So You're Getting a Puppy! Here's One Breeder's List of 'Must Have' Items
by Normajean Dee
Over the years, I have found that there are many different ideas on what a new owner should have waiting at home when they go to pick up their new puppy; here is the list that I suggest to my prospective Corgi owners:
FOOD: At least two weeks supply of what the breeder had been using. If you wish to switch, it can be slowly mixed in to the new food. Give the puppy about a week on the food she is used to (remember she is now also drinking different water probably) then begin the switch.
FOOD DISH: Best are the 1 pt size stainless steel ones, available at
discount stores and pet catalogs very reasonably priced. Get at east two (in case you temporarily misplace one).
WATER DISH: Best are the crockery ones, the dogs seem to like the taste of the water best in these and they are heavy and do not tip over (puppies love to play in water). Do not get too big a water dish or they will play in the water. Just remember to keep it cleaned and refilled.
Also, there are water dishes that clip or screw onto the crates. (I,
personally, do not use them as sometimes they play in it or over drink and if they cannot get out to empty their little bladders - oh oh -) Most puppies and dogs will go to their water dish outdoors on the potty/playtime trips sufficiently to remain well hydrated.
COLLAR: For a ten week old corgi puppy the collar should be flat, and lightweight, size 12?? is usually a good start at that age. An inexpensive one is fine and as she gets older and bigger she can handle a collar with more bulk and weight to it and you can graduate to a 14?? collar. Some people like to get the ones that are adjustable, so get 14?? to 16??. Some corgis when fully mature even need the 18?? collar.
LEASH: Again, light weight is the key for the baby puppy. Nylon leads in various colors are very pleasing. Use a 4? lead to begin with. More then that is very awkward when training a small puppy.
CRATE: A full grown corgi will need a Vari-Kennel size 200, perhaps even a 300 (especially if a larger male). This translates to size 20?? x 27?? x 19??. The #300 is size 22?? x 32?? x 23??. I often loan a smaller crate for starting a 10-12 week puppy in so that they do not have too much extra space in it. This is to keep the puppy from having a place to do potty at one end.
Sometimes you can borrow a smaller one for a couple of months.
INSIDE THE CRATE: There is a great variety of crate pads available in the pet catalogs, pet stores, at a dog show, online stores etc. The nicely padded with a cute cover pads are great but maybe not until "puppy?? is through with the "chew everything?? stage. I always recommend old towels for them to start with. There are various artificial sheepskin "blankets" that they love in their crates. These are not as easily destroyed by puppy teeth as the filled pads with just a cotton cover.
She will need a couple of toys to chew on and play with in the crate as well. The "sheepskin" toys with squeakers are quite sturdy. A large 8?? pressed rawhide white bone lasts a long time also.
TOYS: They are all different in what they enjoy during playtime. The hard knotted rope toys are fun to chew on. Balls some like. Other toys with squeakers and funny voices are fun. Experiment to see what your pup likes best.
GROOMING:
A grinder style (example: dremel) tool for nails (do once a week).
Greyhound comb. A nice brush (there are many varieties). the comb is best when they are shedding.
Hair cutting style scissors to trim the hair on the feet. Of course if you have a fluffy, proper scissoring is another whole article!
BATHS: Pick a mild shampoo for the baby. Later, you can go to the Bronze luster for the reds, whitening shampoo for the chest-underneath and legs, and the pants. If you have a tri color there is a shampoo called Black Pearl special for blacks.
TREATS: Corgis will eat almost anything! For rewards when little you can use pieces of their puppy kibble, My puppies even at four months look forward to small (1/2?? or so ) pieces of the carrots that my adults love as treats.
But most of all, use your judgement about safety when choosing new items for Puppy. And ENJOY your new found friend!
FOOD: At least two weeks supply of what the breeder had been using. If you wish to switch, it can be slowly mixed in to the new food. Give the puppy about a week on the food she is used to (remember she is now also drinking different water probably) then begin the switch.
FOOD DISH: Best are the 1 pt size stainless steel ones, available at
discount stores and pet catalogs very reasonably priced. Get at east two (in case you temporarily misplace one).
WATER DISH: Best are the crockery ones, the dogs seem to like the taste of the water best in these and they are heavy and do not tip over (puppies love to play in water). Do not get too big a water dish or they will play in the water. Just remember to keep it cleaned and refilled.
Also, there are water dishes that clip or screw onto the crates. (I,
personally, do not use them as sometimes they play in it or over drink and if they cannot get out to empty their little bladders - oh oh -) Most puppies and dogs will go to their water dish outdoors on the potty/playtime trips sufficiently to remain well hydrated.
COLLAR: For a ten week old corgi puppy the collar should be flat, and lightweight, size 12?? is usually a good start at that age. An inexpensive one is fine and as she gets older and bigger she can handle a collar with more bulk and weight to it and you can graduate to a 14?? collar. Some people like to get the ones that are adjustable, so get 14?? to 16??. Some corgis when fully mature even need the 18?? collar.
LEASH: Again, light weight is the key for the baby puppy. Nylon leads in various colors are very pleasing. Use a 4? lead to begin with. More then that is very awkward when training a small puppy.
CRATE: A full grown corgi will need a Vari-Kennel size 200, perhaps even a 300 (especially if a larger male). This translates to size 20?? x 27?? x 19??. The #300 is size 22?? x 32?? x 23??. I often loan a smaller crate for starting a 10-12 week puppy in so that they do not have too much extra space in it. This is to keep the puppy from having a place to do potty at one end.
Sometimes you can borrow a smaller one for a couple of months.
INSIDE THE CRATE: There is a great variety of crate pads available in the pet catalogs, pet stores, at a dog show, online stores etc. The nicely padded with a cute cover pads are great but maybe not until "puppy?? is through with the "chew everything?? stage. I always recommend old towels for them to start with. There are various artificial sheepskin "blankets" that they love in their crates. These are not as easily destroyed by puppy teeth as the filled pads with just a cotton cover.
She will need a couple of toys to chew on and play with in the crate as well. The "sheepskin" toys with squeakers are quite sturdy. A large 8?? pressed rawhide white bone lasts a long time also.
TOYS: They are all different in what they enjoy during playtime. The hard knotted rope toys are fun to chew on. Balls some like. Other toys with squeakers and funny voices are fun. Experiment to see what your pup likes best.
GROOMING:
A grinder style (example: dremel) tool for nails (do once a week).
Greyhound comb. A nice brush (there are many varieties). the comb is best when they are shedding.
Hair cutting style scissors to trim the hair on the feet. Of course if you have a fluffy, proper scissoring is another whole article!
BATHS: Pick a mild shampoo for the baby. Later, you can go to the Bronze luster for the reds, whitening shampoo for the chest-underneath and legs, and the pants. If you have a tri color there is a shampoo called Black Pearl special for blacks.
TREATS: Corgis will eat almost anything! For rewards when little you can use pieces of their puppy kibble, My puppies even at four months look forward to small (1/2?? or so ) pieces of the carrots that my adults love as treats.
But most of all, use your judgement about safety when choosing new items for Puppy. And ENJOY your new found friend!
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Article Posted: Archive post from old website - posted to new website April 2015
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