Bringing home a new puppy.....( or dog)

[Queen Bitch]

As many of you know I will be getting a puppy in a year or so. I have come up with a list of things that I need to get before or right after I get said pup. This pup is also going to be shown at some point so there are a couple extra things on the list that most normal puppies/dogs wouldn't need. I think this list ( with some exceptions that will be *'d) could be very useful to some of the members we get from time to time, so could we make it a sticky?

( In no order)

1. Crate
2. crate pads/blankets
3. exercise pen (* but not totally show related, could benefit others as well.)
4. regular, metal buckle collar ( I don't trust the platic snap ones not to break)
5. 6 foot leash
6. 15-30 foot leash for times when more area is required for excercise and the like in an area that isn't enclosed.
7. Martingale collar ( and other training collars as needed such as a slip chain or a prong collar)
8. bed
9. toys
10. dishes
11. first aid kit ( which also contains a muzzle)
12. training tab ( a really short leash for easier corrections as needed.)
13. treat pouch (* but also very useful for training)
14. ID tags ( and will have tags made for when I travel)
15. seat belt harness
16. brushes, hound gloves, and other various grooming supplies
17. toothbrush and toothpaste
18. coats and booties for bad weather
19. food and treats obviously
20. nail clipper and/or a Dremel
21. Pooper scooper or a large supply of poo bags.
22. Dog books, on training methods, feeding methods, your breed(s), a first aid/health book, basically any dog book you can get your hands on. If you have a particular doggy hobby that you are interested in, as many books on that subject as you can find.
23. Nature's Miracle or other such enzyme cleaner for cleaning up accidents.
24. Baby/puppy gates.

Please feel free to add anything that my sleep addled mind has missed.

[bk_blue]

Stuck! :wink:

No, I can't think of anything else, that list is pretty comprehensive plus I have no idea about showing dogs. 8)

[imported_Cassie]

Congrat's on getting a new pup/dog. :D
I was just wondering why you would want a prong collar? I currently own a Newf which the co-ower was using a prong collar on him as he was uncontrollable. When they gave him to me they told me I should take the prong as I would have a rough time with him. I have not, nor will I ever use one of those collars on my dogs. I used positive training and was able to show every one just how uncontrollable he was by getting his CD title on him :wink: it just shows how great positive training can be, I never used any corrections on him at all...I just redirected his bad behavior towards good behavior. I trained all of my dogs with positive only trianing. Works like a charm, and they are eager to please me, not frightened of doing some thing wrong.

[Shenanigans]

I guess I just want to elaborate on your list. ;)

With the xpen, I'd get one with a door, makes life all the more easier. They're having a great sale on them at national pet cage.

The leash, I'd get a nylon one for a puppy, but your hands will thank you later for a nice leather one when you can spring for it.

A slip leash is really handy to have too. I keep one in the car (in case I happen upon strays) and one at home. Very easy to just slip over the dog for an emergency outing.

I never thought I'd like them, but I find those extenda leads really handy for my Newfoundland. We only use it when we're in a field or somewhere out in the open, he likes to follow his nose so his recall isn't great.

Dishes, definitely stainless steel. I'd get two food dishes, I'd get a water bucket (stainless steel again) for the kitchen and I'd get a smaller one for his crate to be attached with a double d clip.

Cleaning materials and solution. A decent vaccuum, masking tape, I have found the Mr. Clean Sponge amazing to remove slime and eye boogies.

Extra towels and a non-skid mat for bathing.

A good credit limit or savings in your bank account for emergencies. Some people use insurance, it's not very cost effective for my breeds though.

I think that's it for now, it's fun shopping with other people's money. lol

[Queen Bitch]

Cassie, I said other collars, AS NEEDED, I am not setting out to use a prong, or that it will ever be needed, but that isn't to say that I won't ever use one. I would rather use a prong than a traditional choke chain, but I will use the oh so yummy Herm Sprenger metal martingale first. Since I plan on training from the get go, I doubt that it will be nesssary. ( And I WILL NOT use a choke or prong on a PUPPY.) I don't plan on ruling out any options with the exception of beating.


Shenanigans:
I Loooooooooooooooooove those slip leads, my Samoyed has one and it's awesome, though I will be getting one of the martingale types. I also want to give agility a try, so it would be really useful for that. Though I didn't specify on leashes, I positively DROOL over leather leashes. Yum.

I am a firm believer in metal bowls, a) they are easy to clean/sterilize and b) no pink nose!

I will get a good vaccuum and a nice roll of duct tape, forget about that wimpy masking tape, it doesn't barely make a dent with my breed's hair. :lol:

[Shenanigans]

I Loooooooooooooooooove those slip leads, my Samoyed has one and it's awesome, though I will be getting one of the martingale types. I also want to give agility a try, so it would be really useful for that. Though I didn't specify on leashes, I positively DROOL over leather leashes. Yum.

