Have you thought of any names yet? PS'ers on standby ready to help! 
@Queenie60 Oh totally gorgeous girl, congrats!
I agree with the advices given above re the potty training. Typically, dogs won't soil where they sleep, that's where crate training comes in handy. Keeping them attached to you helps you know when they're making movements to relieve themselves and that's the time to scoop them up and take them outside. Having treats handy when they do the right thing is great because dogs learn by association.
As a groomer, I concur with @rocks. Puppies have a socialization period which starts at birth and ends at about 16-18 weeks of age. ANYTHING you want them to be comfortable with for life should be introduced to them a time or four during this period, including intro puppy grooming, vet, other friendly doggies, children, car rides, etc. Take treats everywhere with you so you can hand them out to those you are introducing the baby to. This makes everything a positive experience.
As for tooth brushing, there are toothpastes out there that are enzymatic, meaning they don't necessarily have to be scrubbed on to the teeth, they can just be introduced into the mouth and it will help avoid plaque buildup. Doing it before bed, or after the last treat of the day, works well. They are flavored so once you find one she likes, you're good to go.
One of the most important decisions you'll make will be what to feed. There are two brands on the market that start with human grade ingredients: The Honest Kitchen and Stella & Chewy. They are typically not available at PetSmart or Petco, but they should be available at your local Feed and Supply store. My preference is Honest Kitchen, they have a dehydrated and a kibble, I use both. I try to stay away from chicken-based foods as that is the #1 allergen in dogs due to the super-heavy antibiotic and hormone use in nearly all commercial chicken. You can buy HK in small sample packs so you can dial in which one she likes, and I am a believer in switching things up to keep their stomachs able to adapt to different foods. Personally, I cook for my dogs every week, and we can discuss that if you wish, but that does NOT provide a balanced diet, and balance is critically important. Dr. Karen Becker advises that adding real food to a dog's diet can reduce future health issues by up to 90%, so that's DEF something to think about.
Try not to spay your baby until she's over a year old. She NEEDS those sex hormones and many dogs develop endocrine issues over the course of their lives because they are devoid of those hormones and their adrenal glands, which can produce a small amount of sex hormones, become overworked over time trying to keep up with the body's needs.
Congratulations on the gorgeous addition to your family! I'm excited for you and look forward to seeing pictures of her at home.
I agree with the advices given above re the potty training. Typically, dogs won't soil where they sleep, that's where crate training comes in handy. Keeping them attached to you helps you know when they're making movements to relieve themselves and that's the time to scoop them up and take them outside. Having treats handy when they do the right thing is great because dogs learn by association.
As a groomer, I concur with @rocks. Puppies have a socialization period which starts at birth and ends at about 16-18 weeks of age. ANYTHING you want them to be comfortable with for life should be introduced to them a time or four during this period, including intro puppy grooming, vet, other friendly doggies, children, car rides, etc. Take treats everywhere with you so you can hand them out to those you are introducing the baby to. This makes everything a positive experience.
As for tooth brushing, there are toothpastes out there that are enzymatic, meaning they don't necessarily have to be scrubbed on to the teeth, they can just be introduced into the mouth and it will help avoid plaque buildup. Doing it before bed, or after the last treat of the day, works well. They are flavored so once you find one she likes, you're good to go.
One of the most important decisions you'll make will be what to feed. There are two brands on the market that start with human grade ingredients: The Honest Kitchen and Stella & Chewy. They are typically not available at PetSmart or Petco, but they should be available at your local Feed and Supply store. My preference is Honest Kitchen, they have a dehydrated and a kibble, I use both. I try to stay away from chicken-based foods as that is the #1 allergen in dogs due to the super-heavy antibiotic and hormone use in nearly all commercial chicken. You can buy HK in small sample packs so you can dial in which one she likes, and I am a believer in switching things up to keep their stomachs able to adapt to different foods. Personally, I cook for my dogs every week, and we can discuss that if you wish, but that does NOT provide a balanced diet, and balance is critically important. Dr. Karen Becker advises that adding real food to a dog's diet can reduce future health issues by up to 90%, so that's DEF something to think about.
Try not to spay your baby until she's over a year old. She NEEDS those sex hormones and many dogs develop endocrine issues over the course of their lives because they are devoid of those hormones and their adrenal glands, which can produce a small amount of sex hormones, become overworked over time trying to keep up with the body's needs.
Congratulations on the gorgeous addition to your family! I'm excited for you and look forward to seeing pictures of her at home.
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