New Puppy Checklist
Below is a new puppy checklist that will give you the item, its use and a typical cost. As with anything, cost ranges can be all over the place from the very inexpensive to the extravagant, I will try to list a mid-range price. Additionally, you will find some of the options identified for each item as well as its use.
- Collar
Looking at the collar section in the pet store can be a bit overwhelming. A search on Google for "dog collar" returns over four million pages of results! Nylon is a good choice, one that's adjustable, this way it can grow with the puppy. There are so many color choices and patterns, lighted and reflective, PetSmart lists over 140 choices. You can pick up a nylon color of your choice for about $10.00.
- Leash
Right up the aisle you will find the leashes and the choices are just as varied. Nylon or leather will probably serve you well. I'd be care get one of those retracting leashes a tangle with one of those can be painful for you or your dog, or both, so be careful. A six foot lead should be enough, many leashes are this size, it appears to be the standard. You can get the leash to match the color ( and maybe pattern too) of the collar you select. Even the leather ones come in colors and I saw one with rhinestones! PetSmart has over 90 to choose from. A nylon leash will be about $10.00. a leather one can run about the same.
- Food
Now food is really an important item because the wrong food can have unpleasant consequences. Ideally your breeder will provide you with a small amount of the food the puppy is used to but at a minimum you will want to get that information from the breeder so you can purchase some. I wouldn't rush into a diet change. Find out what your breeder uses, this brand may be a good start. Do not opt for price when choosing food. It makes a bug difference in the amount of stool and the general health of your dog. Don't do it! It might be tempting to some, to save a few dollars but its a bad choice and if you love your dog, get the best you can. If you do change foods, do your research and checkout the ingredients of the food. We use Wellness brand, its a good brand and there are others; talk to your vet and to the pet store folks. I do not recommend buying dog food from a grocery store. Figure about $20 per month for food.
- Crate
Don't be afraid of the idea of crate training. My dog loves his crates. Anyhow, there is a large selection. Some are simply metal wire, some are soft vinyl, some are wicker, and some look like furniture. If you budget a $100 you'll be covered. Get a proper sized for his adult weight and use barriers to "shrink" it as needed.
- Bed
It depends on how you want to handle things, my dog doesn't have a bed. As I said above he sleeps in his crate but during the night he often moves around the room. A puppy of course needs to be confined, so you may want a small bed for his area. Personally I think a nice folded blanket or quilt, something soft will fill the bill. If you want to purchase a bed, like the other items, selection is broad. If you budget $50 dollars for this, you will find something. You might want to check Wal-Mart or another large chain store.
- Brush
You will probably want 2 brushes to start out. A pin brush and a slicker brush will start you out. You can get both for about $12 if you shop around, perhaps less.
- Nail Clippers
For a puppy you can use regular people nail clippers, that's what we've always done, we still use it as an adult but they need to be sharp. So ypu can get away without this for a few weeks.
- Food and Water bowls
Use can use bowls you have, if you want. Metal (stainless steel) bowls are best. New metal bowls will run about $3 dollars each.
- Treats
Check with your breeder on what they use. Loose treats from the pet store run about $3 a pound but there are tons of choices.
- Training Material
Your breeder may give you something on this. You can find stuff on the internet too. Plus there are plenty of books. I personally like The Shetland Sheepdog by Cathy Merrithew.
- Doggy Tooth Paste
A tube of this will run about $5.
- Baby Tooth Brush
Just get a soft baby tooth brush, less than $2.
Wow, the new puppy checklist has a lot of stuff, doesn't it? So its about $200 dollars for all those items but the new puppy check list doesn't mention that some of the items like the crate, bed, and leashes can be found at yard sales. Just clean them up well.
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