Recommend me something.

con1888

As you know we get pupster on Sunday.

I have all the basics so it's just extras I am on the hunt for but hate buying things unknown so I think it would be helpful if other dog owners can recommend things. Not just for me but would help us all.

Looking for recomendations on anything, toys, leads, collars, training aids, literature etc.


In my own personal circs they need to be suitable for a German Shepherd pup but feel free to add your own dog too and see what people recommend.

con1888

First question in regards to toys, a puppy Kong any good or will it be too little too soon ?

pawsies

Puppy kongs are slightly softer but you can buy adult ones as presumably a gsd will outgrow puppy kongs very quickly

As for my favourites:

Fleece Harnesses from dog games
http://dog-games-shop.co.uk/

Dog Lead
http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/products/dog-training-and-accessories/stop-pulling/halti-training-lead

I love love love love love this lead! It is soooo comfortable, not like those rope-like nylon leads that cut into you. Remember you have a big dog!

I got a lovely fleece dog collar from zooplus but they seem to have stopped doing them. Good job I stocked up! Dog Games (above) seem to do fleece ones. So much better for the dog's neck than nylon

Toys- my dog LOVES plastic bottles. I'd wait till you get him to see if there is anything at home he might like first before buying expensive dog toys!

con1888

Thanks, i really like Kongs but dont want to pay lots for a puppy one for it only to last a month or so.... thinking of getting the bigger one and seeing if he is okay with it....

I have already bookmarked that site to order a harness from I am admin on a pet group on facebook and they asked to post a link, loving the harnesses !!

krlyr

Do not go for a size bigger - maybe look on Ebay for a second hand Kong and sell it on when it's too small (or donate to a dog rescue), I know of someone who had a Kong slightly too big and the dog got his whole bottom jaw stuck in it, it's important to pick the right size for safety (especially if the puppy is left unattended with it, even for short periods). If you don't to splurge out on actual Kongs, check out the Busy Buddy squirrels - slightly cheaper version, the large is very similar in size to the XL Kongs I use for my two, so the small one might be suitable for a puppy.

I second the Halti training leads, very comfy and versatile too (I tend to carry a spare and can join them together to give extra lead length, or around my waist for a hands-free lead system, the clips allow you to tether the dog in the car, you can clip it around a lamp post or tree stump if you need to tie your lace or pick up a poo, etc.)

Some of the longest lasting toys I got my two are from Poundland, their rope toy selection - very tough and machine washable too.

con1888

Thanks I was thinking there may be safety issues in buying a wrong size, I haven't looked properly but hoping the puppy comes in different sizes itself as the range from say a chihuahua to a great dane pup is a massive one so surely not a one fits all approach to puppies.

I will be getting a Halti and a dogmatic collar when he is bigger. For now thinking of getting a harness, not sure which size though so may take him to Pets at Home ( carried obv not on ground until immunised) to size him up?

I have some rope toys from both Poundland and Asda. Thinking of some other chew things... going to get him a little blanket tomorrow from wilkinsons and will see if they have any other bits and bobs.

Wellyboots6

Ah ha so that's what type of leads they are!
I have seen a couple of people with those Halti training leads but due to Tyson's antisocial behaviour never got close enough to ask where they got them from!

Thanks for this thread Con

I recommend Kong Wobblers to keep doggy entertained while you are out. Tyson has his breakfast in his and it used to keep him entertained for ages. He has however learnt how to unscrew it now. Spoil sport!

BECKIN1507

Little poo bag carrier that can be attached to the lead, if your walking in the dark the ones with a torch on are really usefull!
Toys, I'd say a big soft toy, can be used to play with and snuggle up to.
Treat ball and a babble ball are great to keep them busy when your out.
Mine prefered rubber tyres than kongs.

krlyr

con1888 wrote: »

I will be getting a Halti and a dogmatic collar when he is bigger. For now thinking of getting a harness, not sure which size though so may take him to Pets at Home ( carried obv not on ground until immunised) to size him up?

All the various harnesses are on different sizing systems so unless you plan to buy one from PAH I wouldn't bother. Pick up a cheap fabric tape measure (or just use a bit of string that you can measure afterwards) and go by the different companies' sizing guides - it's usually stuff like measurements around the widest point of the chest and so on but most will explain it on their website/packaging, or help over the phone. The Dog Games company do a "Perfect Fit" harness which has 3 various pieces and apparently after a certain age you can get away with only replacing some of them as the puppy grows, so could be worth looking at. But again, you might find second-hand ones (with little use) that other people's dogs have grown out of - the Dogpages forum has a swap shop section (you can't buy/sell but swap or "sell"/"buy" for a donation to rescue) and there's the Fleamarket on Agilitynet, I've seen lots of harnesses for sale on both.
Hopefully if you get on top of the loose lead walking right from the start and socialise him so he has no reactive issues, you won't even need a headcollar when he's bigger

katy721 wrote: »

I recommend Kong Wobblers to keep doggy entertained while you are out. Tyson has his breakfast in his and it used to keep him entertained for ages. He has however learnt how to unscrew it now. Spoil sport!

There's a solid version of the Wobbler made by another company, I've got one, will look it up. Downside is it's more time consuming to fill up as you have to put all the food in via the little hole but stops the dog being able to unscrew it, at least!

con1888

katy721 wrote: »

Ah ha so that's what type of leads they are!
I have seen a couple of people with those Halti training leads but due to Tyson's antisocial behaviour never got close enough to ask where they got them from!

Thanks for this thread Con

I recommend Kong Wobblers to keep doggy entertained while you are out. Tyson has his breakfast in his and it used to keep him entertained for ages. He has however learnt how to unscrew it now. Spoil sport!

They look good, I have walked a rescue using a halti and it was strange at first but it was used with a headcollar and the dog did not seem to pull at all.

Tyson must be a clever boy !

krlyr

Here it is
http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/dogs/toys/pyramid-treat-dispenser-for-dogs-large.html

Oh, and MSE tip for poo bags - buy nappy bags instead! 100 for 35p or something crazy in Tesco. Even doubling them up if you need extra thickness (though I've never popped a hole in one yet) works out cheaper than most poo bags. If I'm poo picking in the garden, I save a used sandwich bag from the supermarket or that I've stored some bread/cheese/whatever in (little stash in the kitchen drawer, as long as they're fairly clean/dry) and put this over my hand as a glove, then just put the poos into a carrier bag (I'm picking up after two big dogs though so you may find just the sandwich bag sufficient) rather than waste poo bags too.