Below
are the best
"must-have" items to help
you care for your
dog or new puppy. These breeder favorites are used
and recommended by dog breeders with years of experience.
Collars - A soft, gentle collar is needed for a young puppy. Metal choke collars are
usually too harsh. As your pup grows, he will need a
larger collar, so watch for signs that his puppy collar is too small
and replace it as he grows.
Older Puppy and Adult Collars
and Leashes - Toy breeds can stay with a puppy collar, but
medium- and
large-breed pups need a stronger
collar as they grow. Rolled leather is a good
choice because it glides over the fur and rubs less, helping to prevent fur breakage.
For large breeds or dogs that are difficult to control, a metal
chain collar can provide a lot more control than other collars;
however, you should learn to use it properly and should never jerk
or use the collar for punishment.
Walking Leashes -
Flexi-leads
are great for everyday walks. It's important for leashes to have a
comfortable handle so your hand doesn't become sore or chapped.
Harnesses
- A harness can be a gentle way to walk your pet.
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DOG
FOOD BOWLS
Feeding Bowls - We
love stainless steel bowls. They are easy to clean, almost
indestructible, and a great value.
DOG
GROOMING
Brushes - Look
for brushes with soft grip handles to make brushing easier for you.
Slicker brushes work well on short-haired breeds to remove loose
hair. They are also used to groom certain long-coated breeds, like
Poodles in show coat. Pin brushes are great for general brushing of
most long-coated breeds. Always use brushes gently on delicate
puppy skin. Rubber grooming gloves are for grooming short-haired
breeds, and can even be used for bathing. Shedding combs
work great on medium to longhaired dogs to help remove
loose hair.
Nail
Trimming - ALWAYS
have a clotting agent handy when trimming your dog's nails. If you
cut too far into the nail it will bleed, and is difficult to stop. A
clotting agent is designed to stop the bleeding. A
rotary nail grinder is a good tool for grinding the nails.
Shampoo/Conditioner -
Our absolute favorite dog shampoo to keep your
dog smelling fresh
and clean long after his/her shampoo is Lambert Kay Fresh and Clean
shampoo. It has a light, pleasant scent. There are also other
great shampoos with specific ingredients for dry skin or other
concerns. An additional dog conditioner can be used for use on long-haired breeds to prevent tangles.
DOG TOYS
& DOG CHEWS
Soft Toys -
Dogs love fleece and plush toys. They can
grab them easily, toss them all over, and they don't hurt a puppy's
tender mouth.
DOG
TREATS
Healthy
Treats - Sugary or salty
snacks aren't good for people, and they are not good for your dog.
Look at the ingredients in your dog treats and avoid treats with
artificial colors and preservatives, lots of fillers and poor
ingredients. Our dogs love dried dried duck or chicken strips and
healthy biscuits from dog food companies like Iams or Eukanuba. They
also love bully sticks, which they can chew on for a long
time.
Chews - Puppies love to
chew, and our pups love nylon chew bones. They help tremendously with
teething, and will help to keep your puppy occupied and away from
items you don't want him/her to chew.
DOG CRATES
& EXERCISE PENS
Crates are an important aid in
housebreaking your puppy or older dog throughout the night. We recommend that
dogs sleep in their crates at night until they are
housebroken. However, puppies and dogs should not be
left in their crates all day and night--they need lots exercise to grow up
and remain strong and healthy, and they also require lots of human contact and
socialization. Your dog should be a part of your family. For
un-housebroken puppies or dogs that must be left alone during the day while
their owners work, we recommend a covered exercise pen. An
ex-pen will give your dog room to move around and play during the
day.
Exercise
Pen
- An x-pen provides a safe,
contained indoor area in which your pup can play. For very young
pups, we set our
x-pens up in the den, on a easy-to-clean floor. We put down a thick
layer of plastic sheeting, then place newspaper on top. The paper is
easy to change if it becomes soiled. Remember, puppies grow
quickly, and a tall x-pen is important so your pup does not jump out.
Some x-pens offer extra panels to use as tops, and we recommend this
if you will be leaving your pup alone in an ex-pen, as many pups can
climb over ex-pens if they do not have a top.
Doggy Doors
& Puppy Gates - You can also leave your dog loose if you
have a doggy door, which gives your dog access to the yard. You can
install a puppy gate inside, to give your dog access to only one
room (with easy-to-clean flooring) while you are away. If you choose
this method, make sure you have a strong, secure fence and gate that
your dog cannot jump over, dig under, or break through, and make
sure he is microchipped.
DOG BEDS
Easy-Clean Dog
Bedding - Let's face it - puppies are messy!
And older dogs can be as well. You need a comfortable dog bed that
has a removable cover that can easily be thrown into the
washing machine. An easy-to-wash dog bed will
keep the bed, and your dog, smelling fresher. We like beds with foam
interiors for our older dogs with aging joints.
DOG TOOTH
CARE
Toothbrush / Paste -
It's important to get
your dog used to having his teeth brushed at an early age. Use a flavored dog
toothpaste and a dog toothbrush, and your dog will soon look forward
to his brushings.
DOG HOUSEBREAKING
AIDS / CLEANUP
HOUSEBREAKING
PROBLEMS? End
messes with absorbent housebreaking bands. These work great for older
pups and difficult-to-housebreak adult dogs. They are also wonderful
for incontinent older dogs.
Accident Cleanup - It is
important to use a product specifically formulated for dog urine to remove both the stain and odor when your
dog has an
accident in the house. If this isn't done, your pup is likely to soil
the same spot again. There are also black lights that you can use
to find every trace of urine and clean it thoroughly.
Housebreaking
Pads - These are scented to let you puppy or dog know where he should
potty.
Outdoor
Clean-ups - For
outdoor clean-ups, scoops and rakes make clean-ups easier.
DOG
BOOKS
Read, learn, and educate yourself on all aspects of
dog ownership.
It's
good for you and your dog.
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Amazon.com for their large selection of dog products at great prices.