What necessities does my pup need?

So far I have


- pet tag


- leash/collar


- puppy shampoo


- crate (although, sadly, I learned I need to buy another one, she's too big for it)


- pet food


- doggy bowl


- dog bed


- snacks


- toys (although she prefers socks... shoes... purses)


- shots (finishing up)





I know she needs to be spayed


(still too young right now, 4 months old)


and microchipped, but anything else?

What necessities does my pup need?
Congratulations on your puppy!





I’ve raised around a dozen puppies separately at this point, and here are the things I have come to view as necessities. Some of them are already on your list, but hopefully this will help out. :)





1. A high-quality brand of dog food, I prefer Nutro or Canidae for my own dogs.





2. A food bowl and water dish. I'd recommend an 'automatic' water dish, so you don't have to refill it constantly.





3. Lots of toys. Different varieties of toys as well, so you can get a taste for what her favorites are. Try tug toys, plushies, squeaky toys, frisbees, tennis balls, kongs, toy tires, etc. Generally Retriever types (goldens, labs, setters, spaniels, etc) like tennis balls the best, Bull-breeds (pits, mastiffs, rottweilers, bulldogs,) often like tug toys, terriers (westies, scotties, jack russells) like anything they can shake, Toy dogs (chihuahuas, papillions, mini poodles, dachshunds) often like plushies best, and herding dogs (german shepherds, border collies, aussies, bouviers,) like a mix of toys as they get bored easily, but it depends on the individual temperament of your dog.





3. A crate. Your puppy may not seem to like it at first, but trust me, it is necessary. Most dogs come to adore them, and think of it as a den of sorts. Make sure it is big enough that she can turn around and stand up in, but not so big that she could go to the bathroom in one end and sleep in the other. Try putting a nice, soft, comfortable blanket in there, and maybe a toy or two. A rule of thumb: If the bedding isn't soft enough that you would sleep on it, it isn't good enough for your dog, either.





4. Some nice dog beds in central areas of the house, like the living room or kitchen. The aforementioned rule of comfyness applies. Also, if you are getting any dog more then 100 pounds, you may want to 'double up' the dog beds (put one on top of the other) or invest in a memory foam dog bed. Overstock.com carries some nice ones for about 65 dollars.





5. A set of brushes for grooming is imperative. If you brush your dog for 10-15 minutes at a time, at least four days a week, the shedding around the house (and on your clothing) will be next to nothing.





6. A collar, leash, and ID tag with your name, your dog's name, and your phone number on it. If your dog gets lost, having an ID tag ups your chances of finding your dog by 200%. It will be the best nine dollar investment you ever made.





7. Dog treats, my dogs prefer Canine-Carry outs, but it will depend on your dog's tastes.





8. A good set of books on dog training, dog breeds, dog psychology, and obedience training. Knowing what to do before a problem arises will take down the stress of getting a new dog considerably.





9. Something to clean your dog's teeth. I recommend greenies, but make sure that you take the bone away from him whenever you aren't able to keep an eye on him, as any object like that can be a choking hazard if he decides to swallow it.





10. A bitter apple spray of some sort, in case you have a chewer. It is always best to have those on hand.





11. A nail clipper and some talcum powder just in case you accidentally get the quick. (The vein in a dog's nails) Flour works in a pinch if talcum powder isn't available.





12. Shampoo is another necessity, I’d recommend either a shampoo especially made for dogs, or a shampoo made for babies. Remember to avoid the dog's eyes, and to dry off his ears completely afterwards to avoid an ear infection.





13. If you have a smaller dog that you plan to allow on the furniture, I'd recommend buying a ramp or a staircase made for dogs. It is too hard on their backs to jump everywhere.





14. A dog gate, in case there are areas of the house you'd like to keep him out of. A kitchen, office, or bathroom, for example.





15. Some good, pet friendly cleaning supplies. A high quality vacuum, a lint roller for dog hair, a swiffer wetjet, Clorox disinfecting wipes, febreze spray for pet odor, a stain remover, etc will help you keep your house looking great, and will give you something immediate to use if there is an accident of any kind. I can guarantee you, at one point or another your dog will throw up or have an accident on your carpet or floor and you'll need to get it up quickly and effectively.





16. A container for food to be in, so you don't end up with the dog tipping over the bag or insects getting inside of it.





17. Piddle-pads or another such housebreaking aid, unless your puppy is already potty-trained.





18. A pooper scooper so you don't waste paper towels or something similar when cleaning up accidents.





19. A first aid kit for dogs, that includes items like benadryl, tweezers, a dog-safe antiseptic ointment, etc for small emergencies. I found out the hard way that my puppy was very allergic to ants, and I cringe at the thought of what would have happened to him if my vet didn't recommend I keep liquid children's benadryl around the house, just in case. Also keep your vet's number taped somewhere that you can easily find it so that if there is a need for advice or an emergency vet appointment, you don't have to waste time going through a phone book.





