Hi Esme don't forget to take a clean dog towel when you go to collect your puppy, ask the breeder to rub it on the bitch so you can take her smell away with the puppy, it will be comforting for it. Also take a cuddly toy with you.

Cuddly toys are great sibling substitutes I buy baby safe ones from the charity shops and wash them making sure the eyes are safe (I usually remove them and sew some on with wool ). They usually cost 50p, much less than the pet shop toys. Chloe has a Springer puppy and two teddies which she loves. (Also make sure they are not filled with any kind of beans).

I would also get a copy of 'The Fast Track Puppy Survival Kit' by Lyn Fleet and Helen Roberts, both members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (whose members use kind, fair and effective methods). It only costs £4 , I think a copy should be given to every new puppy owner .
We have had four puppies between us in my family/friends recently and I gave each person a copy to get them off to a good start
...get it here...
http://www.dog-games.co.uk/newshop/p...en+Roberts.htm

The methods used are the same as those of Ian Dunbar mentioned by Anne in the post above.

just done the tags on my lunch break!

Still got to do insurance but was leaving that til the pup arrives or should I sort it in advance?