"Getting Started Stuff":
1) Food
2) Basic Items Needed
3) Quick Reference / Set-up - We also email this to you when reserving a pup, as well as give you a hard copy when you pickUP your pup.
1) FOOD:
Feed Stores (Western Feed, etc.), Tractor Supply:
- Taste of the Wild - Pacific Stream Puppy and/or High Prairie Puppy. You can also use ANY food that says "All Life Stages", and not necessarily "Puppy". Taste of the Wild has quite a few other flavors in their line that are "All Life Stages" versions.
Costco:
- Nature's Domain - Chicken & Pea Puppy; "All Life Stages" - Salmon or Beef
- BOTH Tasted of the Wild and Nature's Domain "ADULT" versions are actually good for "All Life Stages" and okay for the pups as well
- We provide each adoptee with a 5 pound bag of the Pacific Stream Puppy
- Costco also has great wee wee pads that are highly recommended initially - we provide you with 3
2) Basic Items Needed to Get You Started -
We DO recommend getting this all set-up well before bringing your pup home. This helps you get use to it as well.
See illustrations below under "set-up" for the basic setup that mimics the setup we have here and that promotes the best for potty training and creating their everyday home.
Most of the items listed following are available individually from: Kuranda (beds), Petco, & Amazon; and, are on our Supplies & Resources page: click here - SUPPLIES
Kuranda Beds - order through "Kuranda's" website w/ free shipping
Good for pups initially in fence area, not in crate; or outside of fence area
Once crate is used without a divder - place bed inside crate
Bed Link: www.dogbed.us/14830
Basic Setup "Stuff" -
"Gold(en)", "Silver", or "Bronze" packages!
BEST - Golden Package:
(everything needed that we recommend for a complete setup)
- Life Stages 24" x 36" crate
- Kuranda medium bed; Almond frame; Heavy Duty 40oz vinyl
Bed Link: www.dogbed.us/14830
- 30 inch High portable kennel / fence
- Bowls - (2) 2-quart Stainless Steel for water and food - can attach to crate, fence, or freestanding
- Food - 30 pound bag of Taste of the Wild Puppy "High Prairie" and/or "Pacific Stream"; and/or, 20 pound bag of Costco's Nature's Domain Puppy "Chicken & Pea"
BETTER - Silver Package:
(Basic if you already have a "space" - no fence)
- Life Stages 24" x 36" crate
- Kuranda medium bed; Almond frame; Heavy Duty 40oz vinyl
Bed Link: www.dogbed.us/14830
- Bowls - (2) 2-quart Stainless Steel for water and food - can attach to crate, fence, or freestanding
- Food - 30 pound bag of Taste of the Wild Puppy "High Prairie" and/or "Pacific Stream"; and/or, 20 pound bag of Costco's Nature's Domain Puppy "Chicken & Pea"
GOOD - Bronze Package:
(Basic if you already have a "space" - no bed, no fence)
- Life Stages 24" x 36" crate
- Bowls - (2) 2-quart Stainless Steel for water and food - can attach to crate, fence, or freestanding
- Food - 30 pound bag of Taste of the Wild Puppy "High Prairie" and/or "Pacific Stream"; and/or, 20 pound bag of Costco's Nature's Domain Puppy "Chicken & Pea"
3) Quick Reference / Set-up -
A quick reference page of the basic things you need to know from the time of picking your new pup through the first few weeks and months. Also a more detailed illustration of the set-up recommended that mimics how the pups achieve quick potty training; and, which becomes their home within your home for their feeling of safety and contentment.
4) Proper Handling -
These videos address what is probably one of the most basic "skills" EVERYone needs to master, but seems to be rather elusive because it just doesn't seem like something you would need to think about. But, there is literally a PROPER way to lift, hold, and let down your pup. Doing it wrong, in an instant, can hurt your pup.
Have your whole family, as well as anyone that might be handling your pup, watch both of these videos. It is probably most important that any children watch it, but us parents need it too - it seems more often an adult lets a pup jump out of their arms, or fall to the ground - they are very resilient, but we need to protect those little bodies that have soft joints and are still developing!
How to pick up a pup:
Proper way to pick up a pup: