Items to have with a new puppy

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions on supplies we should have when he get our new Brittany puppy in the spring. I'm a newbie so go easy on me, lots of questions

1. Should we buy a wire-adjustable crate to grow with the puppy or buy a
few different sized plastic-styled crates?

Reason I ask is some people feel the wire ones can be hazardous to puppies as they would get their paw stuck and hurt themselves.

I would think the most economical route would be the wire-adjustable styled crate...

2. Grooming - Would a regular slicker brush do the same job as a rubber nubby one? Or would a mitt be sufficientl. I saw some at the pet store by Dogit and I wasn't sure which would be more effective.

3. Nail trimming - what's easier, the dremel or actual nail clippers? I believe Brittanys have light coloured nails so the quick would be easily located.

4. Does anyone use a harness to attach the leash for going on walks as opposed to a collar and leash for medium sized dogs?

Thanks for reading my "story" of questions...info is much appreciated!


Heather

I had no issues with a wire crate but with a plastic they can chew it.

I would choose a regular slicker if it were me because the plastic could pull the hair.

Clippers work great for me and my dogs have light colored nails.

I would not use a harness on a puppy as it teaches them to pull i use a collar on my dogs except for my havanese she has a collar and harness.

Hi and Welcome to Chaz

I am going to back up a little and ask some questions too if that is okay

Where are you getting this puppy? Is he from a good breeder that has good lines and does not breed for a profit? or from a Puppy Mill or BYB?

What is the puppy going to be for? Just a family pet...a Show dog or are you going to do RallyO or Obedience?


Now to answer your questions

1st...I would buy a wire one....b/c like Breeze said, the puppy coulld chew it up and that would not be good....and make sure you make the crate a fun and safe place for your pup...his own space to get away from things if need be.

3rd....They may have light colored nails but I would go with a Dremel...they get the nail shorter and shorter each time you trim the nail.

4th....I would use a Puppia harness...here is the link to one Puppia Harness.....I have heard very good things about it too...but I would also teach the pup to walk in a regular collar without pulling.

If the dog is small I would recommend a Puppia harness too, they're great. They do encourage pulling but can save a small dogs neck too. As long as they're taught to properly walk on a leash, it shouldn't be an issue.

1.) Doesn't really matter. I used a wire crate for my Border Collie because he didn't like the plastic one. My Papillon liked his plastic one.

2.) For a Brittany I don't expect a hound glove would do much, but you'd probably be able to get the job done with a metal comb, a slicker brush and a zoom groom.

3.) You can use the nail clippers to clip off the excess, and the dremel to smooth it out if you'd like. That's what I do, since my dog won't hold still long enough for me to dremel down the entire nail. I have a dog that likes it to be done as quickly as possible so with him I just use clippers. He has tiny nails. I'd teach the pup to accept both.

4.) No reason why they couldn't get used to both, but in general I used the collar and just taught the pups not to pull on the leash.

For a very young pup I like a halter in the beginning , while working with a collar too . I've seen too many pups braking and backing out of their collars on walks.