Before you puppy arrives home, beg, borrow or buy this equipment at your vet or local pet store.
Food and water bowls
Get a separate bowl for water and food. They should be hard to tip over and easy to clean.
Start with smaller bowls first, and get larger ones when your puppy develops a monstrous appetite.
Collar
To get the right size, put two fingers between the collar and your puppy's neck. If your
fingers fit comfortably, its perfect. And don't forget a ‘dog tag’ with your puppy's name,
address and phone.
Leash
There are 101 different types of leashes. Get one about two metres long so you can train
and walk them without winding up round a letterbox!
Grooming supplies
Here's the long and short of it. For longhaired breeds, use a sturdy wide-toothed metal comb
or brush – and for shorthaired dogs, use a brush with natural bristles, a rubber currycomb
or a hand mitt. All kinds of dogs should be washed with mild non-medicated shampoo.
Toys
Puppies love to play and chew, chew, chew. To save your new shoes, get some toys, but make
sure they can't be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. Large rawhide chips, nylon chews
and hard rubber balls are fun and safe.
Bed
The best pet beds have small legs to keep your dog off the cold floor (although your puppy
will think their best bed… is your bed!) Choose one that has a washable cover.
Crates
Crates make idea “dens” for puppies and are a great aid in housebreaking. Getting pups
accustomed to a crate early in life will make traveling or confinement due to illness or
injury much easier throughout the dog's life.
