Dog supplies

[azul99]

We may be moving towards adopting a poodle-terrier mix (I'm cautiously optimistic) via a rescue organization. So far, everything I've learned is positive, but I need to follow up w/the rescue mom next week to learn more about the dog's temperament, how she is with kids, etc.

If I get more info from the foster mom, and we agree to go meet the dog, then we'll need to have supplies on hand in advance, e.g. a crate, dog food, etc. for if we indeed bring her home.

I need to read up on dogs/dog care etc., and buy supplies to have ready, if this is where we go with this. Could you please give a new dog owner your best advice on

(1) books; and
(2) supplies;
(3) food;
(4) anything else?

Thanks!

[BlueMama]

We (well, my dh did) only read The Monks of New Skete for obedience advice. We ended up hiring a trainer to come to the house and later had her go through training again while being boarded. It's *me* that needs the training though... I'm inconsistent with both of the dogs... and the cat... and my kids...

My dogs really like rawhides to chew on and I wish I'd realized how great they were when Gretchen was younger - I think they need one to chew on *always*.

We use Avaderm food (from PetSmart)... Gretchen has a *very* sensitive stomach and we've gone through the wringer trying to find something she can eat. As of 2 years ago, she's finally put on a decent amount of weight and looks about as filled out as I think she can. Now I'm have trouble keeping Nora from getting too fat, but that one could eat the sofa and live to tell about it.

You'll need a "bling-bling" collar lol. I love Gretchen's... it's got sparklies :).

Oh, and make sure you get the right sized crate... not too big, not too small. I can't think of anything else... just enjoy him/her! I love having dogs...

[azul99]

We (well, my dh did) only read The Monks of New Skete for obedience advice. We ended up hiring a trainer to come to the house and later had her go through training again while being boarded. It's *me* that needs the training though... I'm inconsistent with both of the dogs... and the cat... and my kids...

My dogs really like rawhides to chew on and I wish I'd realized how great they were when Gretchen was younger - I think they need one to chew on *always*.

We use Avaderm food (from PetSmart)... Gretchen has a *very* sensitive stomach and we've gone through the wringer trying to find something she can eat. As of 2 years ago, she's finally put on a decent amount of weight and looks about as filled out as I think she can. Now I'm have trouble keeping Nora from getting too fat, but that one could eat the sofa and live to tell about it.

You'll need a "bling-bling" collar lol. I love Gretchen's... it's got sparklies :).

Oh, and make sure you get the right sized crate... not too big, not too small. I can't think of anything else... just enjoy him/her! I love having dogs...

Thanks BlueMama. Would you suggest we buy Avaderm food from the get-go?

LOL about the bling-y collar. Fashion isn't just for humans!

RE the crate, the pet store people will be helpful in that regard, won't they? Do crates specify what size dog they are for?

So in short it seems we will need:
*Crate
*Food
*Dog dishes for food & water
*Chews of some kind
*Toys
*Leash

RE the crate, I'm certainly open to a crate-trained dog who prefers to sleep in her crate. Can we use towels/blankets at the beginning, for bedding? If it turns out the dog prefers not to sleep in the crate and that works for us, I'm fine with that, and in that case would get a dog bed. Or should we get a dog bed regardless, so the dog has a place to hang out of his/her own?

[cinnamon]

Thanks BlueMama. Would you suggest we buy Avaderm food from the get-go?

LOL about the bling-y collar. Fashion isn't just for humans!

RE the crate, the pet store people will be helpful in that regard, won't they? Do crates specify what size dog they are for?

So in short it seems we will need:
*Crate
*Food
*Dog dishes for food & water
*Chews of some kind
*Toys
*Leash

RE the crate, I'm certainly open to a crate-trained dog who prefers to sleep in her crate. Can we use towels/blankets at the beginning, for bedding? If it turns out the dog prefers not to sleep in the crate and that works for us, I'm fine with that, and in that case would get a dog bed. Or should we get a dog bed regardless, so the dog has a place to hang out of his/her own?

I think a crate is useful more for when you leave the house, rather than for sleep (although it's certainly useful for this, too). Especially with a new/being-trained dog, you don't want them roaming around the house while you're gone, doing things they shouldn't be doing, and not being corrected! :spinning: The crate keeps them out of trouble, LOL. We used towels and blankets in the crate, and also had a dog bed. Towels/blankets need to be washed and/or thrown out frequently. We bought a dog bed from....Orvis? I think- it was "bite-proof" and had a zippered, removable cover so it was a cinch to throw it in the washing machine when it got grungy.

For chew toys, our dog enjoyed toys from Kong (http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html).

