Puppies

A checklist for essential puppy products.

A comprehensive list of essential and not so essential puppy supplies. When Benny the Chihuahua allowed us to adopt him we went to the store and picked him up some supplies that I thought were important only to find out later the were not. So I have compiled a list specifically to be ready to bring home your Chihuahua, small breed dog or new puppy.

New Dog Supply Checklist

¨ Leash-(might want to avoid retractable leash it could scare a puppy if dropped)

¨ Collar - Try it on your dog to make sure it fits correctly. You do not want it to be too tight or too loose.

¨ Id Tag or Microchip

¨ Food and water bowl (Most of the research that I did on which to buy indicated that stainless steel are best because plastic can hold germs and may cause allergic reaction.)

¨ Crate

¨ Bed for inside the crate.

¨ Small dog sized blanketsEspecially for small breed dogs like Chihuahua they seem to be cold ALL the time.

¨ Dog Carrier- I have tried a lot of carriers. You need to consider which will be comfortable for you to use as well as comfortable for your dog. And how often will you be taking your dog out in public. If you have a small dog you might find that you take them out more than a larger dog.

Backpack carrier: I have tried the "back pack" carrier and used it for about two weeks. I found that I was too nervous to wear it with Benjamin on my back and it was just not comfortable on the front as it pulled my neck and shoulder forward.

Purse with handles carrier: My second choice for carrier. I use one quite a bit. It is a large leather purse style carrier that has nice sized pockets on the outside and is lined on the inside. The carrier has nice long handles so I can carry it over my shoulder comfortably and the strap will fit over my car seat back to secure in place in my car.

Sling dog carrier: My first choice for a dog carrier. I love my sling and have several slings for Bennie. They are comfortable for him and very comfortable for me to wear. Dog slings offer a hands free way to keep your dog close and portable.

¨ Toys - fleece toys, stuffed animal toys, balls, circle toys.

¨ Training books or videos

¨ Dog Shopping Cart Cover - for when you take your special little dog into the pet store. Benjamin loves to ride in the shopping cart but I am afriad he will get his little legs caught in the metal rungs or slip through the leg holes.

¨ Dog magazines about your breed of dog.

¨ Anti-chew- we use Bitter Apple to keep Benjamin from chewing items that we did not want him to chew on.

¨ Baby Gate(s) - to keep your dog in or out of certain rooms in your home. Make sure that the gate is appropriate for your dogs size. You do not want anything that your dog can get his neck stuck in. I have read that the "accordion" type gate is not good for small dogs.

¨ Small soft fur brush

¨ Nail clippers

¨ Pooper scooper

¨ Puppy training pads

¨ Basket or container to keep all of your dogs clothes and toys in.

¨ No Go Spray to "unmark" accidents that your dog may have.

¨ Odor/Stain remover to clean up accidents

¨ Dog shampoo

¨ Food- everything that I have read says to continue to feed your dog the same food that the breeder started them on, unless your vet tells you otherwise.

¨ Measuring cup to use as food scoop

¨ Food storage container

¨ Leash-(might want to avoid retractable leash it could scare a puppy if dropped)

¨ Towel for after the doggie bath.

¨ Dog sweater or shirt for warmth

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