| Shopping List for Your New Puppy |
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| click on the image above to go to Diamondpet.com |
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| Our puppies and adults are fed Diamond quality pet foods. It is best to continue feeding Diamond puppy chow for a few months after your puppy arrives. Click on the picture at the left to go to the Diamond website, where you can find a dealer in your area by zip code.
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Puppies shipped via air cargo will arrive in a plastic shipping crate similar to the one in the picture. The airlines do not allow blankets, collars, toys, etc. inside the crates during shipping. Shipping crates are designed to limit visibility, and don't make the best crates for your puppy's permanent home or for crate training, but they will suffice temporarily if you choose to wait until your puppy arrives before purchasing a training crate.
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| shipping crate |
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| lightweight nylon collar with snap closure |
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| Initially, it is best to start with a lightweight, nylon collar. You will need this when you pick your puppy up. You may also want a lightweight 6 foot leash for training, and a longer, retractable leash for walks.
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| retractable leash |
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A wire crate is ideal for training your puppy, and for providing him with a den to retreat to. Most wire crates come with removable trays in the bottom for easy cleaning. Many also offer optional accessories. A floor grate is a useful accessory when traveling with your pet in the car, as they hold him off the floor of the crate and provide increased air circulation. Other accessories are divider panels, and fleece pads made to fit the crate.
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| wire training crate with fleece pad |
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| optional floor grate |
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Remember to never place your puppy inside his crate while wearing a collar or hang-tag. Collars and tags can get caught in the wire of the crate and result in asphyxiation.
I recommend the following crate sizes, based on the expected adult weight of your puppy:
Up to 15 pounds: 30" L x 19" W x 21" H
Up to 20 pounds: 36" L x 23"W x 26" H
Up to 30 pounds: 42" L x 28"W x 30" H
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| Nutri Stat |
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| Nutri-Cal |
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| Nutri-Cal and Nutri Stat are high calorie, beef flavored gel supplements that come in a tube like toothpaste. They are great to have on hand to give to puppy if he has a tummy ache, or is disinterested in his food for a few days. Two teaspoons before bedtime will ensure that his blood sugar is optimal during the night if you are concerned that he hasn't eaten during his first few days with you.
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| non-tippable stainless steel bowls |
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| Stainless steel, non-tippable bowls are best for food and water. A soft, warm bed for hanging out with the family gives puppy his own special place in the family room.
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| I love my bed! |
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Piddle pads, a piddle pad holder tray, (this keeps the pads straight and prevents puppy from dragging them around and chewing on them), and a baby gate are useful if you expect to confine your puppy in a small room with the crate door open when you can't be at home to take him out.
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| piddle pads |
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| piddle pad holder tray |
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| baby gate |
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| Your puppy will appreciate a few chew toys. Puppies love balls, knotted socks, chew bones, and the new "unstuffables" toys that are made to allow puppies to chew without tearing the stuffing out!
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You can cut and paste the following shopping list to prepare for your puppy's arrival:
Diamond Puppy Chow
A wire crate sized for your puppy's expected adult weight
A bed where puppy can curl up when he's out of his crate
Piddle pads, frame and a baby gate
Non-tippable stainless steel bowls
Nutri-cal gel dietary supplement
A wire slicker brush
Nail clippers (avoid the guillotine-type)
cotton swabs for cleaning ears,
gentle puppy shampoo or whitening shampoo
A small, light-weight adjustable collar 6-8" without ID tag
a retractable leash, and a shorter very lightweight leash
A travel bottle for water for puppy with a
pop-up nozzle
Chew toys, balls, etc.
A finger-fit rubber tooth brush
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