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advice on puppy related stuff


HarveyHeaven

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So, we've now chosen our little apricot poodle puppy and will be picking her up on February 26th. So what do you all think are absolute essentials for us to have to make our puppy comfortable. We have called her 'Star' she is beautiful and we are beside ourselves with excitement. I have a shopping basket full of stuff on the internet but I'm wondering what you all think are 'must haves' for a 8 week old puppy :-D
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A cage. Get her used to living in her own space esp for when you're travelling and also good for them during the day and night to have somewhere that's her own.

 

Probably the best thing I learned for our Cavliers was to have somehwhere that's safe and secure for them. Oh and put a blanket or something on top. Dogs prefer to have the inbred security of being under something. Look at dogs when they want to sleep and most times they'll choose somewhere with a roof over. I guess harks back to dim and distant past when they had to be aware of not being attacked from above.

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ColinM50 - 2019-01-25 10:26 AM

 

A cage. Get her used to living in her own space esp for when you're travelling and also good for them during the day and night to have somewhere that's her own.

 

Probably the best thing I learned for our Cavliers was to have somehwhere that's safe and secure for them. Oh and put a blanket or something on top. Dogs prefer to have the inbred security of being under something. Look at dogs when they want to sleep and most times they'll choose somewhere with a roof over. I guess harks back to dim and distant past when they had to be aware of not being attacked from above.

 

Thanks Colin, yes I want to cage train her from the word go..... so I've already chosen a non metal cage to start with so she will have her own covered space. ( I would choose red wine any day (lol) )

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Glad you have found your pup. Don’t forget toys. Kongs are very good and you can get them online and in most pet shops. For the chewing stage, cardboard boxes are good if a bit messy but save the furniture. Make sure they don’t have any staples. Towels, for after wet and muddy walks. Ours have towelling robes which cut down on the amount towel drying. Search for Dogrobes online. I know poodles don’t shed like other dogs but get a brush to remove dust, etc. Getting her used to being brushed will make it easier for you to check her over for lumps, etc. Toothbrush and doggy toothpaste.

 

 

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HarveyHeaven - 2019-01-25 9:31 AMSo, we've now chosen our little apricot poodle puppy and will be picking her up on February 26th. So what do you all think are absolute essentials for us to have to make our puppy comfortable. We have called her 'Star' she is beautiful and we are beside ourselves with excitement. I have a shopping basket full of stuff on the internet but I'm wondering what you all think are 'must haves' for a 8 week old puppy :-D

I would suggest an "Igloo" bed, best of both worlds, as the puppy can get used to a bed with a roof over its head. This also helps with a "safe" place to be. 
The larger the better, as with the larger ones, they can be folded down to make just a bed when the puppy has grown up.
The usual toys, and get the puppy used to a collar and lead as soon as possible. Also when allowed out, get the puppy socialised as soon as possible, both with other dogs and people. Also get them used to road noise
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Another thought - food. The breeder should advise you what to feed your puppy to start with. We have found that the brand we use is not available in Europe, so it might be a good idea to check out what is available in the area you will be going to and if that is available in the UK, slowly change the puppies food before you go. Dry food is probably a better idea for a MH as tins are heavy and take up a lot of space. You can supplement it with fresh meat.
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pottypam - 2019-01-25 1:03 PM

 

Another thought - food. The breeder should advise you what to feed your puppy to start with. We have found that the brand we use is not available in Europe, so it might be a good idea to check out what is available in the area you will be going to and if that is available in the UK, slowly change the puppies food before you go. Dry food is probably a better idea for a MH as tins are heavy and take up a lot of space. You can supplement it with fresh meat.

 

Hi PottyPam, yes the breeder feeds fresh raw food but I think that will be difficult for us in the motorhome travelling a lot. I will have to change Star's dies and this will take a little time and I feel very concerned about this so I have to do lots of research to find something that will be good for Star and easy to transport in the motorhome. I know some dried foods are not so good so I've already started on my research to make an informed choice for our little Star. Supplementing with fresh will be fine. I'm a pescatarian (I don't eat meat only fish and vegetables) but my husband is carnaevore so both fresh fish and fresh meat will be easy to supplement so she should be OK...it's just finding the best driend food for her that's worrying me at the moment.

