New Puppy Checklist
(These are just recommendations and what has worked for us in our experiences. Every dog is different.)
*Get a vet appointment for the week your puppy comes home!*
*Get a vet appointment for the week your puppy comes home!*
- Crate - We use Large or XL for the Boxers and English Bulldogs and size medium for the Frenchies.
- Bowls - We recommend stainless steel bowls. You can get inserts on amazon to make your stainless steel bowl "slow feeder", for those puppies that eat very quickly! These breeds are very food motivated so we recommend a shallow slow feed bowl to start. We also like using lick bowls with yogurt, pumpkin, etc. spread in it and froze in the freezer to keep puppies occupied.
- Kibble - We use Victor dog food (high-pro plus or beef & rice, many of Victor's kibbles are all stages of life). Our puppies get sent home on Victor. These breeds tend to have sensitivities to chicken so make sure the protein in your kibble is not chicken. We DO NOT recommend feeding grain free kibble, as this can lead to health problems for your dog including dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Food toppings - Plain greek yogurt, plain cottage cheese, pure canned pumpkin, goat milk, cooked sweet potato, apple slices, blueberries, no salt added green beans, and fresh cooked meats (salmon, venison, beef) are some food items we add to our dogs kibble to benefit them health wise. (Only do a couple things on each meal to start and feel free to research other great additives! Slowly introduce a puppy into toppings around 6 months or later.)
- NuVet vitamins - We love NuVet vitamins and NuJoint supplements. The dogs eat them like treats. Puppies can start on NuVet when they come home, but we recomend starting them on NuJoint after 1 year. They have worked wonders with our dogs and the puppies. These can be ordered online at nuvetlabs.com using order code 454295.
- Potty pads - We use the retriever brand from Tractor supply with our puppies. They go home knowing to go on potty pads most of the time.
- Leash and harness - A 6ft leash and harness will suit any dog. XS fits a Frenchie puppy, S or M fits an English Bulldog puppy or Boxer puppy.
- Treats - We use Stewart freeze dried beef liver treats. Very healthy for the dogs and something you can feel good feeding. These can be broken into smaller pieces for training treats.
- Poop bags/ Pooper scooper
- Toys - Crinkle, squeaky, balls, the puppies love them all! When they get to the chewing phase we use elk antlers to help ease the teething. A laser pointer is always a big hit, chasing it around is the best thing in the world! Be cautious when buying that the toy is not too small and can be swallowed or easily destroyed.
- Shampoo - Baby shampoo is great for all dogs, ones with sensitive skin too!
- Tear stain remover - We use the TropiClean Spa Tear Stain Cleanser for dogs.
- Wrinkle cleaner - Squishy face wrinkle paste is what we use after wiping out face wrinkles with a baby wipe.
- Baby wipes - Great for cleaning wrinkles.
- Dog Bed - Our dogs love the majestic pet bagel beds, or any bed similar.
- Brush - The FURminator short hair dog deshedding tool works wonders!
- Playpen - You will want to start your puppy out in a playpen when they get home. We use a 6 or 8 panel plastic pet play yard.
- Ear cleaner
- Ear infection treatment - These breeds are prone to ear infections due to their head shapes. When they shake their heads repetitively or itch ears you can guess its an ear infection. Zymoc Otic with hydrocortisone will clear it up in a week.
- Nose butter - Coconut oil works great to keep noses moisturized and it is safe for them to lick.
- Flea and Tick treatment - We DO NOT recommend seresto collars, we have had bad experiences with these causing allergic reactions. We use Sentry FiproGuard Plus Squeeze- on dog flea and tick treatment. Another way we treat our dogs is a natural way to prevent fleas and ticks, spray your dog with 1 cup of water mixed with 2 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops of citronella essential oil every other day (use this method on the puppies and some of our dogs, including the moms).
- Dewormer - We use Pyrantel Pamoate Suspension from revival animal. Use this monthly or bi-monthly (more often if you live in a rural, wildlife populated area). Dogs will eat whatever they find on the ground and this helps prevent them getting worms. Your puppy is dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Start them on it at home once they reach the minimum weight on the directions. A natural dewormer is ground pumpkin seeds. You can get pure pumpkin seeds on amazon then grind them in a coffee grinder. 2 teaspoons per week.
