Proper Equipment for a New Puppy

925 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by BlackGSD, Jul 5, 2008

doxsee

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2008

Hi everyone,

I am getting my pup in the fall. As such, I'm going to start ordering things to get ready.

What equipment do you think is necessary to get right away with a new pup? Since she'll be growing so fast, I was just going to pick her up a cheap flat collar. I was also planning on ordering a 6' leather lead and a 50' nylon line.

Is there anything else that I should get right away when she's young?

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BlackGSD

· #2 · Jul 5, 2008

A cheap nylon or cotton leash. I don't use leather on puppies until AFTER they stop chewing on the leash. A leather leash can't handle much chewing before it is useless. Nylon and cotton hold up MUCH better.

I would also think about getting something shorter than 50 feet. (but longer than 6 feet.)

50 feet is a LOT of "line", especially for a puppy, to get tangled up in. If you don't want to spend a bunch of money, you can always just buy some smaller rope and use that. Around here the thinner rope is only .19 cents a foot, and a snap is around $2, so it is a lot cheaper to just make your own. And that way you can make it any length you want.

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Liesje

· #3 · Jul 5, 2008

When you buy the long line, you might want one of those wire lines covered in plastic rather than nylon. I am currently working on recalls with my other dog, and we've found we all get hopelessly tangled in nylon or any sort of fabric and it gets all stuck in the grass. We've been using the "tie-out" line (the wire coated in plastic/rubber) and for whatever reason, it doesn't get all wrapped around his feet like the nylon does and slides though the grass easier. The only problem is it's a tad heavier, so it may not be appropriate for a brand new puppy. We use a 30' tie-out line and if we need more length, we add a 20' nylon line so we are holding the "soft" handle but the dog isn't tangled in nylon.

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doxsee

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 5, 2008

That's a good point about the line maybe being too long and also tangling easily. I can see where the plastic stuff might be easier to work with.

I have a 2 acre yard. The yard immediately behind my house is fenced, though it's small. The big field on the side of the house is unfenced and probably where I will do most of my training. That's why I thought I might need to have a decent length line.

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SunCzarina

· #5 · Jul 5, 2008

I bought our little one a harness, along with his baby collar. We used a harness on Morgan when she was pulling hard but too little for a prong collar. I think it's good for them to be used to it for when they're adults and need to be buckled up in the car or if they go boating or something.

Also got a retractable leash to use for a long lead. Morgan thinks I bought it for her, lol, she's always wanted one!

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BlackGSD

· #6 · Jul 5, 2008

Originally Posted By: SunCzarinaI bought our little one a harness, along with his baby collar. We used a harness on Morgan when she was pulling hard but too little for a prong collar. I think it's good for them to be used to it for when they're adults and need to be buckled up in the car or if they go boating or something.

<span style="color: #FF6600"> Great idea. Siren had been wearing a harness off and on since 8 weeks. She is a MAJOR puller when we are changing sprinklers because she is WAY too eager to play in the water. I also like for them to pull things when they are older. (sled, wagon, ect...) Though she has learned that when she is wearing the harness pulling is not only allowed, it is ENCOURAGED, but once I switch the lead back to the collar, it is time to stop pulling. </span>

Also got a retractable leash to use for a long lead. Morgan thinks I bought it for her, lol, she's always wanted one!

<span style="color: #FF6600"> I use a "Flexi" too. A lot of people seem to think they are "evil" for some reason, but I love them. Especially for a puppy. Siren uses hers when she is swimming.</span>

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