Below is a list of items we suggest for your puppy’s new digs:
A wire crate
I suggest a large crate that has a divider you can move as the puppy grows. The smaller the space, the less likely puppy will be to potty inside. Crate the puppy as much as you can in the beginning. This is tough love- it can be hard. Do not take puppy out of crate when he is crying or barking. If puppy is noisy son the beginning, cover the crate with a sheet to offer a sense of security.
Remember, the smaller the space, the more control you have over puppy and the safer he feels. He will be overwhelmed in the beginning, so having run of the living area and/or kitchen is sufficient for a while. It is not mean to crate your puppy. In fact, new puppies actually prefer the crate. Everything is new. Sights, smells, sounds, people, living environment- introduce him to a little bit at a time.
When you are are watching tv, etc, and he is snuggled, he may sleep two or three hours. When he wakes up, he needs to go out immediately. Don't call him to the door. Between point A and point B, he will stop to pee in the floor. He will not, however, pee on you! Carry him outside to the exact spot in the yard you want him to use. As he is peeing, give him a treat and tell him Good Boy! Don't just put him outside the door. He doesn't know what to do. He will pee on concrete if that is where you place him. This is so important- it will take longer to train him if you don't get him outside once he stirs. If he starts peeing in the house, it will take longer to housebreak him.
A bath mat or memory foam throw rug. This can be moved easily from room to room and the puppy will come to see this as a safe place. If you travel, take this with you to the hotel. When someone knocks on the door, puppy can be trained to PLACE on the rug.
I do not recommend the use of puppy pads because it takes longer to house break. Puppy's bladder should be able to hold it for three or four hours. If you will be away longer, puppy pads are appropriate.
Toys:
I suggest introducing one toy at a time. Let him play with it for a few days and then give him another. If you give them all at once, it may be overwhelming.
Nylabones are safe, however our pups are not too fond of them. They prefer antlers and water buffalo horns.
Squeaky tennis balls- there are some made specifically for dogs that will not wear down the teeth as quickly as tennis balls
They like anything long like the Fido toys.
Kong makes a teddy bear that the puppies fight over.
Food: feed 3/4 c two times daily. Take the water and food up after about 20-25 minutes. If all the food is gone, you can increase the amount you give each time. Puppy may his a growth spurt and you won't know unless you watch how much he is eating. If you leave food and water out, s/he will pee and poop all day. By taking it up, you have control over when puppy goes potty.
We feed Victor Hi Pro For Puppies and Active Dogs, a turquoise bag.
It is a quality food that makes less poop. You can get this at a feed store or order it online and get free shipping. The website for Victor is www.victorpetfood.com. Most foods you find at Walmart, Target and Petsmart contain some variance of formaldehyde, or embalming fluid. They do this to extend the shelf life of your food, but it will shorten the life of your dog. If you do petsmart, Merrick and Taste of the Wild are good. Take a look at www.dogfoodadvisor.com to see how foods are rated.
Treats:
It's crazy, but we use Goldfish crackers as treats. They are plentiful, cheap, the puppies can chew and swallow them and stay on task. Most dog treats are not nutritious, and since we work with small children, we have found this a great option. The puppies love them. Zukes treats are good- be careful not to use too much because puppy can get diarrhea. Goldfish are definitely better on the tummy. They love blueberries and frozen green beans. I also freeze chicken broth in ice trays. It IS appropriate to give some human foods as long as you do not feed them while you are eating. It's much healthier to give a chopped apple than to give a milkbone. Do not give ANY treats made in China. No rawhide. You can find deer antlers at petsmart and online. These are a puppy favorite because of the minerals they contain. This is great for teething and they last a long time.
We also buy them their own peanut butter. It's a great training tool. Just let them lick off the spoon. :)
Clicker:
Look for a clicker. We have posted a video on the YouTube channel about how to use this- it is the best training tool you could have! Very cheap on Amazon.
Bed:
We use Coolaroo beds because the are elevated a bit and air circulates under them to keep puppy cool.
Families report that the $99 Kong or memory foam beds are mainly for their own satisfaction and that the dogs could care less. A couple of dogs have eaten them and most of the dogs end up napping on the couch with their humans.
Leash:
While many people use harnesses, we prefer to use a slip leash. A dog who is controlled by a harness tends to lean outward, away from his handler. This is exactly opposite the purpose of the leash. You want puppy to want to stay close with you, not to try and get away. A harness puts all the pressure on you and none on the dog. As the dog pulls away, you are forced to pull in the opposite direction to get puppy to stay with you. It is tiring and counterproductive with a larger breed dog. Additionally, you are pulling on the body rather than focusing the eyes and turning the head toward you. A slip leash gives you two options. First, you can use the slip leash over the nose when it is needed (if strangers are nearby or there is food and you don't want the nose wandering or pulling away).
When you take your puppy outside to potty, put the slip leash on the puppy and carry the puppy to the location in the yard where you will expect the puppy to potty. Always take puppy to the same location so you don't have messes all over your yard. Remember, the smaller the space, the more comfortable your puppy will be. A space that is open or too big can be overwhelming. Allow the puppy to lead you in the yard while you are holding the leash. Give the puppy control over direction and speed while leaving enough slack in the leash to allow him to make the decisions. This will evolve into you calling him and him coming to you while attached to the leash. When he does what you want him to do, give him a treat. When he has mastered potting on the leash, you have accomplished two tasks at once. Celebrate and move to the front yard where there is more space. Talk to puppy and praise him for participating in your game. It's important not to correct him verbally when he is learning the leash. You want him to want the leash because he knows something great is about to happen. If you shame him or tell him no, he will see no incentive to being attached to you. If you praise him, pet him on his shoulder and treat him, he is going to think he won the lottery! As puppy gets older, you can use the slip leash over his nose to help him focus. It might sound mean, but puppy can still open wide, he can still bark, take a treat and chew. The purpose of this gentle leader approach is to turn his nose toward you as you are walking. It minimizes distractions and can actually be safer for you and your dog.
