[satine112]

Hi everyone,

I'm about to get my first dog EVER. I have waited 30 long years for this :clap2:

So now i need to get prepared for my little fellow. He is a maltipoo puppy. Sadly i work an 8:30-5 job so he will be alone (with the cat) during the day. I was going to crate train him. So i know i need a large crate - the larger, the more comfortable for him, right? I was thinking of getting a size "large" or even "extra large" instead of the recommended "small". Thoughts?

Then i need a nice bed for him for when he's not in the crate, pee pads, leash, harness, poop bags, food, dishes, car seat.

what else?

any recommendations? i'm so excited and nervous!

 

[NozOnyCalAur]

How old is the puppy going to be? Rule of thumb is 1 hour +1 for every month old. So if you're going to be away from home more than 3-4 hours (depending on the age) then I recommend an xpen where you can put the crate (for sleeping in at night) and wee pads so you're not expecting the puppy to hold it all that time, or a baby gate to keep the puppy in a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room rather than crating it all day.

Make sure you buy patience (gonna need a lot of those with a puppy) and read The Bite Stops Here sticky. Puppies are PIRANHAS from 8 weeks to as long as 4 months (when I got my first puppy no one told me about that part.) I have a 15 week puppy now but between ages 10 weeks and 12 weeks I could not even handle my puppy without coming away with nipping bruises. She's no longer leaving bruises but she still bites.

Make sure you have appropriate things to chew on, basically he's gonna try to chew on your hands and you'll need something to stuff into his mouth. So plushies, squeak toys, a ball to chase, you'll need treats for training, can just do what I did and boil some chicken, dice it, then freeze what I'm currently not using. A clicker if you wanna clicker train. A few books to read (anything by Ian Dunbar or Patricia McConnell) and the Idiot's Guide to Positive Training.

 

[lil_fuzzy]

A puppy shouldn't be crated all day. If it can't hold it, and it most likely can't, it will be sitting in its own urine all day. A playpen or puppy safe room is better. Put the bed/blanket/crate in one end, bowls next to that, and in the opposite end you put down newspaper or puppy pads (I prefer newspaper, a lot of dogs seem to confuse the wee pads with mats or rugs later on). Also leave chew toys.

I would add a kong or two and tug toys to your list of things to buy, as well as a brush and nail clippers. You do realise this puppy will need regular brushing and grooming right?

Keep in mind that the socialisation of the puppy should have started at 3-4 weeks, and continue until you pick the puppy up around 10-12 weeks. If the breeder/shelter hasn't been socialising the puppies, I wouldn't be getting one from them.

 

[troglodytezzz]

This is a great read for a soon to be first time owner. The way it's written is a bit intense but all the important information is there. It covers house training, socialization, chewing, basic commands etc..

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/you-get-your-puppy-0

 

[satine112]

puppy will be about 9-10 weeks when i get him. and no, i didn't forget about grooming daily, i just forgot when i was writing out my list of stuff to buy.

i do like the idea of a larger kid's playpen sort of thing vs. kennel for when i'm at work. seems nicer.

should i get a dog crate like this: http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Life-...TF8&qid=1342793856&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+kennel

or one like this: http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-Kenne...TF8&qid=1342793856&sr=1-5&keywords=dog+kennel

and then for car rides, should i use use the kennel or get one of those dog seats: http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Gear-Sign...8&qid=1342793694&sr=1-4&keywords=dog+car+seat

:faint:

thanks