Preparing for puppy
 
 
Over the years we have tried many things...some have failed miserably and some have had phenomenal success!  This will be an ever changing list as we discover new products that we find helpful, fun or just makes life easier.  I will add links to locations where you can purchase these items for good prices or good websites that provide excellent information.  Any item in RED is a direct link to where you can purchase these items for great prices.
Scroll down to find information on:
REcommended items for a new puppy: Favorites
Recommended reading: There are a lot of really good training books on the market, but the following two are two of my favorites because of their ease of use as well as the information provided. the ultimate Puppy Click & Train If you have young children or a child with special needs, reading one or both of the following books is a must: Living with kids and dogs Raising puppies and kids togetherhttp://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Puppy-Toolkit-Step-Step/dp/0973159103/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208747232&sr=1-2http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Puppy-Toolkit-Step-Step/dp/0973159103/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208747232&sr=1-2http://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing-Your/dp/1933562668/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208748919&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Puppies-Kids-Together-Parents/dp/0793805686/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208749416&sr=1-1shapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3
Housebreaking News: http://www.poochie-pets.net Poochie-Bells are the perfect tool for house breaking your new puppy as quickly as possible! The key to house breaking is teaching your new puppy to tell you when he needs to eliminate. Poochie Bells are an excellent tool for training young puppies to do this very thing I had recently tried the counter style belle but had problems with the belle sliding across the floor and turning upside down constantly, it just wasn’t very practical but Poochie Bells always stay in place, and are loud enough to hear when they when your dog rings them even if you aren’t in the same room. They look attractive with color coordinating designs and even have fun holiday designs with alternating ribbons available! I Love, love, love this excellent training tool! The bells also come with training advice to teach you how to easily train your dog. http://www.poochie-pets.netshapeimage_5_link_0
My Favorite Grooming Supplies: Over the years, I have tried every grooming tool known to mankind...at least it feels that way.  I have put together a list of my favorite grooming essentials that every labradoodle owner should have. Any dog that does not shed requires regular grooming.  Owners can certainly do all of it on their own...or they can enlist the help of a groomer.  Groomers can be a costly expense...Mark my word, Groomers earn every penny they make!  I groom all of my own dogs..and I really enjoy doing it for the most part, however, you could not pay me enough money to groom someone else's dog!  LOL! Here are some links to my favorite products: Great brush for long coat: http://grooming.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=47391&  I use both the single brush as well as the double brush shown in the picture. Slicker brush: http://grooming.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=44553&parentCategoryId=190&categoryId=214&subCategoryId=276&N=2403& I often use one of these as well. Favorite nail clippers: http://grooming.petedge.com/Millers-Forge-Nail-Clipper-MF743.pro?parentCategoryId=190&categoryId=214&subCategoryId=501    I have others that are more expensive, but if these are near by, they are always the ones that i reach for first!  Also, the steptic powder at the bottom of this page is my preference over the liquids and such...the container makes it very easy to use when you clip a nail too short. Bitter Apple keeps a puppy from chewing your delicious new rawhide designer shoes: http://trainingandcontrol.petedge.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?parentCategoryId=196&categoryId=237&subCategoryId=463&N=2504&Ns=PRODUCT_SEQUENCE_NO|0  Ear Powder: http://health.petedge.com/Top-Performance-ProEar-Groomers-Powder-TP595.pro  ear powder helps to dry out the ear and contains resin  which makes pulling the excess hair out of ears significantly easier if you plan to do your own grooming.  A groomer will do this for you if you get regular grooming. This is one of my all time favorite grooming tools for  busting up mats.  I have tried the mat busting combs and rakes, but never figured out how to use it properly...I've never seemed to get the results that others talk about with them.  I love, love love this  comb pictured below though.  It is by four paws and is sold at Petco on occasion.  I don't know what they call it however, but it is the best rake I have ever had.  I have tried other brands that were of a similar design and shape but never with the same results.  It does such a great job of pulling out the loose coat that would other wise later form mats!  It also splits mats really well after they have been cut VERTICALLY (never horizontally leaving a gaping hole in the coat) with quality scissors!  Petco sells this tool..but it can be tough to find them.  If you can't find it in a store, try online.   http://grooming.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=47391&http://grooming.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=44553&parentCategoryId=190&categoryId=214&subCategoryId=276&N=2403&http://grooming.petedge.com/Millers-Forge-Nail-Clipper-MF743.pro?parentCategoryId=190&categoryId=214&subCategoryId=501http://trainingandcontrol.petedge.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?parentCategoryId=196&categoryId=237&subCategoryId=463&N=2504&Ns=PRODUCT_SEQUENCE_NO%7C0http://health.petedge.com/Top-Performance-ProEar-Groomers-Powder-TP595.proshapeimage_6_link_0shapeimage_6_link_1shapeimage_6_link_2shapeimage_6_link_3shapeimage_6_link_4
