Anything else i can do before my puppy comes?
I am getting my puppy on Friday and i just want to make sure that i have everything set and prepared before she comes. Is there anything im missing?
I have these items:
collar
leash
training treats
toys (shes a cavalier)
baby blanket for lining her kennel
books
food dish
water dish (our dogs share one big one)
identification tag
vet (my dad)
Anything i can do to prepare for my puppy? Anything i need to get?
i only don’t have the kennel or bed on there is, since my dad is a vet we are just ordering that stuff from the general pet supply store (its the place all pet store buy their products from, just for a whole lot less).
I also have:
a clicker for training
dog shampoo
my puppy is over two months old
my dad is getting the food
puppy proof house (we own two other dogs)
my puppy is de-wormed and de-fleaed by the breeder’s vet
Things to do before your puppy arrives.
Puppy proof your home.
Secure electrical cords to the baseboards, or tape them up high, or string them through PVC pipe. Have plenty of bitter apple or tobasco sauce on hand for those that can’t be put out of the way.
Crawl around on the floor, seeing everything from your puppy’s point of view. Look for pins, tacks, paper clips, and other assorted small items that your puppy could swallow. In particular, check under furniture. Then, look for anything that is dangling, like phone and appliance cords, tablecloths, etc. Remember to check at least as high as the pup can stand on his hind legs.
Buy a few child safety gates and block off any rooms you do not want your puppy to have access to, or the room you want him to stay in. I have a gate across the library where my computer is, not to mention 2,000 books. I have an extra gate to lock them in the kitchen if I need to. The very best gate is the metal kind about three feet tall, but the short plastic ones work as well. The advantage of the short ones is that you can step over them instead of having to open and close. Of course, plastic can be chewed through, but I have never had a Mastiff chew or go over even the shortest gates. (My Chihuahua has chewed a hole in every gate, and can now go wherever she pleases).
Be sure to remove any cleansers and soap powder containers from the floor, along with disinfectants, bleach and fabric softeners, toilet bowel cleaners and the like. Make sure that all insecticides are safely stored away.
Toxic plants need to be put up high or discarded entirely. Artificial plants can be sprayed with bitter apple, but are a favorite of young pups to tear up. Swallowing pieces of silk or plastic can cause serious damage, so I usually put them up as well and introduce them slowly, one at a time. Also, remove any foil around the containers and any decorative rocks that may be in the pot.
Find a high, secure place to keep any remote controls. Any item that contains batteries are extremely dangerous. If a pup chews up the remote control or a childs= toy and even so much as bites into the battery, it can cause severe burns, mercury poisoning and even death. (A pup I sold chewed a remote control battery and spent two weeks in the hospital being treated for mercury poisoning and burns. This cost the owners over a $1,000 in vet bills and they were lucky that he even survived).
Put all shoes, boots, umbrellas, etc., in a closet and pick up any clothing laying around. Remember, nothing is sacred and if it is on the floor your pup will consider it his. A pup will just as soon chew on your underwear as a toy.
Childrens’ toys can also be dangerous, as small pieces can be broken off and swallowed, stuffed animals shredded, Barbie dolls beheaded. Also, children should be taught not to share their food, especially chocolate, with the new pup.
First Purchases
The most important purchase you will probably make is a crate. I recommend a wire crate. Buying a large crate (for the pup’s eventual size) is more economical and can be partitioned off for housebreaking purposes. The partition can be moved as the pup grows.
For bedding, you can get commercial crate pads to fit, or make them yourself. Blankets work well, but tend to slide around and the pup feels insecure about his footing. I usually use a canvas covered crate pad and put the blankets on top. They are easier to wash than the pad covers. Have several changes of bedding handy. Do not use new pieces of carpet unless they have been washed to remove the formaldehyde and other chemicals. However, carpet does work well under blankets to keep them for sliding. A heavy rubber mat or rug with rubber backing will work until the pup grows large enough to chew it up!
Of course you will need food and water bowls. I like to use the 5 qt. stainless steel bowls. Plastic bowls can be chewed and dumped over easier and some will leach harmful toxins into the food over time. Many cases of "puppy pimples" can be traced to using plastic feed and water bowls. Stainless steel is easier to clean, sterilize and is dishwasher safe. As your puppy grows, it is a good idea to gradually raise the food dish. This helps with digestion and keeps them from having to Ahunch@ down on their front legs to eat. You can buy (expensive) raised dog diners, create your own or buy an inexpensive small "Grecian urn" from Kmart. The urns hold a 5qt bowl very nicely.
Purchase a collar and leash before hand. An adjustable collar will work fine for the first few months. After six months, switch to a buckle collar for strength. The first leash should be a lightweight six foot lead for leash training. Later on, a nice leather or heavy nylon lead will be necessary. Get your pup used to a choke collar also, but never, ever leave the choke collar on any dog unless you are with them. They can easily become caught on something and strangle the puppy.
Toys are alwa
You’ll definitely need a cleaning spray for potty accidents. Preferably one that removes traces of urine.
you can check with your dad or do more research online
oh, you need puppy food lol
then you’re pretty much set!
Put some love and patience in a jar & save it, cause you will need it!
You go girl!! :O
Worming tablets and de-fleaing spray.
Maybe a flexi/extandable lead but I would see how she reacts to a normal one before you try that.
Food obviously.
Puppy milk is always a good idea.
One thing I read which I think is a good idea is to rub a piece of cloth on the puppies mother for the puppy to sleep with when she comes home to comfort her.
Just in case an wind up alarm clock and a hot water bottle. It is for the warmth of the mother the hot water bottle and the liter mates. The wind up clock is for the heart beat sound. makes it easier for the puppy to sleep wrap the hot water bottle in a baby blanket with the clock. And put it in the kennel.
Sounds like you got everything. Now just enjoy your Cavelier, they are very clever little creatures. You can read about dog training on my site, especially house training.
Enjoy
Cost of Food?
Puppy can’t be left alone for more then 2hours
Adults max 8hours
http://www.petstorecruelty.org/14%20Day%20guarantee.htm
http://www.raot.org/information/10_reasons_to_adopt_an_older_dog.htm
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/puppy_chewing.html