Puppy tip #2 ( Things you will need)
- Puppy food!
Every dog needs to eat! Consult with a trusted canine nutritionist on what food is best for your new little addition.
- A crate with a divider.
As a trainer, I ALWAYS recommend a crate. Not only is it important to have your dog crate trained in case of an emergency, but it will also help with potty training and give your pup a place to decompress. Click here to learn more! - A collar and leash.
It's important to use a leash on every dog! Not only is it the law, but it's a way to keep them safe! I recommend a leash and collar with metal hardware, especially if you live in colder climates. Plastic hardware is known to break! Learn more about leash training here! - Bed
A good dog bed helps to ensure better sleep. Dogs need good quality sleep to stay healthy. Not to mention, a bed can be used in numerous forms of training in the future! Click here to learn more about how a bed can be used in training! - Chew toys
New puppies are teething. They will chew regardless of if we like it or not, so it's recommended to give them a positive outlet to do so! A good chew toy can be used to redirect a puppy's biting and chewing tendencies and help keep them away from dangerous things like electrical cords! - Interactive toys
Interactive toys help you and your puppy grow a strong bond! Things like ropes, squeak toys, and crinkle toys should be played with ONLY if you are taking part! This will help your puppy see you as something good to be around, and keep the toys exciting. They can also help you tire your little rascal out during the day. It's dangerous to leave these toys with your puppy unsupervised, so make sure you put them away where s/he cant get to them when you aren't using them. - Potty bell
A potty bell is an easy way for your new puppy to signal that they have to go out. It will help potty training progress quickly and decrease the number of accidents you have to clean up! - Puppy shampoo
Puppies have sensitive skin. As such, they can't use normal dog shampoo. They must use puppy shampoo. If you plan to bathe your dog yourself, make sure you get a low PH puppy shampoo. Groomers recommend a PH of around 7. - Clicker
It is very important that you tell your puppy "yes" more than you say "no". A clicker is a trainer's best friend! Using a clicker, you can tell your dog yes at just the right moment! Studies show you only have 1.5 seconds to mark a behavior as good or bad. A quick click is much faster than words like "good girl/boy". Here's an example of how clicker training can be used to help you and your new dog! - Treat pouch
A treat pouch makes sure you have treats ready to reward your pup at any time! - lick mat
A lick mat can be used to positively reinforce things like a bath, getting brushed, or seeing the vet! I like to mash bananas and mix them with peanut butter. I use the same mixture to fill my kongs! - Food storage container
This helps ensure your puppy's food stays fresh and out of their little paws! It's easy for your puppy to get into an open bag on the floor. A container makes it much harder. - Brush
Part of being a good dog owner is keeping their coat brushed! Long hair dogs can get mats that are extremely painful. If you don't know what brush is best for you, make an appointment with your local groomer to find out! - Kong
A kong will help keep your puppy entertained. I like to fill them with a peanut butter and mashed banana mixture. You can use a kong when you want your puppy to relax in their crate while you leave, be calm on their bed, or stay busy while you do some dishes! - Enzyme Remover
As many know, dogs tend to pee on areas that smell like urine. A good enzyme remover will ensure that even a dog cannot smell where it went pee prior. It will also ensure your house does not stink! - Food and water bowls
Your puppy needs free access to water. Although I do recommend taking away water two hours before bedtime. They also need a clean bowl to eat out of. I suggest metal bowls until your puppy learns it is not acceptable to chew on them! - Poop bags
You need a way to pick up your pup's poop while you are out socializing them. Not only is it illegal not to in some places, but it is respectful to keep others' property clean! - Dewormer
Worms can be dangerous for your puppy, and even kill them! It's important to consult with your vet about the best deworming schedule for you! I deworm my puppies every 2-4 weeks depending on age. - A Trusted Licensed Vet
Accidents happen, and it's important to have a vet on hand when they do! It's also important for a vet to check out your puppy when you bring it home, and yearly when they get their rabies shot.
- An experienced trainer
Not everyone needs a trainer, but there is no way to know whether or not you will until the time comes! I always recommend seeking out and talking to two trainers you like before bringing your puppy home. If a need arises during your time as a dog owner, you will always have them on hand to use! - Longline
A long 10-20 foot leash can give your puppy freedom when outside while still allowing you to have control and keep them safe! It will allow your dog more room to learn a reliable recall as well! Learn how to teach a recall here! - Drag leash
I always recommend getting a cheap leash to keep on your puppy when they are learning the rules of the house. This allows them some freedom while giving you control of them! It will also help them become desensitized to the leash, so when it comes time for walks they won't be spooked by it! - ID tag
Accidents happen, and dogs getaway! It's never something we want to happen, however, it's always best to be prepared for when it does! Putting a tag on your dog's collar with your number and your vet's information can be the difference between never seeing your dog again, and a safe return home!
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