[dogtrainer1]

Hi,

I am new to this forum, and need some help.

I have some questions regarding preparing for a new pup's arrival.
When your new pup was about to arrive or arrived, how did you go about the whole thing?

1. What equipment did you buy? Do you know of any techie tools that might be useful for pups?

2. Where in the house did you set up their kennel? Was it away in the lawn or somewhere inside the main house?

3. What books did you read?

Thanks,
Dogtrainer

[Curbside Prophet]

Before you get your puppy & basic pet care. - General Dog Forum - Dog Forums - all breed dog forum

1) What your pup will want most is your attention and your guidance. A stuffed Kong is about as high tech as any dog would want.

2) Elsa's kennel started in the area where I would be the most. In my case that was the bedroom.

3) When it comes to puppies, anything by Dr. Ian Dunbar will be where you'll want to start.

Welcome to our forum!

[borzoimom]

Excellent advice- let me add what else I do..
I have a second kennel- one in the bedroom, and one in the middle of the great room where I am. That way the pup can take a nap, but still see normal activity in the house- like washing dishes, running the vac etc as well as seeing the other dogs.
As far as toys- kongs are great. I also use rubber bones, and sometimes nylabones. With anybone make sure it is big enough it can not be swolled.
Also- here comes " the hi tech stuff"- a empty soda bottle ( cap removed). These are great toys! It teaches the pup just because something makes noise ( sometimes alot! lol) it wont hurt them. As soon as they get any plastic chewed- replace with a another one. I start out with small empty soda bottles, then 2 quart-and with my shepherds, advanced to one gallon milk containers..
Also large stuff toys ( no plastic eyes etc- get one made for a pet)- This builds shoulders and necks as the shake it back and forth. ( again - same thing- watch for being distroyed..I just sew mine back up.. lol )
Tennis balls, nyla bones with rubber on them and stubble are great.
For teething- I knot a thick sock or dish towel- soak in water and freeze. These are great for tender gums in teething like a childs frozen pacifier- same with the rubber bones- freeze them.. They feel great on the teeth.
Use the same door- everytime to go out and make it easy to get too..

[Tess&Coco]

What Curb said and...

From our experience, and sorry if this reiterates stuff on the link posted above:
1. Equipment basics, a dog bed (can be a cardboard box at this stage, small enough to be cosy for the pup) in addition to a crate with some comfy but easily washable bedding; collar and leash - small enough for the puppy and not too expensive because s/he will grow out of it; bowls for water and food; chew toys; cuddly toy(s) (we got "human" ones from the charity shop - if you get ones designed for babies they don't have plastic eyes or noses that the pup can chew out and swallow but be vigilant and remove these as soon as the pup gets strong enough to rip into them); puppy food, preferably the same brand the pup has been eating at his "first home"; some sort of grooming tool depending on the breed of dog i.e. type of coat s/he will have; we also got a baby gate to close off a room or the stairs but an ex-pen may serve the same purpose. Probably other stuff I've forgotten.

2. We set up the crate in the dining room where we spend quite a bit of time and where our older dog sleeps. For the first few days we had the pup sleep in a tall cardboard box in our bedroom. Until she managed to get out and after that we brought the crate up to our bedroom every night until she was four months old. Husband is still seeing the physiotherapist...

3. The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey or (something like) 7 steps to a Perfect Puppy by the same author.

Good luck - what are you thinking of getting?

[Chloef_2799]

Before I got Chloe I had never raised puppies so I had to care for three (all five weeks). Before I brought her home I bought a kennel, a bunch of puppy pads, good quality puppy food, food and water dish and a mat to put them on, harness, collar/tag and leash, three different toys (a flossy bone, a kong, both great for puppies who are teething or just want to chew and a squeeky stuffed bear which they tore to pieces within three weeks hehe!) and I bought two books. My smart puppy and How to Raise a Great Dog. I don't remember the authors (lotsa help that is I know, sorry) but they were really helpful books for me.
Oh and remember, don't make my mistake and coddle the puppy if it is tiny, socialize the heck out of it. I was nervous Chloe was going to be eaten by all the dogs in my area so I didn't let her socialize....BIG BIG HUGE GIANT mistake! Just supervise and leash the dogs when introducing them and they should be fine. And make sure you stay calm and relaxed as well or the pup will stress out.
Oh and we set their kennel up in the living room. When her brother and sister went to their new homes Chloe's kennel was put into my room and we went out and got her a comfy bed after that as well which was put under the coffee table in the living room. She doesn't use her kennel at all anymore but her bed is still under the coffee table.

[Snowshoe]

Just like you would for a new baby.

Make sure that everything you have of value is off the floor. Good shoes, watches, cords to the TV/Computer, stereo equipment, books, video games, balls, frisbees are all fair game to a puppy, and could potentially be dangerous. We used electrical tape to tape down our wires.

The pup must have a place to sleep. A kennel works best, as you can begin house training early if you have a good kennel.

I would invest in a "baby" for your dog to sleep with. Many people tend to fill up a hot water pad (not too hot!) so that the pup will have an easier adjustment, as it will make him feel like he is sleeping with another pup.

LOTS of safe puppy toys- depending on your breed, some toys may be too large, others too small. I would stay away from raw hide bones and greenies. Stick to Nylabones and puppy Kongs for teething. (I always filled Orchid's with frozen beef broth to sooth her gums when she was teething).

Have a schedule already worked out by the time your pup gets home. Stick to it as much as possible. For example: potty at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., feeding at 8:30 a.m., potty at 8:45 a.m., place in crate with ice chips from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.- potty, feed, potty, play, back in crate from 12:30 until 2:30...etc.

That way, there is no guess work. Take your puppy out to potty every hour at first, and with in 10 minutes of eating.

Plan how and when and with whom you will socialize your puppy. Every week, you should introduce them to 12 new people, places, surfaces, toys, temperatures (like ice or warm food), new FRIENDLY DOGS (make sure they have their shots first, though).

Make sure you have your puppy preschool already picked out by the time you get your puppy. You'll want to start attending as soon as your pup gets its shots. Trust me on this one, it's one of the most important things to do.

Have a puppy first aid kit where you can easily get to it. Learn how to induce vomiting if necessary (puppies can get into terrible things: poisons, shoe polish, chocolate, etc.).

Make sure you know and are realistic about training, playing, and exercise requirements. Keep in good contact with your rescue or breeder. Ask them lots of questions.

[Avery+Sawyer]

I put the crate in my bedroom, and a soft bed in the living room for him to play on while I was working on computer, watching TV etc. I did TONS of reading before getting a puppy, and as someone already posted, Ian Dunbar pretty much paints the picture for you as to how it's going to be.
I bought him lots of different chew toys, some hard, some soft. And of course a collar with his name and my numbers on a tag and a short leash.