Puppy Needs|Shop for Your Puppy

logo of http://www.toybreeds.com with photographs of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pomeranian, Chihuahua and Pug

Shopping List for a New Puppy

Bed

Throwing away a pooped on, peed on and chewed up box is a lot easier than
keeping clean a real dog bed. Once your puppy is housebroken and done teething,
then head for Ethan Allen and the teak sleigh bed.

Do put something soft in a washable cover for your puppy to lie on and do cut
down the side of one box so your puppy can enter easily. I like to put a heavy
duty garbage bag on the floor of the box and then put the mattress on top of
that. You can even wrap the mattress in the garbage bag.

In lieu of a mattress, use old clothes, towels, blankets or other soft material
that you can throw away when they're too stained or smelly.

Start collecting boxes as soon as you decide to get a puppy.

Bowls

You'll need two unbreakable bowls - one for food and one for water.

PETCO Stamped No-Tip 8 oz. Stainless Steel Bowl
(8 oz.; 4.5"Diameter; Silver)

The combination of highly polished and brushed finishes gives PETCO Stamped No-Tip Bowl a whole new twist.

Ideal for use indoors or out, finish is rust proof for added durability.

Rubber rim keeps bowls from moving or tipping on the floor.

Dishwasher safe and should last forever.

Polished interior resists sticking and cleans up in a flash. Pick up two for a matching set. $7.99 each.

NOTE: Never, never use glass, ceramic or other breakable/chipable bowls, no matter how cute. You can't be with your puppy every second of every day and it would be very easy for a hyper puppy to damage a bowl. You don't want to have to rush a puppy to an animal hospital because he tried to chew a glass chip.

Carrier

PETCO Cardboard Pet Carrier (18.5"L X 9"W X 12"H)

Perfect to bring your new puppy home and fine for
the puppy stage when all you're doing is taking him to the Vet for his shots and
other short trips. $7.

Easy to assemble, lightweight and durable
Collapsible, folds flat for easy storage
Air holes for proper ventilation

Once he's mature, you'll have to decide what type of carrier suits the two of you. You can get back packs, front packs, large purses, strollers, wheeled carriers, hard sided carriers or soft carriers that fit under an airplane seat. Think about how you'll travel
with your dog and how you want to carry him. I, for one, would never be comfortable putting my dog in a backpack.

Anti-chew spray

Grannick's Bitter Apple (8 oz.; Spray)

This powerful taste deterrent for dogs discourages fur biting, hair chewing and hot spots.

My experience is this dries without staining upholstery, and I can't smell it. My puppies hate the flavor, however, and avoid the sprayed object.

It will wear off so you do have to re-spray objects that are likely to be chewed. $8.99.

NOTE: you can spray this on your hands and feet as well if your puppy is starting to nip you. It's a good way to train a puppy that biting humans is no fun.

Collar

Petmate by Aspen Pet 3/8" Single Ply Nylon Adjustable Dog and Cat Collar (Adjustable From 8"-14"L X 3/8"W; Purple)

Choose an adjustable collar for a custom fit on your growing kitten.
These are made for small and Toy breed dogs.

Fray resistant single ply nylon collar features:
Tough plastic buckle that quickly clicks shut and stays put
Built-in slide for fast adjustment on a squirmy pet
Heavy duty stitching for lasting quality
Metal d-ring for attaching identification tags

Ensure you can place your little finger between the collar and his neck.

Once your puppy is an adult, I recommend a collar that can have his name and your cell phone number embroidered on it. See Essential Products

Food

If bought your puppy from a breeder, the breeder should have told you what brand of food they used.

If you want to change brands, do it gradually (over a week) by replacing a little of the breeders' brand with your brand so as to not to upset your puppy's stomach.

Some breeders also advise or require customers to use supplements. Make sure you understand what your breeder has put in the sales agreement.

If you want to change dog food brands, the three brands I like best are

Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food (6 lbs.)

Wellness® Super5Mix® Just for Puppy Lamb, Salmon, Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Food (6 lbs.)

Royal Canin MINI Canine Health Nutrition Puppy 33 (3 lbs.)

Royal Canin also offers specific breed formulas, such as for Yorkshire Terriers, that
you may want to try.

Gate

North States Pet Gate (For Doorways 26"-42"Wide; Adjustable From 26"-42"W X 26"H)

Pressure gate immediately and effortlessly creates a barrier for your puppy or dog.

This is what to use to keep your puppy contained in a room while you're out of the house. The pen is his safe haven. This gate creates your home's safe haven from your puppy (or dog).

Deluxe 26" high gate adjusts easily to doorways 26" to 42" wide. $19.99.

NO HOLES in your door or wall! unless you install as a swing door.

