Dear Chief,

We are getting a new puppy. What do I need to buy before bringing home my new puppy?

Your friend,
Gage B., age 4 , Maryland

Dear Gage,

What an exciting time this must be for you and your family! I remember when I was a puppy. Here is a list of a few items I think you might want to have on hand to welcome the new addition to your family!

Dog Food - Look for a good, quality food with a protein level not over 25% (between 23% to 25% is perfect) and a fat content between 12% and 15%.

Dog Bowls - You will need two stainless steel bowls: one for water and one for food. Stainless steel is better than plastic because it is easier to clean and harder for germs to grow on. Make sure you wash them out after every feeding and change the water several times a day. Also, as your puppy grows, you will want to buy a stand to raise the bowls off of the floor. This will make eating and drinking more comfortable for your tall Great Dane.

Leash - Any kind of leather or nylon leash is good. Flexi-leads are NOT a good choice for any puppy or dog. It is too hard to control your dog on a flexi-lead.

Collar - These can be made of leather or nylon. Be sure to measure your puppy's neck to get the proper size.

Identification Tag - Put your last name and telephone number (or your Veterinarian's name and telephone number) on the tag in case your puppy ever gets out of the house or out of your fenced yard. Remember: never leave your puppy in the yard by itself.

Dog crate - Buy a crate large enough for your puppy to use even when it is full grown. You can put newspaper in the rear half (in case of middle of the night accidents) and a dog bed/blanket in the front half. Crates are a necessity. Puppies love the den-like feeling a crate gives them and it provides them a safe place to sleep. Please see the photo below of me in my crate as a puppy.

Dog bed - Look for a bed that fits the half of the crate where your puppy will be sleeping. Dogs love dog beds made out of "unreal" lambskin. They are very soft, long lasting and most of them are machine washable.

OPTIONS

Chew Toys - Be sure to buy toys made with latex and not vinyl. They may cost a little more, but they will last a lot longer. Also, be sure that your puppy is playing with any toy that you buy for them...and NOT eating it. Some pups like stuffed toys to play with, also. You should be sure that these types of toys have sewn eyes and noses and not ones made of plastic. Your puppy could easily chew those plastics parts and possibly swallow them.

Treats - You might like to try small milk bones or larger milk bones broken in two. Puppies really don't need the extra calories in treats, so a better alternative might be carrots, apple wedges, or even grapes.

The most important item you will need for your new puppy is the easiest to provide. LOVE!! Give your puppy, and all of your animals, lots of love, hugs and kisses every day.

Thanks for writing to me!

Your Pal,
Chief


I loved my little house when I was a puppy!