What's new
Mastiff Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Welcome back!

    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

Collecting the new puppy gear recommendations...let's here everyone's favorites

belawyer

Well-Known Member
Here is a summary of what I have so far if boxergirl or Nik want to add anything else or anyone else decides they want to participate in this discussion. A couple of these items are somewhat generic like the Enzymatic stain remover and the wipes for female pups. Care to give me some specific brands?

Articles:
http://www.lonelycreekkennels.com/bordeaux/YourNewPuppyNeeds.htm

Online retailers
https://www.jbpet.com/

Equipment ideas:
  1. Collars and leashes
    1. Web collar. 14-20" (up to two months) or 20-24" for older
    2. Freedom Harness
    3. Long line
    4. Waist leash
  2. Feeding equipment (bowl's etc.)
    1. Two Stainless steel
    2. slow feeder metal one on Amazon
  3. Beds
    1. Bathroom mats are easily washable for new puppy messes in crates and such

  4. Chew toys (avoid anything that is pressed together or twisted together or anything with knot at end)
    1. Greenie - ck size you will need. (some people do not use greenie anymore after the trouble they have had
    2. Wolf Wish bone by Nylabone
    3. Puppy Fish is also good (and expense) must get Large - Nylabone
    4. Cows ears (NOT pig ears they are too greasy)
    5. Real Hambone or Knuckle Bones
    6. Beef Pizzles or Bullie stick are expense but they love them!!
    7. Hooves are nice when they get a little older if they really like to chew.
  5. Miscellaneous
    1. Mat for place work
    2. Enzymatic stain remover
    3. Treat bag
    4. Wipes for females
  1. Hygiene
    1. Dremel for nails
    2. Miller's forge clippers
    3. brush
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Here is a summary of what I have so far if boxergirl or Nik want to add anything else or anyone else decides they want to participate in this discussion. A couple of these items are somewhat generic like the Enzymatic stain remover and the wipes for female pups. Care to give me some specific brands?

Articles:
http://www.lonelycreekkennels.com/bordeaux/YourNewPuppyNeeds.htm

Online retailers
https://www.jbpet.com/

Equipment ideas:
  1. Collars and leashes
    1. Web collar. 14-20" (up to two months) or 20-24" for older
    2. Freedom Harness
    3. Long line
    4. Waist leash
  2. Feeding equipment (bowl's etc.)
    1. Two Stainless steel
    2. slow feeder metal one on Amazon
  3. Beds
    1. Bathroom mats are easily washable for new puppy messes in crates and such
  4. Chew toys (avoid anything that is pressed together or twisted together or anything with knot at end)
    1. Greenie - ck size you will need. (some people do not use greenie anymore after the trouble they have had
    2. Wolf Wish bone by Nylabone
    3. Puppy Fish is also good (and expense) must get Large - Nylabone
    4. Cows ears (NOT pig ears they are too greasy)
    5. Real Hambone or Knuckle Bones
    6. Beef Pizzles or Bullie stick are expense but they love them!!
    7. Hooves are nice when they get a little older if they really like to chew.
  5. Miscellaneous
    1. Mat for place work
    2. Enzymatic stain remover
    3. Treat bag
    4. Wipes for females
  1. Hygiene
    1. Dremel for nails
    2. Miller's forge clippers
    3. brush

Bitter apple spray - spray it on anything you dont want the puppy to chew up (like your shoes).

Most the stuff on your chew list i avoid since kahlua tends to try to eat stuff. I stick to the real bones only. Bully sticks I avoid. Had a dog nearly choke on one once and scared me half to deatb.

Nerf makes a nice outdoor sqeaky football that my dogs adore.

I also like the horseballs (once your dog is bigger) for outside play. Look it up on amazon. They are giant balls with handles. Diesel loves his.
 

belawyer

Well-Known Member
Bitter apple spray - spray it on anything you dont want the puppy to chew up (like your shoes).

Most the stuff on your chew list i avoid since kahlua tends to try to eat stuff. I stick to the real bones only. Bully sticks I avoid. Had a dog nearly choke on one once and scared me half to deatb.

