Puppy check list

[MiniatureHero]

Hello all,

We are getting our first puppy next month and couldn’t be more excited. I’ve made a list of everything we will need - can anyone see anything we have missed?

• collar
  
• lead
  
• harness
  
• food bowl
  
• water bowl
  
• puppy food
  
• treats
  
• toys
  
• coat
  
• grooming brushes
  
• toothbrush and paste
  
• bed
  
• travel crate or harness
  
• puppy pads
  

And in terms of things we have to do:

• register with vet
  
• book in vaccinations
  
• book in neutering
  
• insurance
  
• sign up for training classes (if running)

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I wouldn't bother with puppy pads if you can source old newspapers.
You'll need a disinfectant - Dettol spray has done the job for us.
Wait and see if you need a coat. We have drying coats for our dogs (chilly house in winter); only once have I felt we could have used a water/weather-proof coat and that was on a very cold damp training day with lots of hanging about.
Raw bones can keep their teeth clean.

You'll need a name tag - it's a legal requirement. The best IMO are the brass ones which slide onto the collar (you need a buckle collar though, not a clip one).

Spare bedding is also useful. As is an old towel.

A dog training book might also be useful.

As for neutering, don't rush into it. It's a good idea to wait until your dog is emotionally, socially and physically mature, which for a med/large breed is 18 months to 2 years or even older.

[LaughingDonkey]

@MiniatureHero

• Simple Solution Platinum Urine Blaster Stain Remover from Pets at home (for accidents in the house to eradicate the smell and prevent from going potty in the same spot);
• a lot of kitchen tissue rolls (for the accidents);
• I used baby wipes to wipe paws after going outside (to not to leave muddy paw prints);
• I would get few food bowls (slow feeders are good - my pup was hoovering up his food in 3 minutes!!! so now I use slow feeders - takes 9-10 minutes);
• Extra beds (or extra covers in case of accidents);
• Dog name tag
• Claw clippers (unless you plan to take pup to groomers regularly);
• Dog shampoo;

-baby gate(s) to prevent puppy to run around the whole house (for example stairs - pup might fall)

*Think where you want your pup to sleep (your bedroom, living room?)
*Are you going to crate train him/her? Will you use a play pen?

[3NMe]

I wouldn't recommend puppy pads either, just teaches the pup to pee in the house imo. Needs to be taught the behaviour of going out for a pee.

If you can get a blanket and see if you can take it to the pup now so the blanket can get the smell of it's litter and mum on it, take it with you when you collect the puppy, might help settle puppy in your home.

[3NMe]

Oh and poop bags/small anti bac gel

[Keepyourginup]

We didn't really use pads or paper - just take pup outside very frequently. Is pup sleeping in crate at night? If so we had a pad in a section of the crate overnight but he only used it a couple of times. Vet bedding is really good for inside crate - nice and soft and can be washed at high temperature and dries quickly. We've tried lots of beds but ours prefers to sleep on a blanket - so we have a couple of blankets and extras for when they are in the wash.

We use a collapsible water bowl a lot - really handy for walks/car.

Admin stuff - you will also need to register microchip and if KC registered, possibly change from breeder to you.

Good luck and enjoy

[Pelleas]

Be wary of puppy pads - they gave our dog a lifelong predilection for peeing on rugs if he was 'caught short'.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Food: are you going to use what the breeder is using? If not, make sure you'll have enough of the breeder's variety to allow a slow switchover (3 or 4 days).

[SimonJT]

I have had mine a week and a half. One thing is a play pen, we have a crate, but the pen means if I’m in the shower etc Link has an area to play in safely without causing too much chaos.

[MiniatureHero]

Thanks so much everyone, so much useful info on here!

[vanillandhoney]

I wouldn't bother with these:

• puppy pads aren't necessary and just encourage them to toilet in your house. They can go in the garden as soon as you bring them home.
  
• coat. It's summer so it's really not necessary, plus they grow so quickly at that age that you may find they never even wear it.
  

You will need a name tag with your contact information on it as well - it's a legal requirement for dogs to have tags on in public.

Also, It's far, far, far too early to even consider neutering your puppy. Please wait until your dog is an adult before you go down that road, as early neutering can impact on emotional and physical development. It's recommended females have their first season, and males are fully grown before you get them neutered :)

[Keepyourginup]

Yes, agree on the play pen. We have a large one but depends if you have the space. We use it a lot and if really useful as when we took eyes off our pup he was chewing skirting boards (he has thankfully outgrown this now) He loves his playpen - he takes himself in there for daytime sleeps and he goes in there is he's ever home alone. He has crate but used for overnight only

[midnightstar66]

Definitely the simple solution enzyme spray- more tug type toys than you could ever imagine to replace flesh with, enrichment toys (Kong, treatball, lick mat) training treats. Long line lead for recall training

[SoosanCarter]

You need to put gin on your list.
Trust me.

[Pelleas]

Something not on your list - poo bags. Nappy sacks are often cheaper than bags sold as poo bags.

If when he is old enough you may be visiting friends whose gardens are not secure, or going camping, a stake and line are useful.

[PuppyMonkey]

Valium maybe too.

Where will dog bed be put?

Move Valuables/ Potentially dangerous items out the way.

How is the “taking out into the garden every hour” for toilet training going to be managed?

Who will be getting up in the night?

Poo bags - the best quality you can buy.

Kong toys. Lots of them.

Puppy proof garden, fix holes in fences etc, move poisonous plants.

How are you going to have dog in car? Harness? Boot?

Lots and lots of old towels and blankets.

More Valium.

Good luck!

[Pelleas]

Dog shampoo - dogs have a different balance of skin acidity from humans so you can''t use your own shampoo on him if he gets mucky and needs a bath.

A nice to have is a collapsible water bowl because it saves you carrying a normal bowl when you are out and about with him. You can buy a soft, woven plastic one - we would put a bottle of water inside it and it slipped easily into a normal handbag.

[Stackers382]

A chunk of kau wood-it’ll save your furniture and sanity!

[ImBrian]

My pup is coming next month too 😁
For dog tag I’ve bought a cheap one for on her puppy collar but then I get indigo dog tags once they stop growing. They sit flush with the collar and I’ve never had one come off in 5 years on two dogs.

Bio washing powder works as well as the more expensive sprays for getting rid of smells.

Depending on breed a brush or comb? My new pup is of the hairy/needs clipping type so needs regular grooming.

Maybe think about car travel, my two currently travel in a crate in the boot so I need another crate for pup or to put in a dog grill and begin not jumping out as soon as the boots opened training 😂

[ImBrian]

Wormer and flea treatment

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

so you can''t use your own shampoo on him if he gets mucky and needs a bath.
We tend to use whatever is available in Poundland. Now and then one of them gets a bit dandruffy, but nothing major or long-lasting and no scratching or other signs of discomfort.

The brass tags I mentioned upthread can be found here We used to go through standard tags quite regularly. These things last forever.