice on first day?

[christina m]

In 2 hours, we will finally bring home Nicky. What's one piece of advice you wish you were given on your first day?

[Robin and Libby Louise]

TOO CUTE!  Good luck, enjoy and keep us posted!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

He sure is a cutie! I see lots of fun in your future !!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Relax and know that you will figure it all out together and find what works for you!! What an exciting time! Enjoy!

[Carol Scott]

Patience, space, time.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

He is adorable!

[Sally S Miles]

Nap when puppy naps - they can wear you out! Now that we have two I don't know if I could manage without naps

Congratulations - baby steps will take you and baby a long way

[christina m]

First night went well. He slept from 10.30 to 5.30! He didn't wake us up....I found him just waiting in his crate. He peed and went back to bed with only 30 seconds of whimpering. What a good boy.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OMD Nicky is just precious!  Lucky you! A schedule, lots of patience, naps, and plenty of chew toys --all essential :) Lots of pictures -- I never took enough and they don't stay pups for long. Once he's had some quiet time to get used to his new home, socializing a new pup is lots of fun and will pay off in the long run.  He should have his final shots before he walks around in public places, but you can take him for car rides or carry him into stores.  I used to take a clean towel and put it in the bottom of a shopping cart.  Finn loved his shopping "trip" rides in the local pet stores.

One day, when I was feeling overwhelmed by puppy, a wise woman said: Embrace this wonderful time with all your heart.  He won't be a puppy for long and you will want this time back!  She was so right :)

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Cheryl, that reminds me of a shopping outing to TJMaxx with Charlotte when she was very young.  I lined a shopping carriage with a blanket and browsed around the store with her. I had called ahead and was given permission to bring her into the store.  It was a great socializing experience, and everyone in the store stopped me to oooo and ahhhh over my adorable little fluffy pup.  Well . . . all was going smoothly until the manager (very nicely) stopped us somewhere around the accessories department and explained that we would have to leave, as the company's policy prohibits dogs in their stores.  Before we left, though, she gave me a coupon for a return trip, but reiterated that in the future I would have to shop alone!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Oh I can see why people would ooh and ahh over Charlotte.  I was just looking at our pictures from Thanksgiving again the other day.  So much fun! Happy Holidays to you, Charlotte and Wally!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Aren't those pictures the best?!  I just love looking at them -- brings a smile to my face every time. Happy holidays to you, fabulous Finn, and your entire family.  

[K and Racey]

You are getting great advice! We followed all of the advice given on here. 

One piece that is missing that we did within the first few weeks is grooming.

As a puppy Racey was brushed daily (even though she didn't need it). Now she loves it! If you ask her "Where's your brush?" she runs around looking for it.

She had one paw clipped per day for her toe nails-just be careful not to trim too short. The vet can show you where to clip to. Same deal as the brush, when she sees us pull out the nail clippers, she runs over and lays down.

She got a hair cut once per week. She didn't need her hair cut that often, so I would just put the longer attachment on the buzzers. Even if it was only for a few minutes, I wanted her use to the buzzers being run over her. She doesn't mind having her hair cut now (except for her face, which she hates, and I wasn't good about buzzing her face when she was a puppy).

Plucking her ear hair regularly. The vet showed us how to do it. My hubs did it and still does, so I'm not sure how often. But it goes along with getting them used to you touching them and not being bothered by you messing with their ears. The vet also gave us some ear wash and showed us how to use it. This is great for the summer, but we really didn't use it when she was a puppy because we didn't need to (and she hates it).

Racey got a bath once a week. She didn't get washed, but she would at least go in the tub and get her legs wet. Be careful getting their ears wet as they can easily get ear infections. Racey loved the tub so much when she was a puppy she would jump into the shower with us when we were getting ready for work. 

All of this goes along with the touching and rubbing that everyone else has recommended.