Nerf makes a nice outdoor sqeaky football that my dogs adore.

I also like the horseballs (once your dog is bigger) for outside play. Look it up on amazon. They are giant balls with handles. Diesel loves his.

So one of the primary things I was really hoping to collect some ideas from on this thread were regular toys and teething/chew toys that are safe to leave home alone with a 2 month to 4 month old pup while she is crated or baby gated in the kitchen area. So far everything seems like a choking hazard. Can dogs really not have some toys to play with during the day? that doesn't make sense! Help me out here.... What am I missing.

I will just drop bully sticks off my list since I had also noted from someone they were expensive anyways.

I started a new category for regular toys as follows:

  1. Regular toys
    1. Nerf Squeaky football
    2. Horseballs (once your dog is bigger) for outside play. Look it up on amazon. They are giant balls with handles.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
So one of the primary things I was really hoping to collect some ideas from on this thread were regular toys and teething/chew toys that are safe to leave home alone with a 2 month to 4 month old pup while she is crated or baby gated in the kitchen area. So far everything seems like a choking hazard. Can dogs really not have some toys to play with during the day? that doesn't make sense! Help me out here.... What am I missing.

I will just drop bully sticks off my list since I had also noted from someone they were expensive anyways.

I started a new category for regular toys as follows:

  1. Regular toys
    1. Nerf Squeaky football
    2. Horseballs (once your dog is bigger) for outside play. Look it up on amazon. They are giant balls with handles.

Depends on your dog. I was able to leave Diesel alone with some toys. They were always destroyed by end of day but not eaten. Kahlua destroys and eats them and we found plastic, rope, squeakers etc in her poop so no toys alone with her ever. Then she taught Diesel to eat the toys so now neither gets left alone with toys. It sucks but better a bored dog then a dead dog or an expensive medical bill.

We leave the radio on for them and the super heavy duty real bones and that works out ok.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
That said there is one soft dragon toy we got them that they never chew up. Dont know if it is because it is a less fun toy or what. Go dog dragon with chew guard bought as a pack of three from costco over two years ago and still not destroyed. As puppies they each slept with but never chewed or played with the dragons.
 

belawyer

Well-Known Member
We leave the radio on for them and the super heavy duty real bones and that works out ok.

So now we may be straying a little off topic but you brought up something else I was wondering about when you said leave the radio on. So I've got my house set up on Amazon Echo's in each room and I'm going to get a Nest indoor webcam zeroed on my puppies crate and in the kitchen area for when I leave her there. So I’ll have constant access to checking her out online. Think it will be good for dog or just give her crazy anxiety if I used Echo to drop in and talk to her during the day on my echo devices?
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
by this you mean literally just a really long leash like for taking out in a field and a waist leash for when I'm too lazy to hold regular leash? Just looking for some elaboration....not being sarcastic...haha..
The waist leash is also a good idea if you plan to run with your dog. Holding a leash can throw a runner off balance which can increase the likelihood of injury.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
So now we may be straying a little off topic but you brought up something else I was wondering about when you said leave the radio on. So I've got my house set up on Amazon Echo's in each room and I'm going to get a Nest indoor webcam zeroed on my puppies crate and in the kitchen area for when I leave her there. So I’ll have constant access to checking her out online. Think it will be good for dog or just give her crazy anxiety if I used Echo to drop in and talk to her during the day on my echo devices?

Not sure about talking to the dog. We have a nest but havent used it to talk to them... my guess is it would stress mine out because they would get excited about me being home except I wouldnt be home.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Oh I should also mention that a few times my husband did not follow my no leaving alone with toys instructions. He thought it was a one off or That specific toy and I was paranoid. And every single time he counteracts me that way we discover items in their poop that don’t belong there and some of those objects have been scarily large. He now believes and listens to me thank goodness. So just be careful. Hopefully you will get lucky and not have an “eater” on your hands but be prepared.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I agree with Nik about the chew list. I stay away from bully sticks because I've had too many dogs gulp them. Also be careful with the bones. Raw is best and non-weight bearing. My dogs also love the Jolly Ball, although Ella does like to chew off the handle so she has to be watched.

