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Must have puppy equipment recommendations

JamieHalverson

Well-Known Member
We are getting our first puppy in June, and I would LOVE some MUST HAVE recomendations. I feel like the lists I've read are probably similar to new baby lists; a lot of crap you don't need and the things you loved the most aren't even on there...

I'm just thinking about how fast she'll grow; what are the best adjustable harnesses? The best chew toys? treats that won't impact her nutritional intake too much? Whatever you found useful for your pups!

Fortunately, we can borrow a small/medium veri kennel and a large wire crate from the in laws to use until she needs the largest size crate, but other than that, we need everything!
 

DDSK

Well-Known Member
Towels, paper towels, wet swiffers, dry swiffers, natures miracle, chew toys, more chew toys, more natures miracle, doggie day bed extra large size, more natures miracle, a plastic dust pan, leashes, bowls, alcoholic beverages of your choice, canned pumpkin, more chew toys, training treats, more natures miracle, did I mention chew toys? Digital camera (very important) puppy blankets, puppy shampoo, puppy conditioner,more alcoholic beverages, Beware of dog sign, baby gates (heavy duty), more chew toys, fenced yard, a competent Vetrinarian, more chew toys and more natures miracle.
I'm sure I forgot a few things but this should get you started.
Time, patience and lots of love!
 

JamieHalverson

Well-Known Member
Towels, paper towels, wet swiffers, dry swiffers, natures miracle, chew toys, more chew toys, more natures miracle, doggie day bed extra large size, more natures miracle, a plastic dust pan, leashes, bowls, alcoholic beverages of your choice, canned pumpkin, more chew toys, training treats, more natures miracle, did I mention chew toys? Digital camera (very important) puppy blankets, puppy shampoo, puppy conditioner,more alcoholic beverages, Beware of dog sign, baby gates (heavy duty), more chew toys, fenced yard, a competent Vetrinarian, more chew toys and more natures miracle.
I'm sure I forgot a few things but this should get you started.
Time, patience and lots of love!

LOL, perhaps stock in Nature's miracle? Good thing there's a liquor store about 3 blocks away :D
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
What DDSK said.

Food dishes, collar & leash, beds, crate, chew toys - and a high quality food.

for chew toys: bully sticks and kongs were our go-to's at the start.

Bully sticks have mixed reviews lately, but I still like them. Get USA or Canada sourced ones, and supervise when the puppy first gets them to make sure he chews and doesn't try to swallow them whole (bigger ones are better for chewing versus swallowing, too).

Kongs you can stuff with their regular kibble, use a bigger treat to plug the big hole, and let 'em at it. You can also fill it with stuff and freeze it for longer enjoyment.

OH - and when you go to pick up your puppy, makes sure you get something with the momma dog's smell on it to bring home with you. Our breeder gave us a baby blanket that she rubbed on all the puppies and the mom that we could take home with us. That was a BIG help in getting Denna to cuddle up and sleep in the crate. She had her old-home-smell blanket on top of a new-home-smell pillow (one from our bed, well used), and she zonked out without complaint from night one. :) She still carries the blanket around occasionally, and the pillow is still on good shape, too (unlike other pillows from our bed that she destroyed in her 'terrible teen' phase).
 

TricAP

Well-Known Member
Patience, patience and more patience......they are the most adorable little bundles of trouble! Zooming through the house one second getting into any and everything and snoring upside down the next. Also nap when they nap if possible - you won't be sleeping through the night for a while. :pray:

Stainless steel bowls with a wide base are best IMO - easiest to keep clean and don't irritate puppy muzzles like some plastic ones do. A stuffed animal similar in size to your pup that you take with you and get the liter mates scent on (in addition to the blanket or towel) is also helpful for the pup to cuddle with in the crate to help with the transition.

Our boys favorite toys were a braided rope made from old jeans, plastic water bottles and racket balls. The cheap stuff - the $$$ ones he either ignored until he got older or destroyed almost instantly with is razor shape puppy teeth.
 

Max's mom

Well-Known Member
Stuffed animals with no eyes! And everything they already said! Get the biggest crate and use the partition to make it smaller until your pup needs the whole thing. Towels. Lots of old towels. I have them everywhere!