Leash, Collar, Dog Tag!

If you've just adopted or purchased a puppy I recommend going with a cheap collar. No need to go crazy when they will just outgrow it in a short amount of time. Make sure you check your dogs collar regularly, they are going to grow or gain weight and you don't want the collar to be too tight. Recommended measurement is you should be able to fit two fingers underneath. If your getting a small dog I recommend investing in a harness, small dogs necks are so fragile especially their trachea. Any 4-6 foot leash should do. Thickness of the leash is your discretion that being said I wouldn't put a Great Dane on a thin leash your asking for disaster. I also do not recommend the use of retractable leashes. Doggie tag! This is where you should put your dogs name, your phone number, and any other useful information (if your dog has serious health issues and if they need medication daily would be good to put on there)

Bed!

They have all different types of beds, round, square, ones with a backing or just a plain ol’ pillow style! Some even come with an orthopedic cushion. If your puppy or dog rips up their beds, wait until they outgrow this phase before you buy them a new bed. Wrangler loves destroying beds so now he uses a blanket or towel to sleep with in his crate. I also recommend looking for a bed that is washable, or some will have a removable cover! Makes life a lot easier.

Food and Water Bowls!

They sell a variety of styles, ceramic, glass, plastic, stainless steel, raised, skid proof, slow feeders and many more! Design is up to you. For a medium/large dog I recommend a raised dish diner it will help your dogs back and neck. Ceramic and glass are easy to clean but are also fragile. Stainless steel is the most durable and is also easy to clean. I find that plastic bowls are harder to clean and stain easily. If you have a dog that gobbles their food in seconds I recommend a slow feeder or a slow feeder insert. When dogs eat their food fast may cause major health issues like gastric torsion.

This is the feeder insert I use for Wrangler.

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Crate!

Keep an open mind, crates are NOT a bad thing. Dogs are decedents of wolves, wolves live in dens it helps them feel secure. Dogs feel the same way, they like to have a place they can feel secure when they rest and sleep. One way you can help with this is to cover the crate, they sell crate covers online or in most pet stores that sell crates. Covering the crate helped Wrangler a ton!

I recommend buying a crate that will last you til adulthood so you don't have to re-purchase another. Most crates come with a divider, when placing your divider your dog should be able to lay down and turn around comfortably. You don't want them to use the whole crate because your dog will go to the bathroom on one side and sleep on the other.

If your dog is unsupervised they should be in the crate!

Pictured here is a Kong Company crate

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Playpen or Gates, or BOTH!

Using these items will help reduce chewing, accidents, and other mischief your dog will get into. In their playpen you can include their crate, potty pads, food/water bowls, and appropriate toys. If you do not want to use a playpen you can use gates block off a room that’s puppy proofed, in case you have to leave your dog unattended. More about puppy proofing in the blog article "Finally Home".

(If you want to use your crate instead of a playpen or gated area you totally can!)

Grooming Supplies!

These items may include a comb, brush, nail clipper, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste. Depending on your dogs coat type depends on what type of brush you should get. If you have a short haired dog a slicker brush or zoom groom style brush (made by Kong Company) is commonly recommended. If you have a dog with a curly, or wavy type coat an undercoat comb combined with a slicker is ideal. They sell a few styles of nail clippers, use what your comfortable with. Make sure to watch videos on how to cut nails you do not want to go to short and cut the dogs "quick". The quick is made of blood vessels and nerves. If you do cut your dogs quick you can use static powder, corn starch or you may need to go to the vet if its severe. There are a bunch of different formulas for shampoo and conditioners. If your dog has a dry coat an oatmeal or aloe formula will be best. They sell puppy shampoo/conditioners, and even de-shedding formulas! Cleaning wipes can be used in between bathing. You can bathe your dog once a month, do not over-bathe it can cause skin irritations.

Toys, and Chews!

I love toys that are usually food oriented, puzzle toys, or toys that we can enjoy together. My personal favorite is a toy from Kong Company, I fill it with peanut butter and freeze it. freezing it helped Wrangler when he was teething, and now helps the Kong last longer. if you or a family member is allergic to peanut butter you can use cream cheese. When giving them new foods please make sure you do it in moderation. Chews that I recommend are pigs ears, bully sticks, and deer/elk antlers. I do not recommend this for young puppies because their baby teeth are very fragile. Wrangler was about 4 months when I gave him his first bully stick and he did well with them (this doesn’t mean your dog will be okay). I recommend deer antlers for powerful chewers, I DO NOT recommend giving your dog a deer antler until all of their puppy teeth have fallen out and their adult teeth have grown in. Puzzle toys are toys that you hide treats in and your dog has to figure out how to get them by spinning or moving things around to get the food. Puzzles are made to help your dog figure things out and use their brain. this is also mentally stimulating which will help with boredom. A plush toy I like are the unstuffed toys, which means there’s no stuffing, but there are squeakers…sorry to your ears. These toys usually imitate wild animals like squirrels and rabbits. Rope toys are great for helping you bond with your dog. I like to play Tug of war with Wrangler, he loves it and it gets him tired! I only give Wrangler rope toys when I’m playing with him! Balls, balls and did i say balls? Dogs love balls, and brands are now making it easier for you to enjoy them with your dog. Brands like “Chuckit!” and “Nerf” made launchers for balls so you can play fetch.

Your dog should never be left alone with any toy, chew or bone it is a safety hazard.