Preparation for bringing the puppy home suggestions.

Midwest Life Stages dog crate model #1642,available at Pet Supplies Plus or you can order from one of the many pet supply catalogs. This crate is good from puppy stage through adult hood. It also folds up for easy carrying.

Blanket or crate cover is helpful in placing over the crate for quiet time or sleeping, dogs are denning creatures.

Crate pad for comfort or just some nice fluffy towels.

Pet dishes for food and water.

Treats for positive reinforcement, we use puppy biscuits.

Natural sterilized bone for safe chewing, no splintering, for hours of safe chewing.

Several toys for boredom & family fun. We suggest a Kong, when we put the puppy in the crate we use the Kong stuffed with a biscuit. Tennis balls make for another entertaining toy.

There are many toys on the market, but I refrain from toys with squeakers as puppies want to get to the cause of noise, tearing up the toy.

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Maintaining your puppy between grooming appointments.

You will need the following items to maintain your puppy between grooming appointments:

Items we use:

Universal Slicker brush, brushing your puppy at least every other day. This the best way to make sure the coat remains mat free. It is much easier to prevent mats than it is to remove them once they've formed.

Comb, to be sure your dog or puppy is snarl free after you have brushed the pup. Especially necessary during the coat change between the age of 8 months to 1 ½ years of age.

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For the do it yourself groomer:

You will need:

Professional clippers, we use the Andis two speed. The cost of the initial investment is higher, but in the long it is well worth it.

Andis blades:
#10 for face, feet, tummy and tail.

# 4 or # 5 or the 5/8HT for longer body length all over if you wish or you can scissor the dog completely.

Snap on combs are great for longer cuts or for a scissored all over look, the 0 guard as well as the B guard are nice lengths.
Just remember the more length that the coat has, the more brushing & combing is required.

#5 or #7 for summer hair cuts

Scissors: I use 9 ½ inch curve for top knots and scissoring the ball on the tail or 9 ½ straights for leg & body work etc.

Dryer: We use a high powered velocity dryer, called the K-9 111 or there is a Metro dryer that would be sufficient for drying.

Ear powder: (for removing ear hair)
We use K-9 Health Ear Solutions a safe & effective aid in maintaining good ear hygiene.
http://www.nextstepnutrition.com/earSol/

Shampoo: We use EZ Groom products but there are many on the market that are very good, I suggest a tearless shampoo for puppies.

Conditioner: EZ Groom has many good conditioners, including a spray on that works nicely & leaves a nice scent on the coat.

Cooling Spray lubricant: Used to keep the blades from getting hot.

Forceps: to remove the ear hair.

Nail trimmers: Various types for trimming toe nails.

Nail grindng: We use a Dremel, but extreme caution is required.