Toys for Your Puppy

You will need an assortment of toys that are appropriate for your puppy’s size, age and personal preferences. Safe, fun and interactive doggy toys are recommended. A good example of interactive toy is the red, hard rubber "beehive" toy that bounces erratically when dropped. Your puppy will soon learn to drop it himself.

Some balls are meant to be thrown and retrieved while others like the big boomer ball can be pushed, hit and nosed by the puppy alone. A ball with a bell inside keeps interest in the game. Rope toys are great for mild, controlled tug-of-war and also for solitary chewing. Rawhides offer hours of busy chewing and are more occupational than play. A plush dinosaur, hedgehogs and numerous other characters produce sounds that range from squeaks to roars.

Watch your puppy when he is playing with chew toys, because not every toy is safe for every dog. Some dogs confuse the concept of "play" with "destroy" and are interested only in destroying whatever toy you buy. Stick with toys that require your participation, or, for solitary play, the larger-sized hard rubber toys and balls and good-sized rawhide bones.

Types of Dog Leashes

Leashes come in a variety of styles, materials, widths, and lengths. The following are the most common materials: Chain; leather; canvas; nylon. Chain leashes are often used with large dogs, but they are heavy and awkward. If you wanted to fold the leash neatly into one hand or the other, as required by some training techniques, you will not be able to do so without considerable discomfort. It is definitely not an ideal leash you can use for training.

For a training leash, materials of choice are canvas or nylon. Both can be readily manipulated and economical. Canvas, especially with larger dogs, is easier on your hands than nylon.

Leather leashes are also quite popular, although they are more expensive than canvas leashes. The best training leash is a 6-foot canvas leash. It is easy on the hands, easily manipulated, and just the right length. It is also the most economical. Canvas leashes are available in most pet stores or online and come in a variety of colors, although red and blue seems to be the most common.

Healthy Dog Treats

Give your dog a bone about twice a week as a special treat. Dogs love large beef bones, raw chicken necks, and the tips off chicken wings. If you are not sure how long they have been in the supermarket case, douse them with boiling water to kill any bacteria before feeding.

The benefit of feeding bones is that they give your dog beautiful, pearly white teeth that do not need to be cleaned. However, feeding too many bones will give him constipation and hard, chalky stools. Also, be careful to give your dog only large bones that cannot splinter.

When you give your dog a bone, leave him alone. Dogs get possessive about their bones. They are one of the few items that may cause dogs to growl at you if you try to take one away from them. It is a very special treat, and he wants to be in a place to relax and enjoy it. Let your dog go to his crate, which is the perfect place for him to enjoy his bone in peace. Give him a few hours to indulge himself. After a few days of chewing a fresh bone, it loses its magic, and most dogs will allow you to pick them up or handle them.

Crating Your New Puppy

Your puppy needs a crate. It is his private, personal, snug den where he can sleep, chew a toy and watch the world around him, completely undisturbed. Crates come in two styles: closed (fiberglass) or open (wire). The closed crate is draft-proof, but some puppies as well as their owners want to be able to see more. The open variety offers this visibility, but most dogs like the crate covered, especially while they are sleeping.

Either type must be placed away from drafts and sources of heat or air conditioning. Regardless of which style you decide on, it is important to get the correct size. Gauge the adult size of your pup and get a crate that will just allow him to stand and lie down. If that size gives him more space than he needs for the next couple of months, use an adjustable barrier that can be moved back as needed.

For large breeds, it may be wiser to have a crate suitable for up to six months of age, and then get the one that will last the dog a lifetime. The best puppy bedding is a folded bath towel, one that is washable or disposable in case of accidents.

Dog Shampoos

With so many different kinds of dog shampoos on the market today, it is not easy to decide which one to use. For most breeds, a basic, all-purpose shampoo is fine. But if you want your shampoo to do more than clean, you might consider a specialty shampoo.

• Shampoos designed to deliver extra conditioning to long or curly coats can make post-bath grooming even easier.

• Accentuate your dog's coat color by choosing a shampoo made for white, black, or red coats.

• For sensitive eyes, consider a tearless shampoo.

• For wire-coated dogs, look for a shampoo designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog's coat.

• Many dogs have sensitive skin or eyes. A hypoallergenic shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing.

• If your dog already has a rash, allergies, itching, or other sensitive skin conditions, look for a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog's problem. Your vet should be able to recommend a good medicated shampoo for your dog.

• For flea season, consider a shampoo containing a gentle anti-flea ingredient such as pyrethrin or limonene, or any of several natural botanicals designed to repel fleas, such as neem oil.