Crate Training: We begin the crate training process for you and by the time your puppy is 8 weeks old and ready to come home, he is accustomed to sleeping through the night and accustomed to holding his bladder and bowels all night as well (from about 11pm - 7 am). While at our home, he will be accustomed to sleeping together with his siblings so if he wakes and cries it will be more out of loneliness than of a need to potty. If he wakes and the crate is beside your bed you can reach over and comfort him with a loving finger to reassure him that all is well. Most puppies will quiet down and return to sleep. Occasionally a puppy will be a little more resistant and reluctant to stop fussing. It is very important in crate training that you never let a noisy dog out of a crate...other wise you will effectively train the puppy that fussing gets him out! Crate time is quiet time and if you puppy does not settle down with in a reasonable period of time and is persistently disrupting your sleep it is fine to move the crate downstairs or to a room where he can be fussy and you will not be tempted to take him out for the sake of peace and quiet! If you become frustrated, it is better to move the crate than to yell at the puppy or become angry! Of course check on your puppy to be certain that he is not ill and that there is not a problem that needs to be addressed. Before you know it, you will have a very well behaved and dog when he is crated. Use a crate to keep your dog out of trouble when you cannot be around...but never use it as a punishment for a naughty deed! http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
What to Feed? There are so many great choices for feeding your dog these days, how does one choose what will work best for you? Dry dog food comes in several different qualities. To keep your dog in tip top shape, pick a higher quality food over that which is offered at the local grocery store or Walmart. While the big box pet stores carry a huge variety of dog foods, they often only carry a somewhat limited supply of really high quality dry dog foods...carrying mostly a lower to medium grade food with a few in the higher spectrum. If you have a smaller mom and pop dog store locally, check them out, this will most likely be you best source for finding the largest variety of higher quality foods that are available today. We feed a predominately raw meaty bones diet to our dogs but I usually also have some high quality dry dog food available to my pregnant and lactating girls who should never go hungary. I change the type and brand of dry dog food that I serve them with each and every bag. They like variety and do well with this regular change. Our puppies are started out on a raw diet including raw ground beef, natural plain yogurt, cottage cheese...and a variety of other foods. I introduce them to many different food items in hopes that they will develop all the enzymes necessary to eat a variety of things later in life...and not have a sensitive stomach when there is a food change! I have no proof that this makes a difference but have to wonder why it is that so many dogs today cant seem to handle any variety in their diets with out stomach upset! Once the puppies are 6 weeks old, I begin feeding them moistened dry dog food with a bit of plain natural yogurt mixed in. Here are two links with lots of information on feeding your dog many different ways: http://www.dogaware.com http://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners.php http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html%23frozenrawhttp://www.rawmeatybones.com/petowners.phpshapeimage_8_link_0shapeimage_8_link_1
Home made ear cleaning solution: Here is a really good recipe for an ear cleaner that can really help if you start to see ear infections (or even if you don't).  You can also purchase  a quality ear cleaner at your vet.  If you get recurrent ear infections that dont seem to go away, try the following solution: 6 oz. bottle isopropyl alcohol (or witch hazel)  I prefer witch hazel, it is less harsh on the dogs ears.   4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 16 drops Gentian Violet 1% Solution You can get all of these ingredients at your local pharmacy...rite aid, cvs...you might have to ask the pharmacist for the boric acid and gentian violet solution Mix all ingredients in the alcohol bottle & shake. (make sure you shake before every application).  I purchased and used a bottle of ear cleaner from the pet store and just saved the bottle for my own solution.  People swear by this recipe that have struggled with ear infections.  I do not have aproblem with infections...and believe that they can be food related...odd as it may sound! Treatment: Fill ear with solution & massage gently for 30 seconds and wipe with a tissue. Fill a second time and just wipe without massaging. The dog will shake the excess out. Be careful, the Gentian Violet could stain. I use a eye dropper to fill the ear. Treatment: 2 times per day for the first 2 weeks 1 time per day for the next 2 weeks 1 time per month thereafter
Recommended Books
What to feed
Poochie Bells
Crate training
Grooming supplies
Ear cleaning solution
“I just LOVE to have my ears cleaned!”
“NOT!”