My only other suggestion is a Gentle Leader (http://www.buygentleleader.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/gentleleader/description) as the leash. I think the generic name is a head halter? *SO* helpful for training, and preventing pulling during walks. Don't laugh- little dogs can pull darn hard on the leash, especially if squirrels (or shadows, or gusts of wind, or traffic cones LOL- as was the case with our dog) are around. :-)

[BlueMama]

I like the Avoderm because it works for us, but you can ask 100 people what kind of dog food they buy and they'll give you 100 different answers! I vote for just going to a store that is convenient to you or ordering online if that would work even better, checking out the ingredients per what you think it important, and just going with that. If the dog likes it and can eat it, it's a winner, y/k? I'm just of the opinion that it's not a big deal, we just lucked out with a dog that had some issues with some ingredient, and we're still not sure what it is! It does seem that chicken is a trigger for her... and by trigger, I mean bloody diarreah and severe vomitting. It was obvious that she just couldn't tolerate something in the food. She's still gassy sometimes, but she's gaining weight and not miserable, so the Avoderm is what we're sticking with, until something changes. I think the Avoderm touts Avacado as some necessary ingredient, but I don't think that it matters.

I think the crates have pictures of various breeds on the box and lists what kind of dog it might be good for. Probably too big is better than too small, but if you're talking about a very young puppy (which I don't think you are?), it might use a section of the too-big crate for a potty. We used a partition in Nora's crate until she grew into it... the crate came with one.

Yes, all the things you named are good... Nora loves squeaky toys, I have no idea why. I'd get a ball and maybe something with a little bit of rope attached.

I think everyone should micro-chip their pets, but your rescue group might do that anyway. You know to get a little name tag made with your contact info? My dh likes to Sharpie the name & phone number on the inside of the collar just in case they get out and the tags come off.

Oh, and yes, we used blankets & towels in the crate until I got tired of cleaning up the shreds lol. I've not had luck with a doggie bed, but some people do... you could see if the dog takes to it. My dogs are just too big for that!

[chantele]

For training I would go to the AKC website, do a search for training clubs in your area and find one that does Cainine Good Citizen classes. They are reasonably priced (like $40) and you and your dog will learn much much more than a training class at petsmart or the equivilent.

[Stacey]

Thanks BlueMama. Would you suggest we buy Avaderm food from the get-go?

LOL about the bling-y collar. Fashion isn't just for humans!

RE the crate, the pet store people will be helpful in that regard, won't they? Do crates specify what size dog they are for?

So in short it seems we will need:
*Crate
*Food
*Dog dishes for food & water
*Chews of some kind
*Toys
*Leash

RE the crate, I'm certainly open to a crate-trained dog who prefers to sleep in her crate. Can we use towels/blankets at the beginning, for bedding? If it turns out the dog prefers not to sleep in the crate and that works for us, I'm fine with that, and in that case would get a dog bed. Or should we get a dog bed regardless, so the dog has a place to hang out of his/her own?

You'll need to switch him/her over slowly to whatever wonderful new food you choose. Some dogs can get an upset stomach from food changes and you wouldn't want that!

Depending on the age of the dog I would highly recommend Mandi's recommendation of Carol Lea Benjamin's "Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence". "Teenage" dogs can be destructive and difficult and this is often a time when people decide they don't want a dog after all :-(, so there can be a huge number of adolescent dogs looking for new homes.

Since you are dog newbies, I would really recommend attending some obedience classes or having a trainer come to your place and train all of you :-)

Oh! Definitely get some treats for rewarding correct behaviour.

[mirage1]

Speaking of tags - be sure to put a cell number on the tag, rather than a home number, because chances are if you've lost a pup you'll be out looking, not home waiting for a call.

I'm excited for you.

[BlueMama]

That's a really good point about the food!

[Storymama]

Go to Drs Foster & Smith (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/) and have them send you a catalogue; they have really nice stuff, great customer service, and fair pricing. I like them much better than the Big Box pet stores. Like most local-owned places, the local owned pet shops vary; I found I got a much more appraising eye for a "good" place versus the Not Good type, once I'd had my dog for awhile and really learned about taking care of her WELL. It's not unlike not understanding the difference between a quality baby/child care store and Toys R Us . . . before you have kids, LOL!

I didn't read the other replies, but I'd add toys to that list . . . a good ball for playing "fetch" (it's fun for people and dogs, and exercises the dog.) A clicker (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19860) if you plan to do clicker training (they are cheap. Tori does clicker training with every dog she works with, it's worth reading up on.) A toy that is specifically for chewing (get a Kong, they cost more but last forever and you won't be picking up bits of chew toy constantly.)

If you get a shelter dog (versus adopting someone's well kept pet that just needs a new home) I advise starting them out on some good supplementation in addition to the best food you can afford, at least at first - they often have bad skin, poor hair, bad breath, etc. Besides obviously being good for the dog, I found it kind of bonding and rewarding to see the dog get sooooo much visibly healthier in the first month or two in our care. For skin and coat health, I like Biotin powder, plus an Essential Fatty Acid (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+12558+830&pcatid=830) supplement. Derm Caps (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+12558+329&pcatid=329) make a good EFA alternative to the liquid, I just like pouring the liquid on the dog's kibble, because they LOVE it, seriously - and I had to give the caps as a pill crammed down the throat, they would leave it in their bowls. Brewer's Yeast (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+12558+830&pcatid=830) tablets make a good "treat" and are also very good for skin health, and overall vitality - and a lot of people think it helps make the dog repellent to fleas. (The linked products are the ones I like, but most are good and will work for you.) I also give Biotin powder (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+12558+608&pcatid=608) on their kibble, at least initially when they are first in our care. I've pretty much discontinued this lately, but I think their coats were prettier when we still used it. (They both had problem skin when they were first with us, and it took a long time to heal.) I use Biotin myself, it makes for really nice nails and hair!! (It's one of the B vitamins.) ETA: Okay, I wrote that without any caffeine this AM, very early . . . and now it's making me giggle to re-read it. I don't take the canine Biotin :-P - I use something sold for humans, LOL!

