And At Last It's Time For Puppy Preparation.

[Ruin Maniac]

Alright, so now that I'm meeting my little man tomorrow (he won't be home with me for a while yet, of course) it's time I started making sure everything is in order for his arrival in a few weeks. I want to make sure I have everything I need, and also that I'm making the best decision.

To clarify, the "boy" I speak of is a male samoyed. He's not yet 8 weeks old, so I have time to prepare.

Already I have:

1. A 42" crate. I guess I could have gone smaller but I noticed that my breeder and most exhibitors I met at Sunbury used this size, so the dogs could move around a fair bit (and avoid catching their fur on the bars). For the crate, I have a 42" plush mat from Clean Run on the way.

2. Numerous toys including petstages teething toys, plush toys, skineez toys, rope toys, balls, kongs (squeakers and wobbler also) and other sorts so he can see what he fancies. We have a rescue puppy, Luca (who belongs to my housemate), arriving this Thursday who I'm sure will be happy to take whatever my boy doesn't fancy.

3. Non-bleach, non-allergenic whitening shampoo, moisturizing conditioner and grooming powder.

4. Bowls.

5. A basket with cushion for the lounge area (crate is in my room - good idea or no?)

6. A vet to meet (recommended by my breeder) 20 minutes away, though I will also talk to the one just down the road in case there's an emergency at any stage.

7. Breeder is providing food (and even a giant thing of water, since they're a few hours away) so new food/water can be introduced gradually and safely.

I need grooming equipment, which I might ask about in one of the sammy threads here. I would however like one of those detachable shower heads which I can put shampoo in. Any recommendations as to those? Is it worth getting a grooming table?

My house mate and I are combing the floors (and everything near them) tonight and tomorrow for her pup and mine to ensure they can't get to anything harmful.

Am I missing something I need to get ready before the pup arrives home? What kind of training methods should I investigate? Are puppy obedience schools worth it or should I look to a home-based trainer or my breeders/local club for advice and socialise the puppy with dogs I know are well socialised?

Also, anyone know of a good enclosed dog park in Victoria for when he's a bit older? Or are they all basically hit and miss?

[Pretty Miss Emma]

For those last couple of questions you need to give us a bit of a better idea of where in Melbourne you are!

But your list looks like you will have a little spoiled puppy!!!

Do you need to block off any areas of the house - will a baby gate or playpen be needed? Do you need to organise an indoor toileting space for when you have to leave pup?

My dogs crates are in the living area and that is also where they eat their dinner. In my room they each have a bed (they also have beds in the living area - yes my house is just full of dog beds and toys!!!!). When Hamish was little I actually had a crate in my room and the living room - that way over night he couldn't have accidents but I was also able to get him used to being in the crate while he was awake by it being in the living room eg walk past give him treats in it, etc.

If you are close to Strathmore the pet warehouse on Pascoe Vale Rd has a grooming table on sale for $70 (old shop use), well it did this afternoon! If you want a grooming table. I must say since using the top of my crate it has been much easier to groom the dogs.

Have you and your housemate come up with a plan on how to manage 2 pups in the one house? I'm just thinking along the lines of making sure they bond with their humans rather than each other too strongly, and making sure they have apart time from each other so that they don't become reliant on each other, and things along those lines (which may or may not be issues).

Something else I found invaluable with a puppy/dog in the house was Biozet!! Dilute it down and if they have an accident thoroughly wash the area with it as it removes the smell (even to their noses!). It is useful for accidents and also if they vomit - and the carpet comes up really clean!! It also works on hard surfaces that may be porous.

I've found with both my 2 that they really want hard things to chew on like wood and such (there is a lot less in my garden now that a certain someone has brought it all inside to chew on!), so it might be useful to have some really hard chewy things and also bones that are appropriate to his size for chewing.

Oh and things to keep him busy when you go out (I always used food treat dispensers - the really expensive sort like toilet rolls with the ends stuffed with newspaper and soft drink bottles!!!).

They're just the other things off the top of my head. Have fun getting ready for the baby!!!!!

[Dogsfevr]

highfour pet supplies in Melton are having massive sales on everything.

http://www.highfour.com.au/

A grooming table is worth every cent when it comes tou your back .

For tools ask your breeder & then buy what they suggest ,you could spend a fortune on useless stuff

as for rules depends if the housemate & you are planning to do the same & follow the same rules??

Common sense is your best friend & what is cute now isn't cute in 12 months with many behaviours so decide what the rules are now & get pup into that routine .

[toshman]

And you'll need blankets for snuggling! And for putting in crates and pens and on seats...see Andisa here on DOL, she makes lovely ones! And I scour Vinnies etc. for fleecy baby ones - just make sure they're well washed and aired...

And you'll find I'm sure that the most popular toys are always the cheapest and most loved...empty soft drink bottles make a very satisfactory crunchy noise, empty toilet roll cardboard middles can be tossed around and shredded, and just make sure all your shoes are out of sight!!

