What you need at home for a new puppy

[tlish]

suki's just 5 months, 19 days now, and i found i needed a ton of stuff when i brought her home:

crate
brush
toothbrush/toothpaste
nail clippers
leash
collar
food
treats
chew toys
squeaky toys
bed
bitter spray for chew deterrence
enzymatic floor cleaner for accidents
id tag
food/water bowls
puppy shampoo
poo pick-up bags

i may be forgetting some things, but that's all i'm thinking of for now! good luck with your new addition when he/she arrives!

[lvoss]

Here are some of the things that I send home with puppies.

Collar
Lead
Trial Bag of Food
Variety of Treats that the puppy likes
Puppy Chewie
Toy that smell like home
Blanket that smells like home
The Puppy Primer by Patricia McConnell
Homemade Puppy Winter Coat
Homemade Adult Winter Coat

Here are some of the things that I recommend the new owners purchase prior to the puppy's arrival

A crate
Food and Water Dishes
Nail Clipper or Dremel
Bed or Mat
Enzymatic Solution for accidents
The Language of Dogs DVD

Some homework that I give all puppy buyers

Research a good vet and provide them with information about basenjis
Research a good positive reinforcement trainer and find out how frequently they start new class sessions.

[thunderbird8588]

a good camera, don't forget a camera :D

[Janneke]

@thunderbird8588:

a good camera, don't forget a camera :D

+1! :D First: We need pics, lots of them. Second: It's soooooooo much fun to look back at the pics when they are a bit older :)

[DebraDownSouth]

For a new dog.. more than supplies :)

Planning
Developing a plan for the dog?s care with family members includes deciding where the dog will potty, safety and the person responsible for tasks such as feeding, potty breaks and exercise.

Preparation

Prepare the home and make necessary support contacts according to your needs. Preparations include measures such as securing the fence and doors leading outside, removing unsafe items and chemicals from the dog's reach and finding a veterinarian, groomer, training classes, boarding facility and pet walker.

Supplies
food & bowl
leash
collar
bedding
crate
brush
comb
flea comb
shampoo
nail trimmer
chew toys
balls
tug ropes

Food
Initial food includes a supply of what the dog currently eats to mix with the brand you want to feed in order to prevent stomach upsets.

Health
dental care supplies
Flea/tick prevention
heartworm meds

Safety
ID tag for the collar
implanted microchip

[Kipawa]

Thank you so much everyone. All great ideas.

[listeme]

Gates! :D

Life is easier with gates, at least for the first months.

[sharronhurlbut]

Are you getting your puppy soon?

[Basenjimamma]

What great lists, guys. Even though Pippin will be my 7th puppy I will bring into our home (through the years) it is nice to have it on black and white what is needed/wanted/nice to have.
I needless to say have lots of teh items on the lists but my main concern is the food. Since he is flying over with my brother from Sweden, odds are my brother have to bring some food in a baggy for him, but how do I go from there? Should I maybe send some of my "american" puppy food for the breeder to start the process over there, or should I just try to tackle it here head on?

[DebraDownSouth]

Petra, hmmm.. I'd have the breeder ship you some if possible, but sending the other way also possible. Do you know what they feed? Some foods available here and there.

[Basenjimamma]

Debra, I don't know what they feed, or will transition to, but I will find out. I guess I have to see what that is first and then go from there. Thanks.

[tanza]

@Basenjimamma:

What great lists, guys. Even though Pippin will be my 7th puppy I will bring into our home (through the years) it is nice to have it on black and white what is needed/wanted/nice to have.
I needless to say have lots of teh items on the lists but my main concern is the food. Since he is flying over with my brother from Sweden, odds are my brother have to bring some food in a baggy for him, but how do I go from there? Should I maybe send some of my "american" puppy food for the breeder to start the process over there, or should I just try to tackle it here head on?

Have you asked your breeder if they can get local the brand you are using? Be easier then to ship it over, but push comes to shove, I would ship what you plan on using over to them to start using. However that can be a bit of a problem, since puppies all eat together. Or if you know what they are using, you might just go ahead and order some for yourself. If you are planning to switch after he gets home, you would not need that much.

[Basenjimamma]

Tanza,
I have an email in for the breeder, but since they are 7 hours ahead of us I am not anticipating hearing anything until tomorrow, but Your idea of having her get a local brand I can alos get here would be teh best option…yes sending food there is a very expensive proposition, just sending the sherpa bag was a mere $50.00..thank goodness I got the bag on sale for only $30..so it still worked out nicely.
Just saw some video of him earlier today and he is growing nicely, they just had their first meal of solid food..no more bottles every three or so hours..must be so hard when the mommy dies while the puppies are so young.

[tanza]

@Basenjimamma:

Tanza,
I have an email in for the breeder, but since they are 7 hours ahead of us I am not anticipating hearing anything until tomorrow, but Your idea of having her get a local brand I can alos get here would be teh best option…yes sending food there is a very expensive proposition, just sending the sherpa bag was a mere $50.00..thank goodness I got the bag on sale for only $30..so it still worked out nicely.
Just saw some video of him earlier today and he is growing nicely, they just had their first meal of solid food..no more bottles every three or so hours..must be so hard when the mommy dies while the puppies are so young.

Yes, Petra… I am sure it is really difficult to bottle feed every 3 to 5 hours... thank goodness that at least they were, what 10 days old when it happened? At least they had some time with Mom.... and the critical time when they were so small...

Hope that you both can agree on a food that works for both of you, but in the end, baby puppies adapt pretty well to good quality food. Even if you can't find the same brand, look for one with the same things in it and most important in the same order listed on the package... then it should not matter as much when you are trying to change....

[DebraDownSouth]

Exactly, and if you can't get the food, then get some good probiotic like fastrack and give it with meals… will probably be fine. :)