Puppy layette

Hi! Recently and spontaneously I adopted a puppy !! :D

It's my puppy <3

She already have brought a lot of joy to my life. It's breed :"ShiChi" tj. Chihuahua and Shih Tzu mix. Me and my family named her "Tola".

During many searches I have made an exhaustive list of a most useful things we can have to provide all the dog's and owner needs. If you are also wondering about: "What to buy for your small dog?". Check it here!

1. For they basics needs:

• Dog Food

Choose a healthy dog food and check its composition. First meals for a puppy should have a slurry consistency. It can be soggy dry food, wet pate foods or ground meat and vegetables. Gradually introduce some changes in his nutrition, try to get your dog to try different, new flavors.

• Two Bowls

Choose the right kind of bowls for food and water. Determine its right size, how big is your dog and how big bowl he needs. Take into account the pros and cons of these bowls:

Stainless steel bowl - most popular, easy to clean, durable and resistant to damage. Resistant to deposits and bacterias. Some metal bowls give water metallic aftertaste, may sensitize.

Plastic bowl - light and handy with non-slip tabs, available in different colors and patterns. Has low scratch resistance and may sensitize.

Ceramic bowls - classic, heavy and easy to clean. Resistant to deposits and bacterias. Not for travel, It can break down and hurt a dog.

For rapid eaters - created for dogs that swallows whole food rapidly, usualy plastic with obstacles.

• Travel bowls

When you take your dog on a journey, the most important thing is to give them access to the right amount of water and food. So that the bowls do not take the majority of our luggage, it's worth to think about buying compact silicone travel bowls. They are durable, handy and folded, so they do not take up much space.

• Dog's bed

Here the choice is very wide. Select the material of the bed (it shall be soft, durable and easy to clean). Some people also choosing kennel cages, beforehand try to get to know smth about this option. You can also build your own kennel for your pet, all you need is creativity and maybe some lovely blanket, pillow, small table or even diy bed from your old sweater.

• Cooling Mat

This is an additional option. Certainly very useful during the warm summer when your dog despises his bed and going to choose a bathroom floor. Also can be useful for all the summer travels.

• Cuvette

Will be needed if your puppy can't go out yet because vaccinations period. It can be also useful for many other occasions; like rain, frost, late night, urgent need and when you left your dog home alone for a while, etc... Believe me you will need it.

2. Grooming:

• Drops for dog's eyes and ears higene

To ensure daily eye and ear hygiene, especially when your dog is having any Tears Stains problems it's compulsory.

• Brush

Especially for long-hair pets, combing is very important it allows the dog to get rid of dead fur and undercoat, remove stags, and also massage the skin of the pooch, which allows to get rid of dead epidermis and even stimulates hair growth.

• Washcloth

Very pleasant while bathing. Gives a massage and help to clean the dog thoroughly.

• Claws cutter

Always remember to trim the dog's paws regularly because neglect leads to lot of paw diseases.

• Toothwash and paste

Its also important to take care of your dog's jaw hygiene daily, to prevent any teeth diseases in future.

• Microfiber towel

Your dog should have his own towel, for everyones comfort. Microfiber towel will let his fur to dry faster.

• Anti-slip mat for the bathtub/shower

If you wish to bath your pet seamlessly. Provide this mat so he feels calm while bathing whithout a sliping paws which is so stressuful for dogs.

• Paw washer

This is an additional tool, which is also very practical when you have to wash your dogs paws after every dirty walk, with this cup and silicone tool you can make it easier and faster. You can try to make it by yourself with just a cup and sponge.

3. For walks and trenings:

• Leash / braces

Choosing the right leash/braces can also make you a headache. It's a tough decision. On the market there are lot of different types and sizes of those and also plenty of different patterns. For dogs learning how to walk properly on the leash I recomend braces with front clasp "easy walk".

• Long training rope (aprox 15m)

To not let the dog pull on the leash, give him more freedom and release the dog on the long rope in the park grass to let him meet the need to explore the environment, run and sniff. Without having any feer of your dog that is still under your controll.

• Dog's carrier, transporter

That's a cool tool, suitable only for small dogs owners. Its so nice to take your dog with you anywhere you like, to shop, to museum, a bike ride, etc.. There is so much benefits with it !

• Pet clothes

There are people who are completely oppose about dogs wearing clothes, but examples below its not only a wish to decorate a dog but having a protective purpose for a dog, (especially for small dogs).

winter jacket and shoes: your pet also need a jacket even despite its fur, just to not fell cold on a walk, and shoes which protects its feet from freez and snow.

summer cooling vest and sandals: dogs don't have sweat glands and heat up faster than people. To protect your dog overheating, you can use cooling vest that works as cooling mat, vest will be usefull also on a trips with your dog while summer. Yes, your pet also needs sandals in the summer because they paws can hurt and burn in the pavement and surfaces which beeing heated by sun like an oven in the summer sun and we while wearing shoes don't even think about it.

raincoat and rain shoes - if we plan to go on a walk with a dog while rain, some dogs even loves rain. In simillar accesories, we also got umbrellas, but i don't think, it's comfortable to hold it above your dog all the time.

• kidney for bags and treats

Useful item for the owners to keep all what is neccesery, handfull and close, to use it fast and smoothly. I also recommed to have a whistle and a clicker to train your dog.

4. Toys:

Toys are most important supply for your dog. I recommend to have various types of them. You shall have a one of this every kind, so he won't get borred. Toys being expensive but you can also try to make some toys by your own.

• Teddy bear - farvotrite toy of my dog, nice for biting, pulling and sleep with.

• Natural dog teether - for their wild bite needs

• Chew toys - for their teeth

• Squeaking toys - this voice excites them

• Shredder - longer one to play together with you (also outside), can be used as a reward

• Balls - to play run & catch

• Toys with food - for stress relief e.g. Kong Classic, ball of flavor

• Sniff toys - to play with sniffing, you can make some by your own.

• Puzzle toys - strengthens the dog's mind

This products should be easily avaliable in most of pet shops or other stores, stationary or online.

5. Your LOVE and PATIENCE !

To make your puppy happy, don't forget that the best thing is to give him is a lot of your time, your love and a lot of patience when you teech him. Plan his day cycle and his education start from socialization and habituation.

As you see there is lot of things for dog equipment. And there may be even more of it. I think I told you about all best things!

Greetings,

Karolina