Have fun, and remember they're only 8 weeks old for a week!

[persephone]

two pups /different owners .....

this may be an interesting time for you household!!! Make sure you are both co ordinated with housetraining, rules on nipping/barking/feeding .

A few points ....in case you hadn't thought this far ahead :)

baskets are great as chew toys

nice expensive bedding is a lovely texture to chew

playtime on slippery floors with two sets of legs may lead to injuries ....

two pups doing zoomies inside .....well..............

tug -o-war with clothing /cushions/leashes /electrical cords is MUCH more interesting with two :p

puppies Loove cardboard boxes, toilet rolls and small empty soft drink bottles (with loose bits removed)

outside is a great place to be .

sprinklers/plants/trellising/mats are also terrific toys!

two pups playing make GREAT photos!!

Puppy pre school and further training classes are a great idea for both owners and pups.

[huski]

I'd definitely look at a management plan for how you will manage having two pups in the house at the same time.

I'd look at setting up two puppy pens if possible so you can give them time on their own, the last thing you want is them becoming too dependent on one another and developing a high value for each other than you.

A good puppy pre school is definitely worth attending, but I'd be very selective about finding a reputable puppy school. A badly run puppy school will do far more harm than good.

Edited November 20, 2012 by huski

[Ruin Maniac]

We've both planned for our dogs to be slowly introduced. Our rooms are fairly spacious (moreso than the lounge/dining areas on both floors) and they will be independent territory for the dogs, with the living areas and yard neutral (sounds like I'm preparing for war :p). We've discussed our training methods and boundaries to keep them consistent and lessons will be carried out independently and in different classes (since her lad will graduate sooner than mine, being older).

The only major difference with her ethics is she is uncomfortable with crates, but we have been investigating a soft one (it's the cage-like appearance that distresses her).

Thanks for the links and tips, everyone, and please keep them coming! :)

[Ruin Maniac]

We've both planned for our dogs to be slowly introduced. Our rooms are fairly spacious (moreso than the lounge/dining areas on both floors) and they will be independent territory for the dogs, with the living areas and yard neutral (sounds like I'm preparing for war :p). We've discussed our training methods and boundaries to keep them consistent and lessons will be carried out independently and in different classes (since her lad will graduate sooner than mine, being older).

The only major difference with her ethics is she is uncomfortable with crates, but we have been investigating a soft one (it's the cage-like appearance that distresses her).

Thanks for the links and tips, everyone, and please keep them coming! :)

[Bjelkier]

Those shampoo shower head things aren't great. To wash a Samoyed well you need a good deal of water pressure to penetrate the coat. You'd be better off getting one of those removable hose/shower heads for the tap of your bath.

Blankets are all very well and good for some breeds but it's summer and you're getting a Samoyed. The pup will most likely want to sleep on the tiles of your kitchen or bathroom. Even in winter most of my dogs have no interest in dog beds and will sleep on the floor. Don't get anything too woolly or plush, a nice cotton mat will be fine.

Grooming tools you will need are a wide tooth collie comb (most of your grooming will be done with this) a good slicker and a pin brush. You will also need a dryer and to save your back a grooming table is often a good idea (take it from someone who was too lazy to get the table out yesterday and combed out my boy.....my back is killing me!)

Samoyeds can be very mouthy dogs, be careful about the toys they have. Nothing that can be chewed off like eyes, ears, tails, feet of toys is a good idea. Tuffie toys My link are brilliant for Sammys if they like plush toys mine are still trying to destroy one toy I've had for years. Also nyla bones and kongs will save your house from being eaten! Oh and tug ropes, all my Sammys love playing tugg with us.

Also look a getting a little fan that you can angle to hit the floor while the puppy is in it's pen. I have found it helps them sleep when it's too hot and they can't get to a cooler stop in the house.

And a clam shell pool. Fill one side with sand and the other with water and your Sammy will be happy for hours! I've never known a Sam that doesn't enjoy digging so giving him somewhere to dig is a great idea (saves your garden!)

And lastly photos will be required in the Sammy/JS thread when you get your new baby :D

Edited November 22, 2012 by Bjelkier

[minimax]

We've both planned for our dogs to be slowly introduced. Our rooms are fairly spacious (moreso than the lounge/dining areas on both floors) and they will be independent territory for the dogs, with the living areas and yard neutral (sounds like I'm preparing for war :p). We've discussed our training methods and boundaries to keep them consistent and lessons will be carried out independently and in different classes (since her lad will graduate sooner than mine, being older).

The only major difference with her ethics is she is uncomfortable with crates, but we have been investigating a soft one (it's the cage-like appearance that distresses her).

