Hi, I am new to this forum and will be new to being a dog owner. We are hoping to get a Labrador puppy at the beginning of September. We have been desperately keen for a puppy for a long time now but have not been able to get one for many reasons. The latest being my son's diagnosis with leaukaemia. He finished treatment on Saturday after 3 long years and we can start to think about getting a puppy. We have been advised to at least wait a few months for my son's immune system to get back to normal. I am doing lots of research and have bought all 3 of Pippa's books. Currently reading the Labrador handbook and I am enjoying it. The question i have is about equipment, particularly things like toys, leads and bowls. Are there any items you simply can't live without or wish you'd had from the start? What type of lead? What type of bowl, are thes bowls that slow down eating a good idea or gimmicky? What kind of toys? I've read that longs are good but is tee anything else. We will be looking to crate train for the destructive years as we have two children 6 and 4 so will be nice for the puppy to have a save haven. I think we'll go for a large crate with divider. Any advice would be very much appreciated? Xx
Hello and a warm welcome to the forum from me and my two, Willow and Shadow who will be 2 years old in August. It sounds like you've had an incredibly tough few years, and really deserve something to look forward to. I'm so pleased to hear that your son's treatment is now finished. It must have been so hard on all of you. Well done on doing your research before your bundle of terror arrives! I read everything I could get my hands on, but I don't think you can ever be entirely prepared for how disruptive a puppy can be - but it's certainly better to be well informed going in. I put my two in Puppia mesh harnesses when they were small, after Shadow (my yellow boy) slipped his collar and nearly ran in front of a truck when he was a baby. I would wholeheartedly recommend using a harness rather than a collar to start off with for this reason, and because it's far safer for a puppy's neck when they're learning to walk on their lead. http://petlondon.net/index.php/retail/collections/puppia/harnesses/soft-harness-red-xl.html The best toy I bought is a Kong Cozie "Tupper the Lamb", which is still going strong (minus all its limbs) today. They normally shred toys within a few minutes, so it's quite remarkable that this one has lasted so long! I'm about to invest in another. Every Labrador needs a Lambie of some description - although we have a theory here that they communicate with each other on "the Lambie Network", spreading mischief across the world http://www.amazon.co.uk/KONG-Cozie-TUPPER-Medium-ZY29/dp/B005AP3BPQ Kongs, kongs and more kongs! Which you've already heard of, obviously I started off on puppy ones, and have since moved to the regular red ones. They still have the puppy ones, though, and haven't destroyed them - other Labs are more "power chewers" and will need the black "Extreme" ones when older. There are different shapes that you can get, but I've only ever had the regular bell-shaped ones. For food bowls, I use these ones: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0055N59TY/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item They don't move around the floor like some do (the rattle of a metal bowl goes through me!) and are really sturdy and easy to clean. Some members here use the anti-gobble bowls, and I've heard mixed reports. Some dogs get frustrated and throw the bowls around the kitchen, but they work well for others. To be honest, it's probably worth waiting to see if you have a problem with eating too quickly. I put water in with my dogs' kibble (not soaked, just add water and serve immediately), and this slows them down to a rate I'm happy with. I've seen other Labs completely inhale their food, though, so again I think it just depends on the character of your dog. Their water bowl is this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002TRKDYK/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item_image It's very deep and heavy, so can't be tipped over. I used Ancol padded leads when my two were younger, but now use Halti double-ended leads, which are great because you can change the length of it, wrap it around your waist, attach it to things etc. It may be too heavy for a young puppy, though. For bedding, you can't really beat vet bed for a young puppy - it's pretty chew-proof and good value for money, plus it washes well. I buy mine from eBay. Most pups will chew through any other type of soft bed to start with, so save your pennies until they're a bit older. Clicker for clicker training. I love this one: http://www.traininglines.co.uk/dogsline-push-button-dog-training-finger-clicker.html Training treat pouch. My favourite one is this: http://www.traininglines.co.uk/doggone-good-rapid-rewards-training-treat-pouch.html which I use with the webbing belt, so it's easy to clip on and off, no matter what I'm wearing: http://www.traininglines.co.uk/doggone-good-black-webbing-belt.html If I think of anything else, I'll add it
Hi, and welcome So sorry to hear of your sons journey , what a long haul it has been for you , I wish him well . So very pleased that you are doing lots of research before getting your puppy , always the best way if you can . You will find lots of information on here, in the Products for Dogs section regarding all the paraphernalia we all get for our new arrivals A crate with a divider is a good idea, saves buying twice ,providing a safe haven is great , somewhere your puppy can call his own . Kongs can be invaluable , especially when stuffed with tasty morsels such as peanut butter or tuna, can keep a busy puppy occupied for ages . I would advise a soft puppy collar and lead to start with , letting your pup wear both in the house but always under strict supervision and just for short periods of time , just to allow him/her to get used to the feel of it prior to actually needing to wear it . Much luck and please let us know how your puppy adventure is going
