[Siouxz]

Not knowing if these are your first puppies- I don't know how much experience you already have. These are some things that surprised me with my first puppy.
So...just some suggestions from living with Izzie:
1. Crating my Izzie at night was the best thing for my fur-baby. I put in a small alarm clock that ticks, soft blanket and a chew toy. During the day, when she was not being held, played with or right near us, we put her in her ex pen. No, she didn't like it, but she adapted. She is 7 mos. now and was potty trained by six months. She is still crated at night but loose all day now. (she just went on a 5 mi hike with me the other day, she is fine, I on the other hand am not!!)
2. Make sure you have "leaving plans". Where does the dog go when you have to be away from them? How long are you needing to be away? If you work, who will take the puppies out during the day? If you need to board them-then you will have to research, you will need a vet, have all shots caught up and sometimes even fixed. They might need to interview the dog--well, the point is--it all takes time so plan ahead.
3. Do you want to take your dog(s) with you in the car? I have a small dog and strapped a small clothes basket in the passenger seat, put in a big pillow and "voile" instant car seat. She loves to look out when traveling.
4. What do you do with dogs when they are with you in the car and you need to stop in a store to get milk and bread that is desperately needed, but it is 20 degrees outside?
a. Leave them in the car and run in and out quickly?
b. Not take them in the first place?
c. Make sure someone is with them in the car and leave car running?
d. Bring them in the store with you?
5. Make sure wherever you go you have a bottle of water a some type of bowl.

All of these are situations I did not plan for, so we are learning together, my little Izzie and I.