Pick-up day and the ride home

What to bring

• A crate or carrier — the safest way for your puppy to travel.
• A soft towel or blanket. We send Mom's Scent Blanket home with your puppy, so add a clean towel for the ride.
• Paper towels and a sealed plastic bag for any small accidents.
• A small bottle of water and a collapsible bowl.
• A lightweight leash and properly fitted collar for potty stops.

Before you leave us

• We will review your puppy's recent feeding, sleep, and potty rhythm together.
• You will receive your puppy's licensed vet exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming record, and microchip information.
• A sample of your puppy's current food goes home so the transition stays gentle.
• Please ask anything that is on your mind. We would rather answer ten questions than have you guess at one.

If you are driving

• Secure your puppy inside their crate in the back seat. A loose puppy in a moving car is unsafe for everyone.
• Plan a quiet potty stop every two to three hours. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, avoid designated pet relief areas, rest stop grass, and anywhere other dogs have likely been. Look for a clean grassy patch away from main areas.
• Carry your puppy from the car to the potty spot when you can.
• Some puppies feel queasy on their first car ride. Fresh air and avoiding a full meal right before travel can help.
• For longer drives, a frozen chew or familiar comfort toy can help your puppy settle.

If you are flying

• Mini and smaller medium puppies can usually fly in-cabin in an airline-approved carrier under the seat. Book early — airlines limit pets per flight.
• Check your airline's health certificate requirements. Many require one issued within ten days of travel. We can coordinate this for you.
• Avoid a full meal right before the flight. Offer small amounts of water during layovers.
• If your puppy is too large for in-cabin travel, families may discuss flight nanny coordination with us. A trusted in-cabin travel companion is often the gentlest option for your puppy.

Once you're home

• Take your puppy straight to the potty spot you have chosen before walking inside.
• Show them their crate, water, and a calm resting area. Let them decompress.
• Resist the urge to invite everyone over right away. Your puppy will benefit from a calm landing with just the people who live in the home.
• Keep the first evening quiet, predictable, and low-stimulation. The big introductions can wait a few days.

We are with you after go-home day

Lifetime breeder support is part of bringing home a Kid's Best Doodle puppy. From first-night questions to routine, food, crate transition, and emotional adjustment, we stay connected so you do not feel alone.