The solution, get more than one lead! LOL I know, easy to say since it's not my buck. I have several different leads, all collected through the years though, so the cost doesn't seem to hurt as much.

I've just tried out my brand new and believe it or not, first xpen, now that I have one, I can't imagine how I ever managed to live without one!

[Guest Anonymous]

Cassie a prong collar is NOT frightening your dog into doing something! It's CORRECTING the dog when s/he does something bad, and is much safer then a "choke collar"!! I use one on Coal, but only as a training tool, I don't use it as a solution. In fact was just out there today training him to heal, had the prong collar on for a while (started itching him so I took it off) and he was offlead and healing perfectly! :D But i had to start the lesson with the prong and leash on because he has ADD I swear :lol: Everything smells good, and he wasn't listening, so I had to put the prong on for him to listen. I never "popped" it once, he listens like a doll on it though. I think within a matter of weeks we may be able to drop the prong completely :D And I will have saved my poor arm :lol:

sorry, just ahd to get that out first...

Has anyone said Grooming Table? If they did sorry :oops:
I don't even show my dog but have a grooming table, not an official one... but it's my sister's old art desk, and works perfectly. I put these grip things on it, and then Coal's travel blanket upside down on it, so it's a more rubber material on the bottom, so less slippery then the surface of the table, but still easy to clean :wink: I'd love to get a thing to clip on the side of it, that you put the dog in ya know? Know what I'm talking about? :lol: It has the loop thing on the end and it keeps the dog standing sorta deal... anyway, I'd like that, but Coal does really good on the table. he LOVES it! :D I can't even go to the bathroom in there without him sitting by the table looking at me with big puppy eyes :lol: So he loves to be groomed, so stands pretty good :wink:
Long story short, I think they're great for even just pet owners, but especially if you'll be showing your dog! :P

[Queen Bitch]

Yeah Shenan, I imagine my dog's leash/collar collection will rival Sizzledog's Ilsa. :wink: On second thought maybe it won't be THAT excessive. :lol:

[Aroura]

Good list, BUT I can't advice strongly enough AGAINST the use of negative training. I'd say toss out the idea of a prong collar altogether and instead buy a clicker, the book "clicker training for obedience" and another book called "click to win" by karen pryor which is supposed to be good. The first book is excellent, if you want the name of the author I can find it for you, I suggest you buy the book now so you can have all the ideas firmly planted in your head, ready for when you get your pup. Compulsive training has the potential to ruin dogs, two of our dogs which were trained with those methods now will cower even at the thought of training, our clicker trained dogs on the other hand are the most loyal, obedient dogs out and they never take their eyes off you, their recall is fantastic too!

Can I ask what sort of dog you intend to get? For you, if you intend to show you'll need a nice outfit with pockets. Apparently there are show classes that you can attend too. Look into diet, if you decide to feed a BARF diet now might be the time to buy a book such as "Give Your Dog A Bone" by Dr Ian Billinghurst. Of course you'll have to look into things such as Puppy Pre-school and continued training etc.

In a few days hopefully I'll have the puppy part of my web page completed, so there'll be as much helpfull information in there as possible, including choosing a breed, finding a puppy/breeder, the first few weeks and diet information.

[Aroura]

Oh, has anyone mentioned a towel? And a blow drier? All my dogs have their own towels :wink:

Just to expand on the prong collar thing, if you look into some studies on animal behaviour it is consitently found that animals react better to reinforcement techniques than to punishment techniques. We have a few old check chains from when we used them, all they are good for now is for tieing the dogs up at bath time, they can't get away but unlike a collar you can wash underneath them easily! Very convenient, though none of our dogs will ever have to hear that dreded check again :-?

[Queen Bitch]

Look folks, I already said that I wasn't setting out to use a prong OR a choke chain, I simply haven't totally ruled them out. I said other training collars AS NEEDED and who's to say that they will ever be needed? Nor have I ruled out clicker training, quite the opposite in fact, I have bought a couple books on it. I wasn't posting about training or training methods and I really don't want this thread to turn into a debate on which methods are better. I will use whatever method that my dog responds best to. And a big duh here, I will of course be asking for advice in the future from all my Dogo fam, but that is not what this thread is about. It is about things and stuff to get when getting a new dog or puppy, be it showdog/pet or pet.

That being said: Aroura, I bet if you try real hard, you will be able to guess what sort of dog I'm going to be getting. :wink:

I have checked out a couple handler clothing sites and the clothes I saw were simply horrid. I think I am going to go the route of the bait pouch that fastens around the waist or that I can sling over my shoulder under a jacket.

The contract from my breeder states that obeidence classes/puppy preschool are madatory and even if they weren't, I'd be signing up for them anyways, it's just a smart thing to do. I will also be looking into finding handling classes, even if I have to take private lessons.

