New Puppy Questions

Henrys Mom

Henrys Mom

New member
I will be bringing home a new puppy at the end of the month. We are very excited but have not had a puppy for 9 years!! I think I need a refresher so instead of making a million posts, I am going to make a list of questions here. If you have any insight or advice I would greatly appreciate it!

What kind of shampoo?
What kind of brushes and combs?
What kind of collars and leashes?
What kind of bowls?
Supplements at the young age?
How much food and how many times a day?
Crate training tips?
Is there such thing as a seat belt harness for the car? I have a car not an SUV and I would like to harness him in the back seat and take him places with me.

Anything else you can think of I am all ears!!! Thanks!!
 
padkins

padkins

New member
What kind of shampoo? We use the puppy shampoo made by Kong. We get it at Petsmart and it smells the best of any of them that we found.

What kind of brushes and combs? We mainly use a slicker and a mat rack.

What kind of collars and leashes? We bought several cheap collars that were on sale because they grow out of them so quickly. I don't know if the leash really matters. I personally like a rolled leash better.

What kind of bowls? Something that they can't tip over or pick up and play with.

Supplements at the young age? As part of our contract, we give Cosmo a Nuvet Plus supplement every day.

How much food and how many times a day? We started feeding one cup of food three times a day. If he devoured the food in a few minutes and was looking for more, then we would increase it by 1/4 cup until he was satisfied. Then we cut the feedings back to two times a day. I'm sure that your breeder can give you more information.

Crate training tips? Make sure that you use the dividers if you have a large crate. Too much room is setting yourself up for disaster. I try to get them used to feeling comfortable in the crate. I suggest putting the puppy in the crate when they get sleepy to let them know that it is a safe place to go and sleep (will also help with the nighttime crate training). I leave the door open and reward them.

Is there such thing as a seat belt harness for the car? I have a car not an SUV and I would like to harness him in the back seat and take him places with me. I know that there are harnesses, but we have an SUV. We use leashes and harnesses to secure them in the back. Sorry, no help here.
 
NessaM

NessaM

New member
What kind of shampoo?
We particularly like the Isle of Dogs Evening Primrose Oil shampoo and conditioner - but it's pricey. Mane and Tail is a great alternative.

What kind of brushes and combs?
Your puppy will only need a slicker brush at first, I believe. After that, getting a good anti-static comb, and a pin brush, is very helpful.

What kind of collars and leashes?
My favorite collars are 1.5" to 2" wide martingales made by the company Wiggles, Wags, and Whiskers. But your puppy will just need a very basic, small buckle collar to start off with. Remember, in the beginning you won't really be leash training very much - you want the puppy to get used to being collared and leashed by dragging the leash around behind him or her for a while. Then you can start picking it up and letting him or her lead you for a little bit. Then you start teaching the pup to follow YOUR lead, once he or she is comfortable with the collar and leash.

What kind of bowls?
Stainless steel. The anti-tip ones are best. And get a plastic boot tray or similar to put underneath the water bowl, or you will have minor floods all day long.

Supplements at the young age?
We supplemented with Cosequin and buffered Ester C from the get go.

How much food and how many times a day?
Your breeder should be answering this, at least at first. She or he will give you a good jumping off point, at least in terms of quantity.

Crate training tips?
Can't help you here! Nanook was a total crate training failure! Pooka did well with it, but I think it's because he's a much less intense personality...

Is there such thing as a seat belt harness for the car? I have a car not an SUV and I would like to harness him in the back seat and take him places with me.
Yes! Ruff Riders makes one! http://www.ruffrider.com/
 
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YorkvilleNewfie

YorkvilleNewfie

New member
What kind of shampoo? I've always used organic oatmeal, tea tree oil and aloe vera blends. I've always been a fan of Earth Bath products, especially their grooming wipes. Very gentle and easy for use on their face and has a wonderful, light scent.

What kind of brushes and combs? Slicker, rake and small, long toothed metal comb.

What kind of collars and leashes? Like Pammy said, cheap ones as they grow out of them so quickly...but I guess the type of collar to use would probably depend on your pup and his/her walking manners.

What kind of bowls? We have always used the Neater Feeder, the largest size. It has foot extensions so we could make the feeder grow with her. I LOVE it and HIGHLY recommend it. Especially for a Newf and their anti-social water bowl behavior. http://www.neaterfeeder.com/
Interesting fact, the President uses one for Bo.

Supplements at the young age? Our breeder had her on NuVet Plus and she still takes them in addition to Pet Tabs and Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Oil at 10 months of age.

How much food and how many times a day? We did three times a day at the recommendation of our breeder.

Crate training tips? I've got none for you. My girl hated the crate and it was a real struggle!

Is there such thing as a seat belt harness for the car? I have a car not an SUV and I
would like to harness him in the back seat and take him places with me. Yes. I had one for a Keeshond I had in my teenage years that rode in my Honda Civic, but the first time I used it, she chewed right through it. A good way to waste $80! She was a bit of a nut though.
 
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KodysGrandma

KodysGrandma

New member
There are a couple of kinds of "harnesses" that work BUT- 1 is where you thread the car seat belt through the harness connector and 2- there is a separate clip to the harness that goes into your seat belt holder just like a regular seat belt. I much prefer this one (except I lost the connector on our way back from Newfstock). It works easier and I think it's sturdier. Have used both.
 
Windancer

Windancer

New member
Where is your breeder in all this? She/he should go over all this with you.....not that anyone minds your asking......
 
padkins

padkins

New member
Get lots of sleep now! Cosmo is almost 5-months-old and I am just now starting to catch up on my beauty sleep. :D
 
Henrys Mom

Henrys Mom

New member
Windancer said:
Where is your breeder in all this? She/he should go over all this with you.....not that anyone minds your asking......
Click to expand...
My breeder is VERY good and has gone over this with me but it is nice to hear other suggestions from different people. I am thankful other people don't mind my asking because I love hearing about all the different things people use on their dogs!
 
Sheila B.

Sheila B.

New member
It's been awhile since we've had a puppy, but as I recall the first six months was 24/7 puppy, then everything clicked and I got a nap, we could go out to dinner, she figured out she loved her crate and it all came together. Don't make any plans for the next six months :)
 
W

wrknnwf

Active member
Buy stock in Mr. Clean Magic Erase and Bounty paper towels.

Seriously, start a savings account for your puppy just in case of future medical needs or get in pet insurance. Personally, I think the savings account makes better sense if you're good at handling your money.
 
Henrys Mom

Henrys Mom

New member
Great info...thanks! Do you guys uses conditioner or just shampoo? The ruffrider is exactly what I was looking for so I am going to order one. I am not sure what size. I guess I will have to order one for when he is small and then order again the bigger he gets.
 
NewfMom

NewfMom

New member
One thing to think about with harnessing them to the seat belt is whether they might eat the seat belt. My first two newfs were fine with the RuffRider and Mutt Gear harnesses. Kilrain on the other hand ate two seat belts before I got a short tie-out cable. Now that is wrapped around the leg of the van seat and it attaches to his harness.
 
NessaM

NessaM

New member
I only used shampoo when they were puppies...it's best to get something very mild for that delicate baby skin. Lots of the more upscale companies make a shampoo formula specifically for puppies. I linked to Isle of Dogs' puppy shampoo in my response to you!

Now that they are big grown up bears, I use shampoo primarily, but during the winter months or if they're swimming a lot in the pool, I condition them. The conditioner definitely helps prevent matting, especially from dry winter static-ky conditions.
 
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