What to buy for new puppy?

kittiej

Hello All

I am after a bit of advice please.

We are getting our little puppy next week and i would like to know what the best things are to get for her.

What did you find really useful and what was a waste of time?

She's a Springer Spaniel.

Indie_Kid

- puppy training pads
- toys (we got told ours didn't like toys - we gave in and got him some after he started chewing my dad's slippers!)
- bed - even if it's just a mat for them to lay on
- dog waterer - http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-32449
- dog collar and lead - you may go through several before you get one that is suitable for your dog. Because ours doesn't like his neck being touched, he was given a harness instead.

kittiej

Do the training pads actually work?

hethmar

Training pads dont work, they just save the floor. YOU have to work to get the dog to understand they have to wee and poo outside. It means taking them out every half an hour or so and standing there, waiting for them to perform whilst saying a word like "wee" or whatever you choose, so they associate the word with the job. Then make a huge fuss when they have done the business.

Id say you should get a puppy training book - Look at The Perfect Puppy - you can get it on amazon, could save you a lot of problems. Also look for local training classes. Springers can be a real handful and so need competent socialising and training.

Get a vet bed from bronteglen

Get a puppy play pen if you want to be able to work or whatever in the house without worrying what pup is up to.

Get dog insurance asap

Get her booked in with a vet for a first check up, innoculations, chipping and ask about neutering.

Apart from that, its easy, food and water bowls and food, leads and collars or haltis, grooming equipment later on, possibly start her off with tooth brushing, toys, a good bed, whatever you need for car travel.

Paparika

you don't need a water feeder, just check every day and replace with fresh water. 2 bowls one for food and one for water.

kittiej

Yes I know I've got to do the work lol. I just thought they had some sort of attractant stuff in them.

I won't be able to take her out into the garden as she'll only be 6 weeks old and I'm scared to just in case she picks up something life threatening.

I think I'll stick to newspaper tbh.

I was going to get her two bowls, bed etc, it's just been a while since I had a puppy so was wondering if there were any new products available these days.

She'll have 6 weeks free insurance when I pick her up so I'll have a little bit of time to shop around for that.

The boy next door works at the local vets so I'll get her booked in, the local dog warden does microchipping for free as well.

She's the working dog type as opposed to the show dog. It's a good job there are plenty of mountains and woods to go walking in around here, I wouldn't have entertained the breed otherwise.

Rev

When we were getting our puppy I got the basics, food, two bowls, some toys, and bed. That was about all I needed. Sorted the insurance, chipping and everything out once he was here. I also sorted training classes as soon as we got him.

A lot of people crate train, I didn't but obviously you'll need a crate if you're intending to do that.

ka7e

I put training pads under newspaper - when mine was a pup she would drag the pads around as toys!

Personally, I would recommend a crate instead of a bed. It gives a pup a "safe" place to retire to and you can pop them in if you have to leave them alone for short periods. I found it helped speed up toilet-training too.

Buy a brush and comb to get pup used to grooming from the start. Springers have feathery bits that pick up grass seeds and burrs!

Fave toys have been a small (puppy) Kong, a "raggy" knotted bone and a tennis ball. Tiny pups love to chase toilet roll inners or empty plastic bottles (freebie toys!) - but must not be left unattended with them.

sarabe

I would very strongly advise against using newspaper or puppy pads and teaching your puppy to pee in the house. She can go in the garden at 6 weeks unless you have a dog with a disease living out there.

I have a lot to do with puppies and their training and I can guarantee that those older pups, 12 - 16 weeks, with house training problems will have been taught or encouraqed to pee in the house.

There is only one reliable way to house train a pup without causing confusion for the dog and stress for dog and owner and that is take the pup to the garden from the word go every time they are likely to need the toilet.

So when she wakes, after eating, after taking a drink, before, during and after a period of activity, when you come in, before you go out, before bed, during the adverts and every 20 - 30 minutes inbetween unless she is asleep.

6 weeks is too young to leave Mum as well. 7.5 - 8 is ideal in my opinion.

kittiej

I'm sorry but unless I could be 100% certain that she wouldn't pick something up, indoors she will roam until she has had her injections.

I lived next to someone whos puppy was allowed into their garden and it picked up parvo so I aint risking it.

Anyway I wasn't after training advice, I will get that from an actual human dog trainer and not a computer when the time comes

No I wanted opinions about products available to buy on the market that are either good or not worth the bother.

sarabe

I am an actual human dog trainer (and behaviour consultant).

Products on the market not worth the bother - puppy training pads.