Puppy Essentials

Getting a new puppy or a rescue dog is an exciting, and somewhat daunting time all at once. We get lots of questions in-store from people who are getting puppies and rescue dogs about what they will need for their new arrival. Here is our list of must-haves:

· CRATE

There is a lot of controversy when it comes to crating a dog. Some people feel it is cruel to put a dog in a crate, but there are many reasons why crating is a good idea.

Like us, dogs get fed up and require their own space. Leaving the crate door open during the day allows them to go in and out as they please. At some point in most dogs' lives, a trip to the vet with a stay period is required. Likewise, some dogs require regular grooming and may have to spend time in a crate whilst at the groomers. Getting your dog used to a crate at home makes these experiences less stressful. Securing your dogs whilst traveling is a legal requirement. If you have space in your car, a crate makes a safe and comforting space for your dog.

· BED/BLANKET

A nice comfy bed of their own to relax on is always welcome. A blanket will provide extra comfort and warmth, and most dogs like to get under the blanket, which is super cute!

· FOOD & WATER BOWLS

When choosing your food and water bowls, make sure you get ones of a suitable size for your dog. Small bowls to begin with and bigger bowls as the dog grows. If your bowl is too big, you may be tempted to overfill the food bowl and end up with a chonky dog.

Ceramic and steel type bowls are more hygienic than the plastic ones as they are easier to clean and don’t scratch away like the plastic ones. They are also beneficial in reducing tear staining.

· PUPPY FOOD

Your puppy will come with some food from the breeder that it has been eating. You don’t need to keep them on that food if you choose not to, but do remember that you need to gradually introduce any new food, so you need to ensure you have enough to do this.

Most rescue centres will send some food home with your new dog too. Again, you don't need to keep them on this food if you choose not to, but do remember that you need to gradually introduce any new food, so you need to ensure you have enough to do this.

· COLLAR & LEAD

A collar and lead suitable for your puppy/rescue dog.

· ID TAG

It is a legal requirement that all dogs wear an ID tag. The tag MUST contain the following information:

OWNER SURNAME

HOUSE NUMBER AND POSTCODE

CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)

· CAR RESTRAINT

As briefly touched upon in the section about crates, it is a legal requirement to have dogs secure whilst traveling. If a crate is not viable, there are various seatbelt options available including ones that clip into your seatbelt fastener and attach to your dogs collar or harness, and there are also harnesses available that can be clipped into the seatbelt fastener or placed around the seatbelt.

· TOYS

A variety of toys to keep your dog stimulated, encourage play, and help with training. Our favourites for puppies are:

Sensory toys that have different sounds and textures.

Kong

An empty plastic bottle

A soft toy

For older dogs, we love:

Kong toys

Puzzles

Balls

Frisbees

· PUPPY PADS

Puppy pads are ideal for house training dogs. There are both disposable and washable pads available, alongside plastic trays to pop them in to prevent any leaking onto your flooring.

· POO BAGS

Poo bags are an essential item for every dog owner. They come in a variety of sizes and fragrances, with or without handles, degradable and non-degradable.

· GROOMING EQUIPMENT

All dogs require some form of grooming on a regular basis. Grooming your dog is a nice way to bond with him and spend time together. Getting into a good grooming routine will help your groomer and potentially save your dog from being shaved down.

The equipment you need for this depends on what breed of dog you have. We will cover this is one of our upcoming posts.

The most important thing you need when getting a puppy or rescue dog is patience and love. They will frustrate you, they will chew something they're not supposed to, but they will give you so much more.

Enjoy your new life long companion.

Auntie Mel