Jenny in Florida Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Okay, so, humor me. I can't pick up the new puppy until early March, and I have puppy on the brain. (Can one get a "nesting" instinct under these circumstances?) I'm browsing the Petco website while waiting for my son to finish the next chunk of his math assignment, and I'm a little overwhelmed at all the possibilities. So, I thought you all could help me figure out what I actually "need" to start with. I know I'll need a crate and leash and collar, food and water bowls, food (duh) and something for when she goes riding in the car with me (which will likely be often). I haven't housetrained a dog before, so I'm a little nervous about that part, but I'm sure we'll make it work. What else do I need to know or make sure I have on hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 treats? brush? book/dvd on training? several old blankets (one for crate, one for car, etc) find a vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Chew toys. Bitter apple. Emergency contact tags. Can you get a license in your town before the pup comes home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Start now doing your research on foods. I'm an advocate for the premium brands (Natural Balance, Wellness, Innova, etc)...if you want to know why, check this book out from your library: Food Pets Die For by Ann Martin. It's a good but very shocking read. You might also consider making your own food. There are several books available for this; my personal fave is Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs And Cats by Andi Brown. Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Books and videos! Ian Dunbar's book Before You Get Your Puppy is a must! http://www.jamesandkenneth.com/store/show/BK504 the clicker kit is nice: http://www.clickertraining.com/store/?item=putrkitpl and really anything from this site: http://www.jamesandkenneth.com/store/show_by_tags/Video I would also recommend that you look now to find some good positive rewards trainers in your area. It would be excellent if you went NOW before you had a dog and just observed. Most people will let you go observe one class with no problem. In fact, I'd not sign up with anyone who does not allow you to come and observe a class. For a puppy, I would have: -2 stainless steel bowls -harness -collar -boomerang flat tag for the collar http://www.boomerangtags.com/page.php?c=collartags&k=h -6 ft leash -20-50 ft leash (you can find these online in tracking stores; very useful to have as they allow dog freedom but keep them safe while you're teaching a recall; much better than flexi or retractable leads which teach a dog to pull) -a bed -kong and wubba toys -crate for car; optional crate for home. I'm not on the crate bandwagon - I only use them in the car but ymmv :001_smile: -big jug of nature's miracle or other enzymatic cleaner. Buy the biggest jug you can find right away (usually a gallon). It doesn't go bad & you'll need it eventually -brush and comb -dremel or nail clippers and because I'm a clicker trainer -a bunch of clickers (I lose mine even though I have them on a wrist scrunchy thing) -home made treats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Find a copy of "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete. Remember a puppy will need a different size collar than a grown dog. Two shopping opportunities.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Books and videos! Ian Dunbar's book Before You Get Your Puppy is a must! http://www.jamesandkenneth.com/store/show/BK504 Very good one, also agree. the clicker kit is nice: http://www.clickertraining.com/store/?item=putrkitpl and really anything from this site: http://www.jamesandkenneth.com/store/show_by_tags/Video I would also recommend that you look now to find some good positive rewards trainers in your area. It would be excellent if you went NOW before you had a dog and just observed. Most people will let you go observe one class with no problem. In fact, I'd not sign up with anyone who does not allow you to come and observe a class. Agree with this as well. Find a trainer now. For a puppy, I would have: -2 stainless steel bowls Yep. -harnesspu, right? then yep. -collar yep. -boomerang flat tag for the collar http://www.boomerangtags.com/page.php?c=collartags&k=hyep. -6 ft leashyep -20-50 ft leash (you can find these online in tracking stores; very useful to have as they allow dog freedom but keep them safe while you're teaching a recall; much better than flexi or retractable leads which teach a dog to pull) yep -a bed I like having more than 1 for different areas.(not human areas) -kong and wubba toys yep -crate for car;Yep, I use the same ones though. optional crate for home. I'm not on the crate bandwagon - I only use them in the car but ymmv :001_smile: -big jug of nature's miracle or other enzymatic cleaner. Buy the biggest jug you can find right away (usually a gallon). It doesn't go bad & you'll need it eventually -brush and combyep, having some old towles around for cleaning dog as well. -dremel or nail clippers yep. and because I'm a clicker trainer -a bunch of clickers (I lose mine even though I have them on a wrist scrunchy thing) -home made treats A very good list here. Just remember even though you can find things in a pet store does not mean they are the most safe items for pets. Everything has its issues and supervision is the key. GOod luck and have fun shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle T Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Everything else seems to have been covered. You'll want the disposable poop bags for going on walks, to the park, when the puppy poops in your car (this happened THREE times, sigh). I love buying toys for my puppy, he is a bit spoiled. He mainly loves natural chews, such as bully sticks, lambs ears, cow tracheas, gross things like that. I do not give him rawhide, that can be a choking hazard. I just use old towels in his crate, since they are easily washed. I agree with premium food, such as Wellness, Innova, etc. My pup eats Spot's Stew, which is a premium brand from Halo Pets. He loves it! I also suggest stocking up on paper towels, because you will be using them like crazy! Michelle T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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