Here is what we recommend for our puppy
buyers to prepare for their new arrival!
FOOD: NutriSource Chicken and
Rice Large Breed Adult.
This food is considered one of the many
holistic foods on the market. It does not have fillers (corn, soy, or
wheat, which can lead to gastric torsion or bloat). For a complete
ingredient list and store locator, go to
http://www.nutrisourcedogfood.com/nutrisource/ We have used this food
for about 2 years now. My dogs do fantastic on it and I feel it is very
healthy for them! If you can't find this food, there are other good
options. Make sure the protein level is under 24%
TREATS: Canidae or Wellness
biscuits.
Or any other biscuit that does
not contain corn, soy or wheat flour. My dogs love the Wellness Apples and
Honey Biscuits
CHEW BONES/TOYS: Kong
Do not give Chew Hooves or
Rawhides, or Pig Ears!!!! Rawhide is cured with LYE and pig.cow ears or
chew hooves can carry salmonella poisoning, which both you and your pup can
get. Chew hooves can also be swallowed which will lead to emergency gastric
surgery. I also do not give Nylabones or Galleleo bones as a power chewer
can break their teeth on them. I recommend Kong as a good chew toy. Treats
can be placed inside to keep their interest. As they get better at getting
the treats out, you can make it more challenging for them.
COLLARS/LEASHES:
Your puppy will grow very
rapidly. Make sure the collar does not get too tight. I am sending along
with your puppy a starter collar and leash. As your puppy grows, you should
use a 6' long leather leash that is 1 inch wide. The leather is easier on
the hands than nylon. When walking a dog, use a choker collar, not a buckle
collar. A dog can slip out of a buckle collar very quickly. Also make sure
that when walking your dog, you have his/her microchip tag on at all times.
SQUEAKER TOYS:
Be careful that when the pup rips
a toy open that he does not swallow the squeaker. When they are able to
start ripping them open it is probably time to stop giving them to him.
BEDDING:
A puppy will chew up
everything!!!! Wait until the pup is over a year before buying an expensive
bed for him. An old blanket is adequate. Do NOT use electric blankets.
They will chew the wires out of the blanket and can choke to death on them
or they can injure the gastic system.
SHAMPOO: Earthbath: Totally
Natural Pet Shampoo, Oatmeal & Aloe
Do not bathe your dog more
than once a week and if you can wait until it's been 2 weeks that is even
better. If you bathe the dog more than this, he can develop dry itchy skin
and dandruff. Between baths, you can use a mixture of Listerine and water
(50/50) and spray it on the pup and rub it into the coat. This keeps the
pup smelling fresh without taking away from the natural oils that keep the
coat healthy.
EAR CLEANING/NAILS:
If your dog gets dirty ears, you can use the recipe in your binder called:
Blue Power Ear Cleaning Solution. It's tried and True and cheap to make!
Just be careful, it stains. For trimming nails, I like to use a dremel.
MAKE SURE YOU TRIM YOUR
PUPS NAILS EVERY WEEK!!!!!
CRATING:
We use wire crates so that the
pup can have full ventilation at all times and that he/she can see what is
going on around it. I prefer using the Midwest Model #1242, size: 42"L x
28"w x 32"h. This can be ordered from any of the pet catalogs listed
below. You can get a divider that fits inside so you can make it smaller
while the puppy is small and move the divider as the puppy grows.
EXERCISE PENS:
An exercise pen is like a child's playpen. It keeps the pup in a safe
containment area without it being in a crate. If you work full time, use
the above mentioned crate and an exercise pen as a mini-kennel in your
home. The pup will be safe from electrical wires/outlets and will not be
able to chew up the furniture! This will also keep the pup warm and dry.
The size most used is the 36" high model. There are 8, 2' wide panels and
when opened it makes a perfect square.
VITAMINS:
The only supplements or vitamins
your puppy should be on are: Ester-C (see dosage on your cover letter in
your binder) and Fresh Factors. This can be ordered from Springtime Inc (
www.springtimeinc.com ). Remember, NEVER give a growing puppy calcium
supplements!
BITTER APPLE:
A good deterrent to use when they are chewing what you
do not want them to chew on. Be sure to provide good chew toys.
NATURES MIRACLE:
To get rid of the smell when you puppy has an accident.
There will always be tons of
toys and goodies to buy for your new baby, this is a good starter list!
Have fun with your new pup and remember, let your puppy grow slow and keep
him lean! A bigger dog is NOT a better dog!