Puppy necessities

[Skidmoretx]

So we will be getting our first boxer later on this month. We went out today and bought him a pillow bed, a kong, a collar, rawhides(think that's what they're called) some blue buffalo puppy food (that's what the breeder feeds her puppies) and some toys. I ordered a crate last week to train him. It has been three years since I've had a puppy. We are really excited but what else do we need other than the feeding bowls? I'm so nervous about having everything ready for him. Please help us get everything ready for him. We already got a vet for him also same vet our baby goes to. And I'm not sure if this is where to put this thread at.

 

[TwoDogs]

Nature's Miracle Cleaner for pee and poo accidents.

 

[Skidmoretx]

Thanks if you can think of anything else let me know

 

[amandanguyen]

Congrats on the new puppy! Just a bit of advice about the rawhides, I don't give my dog that because they can choke on it. Most people that I talk to about bones say NO RAWHIDES. Two weeks ago I was at the park and this lady told me that her dog was dying in her arms when she was choking on the end of a bone that she had gnawed down. The lady had to literally stick her finger down the dog's throat to get the bone out. She said the poor dog was coughing up blood and she had to take her to the vet to get antibiotics. I guessed that it was a rawhide bone that she was choking on and sure enough she said it was. I would suggest giving your dog bully sticks, nylabones, or antlers. My puppy loves her antler and it lasts forever. They don't consume it so there are no risks of choking. Plus if you have a puppy with a sensitive tummy like mine, you'll want to stay away from bones that they can consume. You just want to give them something to chew on while they're teething and to keep them busy, but nothing that will cause harm.

 

[Cami]

I'd also nix the raw hides. Just no good reason to give those to your dog (of any age). Bully sticks would be a far better choice and they come in smaller sizes for a younger pup and larger ones for once he grows a bit.
I'd not so much worry about things you need because no matter how prepared you think you are you will find yourself at the pet store picking things up you forgot or you just want to try. Makes much more sense to spend time in puppy proofing your home....but you can't ever have enough toys! You want toys of all different shapes/sizes/textures/sounds, etc....

 

[Skidmoretx]

Thank y'all for the head up on raw hide and I had seen the antlers before. I will be buying him a nylabone also. I did read that they were highly recommended. I do want to surprise him when I pick him up with something. Are there any good toys that are safe and fun?

 

[amandanguyen]

As a puppy, I would't give him anything that is super plush that feels like a pillow because he won't know the difference between his toy and your pillows/blankets. It feels the same to him so for now I would get him rubber toys that squeak. They love that. My girl has a rubber pig and she likes just sitting there and making it squeak. She likes soccer balls and tennis balls, but that depends on the dog. She loves rope. My boyfriend got some rope off of a boat and tied it up really tight leaving one end loose and she likes to chew that. Kongs are good too, though my puppy doesn't pay any attention to it unless there's food stuffed in there.

 

[Jerrybobby]

Make sure to get something to bring back that smells like his current family. Our breeder gave us a blanket she kept with her mom's smell on it. Bully sticks. Kong. Treats. Patience.

 

[Skidmoretx]

Thanks that sounds good I will talk to his breeder