Some of the other things on your list I might wait to purchase. A mat can be something you have in the house like an old bath rug or a towel. The harness is not inexpensive and you'll need several before she's her full size. I'd hold off on that for just a bit. Also take a look at Ruffwear harnesses. If you don't want it for the correction factor (front hook) then they're very nice quality for the $. I have the Front Range and Otis is wearing a red Webmaster in the picture. I really like the Webmaster.

Don't forget a toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Some styptic powder in case you clip a nail too short. If you have a dremel in your toolbox, just use that for nails. The ones marketed specifically for dogs don't tend to be powerful enough for mastiff nails once they're past puppyhood. That's the other reason I prefer to dremel. Thick nails dull blades quickly and I get tired of replacing clippers.

As for hands free leashes and treat bags, I have tried a lot. I'll give you links to what I like the best.

This hands free leash because it can be used as just a leash and still has the handle close to the collar, which I use all the time. It's also very inexpensive.
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-R...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VH1J96HDWVZPMQ8878PX

This treat bag for soft treats and meat/cheese.
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Trea...UTF8&qid=1509560769&sr=1-5&keywords=treat+bag

This is a chalk bag, but I prefer it for measuring out a portion of kibble and wearing all day around the house for marking all the behaviors I want to continue. It's light and comfortable. Although it might be too girly of a pattern for you, lol.
https://www.amazon.com/Evolv-EVL013...TF8&qid=1509561512&sr=1-22&keywords=chalk+bag

I know you've chosen your trainer, but I would strongly suggest sitting in on some classes at various levels. Make sure you like what you see before you pay for classes.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I have several cameras in my home for checking on the dogs. The only time I talk to them is if I need to interrupt a dangerous behavior. I think it creates more anxiety than it's worth at any other time. I also leave an audiobook going when I'm gone for extended periods. I don't know that they care at all, but I still do it.

I think the only toys that I trust them to be alone with are the souper size nylabone toys and Kongs that are large and frozen. No stuffies or anything cloth or with squeakers. No rubber toys. No balls. No ropes.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
I agree with Nik about the chew list. I stay away from bully sticks because I've had too many dogs gulp them. Also be careful with the bones. Raw is best and non-weight bearing. My dogs also love the Jolly Ball, although Ella does like to chew off the handle so she has to be watched.

Some of the other things on your list I might wait to purchase. A mat can be something you have in the house like an old bath rug or a towel. The harness is not inexpensive and you'll need several before she's her full size. I'd hold off on that for just a bit. Also take a look at Ruffwear harnesses. If you don't want it for the correction factor (front hook) then they're very nice quality for the $. I have the Front Range and Otis is wearing a red Webmaster in the picture. I really like the Webmaster.

Don't forget a toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Some styptic powder in case you clip a nail too short. If you have a dremel in your toolbox, just use that for nails. The ones marketed specifically for dogs don't tend to be powerful enough for mastiff nails once they're past puppyhood. That's the other reason I prefer to dremel. Thick nails dull blades quickly and I get tired of replacing clippers.

As for hands free leashes and treat bags, I have tried a lot. I'll give you links to what I like the best.

This hands free leash because it can be used as just a leash and still has the handle close to the collar, which I use all the time. It's also very inexpensive.
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-R...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VH1J96HDWVZPMQ8878PX

This treat bag for soft treats and meat/cheese.
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Trea...UTF8&qid=1509560769&sr=1-5&keywords=treat+bag

This is a chalk bag, but I prefer it for measuring out a portion of kibble and wearing all day around the house for marking all the behaviors I want to continue. It's light and comfortable. Although it might be too girly of a pattern for you, lol.
https://www.amazon.com/Evolv-EVL013...TF8&qid=1509561512&sr=1-22&keywords=chalk+bag

I know you've chosen your trainer, but I would strongly suggest sitting in on some classes at various levels. Make sure you like what you see before you pay for classes.