Unique door sockets give pressure mounted Pet Gate extra holding power in doorways and openings.
Works between wrought iron railings, or between wall and wrought iron railing
Use as a swing gate. Hardware included for easy swing mounting
Rounded edges will not pinch
Easy to clean plastic surfaces

Grooming

vvSee Puppy Grooming Tools

Harness and Lead

Li'l Pals Daisy Harness (Green)

Coastal's Li'l Pals line of petite pet products are designed specifically for puppies and Toy breeds.

Adjustable collars, harnesses and matching leads are soft, comfortable and stylish. Smaller sizes and an extra narrow width provide just the right fit for pint-sized pooches. Great for walking your little dog.

Features a cute daisy flower and swivel lead to prevent tangling.

Depending on your dog breed, this should serve the adult Toy breed as well.

NOTE: Watch your puppy carefully; he'll want to wiggle out of his harness until he gets used to it.

$16.99. Also comes in pink, blue and yellow.

Pen

Precision Pet Puppy Pen (36"L X 18"W X 30"H)

Keep your puppy and your house safe when you can't watch him.

Every puppy needs a safe haven away from people. Your puppy can get tired of
too much attention. Train family and friends that when the puppy is in his pen,
he is off limits and enjoying some quiet time. Leave the door open and your puppy will
be entering and leaving as he feels the need to enjoy the family or have some quiet
time.

This is equivalent to a baby's play pen. Have a a top to help your puppy feel secure.
This will be his den and his safe haven when he needs some quiet time away from humans. $159.99

Adjustable floor lets you elevate your puppy to keep his coat away from dirt and messes
Top cover opens completely for easy access
Convenient front door with safety latch
Slide out, plastic pan cleans up easily without disturbing your puppy
Hygienic mesh floor won't pinch puppy paws
Built to last. They're the only pens to use a double coating of bright
chrome plating and baked-on durable plastic to protect and ensure durability.
Folds down flat for easy transportation and storage.

Poop
bags

Sleep
Aid

Comfort Zone Diffuser with D.A.P. for Dogs (48 mL)

This is pricey but often helps calm and soothe a scared puppy. Wouldn't you whine at night if you were suddenly torn from your mother and siblings?

Female dogs secrete special pheromones while nursing their offspring. Called "appeasing pheromones", they act to comfort and reassure the puppies in times of stress. They have been shown to have the same effect on adult dogs as well.

Comfort Zone with D.A.P has been formulated to mimic these pheromones to calm dogs of all ages and reduce or even completely stop undesirable stress-related behavior.

Comfort Zone helps comfort dogs and puppies in stressful situations such as:being alone in the house, visitors to the home, new pet or family member moving to a new home, visits to the veterinarian, adjusting to a new environment, thunderstorms or fireworks

Convenient plug-in module gently releases D.A.P Dog Appeasing Pheromone for up to four weeks.

Nontoxic and odorless. Not a drug or tranquilizer. Will not affect humans or other pets. $47.99

Stain and odor remover

Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover Spray (24 oz.; Pump Spray)

Permanently Eliminates All Stains & Odors - Even Urine Odors Other Products Fail to Remove

Removes all organic stains and odors including foods, blood, vomit, feces, grease, dirt, grass, smoke, and perspiration. Safe for use around children and pets.

For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, cages, litter boxes, and all pet living and sleeping areas.

Completely eliminates urine odors with no perfume cover-up, discouraging new pet soilings. Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover with nature's enzymes completely eliminates puppy and dog stains & odors including urine and feces accidents, food, drooling, bedding stains & odors and other hard to get out dog messes. Safe and effective, will also work on old and deep set stains & odors.

Safe for use around children and pets. $9.99. Once you have the spray bottle, get the Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover (1.5 gal.; 1.5 gal.) refill to save money.

Note: Do not rely on homemade remedies such as vinegar or baking soda. While these remove the odor for a human, they do not work for a dog and dogs love to pee/poop in the same place over and over once they identify the old familiar smell.

Teething Toy

Puppy KONG (Small; 3"Height)

Puppy KONG was designed with your puppy's mouth size in mind. Made from a special teething rubber formula, Puppy KONG promotes healthy development of your puppy's mouth and good chewing behavior.

To soothe your puppy's sore gums, try KONG Cool Relief! Freeze it. Put a dab of peanut butter in the small end of your Puppy KONG to seal it. Turn it upside down inside a cup and fill it with water, chicken broth, or beef bouillon and freeze it.

Your puppy will love the way this frozen toy feels on his sore gums. Frozen Puppy KONG can be a little messy, so it is recommended that it be used outdoors or in your puppy's crate.

Small Puppy KONG is designed for small breed puppies from two to nine months of age. Typical breeds would be chihuahua, toy poodle, pug, and similar sized breeds.

Colors are assorted, allow us to choose one for you. $6.99