Things to Buy
Being prepared means you'll have more time to get know each other. Here are some things you'll need
to make your house a home for your new friend:
- Crate and Gates
- Food and Water Bowls
- Collar and Leash
- Toys
- Puppy Food
- Grooming Supplies
Crate and Gates
The first essential is a suitable crate, which will provide him with a safe haven and you with an excellent
tool for house-training. A crate provides a "den" for your puppy when you're not home. Remember that this puppy will grow
literally by leaps and bounds to his full purebred potential, so be sure to get a crate that will fit an adult. There are
two types of crates, and both have their advantages. A metal crate is a good choice for the kitchen because the
puppy will be able to see what is going on and feel in touch with the family, and you will be able to see if he is getting
restless and needs to be whisked outside to do his duty. If you wish to keep your puppy in the bedroom at night to reassure
him and to monitor his need to go out, the "suitcase" type of metal crate is ideal; it folds down quickly and easily to be
taken from place to place. A plastic crate is preferable for travel in the car. Its smooth surfaces will provide
better protection in case of a sudden stop or an accident. It might be a good idea to start with a metal crate, and get
a plastic or fibreglass one for the car when the puppy is old enough to go out and about with you. When the puppy is out
of his crate, he still needs to be confined to one area of the house until he has completely learned housebreaking manners.
Since it usually has a washable floor, the kitchen could be the place of choice to confine the puppy at first. If there is
no door to the kitchen, a baby gate will be indispensable to prevent the puppy from bouncing all over the house, to the detriment
of your rugs. Even if there is a door, a baby gate is preferable. The puppy will be able to see you through the gate and be
reassured by your presence. A shut door is an invitation to the puppy to scratch to attract your attention. A plastic,
pressure-fitted mesh gate is probably the best kind, since a wooden one is just too tempting to a chewing puppy A puppy can
also get his head stuck between the wooden slats, causing panic and even injury if he is alone at the time. Most baby gates
have a spring-release one-handed operation that makes them easy to open and close. If the mechanism is awkward or difficult
to operate, you may find yourself climbing the gate instead, with the likelihood of injury to yourself. An alternative to
the baby gate is an exercise pen that can be set up m me kitchen with puppy bed at one end and thick newspapers at the other
- just in case. 'Ex-pens' are made of wire-mesh foldable panels, some with doors and some without. Get the lowest height suitable
for your breed. When you bend over those panels to pick up your dog or his food dish, it can be hard on the midriff.
Food and Water Bowls
Your puppy has lots of energy, so select bowls that won't tip over easily. You'll need to wash his
bowls daily, so make sure they're easy to clean. You may want to buy smaller bowls at first and upgrade to larger ones as
your puppy grows. This will keep him from getting buried under a heaping pile of dog food or falling in his water bowl every
time he drinks.
Collar and Leash
Collar and leash are the next order of the day. The week before your puppy comes home, visit him and
take a piece of string to measure the circumference of his neck. To determine your puppy's collar size, measure his neck and
add two inches. You should be able to slide two fingers between a properly fitting collar and your puppy's neck. If there's
extra room, you need a smaller size. If both fingers don't fit, the collar is too small. Buy him a flat, nylon adjustable
collar that has room to expand, with a quick-release plastic buckle. It may take a while for your puppy to get used to
wearing a collar. Don't be discouraged if he's uncomfortable and scratches at it when you first put it on. The collar is
the first step in control, and the second is the leash. A four- or six- foot leash about the same width as the collar should
be ideal. This is the type of leash favoured in many puppy-training classes. There are several colour-coordinated collar-and-leash
sets available, to say nothing of snazzy embroidered ones. You can have fun deciding which of these will enhance your puppy's
looks and personality A retractable leash will give your puppy some freedom of movement while keeping him under control.
These leashes have a plastic handgrip and a nylon line 10 to 26 feet in length. The line will automatically extend and retract
as your puppy runs away from you and back again. If t there is a sudden emergency you can stop the line from running free
by putting the thumb-operated brake on and then reel him in quickly.
Toys
Puppies really do need a variety of toys to keep them busy and to allow for chewing. If you have ever
been to a big pet-supplies store, you know there are hundreds of toys; it can be confusing trying to choose three or four. If
the puppy is going to be alone in his crate for an hour or two while you go out, you can safely leave him with a chew toy
such as a ham-flavoured nylabone. As the name suggests, this "bone" is made of hard nylon material that will provide many
hours of safe chewing without the danger of splintering. Another good toy is a "plaque-at-tacker" dental bone, also made of
nylon. It has little bumps all over it that massage the gums and teeth while it is being chewed. A Kong also provides an excellent
way for your puppy to pass the time. It is a hard rubber toy with an irregular shape and a hole on the underside. With peanut
butter spread inside, or stuffed with some other treat, it will have your puppy licking and chewing with enjoyment for hours.
Kongs are also great for retrieving and throwing because they bounce unpredictably, giving your puppy the pleasure of the
chase. A hard rubber ball is perfect for the game of throw and fetch. Be sure the ball is large enough it can't get down the
puppy's throat, and small enough for him to get a good grip on it. A wide variety of tug toys is available. One of these
will be ideal for play between you and your puppy, but don't leave him alone with it. They are usually made of cotton or nylon,
tightly braided so the puppy can't ingest any large amount of it, but it is wise to err on the side of caution. Avoid any
toy made of soft plastic, or one that has a squeaker in it, unless you are there to supervise the play. Many an owner has
suffered grief after a teething puppy chewed off a large piece of plastic or a squeaker and swallowed it, thus blocking the
intestine. Soft plastic toys made in the shape of steaks, hot dogs and cute figures may appeal to the owner, but the puppy's
safety is paramount. It's best to resist this gimmick.
Puppy Food
The first year is critical to your puppy's development. During this time, your puppy needs special
nutrition to promote strong bones and teeth, proper development of body systems and a thick, lustrous coat. It's the best
to continue feeding your pup with the same type of food he used to eat at the breeder's home gradually intoducing the food
of your choice.
Grooming Supplies
You'll need the grooming tools that are appropriate for your puppy's coat. For short-haired breeds,
such as Boxer, use a brush with natural bristles, a rubber currycomb or a hand mitt. |