[Aroura]

Sorry if I came across a little strong :oops:

I just think you should cross them off the list, if the situation arises you can consider it then but I don't see any reason why a dog trained from puppy hood would ever become so out of control that you would need a prong collar - if that did happen maybe you could consider a gentle leader instead?

Now, racking my brain I can't think of any breed that you've mentioned... BUT judging by the avator I'd say you're looking at getting a Dal? Beautiful dogs, I can never pass one in the street without stopping and staring, even drooling a little at times :wink: :lol:

They have handler clothing sites??? Would you be able to post a link for me? Makes me wonder, what will they think of next? :lol:

Glad to hear you've looked into training - you can write out all the lists in the world and buy your dog every product and accessorie under the sun but it wont make a scrap of difference if your pup isn't well socialised and trained right from the start. I've written out a list for when I get my puppy, I've already got things like food bowels, toys and collars/leads etc for him so I'm not rushing around buying it at the last minute, but most of my list focuses on training and socialisation, show prep and meal plans. I've posted it before but I could email the document to you if you like? Just give me your email address and I'll send it off ASAP. I've also got a checklist of things to introduce the puppy to each week as many times as possible so he gets used to it. The good thing about brining a pup home at winter is they get to meet people with jackets, big bags, hats etc, things that otherwise a dog may grow to be scared of. Lilys aggression began not only with children, but also towards the unfamiliar, such as people in jackets, which she wasn't exposed to as a pup because she came home in the middle of summer. You have to be aware of these things, even if you bring your pup home in summer maybe try to have some dress up partys of something and encourage people to wear big, over the top clothes, and of course, carry lots of treats so everyone can give the pup yum yums! :D

[Queen Bitch]

Here you go Aroura: http://www.dog-showclothes.com/

I believe my email is in my profile, so send away. It's going to be nice to pick your brain since you will start showing not too long before me.

And, yes, I will be getting a Dal. I liver spotted male Dal to be precise. All Dals are pretty, but those livers make me swoon.

[Aroura]

OMG people go out in the show ring looking like that! :o :o :o

Unbelievable, I can see why you decided against that! No offence to anyone who dresses like that here :oops:

Ok, I'll send you off the puppy schedule, and you can let me know what you think :D If you like it you can always print it out and use it for your own pup! Even if you make a few personal touch ups first :wink:

Liver Dals are gorgeous, can't wait till you get him or her and get photos up!!! Ohhh little dally pups! :angel:

[Lokipups]

There's something very important missing from the great list,
NATURE"S MIRACLE!
An enzymatic cleaner is a must for accidents and housebreaking :D .

[CKMILK]

thanks i just said i need to know what to get !!! we are getting a beagle pup!! well the one thing i cant live without is those child gates i like to use them in the kitchen so puppy can play around and if a uut ohhh pee pee or # 2 happens it is on tile. these are great cause while they are little the kitchen is big place to run around all crazy. so i will add that to my list :D thanks again!!! they also told me a cam i got one of them so i can post some picks of her.

[mouseatthebusstop]

I have just read the list to refresh my memory what I will need when I get my puppy in 6 and a half weeks time- won't need a grooming table for a short haired breed - I have seen a lot of people useing the top of the create fitting a board on the top- I do not want a prong collier I think they are illegal her

[Aroura]

Sounds like we're all getting pups about the same time, this will be fun! We can start a "Virtual Puppy Pre School" :lol:

[Bubblezzz]

I've also got a checklist of things to introduce the puppy to each week as many times as possible so he gets used to it.

Aroura, would you mind posting this list here? No plans to get a puppy anytime soon :( , but I remember waiting a little too long to show puppy Cosmic an umbrella... took me almost 2 weeks & treats galore to unspook him. :roll:

[CincoandDahlilasgirl]

Theres a new kind of Collar out now that we got when we got Cinco. It's like what we call a choker but it's a fabric collar and as far as i can see it's been working very well!

[pomeranians]

I haven't read through everyone elses posts, so I hope no one already mentioned this, but here we go anyway.

Thats a very nice list hillside. I don't think you left much, if anything out. I would have had a much better shopping list if I would have read that when I got my puppy a few months ago :oops:

But...you said one thing that shouldn't be on the "pre-puppy" shopping list, at least not all of the time. ( Doesn't make much sense, but stay with me). You said a metal collar, and, thats definetly NOT what you want to get, only if the situation is that you've purchased a "fuzzy" breed. Collars can totally destroy a fuzzy dogs coat, so I think you should have mentioned that some where on that list.

Yes, its not that big of a deal, and with only a little bit of research, you can pretty easily figure out that fluffy dogs shouldn't wear collars, rather a sliplead, but some people don't do that much research (even though they should), so I just thought it would have been a bit better if something about the collar differences had have been mentioned.

But, an all around grat list anyway hillside, that should help some new puppy owners. :D