<p>You’ve prepared for your puppy.</p> <p>You did the research.You bought the supplies.You read the books and checked all the boxes.</p> <p>So why does it still feel overwhelming when your puppy finally comes home?</p> <p>You did everything right, but you forgot one key part of puppy preparation: <strong>you</strong>.</p> <p>Good preparation doesn’t eliminate the chaos of bringing a puppy home. It prepares you to handle it when it shows up.</p> <h3>In this episode, I talk about:</h3> <ul> <li>Why <strong>feeling overwhelmed</strong> doesn’t mean you did something wrong</li> <li>How preparation helps you <strong>recover faster</strong> when things go sideways</li> <li>Why<strong> “mistakes”</strong> are not only <strong>normal</strong>, they’re part of the process</li> <li>The connection between preparation and the <strong>puppy blues</strong></li> <li>What <strong>realistic expectations</strong> actually look like in the early weeks</li> </ul> <p>If you’re preparing for a puppy, this episode will help you go in with clearer expectations.If you already have a puppy and are thinking, <strong>“I wish I heard this sooner,”</strong> also <strong>check out <a href="https://www.playtimepaws.com/episode104/" target="_blank" style="outline: none;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Episode #104: The Puppy Blues</a>.</strong></p> <p>Enjoying this podcast? &#160;Please rate and review it wherever you listen. &#160;This helps other puppy parents find it.</p> <h3>Other resources mentioned and related to this episode:</h3> <p><strong>Free Video Series:</strong><strong>&#160;</strong><a href="https://www.playtimepaws.com/prep/" target="_blank" style="outline: none;" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>The Three Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home</strong></a></p> <p>Your New Puppy&#8217;s Podcast: <a href="https://www.playtimepaws.com/episode18/" target="_blank" style="outline: none;" rel="noopener noreferrer">YNP #104: The Puppy Blues</a></p> <p>Your New Puppy&#8217;s Podcast: <strong><a href="https://www.playtimepaws.com/episode84/" target="_blank" style="outline: none;" rel="noopener noreferrer">YNP #084: My Favorite DIY Puzzle Feeders</a></strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.playtimepaws.com/puppy">YOUR Perfect Puppy</a>: If you’re looking for ongoing guidance with situations like this, this episode is also a great example of the kind of real-life problem-solving we do inside&#160;<strong>YOUR Perfect Puppy</strong>, where I help you turn everyday chaos into manageable routines that work for&#160;<em>your</em> household.</p>