Getting ready for your new baby. Pre-Puppy Shopping List
Here is your shopping list while you wait for your new family member to come home! Crates We HIGHLY recommend crate training your puppy (see our housebreaking hints page) thus you will need a crate. 24" is sufficient for one puppy, and will suit them throughout their entire life. Travel Crates, blankets, beds, etc. You will want a blanket/bed or two for in the crate and maybe a bed for somewhere where you hang out a lot! I love the anti-anxiety calming dog beds, they are round and fluffy. My pups love to curl up inside of them. You can find them on Amazon. we travel a lot with our pups and this pop-up crate is an awesome and easy way to have your pup confined and near you. It pops up in seconds and folds back down just as easily. WE can’t recommend this highly enough. https://www.amazon.com/Ruff-Ruffus-Portable-Foldable-Collapsible/dp/B072BMNKXW/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3CTVJFQSESVBW&dchild=1&keywords=pop+up+crate+for+dogs&qid=1596828329&sprefix=pop+up+crate%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-6 https://www.amazon.com/Long-Plush-Round-Kennel-Beds/dp/B07HP22PZY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=anti+anxiety+dog+bed&qid=1596828500&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyOFZKODZUMjFNV0lLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODM2NjQ2RkFaMEdQUEtSQUlDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NDg1OTBSUk9QRlRFM0MxTFkmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl Dishes We recommend Stainless Steel, as they are not porous and do not harbor bacteria. Easy cleaning too! Food We feel that diet is VERY important to the health and long life of your dog. Please discuss the choice of food with us and we can give you information on how to make the choice. All-natural, foods are best for your new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy! It is important to make sure you do not feed them grain-free food. Find high-quality dog food, I use Royal Canin Cavalier King Charles Puppy food. I purchase it from Chewy. I make my own dog food from scratch for my older dogs https://www.chewy.com/royal-canin-cavalier-king-charles/dp/165941 Vitamins We buy probiotic bites by Zesty Paws and Bonnie and Clyde Omega 3 Fish Oil. Treats We give baby carrots, green beans, and plain cheerios Only use natural treats! Avoid all pig ears and rawhides. Avoid treats that do not clearly state that they are MADE IN THE USA! The plain cheerios also work great as a housebreaking treat! Put some in your pocket and when your puppy does his/her business outside reward them with a cheerio or tasty reward to mix it up so they don't get bored! Harness and leashes I recommend a harness VS a collar for my puppies, It is easy to get a collar caught in a metal crate and the puppy can accidentally hang or choke themselves. Cavaliers are very tiny as puppies and even as adults a harness is safer and more comfortable to a dog than being lead by the neck. We suggest a step in harness and keep it on them all of the time to make potty training easier. Brushes and Combs Wire Brush or Comb for grooming their ears! You want to keep the smooth and tangle-free by combing a couple of times a week. You will also need a soft brush for the rest of the grooming. I highly recommend a Furminator, they are amazing and remove all the loose undercoat. Shampoo We use Skouts Honor Probiotic Pet Shampoo. They have a lot of other amazing products as well. https://www.skoutshonor.com/collections/pet-grooming-dog-cat NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF! TOYS, TOYS, AND MORE TOYS! I recommend that you buy toys in every texture you can find! This way you are meeting ALL the chewing needs that a puppy has! • Stuffed toys (Squeakers or no squeakers, you can even go stuff-less! The options are endless!) • A Kong toy (put peanut butter in it and freeze, then during times that you have to leave your puppy they will stay busy for a while in their crate) • Our pups love bones I give them small round cervical neck bones from the butcher; they are great for cleaning their teeth and teething. We are also fans of Benebone’s. Cavaliers LOVE to play ball. It is an innate characteristic. They will play ball for hours. *Disclaimer: These are my recommendations. We feel strongly about nutrition and that is why you will see the recommendations that you do in the food and treat sections. Helpful Housebreaking Tips • Consistency is the key to success. • Designate one area outside as a "potty" area. • Feed your puppy at the same times every day. • Take your puppy out at least every 2 hours to the "potty" area, whether he/she has eaten or not. Go out with your puppy!!! • The times that a puppy will most likely want to eliminate are after eating or drinking, after a nap, or after a period of play or vigorous exercise. • Bring the puppy to the designated area—use a leash if the area is not confined. Initially, you want to teach the puppy what the words "go potty" mean. Once the puppy has performed the task at hand, give him/her a treat and lots of hugs and kisses. • Sometimes a puppy just won’t eliminate—even though you think it’s time. If you’ve been out for more than five minutes but your puppy hasn’t completed the task at hand, take him/her back inside—but do not take your eyes off him/her. Watch for signs that he/she needs to go: circling, pacing, intense sniffing, or a sudden stop in the middle of an activity. The second you see any such signs, get him/her back outside. • In housebreaking your puppy, the two most important concepts for you are WATCH and CONFINE. It is not a good idea to give your new puppy full run of the house; instead, start in a small area like a utility room or a small pen. Don't graduate to a larger area until he/she has proven himself/herself by having no accidents in that area over a period of time. Until then, you must be aware of where your puppy is at every moment. • It’s a good idea to have a puppy crate ready when you bring your new puppy home. It's not cruel to use a crate; it is cruel to constantly reprimand, scold, and possibly get physical with the puppy for having an accident inside the house. Make ½ of the crate a bed. Always make sure the crate is in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Also, be sure the room temperature stays fairly constant—not too hot or too cold. • NEVER BE PHYSICAL WITH A PUPPY FOR ELIMINATING INSIDE... Being physical with your puppy will make it not want to perform in front of you, and will actually cause the puppy to leave gifts for you out of your sight. Remember that accidents happen, and it's not the end of the world. A good enzymatic cleaner designed to eliminate all traces, including the lingering odor, of an accident is God's gift to new pet owners!! • Be patient, consistent, and diligent in taking the puppy outside. Regulate what goes into your puppy's tummy, so you can regulate what comes out. WATCH or CONFINE your puppy, gradually extending his/her living area. Clean any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner that will eliminate any traces of the unwanted event. In a matter of weeks, your hard work and diligence will pay off—with a fully housebroken puppy! We recommend My Pet Peed to clean up any accidents your puppy may have, and they will. You have to remember consistency is the key and they are babies. https://www.mypetpeed.com/products/two-pack-32oz-spray-bottles/?gclid=CjwKCAjw97P5BRBQEiwAGflV6SH6vbcXeqpawj2ZM_VV7dftxl6QStLloaaivXiOcikIzn5UvNWQbhoCwq0QAvD_BwE •