Another product that we like to suggest you have on hand for our mini's or even for our puppies that are flying to meet their families is Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Trays, they are like a stew type food and we suggest adding 1 tsp to each meal of dry food for the first few days to make sure your puppy is eating well during the transition from our home to yours.
Treats - Keep treats simple, become an expert at reading ingredients and stay away from coloured or dyed items, stick with "natural" products, for example there are plain milkbones and coloured milkbones, buy the plain, natural ones. Avoid the "bacon" flavoured stuff, we like to give our dogs good old soup bones, and they love them.
*When buying treats please do NOT buy the "Greenies" products, or rawhide as they swell up when wet and expand. They have been shown to be very dangerous for dogs, causing blockages in the intestines, throats, etc in some cases causing death according to news reports. Talk to your Vet about this.
Environment
Environmental - Crates and kennels, we really like the Furrari 250 as this kennel is tall enough that your adult dog can sit and stand and look out, lie down and stretch right out. If you can't find it the Pet Porter models are good as well as they also are taller. Inside you can put a nice bed pad, MollyDog puppies are totally crate trained when you get them so they will not pee in their bed.
Another thing to consider is food/water dishes. Please buy stainless steel or ceramic only, plastic food dishes build up bacteria in them and also can leach the colouring from your dog's nose.
Dishes, soft, cushy beds, ex pens and baby gates are all useful items for your puppy.
Behaviour
Behavioural - Collars and leashes, I.D. Tags are really a must. I like the short leashes to use when training a puppy, you can switch
to the long retractable type later on. Puppy Obedience classes are extremely beneficial for you and your puppy, there are even some where the whole family can attend which is always a good idea. Toys, try to stick to ones that are a really good quality. The Kong brand is excellent, when picking a stuffed toy look for one that has stitched eyes and fur that does not pull off easily. Puppies love to cuddle with stuffed animals and balls are always a big hit with puppies.
* A puppy/cat leash works very well as it is nice and light for a little puppy
Maintenance
Maintenance - Think grooming. Shampoo, creme rinse or conditioner, brushes, combs, rakes, what to buy. We recommend that you get a comb and a rake. If your puppy has a curly coat you will need a "slicker" brush. Nail clippers are also something you should have on hand. Pooper scoopers for the yard, stain odour remover for those accidents that puppies have, and Bitter Apple spray that will help deter chewing on things that are not supposed to be chewed! :)
Training
People Training - You will want to avail yourself of books on training, puppy development and behaviour. We really recommend the Puppies for Dummies or Dogs for Dummies, Be The Pack Leader or anything by Cesar Milan, Dog Whisperer. His DVD's are excellent as you can see him in action and if you are like me, a visual learner, then they are a great help. These materials are all available at your local library so you can try them out before purchasing.
Use any information you can get your hands on, ask friends, family or neighbours what has worked for them. We provide lots of helpful information here on the website but each family and home is unique so you have to find things that are the right "fit" for you and your puppy.
Oops! We forgot the most important thing of all - lots and lots of LOVE!
Food is the first most important item to buy. We have our puppies on Royal Canin Mini Puppy. Royal Canin is a Canadian company, which is very important to us. A link is provided so you can check them out for yourself and see what a high quality food it is. We are really happy with it and would like to see you keep your puppy on it until 10 months of age. .
