Adopting a dog. What do I need?

He is 2 years old and about 20lbs. They said he is housebroken.

What do I need?
Dry food- what kind?
Leash
Brush
Bowls
Toys
Bed
Pooper scooper

Crate? How does this work? I haven't had a dog since I was a kid and back then we didn't 't use a crate. Do we put him in it while work? Or just gate him in a room?

Thanks

Re: Adopting a dog. What do I need?

bowls
food (ask what he was being fed)
collar/name tag
leash
toys
shampoo (if you plan on bathing yourself)
bed
HEARTWORM MEDS
treats
i really like paw wipes from petco. they smells nice to give a little wipe down and clean paws in the winter
brush

Re: Adopting a dog. What do I need?

I like crate training. My dogs really liked it, too. It really depends on you and your dog's behavior- how long will you be at work? Will you have a dog walker? You should get a crate that will be large enough to fit your dog when he/she is full grown (they are expensive!). If your pup is much smaller than the crate, you should get a divider as well so that the crate can grow with him. If you get a big crate and have no divider up, the dog is much more likely to have an accident in the corner of the crate. If the space is more appropriately sized, chances are the dog isn't going to go in the crate- to put it bluntly- they don't sh!t where they eat/sleep. Keep in mind a smaller dog or puppy is going to have a much smaller bladder and will need to go out much more often than an older/bigger dog. Personally, I like the wire/metal crates because the dog can see out all sides. Plus, I have a pit mix and she would've torn through the plastic crates like they were paper. I started out by feeding our dog in the crate. About 10-15 minutes after she finished, I'd take her for a walk. If she didn't pee/poop on the walk, she'd go back in the crate for another 15 minutes and then I'd take her out and try again. You may not have to do this so much if your pup is already housebroken. In that case, I'd just get the dog acquainted to the crate while you're home. I'd put them in there and start out by being in the same room as them, but not paying any attention. If they're okay and don't bark or whine, I'd leave the room and see how they react. I was very lucky that our dogs had NO separation anxiety, in fact, our pit loves her crate and hops in no problem each morning with her toy. I think this is because it's got such a positive connotation to her- it's her space. Her toys are in there, she eats in there, she sleeps in there during the day, whenever she gets a treat she runs over and brings it to her crate. It's gotten to the point where if she does something bad, I don't even have to KNOW she did anything wrong, but she'll run right to the crate. It's pretty funny. But then again, crates aren't for all dogs. Our older dog was crate trained, but he kept busting out when we weren't home. We tested him a few times by leaving him out for 20 minutes, an hour, 2 hours until we could trust him to behave. So he has mostly a free run of the house (bedrooms and bathroom are off limits). Sorry about the novel I wrote, but I think crate training is worth a shot!

ETA: This was our first time crate training- we had dogs when I was a kid and we always gated them in a room. It was fine that way, too, and I have to say I was a little against crate training (it seemed mean to me!) but after seeing how much she likes it, I've changed my tune completely. My mom's dog criiiiiiiiied when they got rid of his crate to save space. Haha!

Message edited 11/12/2012 3:50:20 PM.

Adopting a dog. What do I need?

Bed is a must if you don't want the dog on your bed or furniture. Good luck with the crate some dogs love it mine hates it. We let him have free Rome of the house except for two bedrooms and the den. We tried crating but he was miserable I don't know if it was bc he was 2 when we adopted him and the crate reminded him of the pound. Also get chew toys. Mine was still a chewer at 2 and it took us awhile to find out that he hates toys but loves certain bones. Good luck.

Re: Adopting a dog. What do I need?

What she said ^^

And, an appointment with your own vet to get a "first look" a him, test for parasites, overall body checkup and ears. Depending on where he's coming from, he may need some grooming as well.

Flea preventative

Is he crated now? You may have an easier time than you think. Get a crate that is only large enough for him to stand up in and turn around. You don't want him to have enough room to poop in it. Whether they say he's housebroken or not, getting used to a new environment will be stressful, and you may still have accidents.

Keep the crate open and available to him at all times, and never use it as a punishment. He needs to see his crate as a good place. Consider feeding him in it to give him a positive association.

It will sound cruel, but don't put any choking hazards, blankets, or bed in the crate at first. It is much easier to only give trust and freedom when he earns it, than it is to give everything and then take it away when he's not trustworthy.

Teach him the word "crate" and give him praise or treat or a ball (whatever proves to be the greatest joy to him) when he goes inside. You may want to put him in the crate for short periods even when you're there, to train him that it's a good thing.

All that said, I adopted a 3 year old dog, was going through crate training her, and she broke out of it. It scared me, that she could have hurt herself, and she had separation anxiety. So I slowly got her used to being out of the crate. I still have to lock up my garbage can but she's better out of the crate than she is in. Crate training is very convenient, but ever situation is different.

Also, buy deer or elk antlers as chew toys. It helps to alleviate boredom and anxiousness. Along with a daily walk to bond and exercise, you should be fine.

Congratulations on your new pup and thank you for adopting and giving a dog a second chance at a forever home.

Re: Adopting a dog. What do I need?

If he's coming from a home, see what they had him on but do your homework on what makes a good food. Just because the dog seems to like it, doesn't make it good for them. (junk food is yummy too)

Two places to research:

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/


Go to the highest star rating, start reading about what makes them good, and then find one that is in your price range.

If your new dog has allergies, you will want a grain free food that also does not have a white meat base (chicken or duck) because they are common allergens. If he has dry skin, consider a fish-based food like Salmon or Herring.