puppy supplies

VeganInTraining
VeganInTraining Posts: 1,319 Member
edited November 11 in Chit-Chat
I am picking up everything I need for my new puppy today (we get him on Saturday) which supplies do you all recommend.

I've googled a few lists and it seems like just about everything I had in my head was on the list but I want to know what YOU think are must haves for your dog.

What brand of food? (he's a medium mutt) What type of toys? and what should we avoid?

Replies

  • the_journeyman
    the_journeyman Posts: 1,877 Member
    We grabbed a basic puppy food, a bowl, collar, bed and training pads. We only got a couple toys, because you'll have to figure out what your pup likes. Ours is a destroyer, so nothing plastic or rubber. We keep Nylabones, a Kong (only rubber toy to stand up to her jaws for any length of time) and old tennis balls.

    JM
  • ShmoozyQ
    ShmoozyQ Posts: 390 Member
    TONS of things to chew on. My pups always like the chew straws because they can get them on their back teeth. Rawhides, hooves, ropes, squeaky toys, tennis ball, "teether toys." I've always given my pups a huge variety of things to chew on and *knock on wood* never had a pup that tried to destroy everything in sight. It's good to have a lot of options, and hopefully they'll like at least one :laugh:
  • ladybg81
    ladybg81 Posts: 1,553 Member
    I just got my 4th puppy. Kennel, puppy food, collar, leash, food and water bowls, lots of blankets/ sheets (mine stays in her kennel at night and while we are gone and she tee-tees on her blankets/ sheets so I wash them A LOT.) Chew toys

    Most of all patience, time and love.

    I feed all of my dogs (4 in total) Purina Pro Plan. My male Boxer had a bladder issue when he was little and the food helped solve it so all of mine eat it. My puppy is on the puppy Purina Pro plan. It's kind of pricey but it fixed Jake's problem so I can not put a price on my dogs health.

    BTW, congrats! Puppy breath is the best!!
  • DoodleDaft
    DoodleDaft Posts: 41
    I feed my dogs a BARF type diet http://www.barfworld.com/. They do really well on it, their coats are glossy, their teeth clean and white and none of them have a doggy odour. I would highly recommend looking into it.
  • nixirain
    nixirain Posts: 448 Member
    I would get the kind of food your puppy is already eating. Changing their food can upset their tummy.

    You can slowly change it by mixing the 2 for a while then switching over to the better kind if he isn't already.

    A collar with name tag, leash for their size, a few toys that are different kinds (a plush, a rubbery one maybe a rope one) bowls for water and food their size, a kennel with a pad if you are going to kennel train him. A doggy brush and shampoo if you are not going to get him groomed. The rest you can talk to your vet about. Things like: heart worm meds, tooth paste and brush for his teeth, dental bones. etc.
  • VeganInTraining
    VeganInTraining Posts: 1,319 Member
    I feed my dogs a BARF type diet http://www.barfworld.com/. They do really well on it, their coats are glossy, their teeth clean and white and none of them have a doggy odour. I would highly recommend looking into it.

    I'm scared to even look at that link lol
  • JenRLo
    JenRLo Posts: 95 Member
    Definately a crate and blanket or towel for inside. Might be nice to sleep with the towel/blanket for a few days so your scent is on there. The puppy will appreciate that when you're not home.

    You'll also want urine cleaner for all the accidents (make sure it has enzymes in it).

    Be very careful with rawhide, they can choke on it or it gets stuck in their stomach/intestine (requiring surgery). Chopped rawhide sticks are okay. My 3 year old lab still loves squeaky toys.

    Go to petsmart (or other pet store) and tell them you are picking up a new puppy, they'll probably have a gift bag for you. Personally, we always stuck with Puppy Chow and didn't have problems, but I know a lot of people who go with high end foods (we can't afford it!). Also a little collar (nothing special since it will be outgrown quickly). Good luck and enjoy that sweet puppy breath!
  • DoodleDaft
    DoodleDaft Posts: 41
    I feed my dogs a BARF type diet http://www.barfworld.com/. They do really well on it, their coats are glossy, their teeth clean and white and none of them have a doggy odour. I would highly recommend looking into it.

    I'm scared to even look at that link lol

    LOL, consider it "eating clean" for dogs! :-))
  • darkling_glory
    darkling_glory Posts: 239 Member
    Bowls - stainless steel or ceramic, no plastic. Plastic holds bacteria, plus it's funny for puppies to chew.
    Food - puppy food -
    Collar w/ name tag - make sure you get a name tag with your phone number on it right away!!
    Leash - no retractable! It teaches them to pull and they are not safe. They can break really easy.
    Toys - lots and lots of toys!
    Crate - start crate training ASAP

    Look into NILF (nothing in life is free) for training tips. Just google it.
  • darkling_glory
    darkling_glory Posts: 239 Member
    Definately a crate and blanket or towel for inside. Might be nice to sleep with the towel/blanket for a few days so your scent is on there. The puppy will appreciate that when you're not home.