I don't like most of the shampoos sold for dogs; I think they are seriously harsh detergents, and hard on dog skin. I like handmade "shampoo" bar soaps, that are detergent free. The hair is so soft and silky afterward, and their skin isn't stripped. I like to wet the dog, suds them up with the soap, and then use a Zip Groom to really scrub good, down to the skin. Rinse, and if you like, run a little leave in conditioner through their skin. I like handmade body cream, made of food-grade ingredients (because the dog will lick it some.) ETA: Oh, and I like to put a little Tea Tree Oil in the bathwater and really let it soak down to the dog's skin - it seems to keep the "itchies" way, way down . . . and I think the source of "wet dog smell" is actually fungus on the dog's skin, getting wet. (Think how feet with fungus really, really stink when they are damp.) My dogs don't stink when wet, and they aren't itchy all the time. (Actually, they start to get a little itchy around the time for a new bath, which also tells me the TTO is helping.)

I like the collars and leashes by Lupine (http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/search?af=type%3Aproduct&view=grid&w=lupine&visitorID=&cartcount=0&wishcount=0&subtotal=0.00) - they are a touch pricier, but they are super beautiful, and last forever. They aren't kidding about the Lifetime guarantee, either. I had one chewed up, and got a new one free. (I recently had to move one dog to a different, harder to open brand, because the other dog was repeatedly removing the Lupine collar LOL! But with one dog that is obviously not a problem - they are plenty secure unless you get a situation like mine.)

Ask around for a good vet now, and take the animal for an exam as soon as you get her/him, even if she's up to date on shots. You want to establish a rapport and get established with the practice - it works very much like having a pediatrician you can call when you need one. The vet will have advice on what to use locally for monthly heartworm control, etc. Also ask the vet about ear care; I have one dog with fussy ears, I have to clean them very well, and frequently.

I made my pets each a health record, using this as a template (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC061282781033.aspx?pid=CT101440991033), and set up a folder for each of them in the file cabinet, with their adoption papers (. . . I was sort of paranoid, in a small town, that someone who had a pet seized would accuse me of stealing their animal, since we had shelter adopted animals) , info on their specific microchips in case we ever had to prove ownership that way (...definitely consider microchipping! Your vet will have info) - and their health record, which I printed on cardstock as sort of a cover page to all the records. I also keep the records the vet gives me each time regarding vaccinations, so I can prove that whenever it's necessary. (For example, when we moved into government housing quarters with this move.) You will also want to find out what licensing your local town requires - often, their is a dog tax for a local tag, and a rabies tag.

Find out where you can get a tag engraved with the pet's name and your contact info. I usually just use the kiosk at the local Target or wherever, and stand there while it does the engraving for me. A tip I read once (...and I do this when we make cross country moves) is to have an alternate tag made if you travel, with the contact info for a good friend, or someone you're staying near. They only cost a couple dollars, and could save a lot of heartache if the dog runs off in unfamiliar settings.

I like the training series by Carol Lea Benjamin (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Carol%20Lea%20Benjamin), and she has one specifically for adopting an adult dog, called Second Hand Dogs (http://www.amazon.com/Second-Hand-Dog-First-Rate-Howell-reference/dp/0876057350/). When we got our first dog (a 4 year old) I read her whole series anyway, just to really understand dog mentality and what constituted good training, good leadership for the dog through all the stages. Her approach to training is to thoroughly explain what is instinctive and natural to the dog - that is, how an alpha dog (or mother dog, for younger animals) guide the behavior of their pack (or litter) and then suggests ways to mimic this to shape your dog's behavior. It is kinda like AP for dogs :-P LOL! (The other books I see above are good too, I just glommed onto this series early on.) They are also written in a really engaging, easy to read manner (she's a novelist, too) and my kids were happy to read them, so they could join in the process.

Good luck! How exciting, let us know!

[azul99]

I'm printing it out now, and putting some books on hold at the library.

THANK YOU!

:-)

[azul99]

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/azul99/RosieA2.jpg

[sarahs]

What a cutie! Good luck! (nt)

[Stacey]

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/azul99/RosieA2.jpg
nft

[azul99]

How old is he/she? What's his/her name?

She's about 2yo (their guesstimate) and her name is Rosie. She is a give-up and is reportedly sweet and well-behaved. I hope to have more information next week, after the foster mom has gotten to know her better.

[Stacey]

She's about 2yo (their guesstimate) and her name is Rosie. She is a give-up and is reportedly sweet and well-behaved. I hope to have more information next week, after the foster mom has gotten to know her better.nft