Preparation for Arrival

[Richantsmith86]

Hi all,

Just in the process and getting varies bits and bats before the arrival of Oscar in a couple of weeks. So far I have ordered a 30 inch crate, a spaniel bowl, a simple collar and lead set and a clicker for training. I have been advised to get a vet bed, any idea where I can get one of these from?

Is there anything I have missed?

Thanks!!!!

[Richantsmith86]

Any recommended toys, treats?!! 

[lettie10]

Lots and lots and lots and lots of kitchen roll, some kitchen roll and some more kitchen roll

Seriously, some good chew toys like nyla bone and I always give a soft snuggly toy for sleep time.

Oh, and some kitchen roll!!!!!!

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

Amazon is a good place to start for anything! I usually just google things and then check out the prices - vetuk, petsathome, petplanet amazon - usually possible to find a good deal somewhere.

I highly recommend a Snugglepuppy - it's a teddy-bear with a hole for a heat pad and a beating heart! My puppy loves his (sometimes too much - as he tries to hump it when he's excited).

I'd get a small cheap dish for his first few weeks - a spaniel bowl will be big enough for him to sit in!

A variety of chew toys might be useful (you may get some as presents though!) - I recommend antler chews (try antlerdogchews.co.uk), some people swear by kongs too.

Also get some carpet shampoo (doggy-specific one) and lots of kitchen roll!

[Richantsmith86]

Fan dabby dozy! Kitchen roll a plenty! Thanks for your help, I'm going to take on all your ideas and buy a snugglepuppy, antler dog chew, kong and nyla bone and see how we go! Can't really go wrong with Amazon.

Where can I get a vet bed for 30 inch crate? And what treats do you recommend for training?!

[Honormum]

Amazon sells original  Vetbed at a great price.

Start saving newspapers to put in the crate overnight.

We already had a hard disc thing you heat in the microwave, which we tuck under the vetbed at night. (it's a purpose designed  thing we bought from Pets at Home years ago).

Pet odour remover spray.

A torch for overnight wee trips into the garden!

Poo bags (nappy sacks do, but we get free dog poo bags from our local library).

A variety of toys...although Teddy's current favourite is the basket of pinecones I keep by the log burner.

[Honormum]

Treats for training - homemade liver cake. Liver, flour, garlic - blitzed up and baked. Chop it up and freeze it and then defrost in batches as needed.

[Richantsmith86]

Hi Honormum,

Thank you for that. I've looked on Amazon r.e vet beds and don't know where to start? Any tips?! Argh! Reality!

[Bronte]

pizzle sticks, perfect to keep a pup busy for 30 mins

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

With the vetbeds they are kind of "unfinished" so you have to cut it to the size of the crate. I got a 75cm x 100cm one from petplanet (same place I got my crate) and cut a smaller strip off (which is just about big enough to put in there if the other one's in the wash - there were a few accidents in the early days)).
https://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=317&pf_id=8732
I also put a couple of toys and a mini blanket (and my hubby's hoodie!) in his bed too, so he has lots to snuggle up with (he now has the door open, so he can leave if he gets too hot!).

Amazon boxes seem to be Henry's favourite thing to chew. That and toilet roll inner tubes! All the free things/packaging, like with kids!

[Chocolate Hero]

we got a very nice vet bed with our crate off ebay the whole lot was £25, they did sell the vet bed separate. We dont really use the vet bed, its always in his crate with the bed on top. Its only when we have to crate him while he plays that he uses it (take bed out). We find that Ikea £1.60 blue blankets are a god send, cut them in half & gives you plenty so not struggling when washing them. Also keep warm when it drops cold.

[aliceandlouis]

Unless you mean a solid bed to put inside the crate, vet bed is just a synthetic sheepskin look-a-like that is brilliant because it can be cut to size and laundered - lots of on-line pet stores sell it.

Hope you track some down soon and good luck with the new arrival - look forward to hearing all about the excitement of Oscar's early days with you  

[Walshies]

Plenty of toys that squeak! You will also need a sense of humour and a lot of patience - did somebody mention you would need some kitchen roll!!

Having had our pup two weeks now we are dog tired but love him to bits - he is so hilarious and there is never a dull moment in our house.

Enjoy!

[Honormum]

The best thing about Vetbed  is that it dries so quickly - so you can wash it and have it ready to go again in an hour.
We actually used an Amazon box cut down as Teddy's bed for the first couple of weeks - lined with giraffe-print Vet bed.

[Holly2009]

I bought 2 huge rolls of vet bed off ebay worth a wee search  
We use it in their crates & a couple of pieces on the kitchen floor for lying on & when it's wet I move it to the back door to catch muddy feet.

We've got Pink & Cow print   but they do lots of others