A lot of folks prior to coming to pick up their new pup to bring home ask ... "What do I need to transport my puppy home in"? Of course it depends on how long of a trip home it will be and if you will have others with you to help with making the trip... A small crate is always advisable and makes for a safe trip for them - however this is a big new world for them in your car so if you want to bring a towel to lay down in a seat my you or have someone hold them ... this is good too ! Just make sure the pup feels secure on the ride home.... This will be a big day!!

When your family brings a new puppy home for the first time it is always a very exciting time for everyone, the kids, the puppy and you! However, your older dog may not be so excited... they may give you a look that says... "Surely this puppy is JUST visiting" ... "Surely he/she is NOT staying"!! You do not want any kind of negative animosity between the two dogs ... and it is easy to properly introduce a new puppy to an older dog.

Dogs, even after adapting to living with humans, have a "pack mentality"... where there is a leader (YOU ) , a beta and an alpha, etc .... Your older dog is second in command, the beta and may feel threatened by the new puppy. You want both dogs to feel equally loved and wanted!!! This will make the transition much smoother for everyone.

Make the transition as slowly as you possibly can... this new home can be terrifying for your new puppy and the new pup can come as a huge surprise to your older dog. Let the pup get used to his/her new home, sniff and walk around the house. Make sure you stay near the two dogs when they are together at all times ... NEVER introduce the two dogs when food, toys or treats are around and use COMMON sense here!

Make sure you spend good quality time with each dog ... good bonding time for all. Do it sparingly as it can cause jealously between the dogs. Play with them separate but also incorporate group playtime. Once they have begun to play together you will not need to be around to initiate it... but until they are playing together and used to one another.... never involve food, toys or treats with the 2!

It is a good thing to have two dogs as they are good company for one another and will learn to love each other as well ... but the intro and transition is one that has to be done properly!