If you’re Gold Cost family preparing to bring home your new Cavoodle puppy, I think a great tip is to have these five contacts ready in your address book before they arrive: a vet, a groomer, a play date contact, a carer, and a supplier.
Having these sorted in advance means you can focus on bonding with your puppy instead of scrambling to find help when you need it. Trust me, those first few weeks go by in a blur, and the last thing you want is to be frantically Googling for an emergency vet at 2am.
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1. Your Vet
Find yourself a great vet by asking friends and family or local area groups. Facebook groups for your area can be gold for this. People are usually pretty honest about their experiences.
Book early: Good vets are really busy and they’re often booked out. You can actually book your puppy’s second vaccination before you even bring them home. It’ll be due within a couple of weeks anyway.
Ask about emergency care: Do they offer 24-hour emergency care? If not, who do they partner with? This is really important because emergencies don’t happen during business hours.
Emergency clinics on the Gold Coast:
I’m not endorsing any particular one (do your own research and read reviews) but these are the main 24/7 options:
SASH Gold Coast – Robina Shop 6/20 Scottsdale Dr, Robina QLD 4226 (07) 5584 7300 Complex cases including neurological issues and major trauma. Specialists on call alongside emergency vets.
Animal Emergency Service – Carrara 104 Eastlake St, Carrara QLD 4211 (07) 5559 1599 Central Gold Coast location. Emergency-only practice experienced in trauma and critical illness.
Animal Emergency Centre – Varsity Lakes 4/492 Scottsdale Dr, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227 (07) 5593 4544 Southern Gold Coast coverage. Transfers care back to your regular vet once stabilised.
Pro Tip: If your puppy has an accident or is unwell after hours, you need to know who you’re going to call without hesitation. Once you have selected who your emergency vet will be write there number on a card and stick it on your fridge.
2. Groomer
Cavoodles need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and prevent matting.
Where to look:
- Google reviews
- Local Facebook groups
- Ask other Cavoodle owners
Groomers who are gentle with puppies and experienced with Cavoodle coats are worth their weight in gold.
Book months ahead: The good ones are often booked out. Even if your puppy won’t need their first groom for a few months, get on the waiting list now. Some groomers offer “puppy introduction” sessions to get your dog comfortable early. Worth asking about.
3. Play Dates
Socialising your puppy with other people and dogs is really important, especially up to about 12 weeks of age. This early socialisation window shapes how your dog interacts with the world for the rest of their life.
The catch: Until they’re fully vaccinated, dog parks and puppy school can be risky. Parvo and other diseases are serious threats to unvaccinated puppies.
Safe socialisation options:
- Organise play dates with people you trust who have well-behaved, fully vaccinated dogs
- Ask in local Gold Coast puppy groups on Facebook for safe meet-up spots
- Take short visits to calm, puppy-friendly places like quiet cafés or friends’ houses
Make sure any dogs your puppy meets are fully vaccinated and have calm, friendly temperaments.
I wrote an article all about keeping your cavoodle pup safe and happy on the Gold Coast where I talk in more detail about puppy socialisation and play dates in the first 16 weeks.
4. Carer
Until your puppy is old enough for kennels or puppy daycare (usually 4 to 6 months), have some carers on standby.
Options:
- Family or friends you trust
- Local pet sitters (check Facebook groups and Google reviews)
- Ask your vet for recommendations
Always meet any potential carer before leaving your puppy with them.
Emergencies happen. Medical appointments, family situations, work commitments. Sometimes you need backup. Having someone already familiar with your puppy makes these situations so much less stressful for everyone.
5. Supplier
With a new puppy comes new things. You’ll need beds, bowls, leads, food, wormers, flea and tick prevention, toys, training treats. All sorts.
Where to shop:
- Online retailers
- Big chains like Petbarn or Pet Stock
- Local independent stores
Read Google reviews and compare prices before committing. Ask in local Facebook groups what other Gold Coast puppy owners recommend. People are usually happy to share what worked and what was a waste of money.
Research now:
- What food has your breeder been using?
- What size collar will your puppy need?
- What’s the best value for worming tablets?
Get these answers sorted before your puppy arrives. You don’t want to make rushed, expensive decisions at the pet store while your new puppy is crying in the car.
Final Thoughts
These five contacts (vet, groomer, play date, carer, and supplier) form your support network for your new Cavoodle. Getting them organised before your puppy comes home means you can focus on what really matters: building a bond, starting training, and enjoying those precious puppy weeks.
Remember, these are suggestions based on my research and experience. Read reviews, ask local groups, visit places yourself, and talk to other dog owners. Every puppy and every family is different.