New Puppy Supply List

Cedar Ridge Beagles
3005 Lexington Court
Bedford, IA  50833
712-523-3646
tonip@frontiernet.net

Safety

Remember that not only supplies are important. Similar to child-proofing a home, you must puppy-proof your home and yard. Move plants (some are poisonous) out of areas puppies can reach. Also, check for electric cords that are on the floor or within puppy reach. If your yard is fenced and you plan to turn puppy loose to potty, check for holes large enough for a soup can to slide through. If you find them, it's possible a young puppy could shimmy through!

Once that is done, you're ready to think about supplies. Keep in mind the following tidbits as you plan:

1. Our parent beagles are generally 10 to 14" tall, and 14 to 30 lbs (most are 18 to 25 lbs). Look at your puppy's parents' sizes to see where your puppy might end up on that scale.
2. Puppies will reach most of their mature size by the time they are 8 months old. Remember that for those first months you have your puppy, he will rapidly outgrow collars, winter clothing (if you use that...beagles are hardy, and don't "need" it...but it's fun!), etc.
3. Puppies are in need of food specifically designed for a puppy's growing body. Buy only "for puppy" foods. Click here to learn what kinds of foods we recommend.

Made in America

As you look through the ideas below, also keep in mind that you can find products that are Made in the USA.   :-)

1. Pet Supplies: http://americanmadeyes.com/

2. Pet Supplies: http://www.madeinusa.org/nav.cgi?data/pets

3. Pet Products: http://www.americansworking.com/pets.html

4. Pets and Wildlife: http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

5. Pet Supplies: http://www.americanmadeproducts.com/

6. Pet Supplies: http://www.buyamerican.com/petsupplies.html

Collar and Leash

You will need a small collar at first, and then will have to buy another one or two to fit your puppy as he grows. So, don't break the bank buying that first collar, as it will not be in use for a long time.  We generally find that 8" to 12" collars work to start (as your puppy will weigh about 5 lbs when you get him/her from us).  Find recommendations for choosing a dog collar and dog leash for your puppy.

Dishes and Food

Pick bowls that are easy to clean, the right height for your puppy's mature height down the road (beagles will generally be between 10 and 13" tall), and that are not easily broken or turned upside down. Check out this dog dish buying guide. Purchase with his adult size in mind.

Click here to learn what kinds of foods we recommend.

Indestructible Chew Toys

Puppies like to chew on things, so have a few chew-approved items around. Talk to your vet about this when you have your first appointment, too. For example, some vets do NOT recommend rawhide chews, because pieces that are swallowed can cause bowel irritation, obstruction, and bloody stools. Visit this guide to dog chew toys. Some favorites we hear about are Nylabones and Kongs. You don't need a lot of toys. Just a few good ones will be quite sufficient.

Also, some people keep their dog's toys in a basket. We even have friends that have trained their dog to put toys away in the basket on command. A "place" for the toys when not being played with is a good idea. Like with children, you can also rotate toys. When puppy becomes bored with a toy, put it away for a few weeks. When you get it out again, it will be like it's a new toy.

Most people don't buy this, but I'll toss it out just FYI. You can buy Puppy Anti-Chew spray to put on items puppy wants to chew on...but that you don't want him to chew on.

Comfort Products

Just to consider...some people consider these helpful in the first couple weeks puppies come home!

Your new puppy will cry off and on for several days "most likely" after leaving his littermates. A new home, new family, and new schedule creates stress, and puppies are confused until they begin to forget their previous environment. To help reduce your puppy's stress, and also your own distress, you might look into these:

• A dog bed or soft place designated as a bed, preferably in an appropriately-sized crate (see next section)
• Comfort Zone comforting spray
• Heartbeat-sounding pillow/toy: Petstages Heartbeat Pillow or Comfort Pup Dog Nest or SnugglePuppie, etc. (if these links don't work, search for an item name in a search engine such as Google, MSN, Bing, etc.)

Yard Fence or Tie-Out Line

If you plan to turn your puppy loose in the yard to potty, be aware that it should be fenced! Any dog...not just beagles...can SO quickly dart into the street that an un-fenced yard is truly not a safe place for any puppy to be turned loose in.

Yard Fence: Lots of options for yard fences will work. Make sure there are no holes small enough for a soup can or regular can of vegetables to fit through, and your puppy should be contained. If the holes are larger (such as in some privacy fences), just keep the puppy on a leash until he/she has outgrown those gaps.

Invisible Fence: If you don't have a fenced-in yard, consider an underground invisible fence. You'll see references online about beagles not staying inside the constraints of an invisible fence, but we have several puppies in homes that have them...and they have been successful! Read instructions online before buying, and only commit if you promise yourself and your puppy that you'll do the training correctly. Invisible fences are also inexpensive and don't present a problem for mowing/trimming grass. Nice!

Chain Link Kennels: Many people opt to fence in a 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 foot area for their potty turnout time. Most farm-and-home stores and lumber yards sell 10' long, 6' high panels that easily connect together to make an enclosure. You will need a truck or trailer to haul the panels home, but it's sure easy. I can set one of these up myself, without help. That says a lot, because I'm not handy with tools!

Tie-Out Lines: There are many available, in lengths up to 30'. Consider whether you will want to take the stake out of the ground to mow...if you don't want that hassle, get one that is designed to hug the ground below mower blades. Just remember to detach the cable/line before you mow!

Dog Crate

Crate training is the easiest way to foster good house training habits, according to many trainers. A crate can also serve as a safe, comfortable place to keep your puppy while you're away from home or when you travel with him. View this guide to choosing a dog crate. Our beagles will generally mature to 10 to 13" tall and 15 to 30 lbs. Purchase with his adult size in mind.  Also, determine your size based upon whether you will use the crate in the home (to crate train and to confine the puppy while you're at work) or just for travel to and from the vet or on vacations.

Grooming Tools

These are an enjoyable part of puppy care for both puppy and owner (well, maybe not the nail trimming time). Beagles don't require much in the way of grooming because they have short hair and don't shed a lot. But frequent brushing can reduce what hair they DO shed, plus will be a time to spend with the puppy doing a calm activity, as opposed to play time. A soft-bristled brush and a pair of nail trimmers are a good idea. Also, have a small bottle of puppy shampoo on hand.

When your puppy is a few months older, check out a Furminator! This is the most amazing tool to remove hair that is getting ready to fall off onto your carpet, floor, or furniture. Used gently, it will reduce doggie shedding by "supposedly" 90%....and by the looks of it, it's true! You may have to do a search online for Furminator, but we found the best prices at E-bay. There are also off-brand knock-offs that I've heard work just as well as real Furminators.

Name Tag or ID

No puppy or dog should be without an ID tag. Whether you opt for a simple name tag, a tattoo, or an implanted microchip, these help ensure that your puppy can be traced back to you if he's ever lost.