That is all I can think of for now, but remember to 'dog proof' your house before she gets there. That includes removing anything she might chew on or knock over that you'd rather her not, making sure electrical wires are inaccessible, that hazardous plants or cleaning supplies are put up or locked securely in a cabinet, that the trashcan is put somewhere she can't get to it, and that anything she may mistake as a toy (I.E. a pillow, a book, dvd, or a remote control) is put out of her reach. Also remember to make a vet appointment as quickly as you can to have her checked out, and get her started on heartworm medication ASAP.





Wow, this got really long. Sorry about that. :-p





I hope this helps, and if you have any further questions at all on the subject; please feel free to message me and I will be more than happy to assist you. :)





Good luck!
Reply:stamina and patience from her/his owner.





Try not to think "10 - 15 years"
Reply:flea and tick preventative, heart worm preventative ( can start that when she gets the Rabies shot ). puppys need access to food 24/7 for first year, then eat once a day for 15 minutes. Don't switch dog or puppy foods if you can help it, it will cause G.I. Track problems ( vomiting, diarrhea). She should be spayed around 5 to 6 months of age. No licking on the incision, and no baths for a week after wards, get one of those cone collars to make sure she does not lick the surgery incision. keep her ears clean ( if there is ear hair growing inside pull it out )and do the leash training now ( you will be glad later ) and make sure she is well socialized with people and other dogs, to avoid her biting someone. DON'T get the Rabies 3 year vaccine, get the 1 year vaccine. don't buy flea and tick meds from walmart or petsmart, buy frontline or something else from your vet. Frontline or Promaris is NON toxic to mammals. and NO people food for the dog. if you ever notice she has loose stool call your vet and don't feed her ( like taking fuel away from the fire )
Reply:love and attentionn


=]
Reply:Aswell as shots she will need flea and worm treatement. Might be wise to get her pet insurance too. Apart from that, you seem to have everything covered, go you. Its good to see responsible dog owners!
Reply:food and love
Reply:It looks like you are doing a great job in starting this wonderful pup! You are very lucky to have a friend and your friend is lucky to have YOU. I am sure you have included love and guidance. Good luck to the world of, DOG
Reply:flea and worming medicine
Reply:Nope, sounds like you've got everything covered. That's the problem with owning a living thing, there's no exact list to follow. It sounds like you've gotten off to a good start, just do like everyone else and pick up stuff a little along if she comes to need it.
Reply:Take any new pet to the vet asap, so if anything is wrong the breeder can recompensate you.





People for Animals does spaying super cheap, to save some cash. Make sure that you use a diet that isn't available at the supermarket. The most important thing that we can do for our pets is to feed them food that will prevent future illness and make their lives happier and longer. I prefer raw, myself, but that's a personal choice and you should do your research.





That spray that tells dogs where to pee is a great thing to have handy. Also, a gallon of Nature's Miracle!! It blocks the dog from smelling and re-marking previously soiled areas. Please don't ever use household cleaners around your dog.





At home grooming supplies are great :ear wash, nail trimmer (don't use the guillotine type!), styptic (I use flour for this), combs (metal... plastic is crap). You may want to get conditioner, too. Drying shampoos can cause skin problems, especially since puppies get gross and often need to be bathed more often than the recommended 4-8 weeks (depending on breed).





If you live in an area where fleas and ticks may be a problem, consider purchasing a spot-on treatment through your vet. Biospot is dangerous garbage. Go with frontline or advantage. Don't use flea collars, sprays, shampoos, or dips!





Heartworm preventative is a good idea. Vaccinating for lymes is something I would recommened, as well. Depends again on where you live. Your vet should know what choices are most necessary.





You can get the rabies shot for free from your town (unless not all the towns do this, but they do in my area).





A book on positive-reinforcement training could make life more enjoyable for both pet and owner! Clicker training is pretty popular and easy but there are several options out there.





Make sure you follow-through and register the microchip. Just having it in doesn't do anything! Register wherever you can to improve your odds of having her returned if she gets lost!





Petco in my area has these "shot clinics" every few weeks. You get the shots you need, without paying the office visit fee like at the vet.





Try perusing www.freecycle.org. I just got a new leash, a brand-new carrier and a never used dog bed for free!! It's a site that's basically people giving away unwanted things, to keep stuff out of landfills. I also got some free clothes for me, lol.





Other than that, you sound like you have all the basics together. Now just puppy proof the heck out of the house!!! Also, you may want to get a baby gate or two.





Congrats on the new pup!
Reply:baby gates (for keeping puppy in bounds)


brush and comb


your bowls-are they dishwasher safe, non-chewable bowls?


Enzyme cleaner for pet stains


ID tag on pets collar (incase she escapes/you lose her)


pooper scooper and large plastic bags


worming and heartworm tablets


flea wash (i guarentee the puppy will get them soon!)


Vet Wrap padded bandages


And please, don't let your puppy play with shoes or socks! she'll accidentally eat or wrip your best shoes/socks and can even start attacking other peoples feet thinking it's one of her toys! (my old dog did this and it was very scary for some people seeing as the dog was trying to rip their feet off!)



men skin care