Puppy shopping list

[midnightstar66]

It's nearly time for us to get our JRT pup. Anything Essential I've missed from my shopping list? I've already got some rope toys and getting dog food separately. In addition to that is a 24 in crate with divider and stainless steel bowls in a small stand - mn would only let me upload 3 pics.

To be honest I wouldn't get a flexi lead. They teach poor on-lead habits and can be quite dangerous. Likewise puppy pads - we used old newspapers and took the puppy out frequently.

What bedding have you got? You'll need something comfy.

You'll need a name tag to go on a flat collar. If you get a collar that buckles rather than clips, you'll be able to get a brass slide-on tag. These last much longer than standard tags which have a habit of falling off.

I've got fleece blankets re bedding as well as the bed. Yes I'd looked at personalised collars with a brass plaque but obviously non urgent as pup won't be able to go out til after second jabs. Wasn't planning to use that collar it just came with the set. The flexi lead more for sitting in the garden just now and letting pup explore as we have a great space but it's not fenced (although very safe as far from roads)

IMHO - drop the puppy pads, I find they can confuse or prolong house training by making it OK to pee in the house sometimes. Swap it for Simple Solution spray cleaner for the inevitable accidents.

I also wouldn't bother with a flexi lead, they maybe have a place in fully trained adult dogs in some situations but pointless for training a puppy. Better to use a cheap plain nylon lead for now (there's a good chance it will be chewed!) and buy one later if you really feel you need one then.

I would add in a big piece of vetbed that you can cut into pieces to line the crate, it washes and dries quickly and makes 3am pee cleanups a lot easier if you have clean bedding ready to swap in.

Fair enough with the Flexi but I'm a cheapskate and would use length of cord... A young puppy won't go far from you anyway.

Slide tags don't come with a collar, you can buy them on their own like any other ID tag. I really rate them.

Have you thought about a puppy training book? Something like Perfect Recall or The Perfect Puppy.

Long line instead of flexi leadmaybe? Am using that with my puppy's first walks to let her run about in front or behind me but quickly be back in control if I see a dog/ runner coming along. It is giving me an idea of just how close or far she will go from me and how good she is at coming closer when called.

I'd been hoping not to use the puppy pads anyway, I've never used them before, just thought I'd get a small pack to have to hand just in case. We are a main door house but first floor (reminds me to add puppy mesh stair gate) so under no illusions that training will be easy although pups mum was a dream both with house training and also seemed to come preprogrammed to recall and walk to heel so I'm hoping pup inherits some of this. Have been refreshing puppy training techniques with online videos (as has dd who is keen to take an active role)

Thanks re the bedding and spray recommendations

I would swap flexi lead for a normal one and puppy pads do confuse the pups but are a godsend at night if you have a large garden and can't see him in the dark. I used puppy pads with my pup, worked real well, was a bit of a pain transitioning to the garden though so bare that in mind. It worked for us to use mainly for night trips and slowly change how near to the back door you place it. He's 8 months now and hasn't had an accident in the house for 3 or 4 months x

I went to the charity shop. I bought heavy serving/casserole dish types because I can't stand the sound of those aluminium pet dishes. I bought towels for her bed and to just keep on the back veranda for those moments.

I bought a stuffable kong from the pet shop but dog specific toys cost a fortune and lasted our border terrier days/weeks. Kids stuffed toys from the charity shop last for ages and everything is so much cheaper.

We had a car mat with raised edges kicking around so keep her bowl on that at feeding time so it contains any overflow and we find it works very well.

I originally bought a cheapish dog bed but after a couple of months we did invest in a spacious proper bed and, covered with a towel, I think it serves well. We have a crate but have never used it.

Thanks @TheSandgroper . I'm missing being able to browse shops and pretty much stuck with amazon. I've found an old horse lunge line in the attic so will ditch the flexi. I'm getting the crate mainly for a safe/quiet space.. DC will know not to bother puppy when in there. Realistically, long term dog will be sleeping in someone's bed lol

Lead wise, I've always been a huge fan of the Halti double ended training leads. Comfy to hold and more control than flexi ones and can change the length. Mines an adult now and I still use it every day.

@Stellaris22 thanks I've never seen them before. What a good idea. (DC will be pleased they come in a range of colours)

We have a 9-week lab who has been living with us for just over a week. She hasn't used a single puppy pad or the artificial turf toilet I wasted £20 on, and the first couple of days were dispiriting with her toileting everywhere. But over the last few days she's only done it once or twice in the house. (And we're very lucky in that she sleeps in her crate from 11-6 and holds her bladder.)

Other things I would consider buying that I can't see recommended above:

harness (for car)
seatbelt attachment
dog bandage
tea tree oil
antiseptic wipes
golden eye
hibiscrub
piriton

It's been an ideal time for us to get a puppy: the three of us can rotate taking her out every half hour or so. And we've been carrying her on walks so she gets used to traffic, people, and cars. She gets her second vacs next week and I can't wait to be able to walk her properly.

Hope you enjoy yours!

If the tea tree oil is intended for first aid use, please don't - it's highly toxic, including when used on the skin.

@threemilesupthreemilesdown yes, certainly don't use it neat, but it's safe if it's properly diluted. The Body Shop do a 15% one and if you dilute a few drops of that (already diluted one) further by adding to c50ml water it's good for calming itching skin/flea bites, etc.