Thanks for the links and tips, everyone, and please keep them coming! :)

Maybe try looking for a crate cover for the cage crate more than a soft crate, most puppies will chew their way out of a soft crate within hours.

My OH doesn't like cage-crates either, even refuses to call them crates and calls them cages I cover them in cute kiddy sheets, because actual crate covers are expensive, which makes them look nicer. Plus a sheet isn't too heavy so they don't get too hot, and you can still lift up a side or two to get air in.

Then maybe when her pup starts to like the crate she might come around and not hate it so much?

[milacon]

The pup will most likely want to sleep on the tiles of your kitchen or bathroom. Even in winter most of my dogs have no interest in dog beds and will sleep on the floor. Don't get anything too woolly or plush, a nice cotton mat will be fine.

I thought my Samoyed pup was abnormal for never wanting to sleep on the soft plushy pet beds! From day one, he preferred to sleep on either the tiles or the floorboards.

[persephone]

but we have been investigating a soft one (it's the cage-like appearance that distresses her).

They can be a lot hotter than wire ones

They are also fairly easy for pups /dogs to damage with teeth/claws unless they are properly crate trained .

A crate isn't 'essential' , as wonderful as crate training can be :)

[Aannie]

Towels, towels and more towels. I have two small dogs and can't believe how many towels are required on a daily basis :) I get mine in four packs from the cheap discount stores like Big W, Kmart and Best n Less. We have more dog towels than human towels :laugh:

[minimax]

Towels, towels and more towels. I have two small dogs and can't believe how many towels are required on a daily basis :) I get mine in four packs from the cheap discount stores like Big W, Kmart and Best n Less. We have more dog towels than human towels :laugh:

I went to the op-shop when I got my puppy and stocked up on old towels for exactly the same reason!

[zeebie]

collar, lead, and car harness for when older unless you plan on using crate in car for travel.

good vacum cleaner as Sams shed prolificly, good car seat cover for same reason

http://www.samoyed.cc/samoyed.html this site is a good one for lots of info

Crate fan

Don't get too carried away with stuff as usually once puppy comes home you will discover half of what you got they are not even interested in mine sleep on old scruffy towel on wood floor and choose to ignore the luxurious pet beds. play with anything and everything that is not a bought toy. Prefer to drink out of a $2 round crazy clark bowl then an elaborate water dispenser, won't eat off their expensive dog bowls, prefer these plastic throw away square party plates because it is way more fun after dinner to chase the plate around the floor.

Camera fully charged and take lots pics

[Zug Zug]

A second-hand baby gate will be a very helpful tool and something you'll need from day 1.

Spend the next few weeks reading all about how to train your puppy, focusing in particular on toilet training and some simple skills like 'sit' and 'come'

Get yourself a bum bag to put treats in to use as rewards. These are available from pet shops or you can use any old bum bag really (admittedly these are not a fashion item but priceless when you are rewarding your puppy EVERY SINGLE TIME they come to you, especially when you've called them)

In terms of where the crate is, I would personally start with the crate in the same location you'll have it in long-term. But in the early days, when the puppy is in the crate overnight, set yourself up a bed in the same room so you can be there both as company and to hear if your puppy wakes up and needs to go outside during the night.

That way, when the time comes for you to sleep in separate rooms, the puppy doesn't need to change much and they are already used to the room they will be expected to sleep in.

Edited December 3, 2012 by Zug Zug

[BigDaz]

Try to talk your house mate into crate training, this is something I did not particularly like and didnt do, and now regret.

When it comes to a need to keep the dog quiet after an injury or operation, being crate trained will be a god send.

As for bedding, I went through 7 or 8 snooza's before I decided to just purchase blankets form Big-W and fold them up as the bedding

[MarieEvans]

Well, I think everyone's added in everything I would recommend to someone getting a new puppy, so I guess I'll just give you a congratulations on the new puppy. And maybe a good luck on handling two puppies in one household.

[Ruin Maniac]

Thank you so much, and thank you all for your suggestions, recommendations and advice.

I now have a puppy-proofed and equipped home. With only a few short weeks now, the next step is surviving the wait! :laugh:

[luvsdogs]

You are well prepared. When we got our Japanese Spitz we only had 1 days notice, not expecting to get a puppy so soon. Did have 2 other dogs at the time but house not at all puppy proofed. He slept in his crate in the same room with my Bc for the 1st 6 months & after being desexed at 8 mths I set up puppy pen with open crate in the loungeroom. He was happy with that arrangement, loves his crate & as of post Christmas we have dispensed with pen & he still spends all night in his crate.

Congratulations on your future family member & we are all waiting for lots of pics.

ETA He was a reasonalbly good puppy not choosing to chew up things left around the house like shoes & cords. He preferred tissues & a corner of one bed & the bottom of another. A vet bed put an end to that. Old towels & sheets folded are a good bedding option until they stop chewing things up.

Edited January 5, 2013 by luvsdogs