Cindy's Pet Corner

Now for the fun part of getting ready for your new dog....yay! It's shopping time! Do your shopping at least a few days before you bring your pup home. It will make it easier if you have all you need, ready when your pup comes home. There are a definite few must haves for a new dog:

• food and water bowl

• toys

• bed and bedding

• shampoo

• flea treatment

• brush

• collar and name tag

• treats

• food

• toothpaste and toothbrush

• crate

• doggy seat belt

• puppy pee pads

• variety of cleaning aids (be sure to store them safely away after usage)

Do take note that not all toys are safe for dogs. When you buy a toy for your new furry friend, buy one that is made especially for dogs. Buy your dog a selection of toys, it will keep them busy. But do be careful not to buy anything too small that will choke your dog. I personally do not agree with rawhides, if they swallow it they will not always be able to pass it out. That means surgery!

Buy your dog a crate, it will help him/her to feel safe and comfortable. The crate however should be big enough for your dog to be able to stand and turn around in. If you're getting a puppy, a smaller crate would be essential at first and as he/she grows, you can upgrade to a larger one. Put the crate in an area that isn't far from the family, usually in the family room or kitchen. Make sure to add a warm blanket for him/her so that they can get nicely comfortable. Even add a nice comfy toy!

Now it's onto buying your dog a water and food bowl...preferably buy metal or ceramic bowls. They are much more hygienic and definitely easier to clean. With plastic bowls, if it gets scraped at the bottom, bacteria can start growing in the grooves which can be potentially fatal if not cleaned a hundred percent. Not only that, some dogs are allergic to plastic. 

Dog food need not be a sore point. Find out from the breeder or the shelter you got your dog from, what they were feeding him/her. Buy the same food...and the type that you actually want to feed it. The key here is to add the food he/she is used to eating with a little of the new food gradually so as to introduce him/her to a new diet. Eventually give them less of their current food, and gradually replace it with the new food. Be careful not to feed your dog table scraps: onion, garlic, cooked bones, chocolate, raisins etc are fatal to dogs. Be sure to do your research!

Basic grooming tools are good to have when your new dog comes home to you. This is so you can start getting your new dog used to them right away.