    You'll also want urine cleaner for all the accidents (make sure it has enzymes in it).

    Be very careful with rawhide, they can choke on it or it gets stuck in their stomach/intestine (requiring surgery). Chopped rawhide sticks are okay. My 3 year old lab still loves squeaky toys.

    This is pretty good advice, but I would not put anything in the crate until you get them crate trained. With towels or cloth in the crate its easy for them to go in one spot and still be able to sleep in another spot. It seems harsh not to put anything in the crate, but it will speed up the process of crate training considerably.

    Also, the rule of thumb is that puppies can "hold it" for 1 hour for every month they are old. So a 3 month old dog needs to go out every 3 hours. Set an alarm clock over night so that you can get up and take the dog out, even if they are not whining.
  • ErinCusson
    ErinCusson Posts: 1 Member
    we just got out little bundle of fluff on February 6th and let me tell you!

    I recommend a collar, and tag (don't put the puppies name on it though, makes it easier for bad folks to get his attention), easy walk harness, a long lead, short leash, puppy pads( LOTS OF THEM) attractant spray for potty training, a soft toy, a nylon indestructible bone, a crate, a baby gate, stainless steel non slip bowls, and a non slip feeding station mat. oh and the book Puppies for Dummies! it has been invaluable in our house!:laugh:

    I also bought a hoodie and a jacket for our little man, but i live in Michigan and it is still VERY chilly here!
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Another vote for finding out what kind of food he is on and getting that! You can switch him over slowly if you don't like it. My pup came home with a small bag of.Science Diet, which I hate! So I did switch him, but slowly so his little tummy didn't get upset.

    Congratulations! Puppies are so sweet and fun :heart:
  • mfpdannimac
    mfpdannimac Posts: 21
    No rawhide!!!

    There are "bully sticks" that are sinew and pizzle and they are great says my vet- but NO RAWHIDE!

    They don't digest it easily, even adult dogs- and puppies have delicate digestion

    I'd go to a pet food store and see what they recommend- my puppy has an allergy so we were on Acana Puppy but have had to switch to Nature's Balance Lamb and Rice
  • mfpdannimac
    mfpdannimac Posts: 21
    Check here for tips and community: www.dogforum.com/
  • Tiff587
    Tiff587 Posts: 264 Member
    Hi!

    I'm a volunteer dog trainer for Bio Alert dogs. So I'm trying to remember the list I take to all new volunteers! Lol!

    Collar and tag - Dont' put puppies name on tag, just your surname and number, I also put tags saying they are micro-chipped. (people tend not to steal micro-chipped dogs)
    I would get him micro-chipped if you can, most police stations and vets have chip readers now.
    If your going to give him chew togs be careful, we tend to stick with smoked bones as they do not shatter and choke.
    Stainless steel bowls as they don't hold germs.
    All my dogs are crate trained, they have blankets and toys in there, and we feed them in there. I know it can have a bad rep, but my dogs love having there own little place away form other dogs and I only shut the door at night.

    That's all I can think of right now, but I would join a training class as socialising him is very important.

    xx:flowerforyou:
  • EmCarroll1990
    EmCarroll1990 Posts: 2,832 Member
    I'm sure you're probably going to get all similar items, but here's my quick recommendations:

    Food - We like, and so does our 3 1/2 month old Rottie, Royal Canin as a brand, you'll have to get the medium sized dog food though.
    Bed - Depending on how big he'll get, I'd say get the big size so you're not buying two.
    Crate - get the big ones, that have a divider so he can grow into it. I HIGHLY recommend you crate train your puppy, it's extremely convenient.
    Chew toy - I can't remember right now, I believe it's pork hide, but do not get it for your puppy, it's difficult for them to digest. Pig ears are good, or some bone - it'll cut out on him chewing on your furniture. Get something he can sink his teeth into as well.
    Treats - You should start training as soon as possible, make sure it's like 5 minute training sessions though. We're using these freeze dried liver treats and our dogs love them!
    Lease and collar - I'd recommend a cheap collar, because we're already onto our 3rd collar for our pup. And a good 4' length leash.
    Food bowls - Get regular sized ones, but don't fill them with food obviously, that way you're not buying a whole new set later.

    Also, if you have a Petsmart near you, I would highly suggest you at least go to puppy training, it's like 140.00 for the training classes, but it's 100% worth it.
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