Christmas in April! (for puppy)

Water bowls: check.
Leash: check.
An assortment of toys for him (us) to play with: check.

Anyone reading my monthly credit card bills might think I turned into a dog in early March. That's when all the Banana Republic purchases, all the electronics, and all the home accessories from Kohls disappeared... replaced by swipes at Petco, PetSmart, and the Pet Supplies section of Amazon.com.

Chris and I perused numerous books and articles to come up with our list of must-have puppy supplies. In making our purchases, we considered customer reviews, price, and availability. Then, like new parents fawning over baby shoes, we added a few (or several) as they caught our puppy-dog eyes.

Following is our ultimate survival list for welcoming a new puppy into a home.

(Standard disclaimer because, well, that’s what people do: I, as a simple novice dog owner, in no way endorse these products or take any responsibility for anyone using them… But they looked like good bets for me and my Shadow.)

A few good reads

1. Cesar Millan’s "How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond"

Neither Chris nor I started out as fans of Cesar Millan, a.k.a. "The Dog Whisperer." I only picked up the book -- audiobook, actually -- because of my nagging need to see for myself and discount things on  my own terms. A few weeks and several prolonged car trips later, however, I could confidently declare myself wrong.
While not a detailed guide to the daily workings of a dog's life (for that see below), Cesar Millan provides a great foundation for training YOU to train a dog. Unlike other authors who hang onto the outdated idea that dogs who disobey their owners should be punished -- Do they really understand why? -- Cesar Millan instead advises dog owners on how to elicit the desired behavior from their pets.

2. Kristin Mehus-Roe's "Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Dog"

For a day-to-day "how-to" guide, a reference for emergencies and answers to "I never thought of that" questions, this massive volume is sitting on our bookshelf -- right next to the thesaurus, "Writer's Market," and phone book.

Hardware

3. A video camera: Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera

We couldn't justify spending a ton on a full-size video camera, but this gets the job done for just $150 -- the price of one night out -- and is the size of a cell phone! (The fact that it's waterproof may be an unecessary frill, but I'll admit it sold me.) This is a must for showing cute videos of your new puppy to family, friends, and perhaps a legion of loyal blog fans...

4. A crate, such as: Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 36"L x 24"W x 27"H

Crate training is all the rage, don't you know? This one is a cinch to set up and take down (for travel). The 42-inch is pretty massive, but it comes in all sizes and has a divider for when he's just a puppy. We don't anticipate needing it when he's older, but just in case, it was worth the extra couple bucks.

5. A pen: Midwest 552-30 30-By-24-Inch E-Coat Pet Exercise Pen, Black

Just like a playpen for toddlers, this will let us tend to tasks in another room without having to confine the little guy in his crate. Bonus: it attaches to the Midwest crate (see above), so he has the option to go to and from his bed as he desires. It's really like his own little house. ☺

6. Food and water bowls: Loving Pets No-Tip Dog Bowl

They come in plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic, and each has its pros and cons. I felt stainless steel was the best bet because it's durable (a must for both Shadow's chewing and my clumsiness), and because plastic can reportedly sometimes cause allergic reactions. The biggest fault seems to be that stainless steel gets hot in the sun, so choose a meal spot carefully.

7. Collar and lead

Once again, the choices abound -- from leather, nylon, and canvas, to harness, buckle, and snap-around. It took Chris and I two visits to Petco to figure this one out, but we settled on a small AND medium (just in case) nylon buckle collar and a six-foot nylon lead. This (along with some of the toys) we had to buy in person because it's pretty personal and because... well... it's part of the fun!

8. A carrier:  Petmate Pet Taxi Traditional Kennel, Large (Pets Up to 15 Inches Tall), Light Gray

Depending on your dog's size, you might be able to combine this and the crate, but we needed a small carrier for car transport as well as a crate for the house.

9. A bed: We're using towels the first few weeks, so Shadow can pick out his own bed as a housebreaking prize down the road ☺

Protection

10. Grannicks Bitter Apple spray

Nothing's guaranteed to save your furniture from sharpening canine teeth, but word from several colleagues and a few pet store employees was that this stuff is the best bet. I'll be dousing the house right before Shadow sets his curious paws inside this weekend.

11. Something to cover the floor: Grabber Outdoors Original Space Brand All Weather Blanket: Blue, Box

This is billed as a waterproof blanket that's easy to clean -- perfect for protecting the floors (especially when Shadow's visiting his grandparents).

12. Puppy pads: IRIS Neat 'n Dry Floor Protection and Training Pads for Puppies and Dogs of All Ages, Regular, 100-Count (Packaging Varies)

Yeah, it's a dirty job, but it's part of the housebreaking process. We're using these not as training tools, but as extra protection in case of accidents. Gotta keep the floors sparkling!

13. Cleaner: Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover

Last of the nitty-gritty, I promise. But if there's one thing all the experts are in agreement about, it's that you can't wipe down an accident with any old household cleanser. You might not smell a thing, but he will, and he'll equate it with a place to... well... do it again...

Hygiene

14. Toothpaste and toothbrush: Petrodex Dog Dental Care Kit

This came with both the toothpaste and the brush. I'm sure the first time I use it will make for an interesting post -- keep an eye out!

15. Oral hygiene chews: C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, Petite Dogs, 30 Chews

These I stumbled upon and figured if something Shadow eats can remove plaque and make my brushing his teeth easier, it's worth a shot!

16. Brush: Ultimate Touch Gentle Slicker for Puppies

Gotta keep him looking pretty! This one's made for puppies, so hopefully it won't yank his gorgeous silver locks.

17. Plastic bags for being a good neighbor: Bags on Board Regular Bag Refill Pack, 120 Bags

Sure, you can use regular shopping bags, but aren't these so much prettier?

18. Nail clippers (we're waiting to speak with the vet on this one)

19. Shampoo: Synergy Groomer's Blend Oatmeal Protein Shampoo

Oatmeal and no reports of tearing are the reasons I chose this for Shadow's first post-breeder bath.

Grub!

20-22. Treats for training and for everyday use. For his first few weeks, Shadow's dessert menu will consist of:
                           

























23. Bully sticks

These are billed as being better for dogs' digestion than rawhide. Cesar Millan seems to be a big fan; let's see if Shadow is too.

24. Puppy food (consult your breeder for this) and a canister to hold portions of it for easy serving

Play time!

25 & Up.  Toys -- and lots of them!

Here are just a few items from our current collection, which will be growing in no time:


























In a few days, all these purchases will finally be of use as we welcome Shadow to our home. Check back this weekend for photos... and maybe even a video -- if Shadow hasn't run us down already!