Getting ready for your Bouvier puppy: a list of things to make life easier

Getting ready ~ a supply list for your new puppy

Crate

What size? If you've borrowed a crate from us for shipping, that will be fine for the first week or so. Then you'll want to invest in a larger, permanent crate for housetraining, traveling and general confinement while your pup is unreliable around the house. The size I usually have is around 36" or 42" long. You can partition the crate so that the pup only uses enough of it to sleep in. As he grows, you can move the partition back to create more room for him.

Newspapers, towel or old blanket or soft rug. These need to be washable or disposable.
Folding exercise pen. You can put the exercise pen around the crate so that the pup can go in and out of the crate at will and not be forced to eliminate in it if you're gone for long periods of time. (Like at work!) I just got two at www.upco.com ...they seem to have the best prices on a lot of supplies.
Bowls and toys.
Soft buckle collar and leash.
Identification. If your pup is not microchipped or tattooed, be sure there is identification on his collar.

Grooming supplies for at home, companion pups

Clippers: to do the ears, underbelly and tail. You'll need a #10 blade for those areas. An additional #5 is a great length for the coat if you're planning to groom yourself.
Slicker brush for general brushing, pin brush for legs.
Greyhound metal comb
Nail clippers
Mat splitter (oh no!)
Straight scissors
Shampoo, although you can also use Palmolive dish soap in a pinch.
Tooth scaler
cotton balls to clean ears with 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water solution

Additional supplies if you're going to show this lucky dog

"Medium" Mars stripping knife
"Coarse" metal stripping knife
Mars Coat King
Grooming glove
rubber "secretary fingers" for plucking
additional clipper blades: #40 for inside ears
Duplex dresser
Grooming Table
Grooming noose
Show leads
Good beginning guide for show grooming is Judy Kasper's...see it on our "links" page
Large new van and no limit on credit cards (just kidding)

Good Books (available from www.dogwise.com)

PUPPY PROOFING YOUR HOME

Before bringing your puppy home, you'll need to "puppyproof" your house. Puppies are like babies: they want to explore every corner of your house, and they want to put everything into their mouths.

Here's a simple checklist to make sure your home is safe before letting your new puppy run free:
Make sure all poisonous household items are securely stored out of the puppy's reach
Did you put the household cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning fluid, fertilizers, mothballs, antifreeze, insect poisons, rat poisons and other items in cabinets or on high shelves? These items can be deadly to your puppy. As your new puppy grows, he will be able to explore higher places and be tempted to jump up on shelves.

Check your plants
Many plants in and around your house can be threatening to your pup. Did you know that the pits of apricots and peaches, as well as spinach and tomato vines, can make your puppy sick and, in large dosages, can even be fatal? Click here to learn about more plants that you should keep away from your pup. For a more complete list of dangerous doggie plants, consult your vet.

Look at your house from your puppy's point of view
Get down on all fours and look around. Are there any dangling electric cords, loose nails, plastic bags or other tempting objects that will be in puppy's reach? If there are, be sure to put them away immediately.

SOME ADDITIONAL TIPS
Never leave your puppy unsupervised inside or outside, and keep him off balconies, upper porches and high decks
Puppies, no matter what breed, are so little that they can slip through openings and fall. Puppies may also get tangled in ropes or the plastic from six-pack beverage holders. Cut these items apart to prevent problems.

Keep your toilet lid down
Puppies are often tempted to play in toilet bowl water. This habit can be awful to break. Not only is it embarrassing when friends or family are visiting, but toilet cleanser may be harmful if swallowed.

Unplug, remove or cover any electrical cords in your puppy's confinement area
Chewing on these cords can cause severe mouth burns, electrocution and fires. It is also a good idea to cover electrical outlets, when they are not in use.

Keep buttons, string, sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects out of your puppy's reach
If your puppy swallows any of these objects, he can damage his mouth and internal organs.

Do not tie ribbons around your puppy's neck
Rufus may be tempted to chew the ribbon, which can cause digestive problems. He could also choke himself if he catches the ribbon on anything.

Toys
All puppies need toys to help them exercise and to provide them with a safe way to satisfy their chewing cravings. Be sure to choose toys that are made for puppies and cannot be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. Large rawhide chips, nylon chews and hard rubber balls are fun and safe. As a general rule, if the toy can fit comfortably in a puppy's mouth, it's too small.

Your puppy's Toy Chest should be free from the following items

	Sponge toys or items with hard, sharp points or attachments, such as squeakers, which can break off and be dangerous if swallowed.
	Shoes or other personal clothing. Giving your puppy these items will only teach him that it's okay to chew your shoes and rip holes in your shirts.
	Balls of string, yarn, cellophane, twist ties, plastic baggies and other household goods that could get lodged in your puppy's throat causing him to choke or suffocate.
	Children's toys made of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge or plastic. If your puppy swallows a small particle of any of these materials, it could cause digestive problems.

Stain and scent remover
Special formulated stain and scent remover takes the odor away from a puppy's nose, as well as yours. Conventional household products not found in the pet aisle or a pet supply store mask the odor to humans, but not puppies. If you use a conventional household product to clean up after your puppy, don't be alarmed if he keeps repeating himself at the same spot. He's merely trying to mark his territory.