Ha! Mine also chew the handle off if left alone with it. But they also love that handle to carry it proudly around the yard with.
 

belawyer

Well-Known Member
Not sure about talking to the dog. We have a nest but havent used it to talk to them... my guess is it would stress mine out because they would get excited about me being home except I wouldnt be home.

That's what I thought.
 

belawyer

Well-Known Member
If you have a dremel in your toolbox, just use that for nails. The ones marketed specifically for dogs don't tend to be powerful enough for mastiff nails once they're past puppyhood. That's the other reason I prefer to dremel. Thick nails dull blades quickly and I get tired of replacing clippers.

So you are saying just regular toenail clippers dull quickly? I never replace my toenail clippers (in like 15 years..lol). Dogs really go through clippers that crazy? So what dremmel attachments do you use? I'll have to youtube this obviously...
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
So you are saying just regular toenail clippers dull quickly? I never replace my toenail clippers (in like 15 years..lol). Dogs really go through clippers that crazy? So what dremmel attachments do you use? I'll have to youtube this obviously...

Well, I have a lot of dog toenails to clip. Right now I have five dogs here temporarily. None of them small. When the blades get dull, they crush more than they cut cleanly and that causes discomfort for the dog. Ella, my EM, has an issue with her feet. She was a foster fail and came to me with severely burned paw pads so she's very sensitive where her feet are concerned and I can only use a dremel on her. I also have early onset arthritis in my hands, so it's harder for me to cut cleanly - especially with dull blades. Millers Forge are, IMO, the best clippers out there. They last me the longest, but like I said I do a lot of thick dog nails.

I use a Dremel 3000 with a flexible shaft. I didn't get it just for dog nails. I do a lot of extreme pumpkin carving and other things like that so it's a multi-use tool. I do really love the flexible shaft. For the sanding bands I like a medium grit. It might be around a 120? Courser grits make more noise, vibrate more, tend to take too much off the nail too quickly and can cause burning, and the dogs don't like them. Also do not use a stone because they generate too much heat.
 

belawyer

Well-Known Member
Attached is PDF of the list I compiled so far from this thread if any future newbies come across this and just want the list. I'm not planning to just go on some ridiculous shopping spree to buy all this stuff. I was just collecting ideas but let's just say my pup is going to have a pretty darn good first christmas haul of presents.

Also, I still didn't get a heck of a lot of toy ideas she can be trusted home alone with. The general consensus was do not leave your dog home alone with toys which I am kind of bummed about. About the only thing I got out of this whole thread as far as something to try leaving dog home alone with is Super size Nylabone and large frozen Kong. And for sure never leave dog alone with something that is pressed together, twisted together, or knotted. Other than those really ran low on those type of ideas.

See attached for others.
 

Attachments

  • Puppy Supplies List.pdf
    252.8 KB · Views: 6

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
It's not just from personal experience, although that's a lot of it. My youngest daughter is a tech in a 24/7, 365 days a year clinic. She comes home with stories of things that have caused problems. I figure it's always best to err on the side of safety. Also no blankets or rugs in the crate when you leave until you're positive puppy won't soil or eat them. That's a common thing that causes blockages.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nik

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I forgot to say that as the dogs get older you can start leaving them with different toys, depending on the individual. My boxer boys can have different things than my EM can. Ella only gets goofy shaped nylabone toys that she can't stick down her throat. She tips her head back and they slide down her throat. So we get shaped toys.

Another toy to look into is a Goughnut.
 

Jarena

Well-Known Member
I’m not as experienced as everyone else here, but I can tell you what works for my girl. I have a 6 month old female Corso. I started her out with nothing in her crate unless we were home for the first few days. Then I started experimenting.

She is fine with a blanket, she chews on it a little bit never tears it up. She is also fine with any toy that isn’t too small and isn’t a plush type toy. We leave kong toys for her all the time. Any type of “bed” we tried to put in the crate was a toy to her and she just wouldn’t stop biting and clawing at it, so we just stick with a blanket. I think she would be fine with plush toys too but I’m not willing to risk it. We have been SUPER LUCKY so far though! She doesn’t tear up really anything but I check everyday because I know that can change. :)