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HarveyHeaven - 2019-01-25 2:00 PM
pottypam - 2019-01-25 1:03 PMAnother thought - food. The breeder should advise you what to feed your puppy to start with. We have found that the brand we use is not available in Europe, so it might be a good idea to check out what is available in the area you will be going to and if that is available in the UK, slowly change the puppies food before you go. Dry food is probably a better idea for a MH as tins are heavy and take up a lot of space. You can supplement it with fresh meat.
Hi PottyPam, yes the breeder feeds fresh raw food but I think that will be difficult for us in the motorhome travelling a lot. I will have to change Star's dies and this will take a little time and I feel very concerned about this so I have to do lots of research to find something that will be good for Star and easy to transport in the motorhome. I know some dried foods are not so good so I've already started on my research to make an informed choice for our little Star. Supplementing with fresh will be fine. I'm a pescatarian (I don't eat meat only fish and vegetables) but my husband is carnaevore so both fresh fish and fresh meat will be easy to supplement so she should be OK...it's just finding the best driend food for her that's worrying me at the moment.
It sounds like the breeder is a " BARF " fan, bones and raw food diet. We've have been feeding our dogs on this type of food for a number of years now
No cooked food, mainly raw chicken, supplimented with raw carrots and potatoes.
You can get BARF puppy food if that's the route you want to go down.
I suppose each to their own, but we've never had a problem with our dogs on this diet.
I wish you many happy years ahead with your new dog Star.
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Avoid dry foods that have artificial colours. Best perhaps to find what is available where you intend to go and ask which your vet recommends. If Star is used to having a mixer with her meat, start by mixing a little of the dry food instead, gradually increasing the amount until it replaces the raw meat completely. Obviously, be very careful to remove all bones from fish. Most dogs like salmon skins and tinned sardines in oil are good for a shiny coat and the bones aren’t a problem.

 

Are you up to speed with foods dogs shouldn’t have? You can find details on line or at the vets.

 

Please could you post a photo of Star when you get her?

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It seems that you split your time between the UK and Europe. If you go for dry food, see if there is a similar type you can get in both places, so a change will not affect the dog too much.

 

Alternatively, tinned dog food (and biscuit) is useful as you can carry quite a bit of it in a motorhome and it is readily available.

 

Pigs ears are good to keep a dog occupied and help remove Tartar from the teeth. Raw Chicken wings are also good for this (BUT NEVER COOK THEM).

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Thanks PottyPam and 747 this is excellent information. I am a bit worried about having to change her food but I know that the raw food diet would not be easy when travelling a lot. I will keep her on the breeder recommended food until she is settled into her new home and is happy and content. I am at the moment looking at the foods available here in Spain and at home to see if there is something really good available in both places. I still haven't decided on dried or tinned it may be a mix providing I can get the same tinned food here in Spain as at home......we'll see. Tinned sardines in oil is a great idea quick and easy and good for her. I eat lots of salmon especially in the UK as it;s relatively cheap I eat tuna here which is cheap so she can share some of those. I hate fish bones so mostly buy bigger fish where the bones are easy to remove or filleted smaller fish. Fish bones was one of the main reasons I did not like Portugal....they serve lovely fish but full of bones :-( :'( As soon as she is home I will post a picture of her indeed I shall probably change my avatar :-)
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Harvey has been fed on Acana small breed. When we first got him, he had been fed on scraps and basically rubbish, but Acana is completely natural, and suits his delicate digestion well. Not cheap, but we can get it in Spain (cheapest) and the UK, and a little goes a long way. 120 grams a day.

 

https://acana.com/our-foods/dog-foods/heritage/puppy-junior/

 

Also you will need protection against Leishmaniosis, either with a collar, or a yearly injection. This is still rife in Spain and heading north. Again, the injections are cheaper in Spain as the UK dont seem to be really geared up for it yet.

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flyboyprowler - 2019-01-26 9:36 AM

 

Harvey has been fed on Acana small breed. When we first got him, he had been fed on scraps and basically rubbish, but Acana is completely natural, and suits his delicate digestion well. Not cheap, but we can get it in Spain (cheapest) and the UK, and a little goes a long way. 120 grams a day.

 

https://acana.com/our-foods/dog-foods/heritage/puppy-junior/

 

Also you will need protection against Leishmaniosis, either with a collar, or a yearly injection. This is still rife in Spain and heading north. Again, the injections are cheaper in Spain as the UK dont seem to be really geared up for it yet.

 

Thank you so much, Ainsley, I'll have a look I would like a natural product and that sounds ideal especially as it is available in both Spain and the UK. Thanks for that information about Leishmaniosis I'll need to chat with my vet about that. That's the other piece of research I'm doing now....trying to identify a vet that will meet our needs...we have to have her health checked within 3 days of bringing her home to qualify for a full refund from the breeder should anything terrible be found.....but both her parents have health certificates which I have seen so I'm not too worried but still needs to be done.

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