What To Buy And Some Tips

[angeline]

Ok, as you can see from the "Went to see my puppy" post, I will soon have a new pup home but I have never had a pup.  I would like to know the main things I have to buy, and some tips on the pups firsts.  Which means: should I take him straight to the vet once I get him? What kind of "houstraining treats" can I give pups?  And all other types of information.
I bought a book but I really like to hear the information from people who actually have cockers

Can anyone give me a hand?

[PennyB]

1st thing is to buy Gwen Bailey's Perfect Puppy book and read it now.

I also bought a crate as well 1st thing (these are great for giving the pup a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of things in the home and housetraining especially at night).

Also find out what the breeder feeds the pup on as you'll need to continue with that when you get the pup home even if you decide to change the food (which needs to be done gradually).

I'd also find out the best vets and pupppy classes in your area as these are both important. I always think 1st time pup owners should go to pup classes to socialise and learn about basic training and just get to know what puppy owning is about. I socialised my pups to the vets as well by taking them there frequently for weighing (to make sure pup is gaining weight correctly), wormers, and general advice from vet nurses etc., so much so that mine positively love the place (Wilf tries to break in when they're closed if we walk past at night, and when they had their old door he used to spring it open as we went past and announce himself to waiting clients and vet nurses alike LOL).

I took mine to vets within 24-48 hours of getting pup (with Ruby it was 48 hours as she was picked up on a saturday and too late for surgery, but Wilf went same day without any ill effects of the shock of the vets especially as he slept the whole time he was there) as they need a check over and 1st vax (they were both 8 weeks old). It was also a stipulation from their breeder to take them within that time as well.

I also bought a puppy pouch (the kyven one from Petplanet or you can use a bag or backpack turned round the front) for my pup so I could socialise them from day 1. Even though they can't go for a walk you can still carry them out and about until puppy vax are done. Socializing is very important for pups at this stage as they need to be carefully introduced to the sights and sounds of the big wide world (and other vaccinated dogs on safe ground)

[Toohey]

I'm hoping to get a new pup next year and have already started thinking about how I will do it all this time now that I have prior experience.
Assuming I am starting from scratch (will obviously be  able to use stuff I already have) but if I wasn't:

collar and lead suitable for pup
crate (will definitely crate train next time)
comfortable bed to go in crate which will be big enough for the grown dog
squeaky and chew toys
soft brush to get her used to grooming
harness for car
own feed bowls (stainless steel cocker type)

Puppy preschool an absolute must.
The vet will tell you the best products to use for worming, fleas etc.

Good luck

[Kim]

Don't forget poo bags !    

[Rusty]

Hi Issac

I agree Gwen Baileys first puppy book there is so much valuable information in it.

We didn't get a crate for rusty but looking back now I wish we had, as if you have children sometimes they don't listen when enough is enough, so for a safe calming enviroment I would go with a crate. We got rusty at 8 weeks but did not take him for his first jab until he was 10 weeks, I think its just personal preference. Some nice soft toys to start with then you have to progress to hard rubber as rusty would chew through anything but solid rubber, the toys we had to put in the bin is incredible...

All a dog really wants is a caring loving owner and lots of love and attention.....

Good luck you lucky devil  

Elle & Rusty xx

[angeline]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.  I was seriously thinking of not buying a crate.  I have a small, closed terrace (indoor) in my house and was planning on leaving him there untill he got a little bigger and until I housetrained him. I was wondering if that could sort of work as a crate ( a huge one at that).  I find a crate being a bit cruel for the little animal.

Can non-crate owners please share there experience with me and tell me, if they got another pup if they would or would not buy a crate?
   

[Cob-Web]

We've compromised. We use a Giant-breed size crate  - 4' x 2' 6" - as a playpen for him   - he has his bed in there, his water, food (to begin with, now he wants that on the floor in the kitchen) and chew toys. He is in there when we cannot supervise him, when he needs to calm down a bit and at night.

We started with it lined with newspaper, but now he is more reliable (at 5 months) we have changed this to vetbed fleece.

He loves it in there, and often choses to trot in there for a nap, even when he has the whole of the downstairs to chose from. He also hides all his 'stolen goodies' in there - socks from the laundry and pebbles from the garden are his favourite!

To be honest, if I were buying now, I would probably buy a playpen of the same size rather than the crate - especially as we also have a 'cocker sized' crate for the car and when we go away. The advantage with the big crate compared with some of the playpens I saw is that the door can be left opened or closed behind him - I couldn't find many playpens with 'gates'  

Hope this gives you more ideas...