Welcome from me and my boy Pongo in south Wales! We were first-time dog-owners too, when Pongo arrived two years ago aged 10 weeks. Of all the things we bought, our best decision was "vetbed" fleece. The price makes your eyes water a bit, but it is absolutely worth it. We bought one largish piece and cut it in half. It was Pongo's bed, comfort blanket, chew toy, best friend, "enemy" for attacking and shaking to death.... everything. Both pieces are still going strong, even if they are no longer shiny white (more like grubby grey despite many many MANY washes in the machine). We bought him some toys, but his favourite ones were (and still are) any old cardboard box (to be destroyed), the plastic bottle with a bit of kibble rattling around inside (to be chased round the house until he drives us nuts), the collection of old socks tied up into one big knot (to be used as a tuggy toy), and the old piece of blanket (for drying him off but also for attacking and chewing). So, just like kids, the best toys are the ones that cost us nothing. We discovered Kongs late, and yes, they are great - especially for when you really need an hour or so's peace from constant puppy chaos. (Or, in our case, full-grown-dog-chaos ) The other thing we learned was the amount of research needed to find the right puppy. Do you know where you will be getting your little bundle of joy from? Great to have you on the forum! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventures with your new bundle of joy and mischief! Rosie
Welcome to you. This is a marvellous thing for washing doggy stuff in and keeping the hairs out of the washer. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moorland-Ri...id=1459771781&sr=8-1&keywords=washing+pet+bag
Hi and welcome to the forum from Fred, Annie (2 black labs) and me. You ask What type of bowl, are these bowls that slow down eating a good idea or gimmicky? Annie is greed and has one of these bowl and it is wonderful for her. Fred in not greed and just has a basic metal bowl for his food. Must gets are kongs, vet bed and balls lots Don't forget the crate
I'd say invest in at least a couple of stair gates - not just for the stairs but in the doorway of a room so that your children can have a break from the puppy (and do things like Lego) without the puppy having to be crated. The other thing I've bought with Molly, that I hadn't had with previous dogs, are a couple of synthetic chamois cloths. I have one brand marketed for dogs called Groomers Acquasorb, but also a cheaper one which is just as good. They absorb water and mud so easily and just have to be given a quick rinse, wrung out and put back in their tube. Very good news that your son is recovering. I hope he's looking forward to the puppy.
Oo oo oo YES, forgot those. Aquasorb are MAGIC. You can get them on Amazon, I think they're about £8. I have one for the car and one by the front door of the house.
Ah, yes, the towel thingy. I have a similar one, from Trixie: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Micr...d=1459775109&sr=8-3&keywords=trixie+dog+towel I bought two (because I have two dogs), but really only need one. Absolutely magic. It absorbs all the water, then you wring it out and pop it back in its tube. I rinse them each time, and give them a go through the washing machine when necessary. Brilliant product Also, Simple Solution for cleaning up accidents.
Thank you so much for your replies. I have a notebook which I am going to make a note of everything in. This is really very helpful. . I might start buying early as I think it may cost me a small fortune (which I already knew). The wash bag and the towels sound genius and I definitely wouldn't have thought of them early on. I get the feeling that the money we currently pay on our daughters childcare will all go to the puppy fund when she starts school in September haha. Thanks you so much for your kind words. It has been a tough few years and I think a puppy will enrich our lives in so many ways. My son who is nearly 6 absolutely adores dogs. He is the sort that will try to befriend every dog that he sees. Not very good when he is not really supposed to be touching them. My daughter however prefers cats and babies or so she informs me haha. Also, my son has gotten quite tired from the treatment. I think a lot of it is choice as he can run for hours in the playground but can't possibly walk the 7 min walk home from school. Also when we walk my mother in law's dog he can walk for ages yet if we walk alone he can't or should I say won't walk very far. We don't have a firm idea where we will get our puppy from yet. I contacted all the kennel club breeders in the Dorset area and currently no puppies at the right time. I have contacted one is Somerset who may have a puppy at the right time but it is a bit early to say. We are in Antigua for a wedding at the end of August so needs to be after that. Excited to be part of this community. I'm sure I will have many more questions. I already have a couple in mind. Thanks xx
Are you in Dorset? We live near Poole. We just got our new puppy Jake last Friday from a KC breeder just outside Blandford. Timing is everything - we contacted quite a few before we found a litter due at the right time for us. We are still very new to this but had read lots before hand.
Hi there, and welcome to the forum. Glad you are enjoying the Labrador Handbook, and good luck with your son's recovery. Lots more ideas for things to buy in these articles Best Labrador Supplies