BFN

 

[PennyB]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.  I was seriously thinking of not buying a crate.  I have a small, closed terrace (indoor) in my house and was planning on leaving him there untill he got a little bigger and until I housetrained him. I was wondering if that could sort of work as a crate ( a huge one at that).  I find a crate being a bit cruel for the little animal.

Can non-crate owners please share there experience with me and tell me, if they got another pup if they would or would not buy a crate?
 

When you say you're leaving him on the terrace until he's housetrained does that mean all the time. Housetraining can take up to 6 months or more.
A crate can be in the same room as where the family are whereas a separate room room for pup means they are excluded.
 
My crate is still up in the sitting room 2-1/2 years on as my two still like to go in there for a sleep. Its basically a den for them which is peaceful but in familiar surroundings (they know the world is going on around them but love to cuddle up in their blankets in the crate every now and then). Mind you the little sods go in there to hide from me if they see me get the ear cleaner out and know I won't go in and get them. I found crate very useful to confine my two in after the odd op/illness where you have to keep them from running around and need to keep a close eye on them

Pups need lots of sleep and peace when they 1st arrive. Many members on here have noticed how fractious/grumpy their pups can get when they're being handled all the time.

I also used mine a lot so pups didn't get under my feet when I was doing any housework.

Used wisely a crate is never cruel

(IWLass Nov 7 2004, 10:37 AM) To be honest, if I were buying now, I would probably buy a playpen of the same size rather than the crate - especially as we also have a 'cocker sized' crate for the car and when we go away. The advantage with the big crate compared with some of the playpens I saw is that the door can be left opened or closed behind him - I couldn't find many playpens with 'gates'

I think Croft do playpens with gates but as with their crates are probably not cheap but are well made

[angeline]

When you say you're leaving him on the terrace until he's housetrained does that mean all the time.

No, of course not. What I meant is while I am not at home.  When I am home, he will have access to the living room and kitchen, where I spend most of my time.  During the night I am thinking of using the cardboard box/bed in the room thing.

[Sheila]

I haven't ever used a crate.
I don't think they were very common 10 years ago when we had Goldie as a pup.
I didnt buy one to use for Lottie either......partly because it hadnt seemed necessary when we'd had a pup before.
I actually found things really easy without a crate, but I imagine it depends on circumstances.
My children are older 13 and 15, so they understood about letting pup have quiet time. We had used a cut up box for her bed at first and everyone knew that if she was in her bed to leave her alone.
We had very few accidents in the house and she was trained very quickly, but I'm sure part of that is due to copying Goldie. Also I work at home, so I was around to put her out regularly. Also we have been really lucky because she hasn't done any damage or chewing around the house. I go out now and can leave her for a few hours without any problems as long as she has had a good walk beforehand.

I think in the end it comes down to personal preference and what works for you. I think as long as the pup has a quiet, safe place to retreat to then it doesnt matter what you use.
 

[PennyB]

We had used a cut up box for her bed at first and everyone knew that if she was in her bed to leave her alone.
 

I also had something similar---one of those shallow boxes you get to pack lettuces etc. in (strong cardboard) and I bought a double blanket from a charity shop (for £1) that I cut into two for the bedding. I also bought towels and soft toys from charity shops for between 50p and £1. This time of the year is great for soft toys as they get heaps of them donated.

[shonajoy]

I'm a crate fan, as Indie shocked us to pieces by nearly chewing through an electric cable one day - when we were in!

Personally I think it's safest when they are small, and not in the slightest bit cruel if used properly - they just stop them getting into situations they can't deal with yet.

Shona

[cbabe]

I'm off to buy collars once our two have had their first injections! I'm taking them with me so i can fit them in the shop!!! Pluss we can do a bit of puppy socialising at the same time!!!


Clare

[tobycat]

I didn't have a crate for any of the four spaniels (2 cockers, 2 springers) I have had, nor for my new labrador. But I definitely would get one if I ever get another spaniel. (I mean WHEN I get another...)

My lab has been easy to get housetrained because his breeder worked so hard with him before he came to me, and I knew that before he arrived hence the reason I didn't get him a crate,  but all the spaniels have taken AGES to housetrain. Sasha and Scully were over 6 months old before I could trust them in the house  

Crates are great for safety issues too. I have a pretty indestructible kitchen which is where my lab sleeps when I'm not about. The reason its so puppy proof is because my previous dogs have eaten anything that it was possible to eat....door handles, chair & table legs, wicker baskets, door frames, plasterboard.....  There's nothing left for Oscar to chew except his toys  

Its got to be a matter of personal preference but just to save myself the stress I would definitely go for the crate option these days. They say that hindsight is a wonderful thing