[UPDATE, 12/10/11: Here is a link to my ultimate shopping list, with prices and vendors. Click on the second tab to see a pie chart of costs by category.
Here is a link to a google doc consolidating everyone’s responses. Feel free to add!]
With less than one month until Batman comes home, I’ve demonstrated a surprising amount of self-restraint and have bought just one thing for him: The obviously amazing custom Batman collar made by a nice lady in Bakersfield (thanks, Internet!), featured below.
Now it’s time to get serious. Batman is going to need some things. But what things? I want to get all the essentials, plus some fun extras, but not so much that I become the crazy lady on the tee-vee with a room dedicated to Princess’s discarded dog toys (I may have seen this on an episode of Victoria Stilwell).
Here is a preliminary list. Let me know if you have suggestions to add/edit/remove, based on your experience — Batman would be so grateful! Remember, I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M DOING.
COLLARS/LEADS
- Batman collar — Done!
- Training collar — What kind of collar should I get him for training? Do I need a fur-saver?
- Leerburg 6′ leather rescue leash (don’t plan to use it as a choke, just like the handle options)
- 18-inch drag leash
- Maybe: 26′ Large Flexi-Lead — Do you use Flexis? I like the option of having a 26′ lead when we’re out training, but I have a bad association with these types of leashes. Frankly, I associate Flexi-Leads with idiots. Not because everyone who has one is an idiot, but because it seems like every idiot has one.
BASIC NEEDS
- Stainless steel food bowl — Is 2 qts big enough?
- Road Refresher No Spill Water Bowl — Any other suggestions for low-splash bowls?
- Crate — Carole is going to help me with this
- Crate pad — What kind? Is he just going to eat this like Funny?
- Crate casters — Crate needs to be mobile so Batman can be in the same room with me at all times!
- Exercise Pen — Is 36″ tall enough, or should I go with 42″?
GROOMING
- Shampoo/Conditioner — What kind to buy? There are so many and they all look the same.
- Dremel MiniMite 4.8-Volt Cordless Rotary Tool
- Safari Undercoat Rake for Shorthaired Dogs
- Miracle Coat Slicker Brush
- Metro Vacuum Air Force Commander 4.0 HP Pet Dryer
- Maybe: Furminator — Is this any good? I generally don’t trust things I see on infomercials, unless it’s a Snuggie, which I’m usually wearing while I watch the infomercials.
TOYS (all size large, unless otherwise noted. Also, I hate squeaky toys, so there are none on here)
- Jolly Egg
- Wing-a-Ball
- Squirrel “teaser” on lunge whip
- Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Ball, medium
- Chuckit Flying Squirrel, medium
- Kong Extreme
- Hol-ee Roller
- StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Toy
- Leerburg 15″ Tubular Nylon Tug
- Maybes: Jolly Ball (is he going to pop this?), Jolly Pet Teaser Ball, StarMark Everlasting Treat Ball, Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Diamond Plate Ball (is this better than the regular Orbee planet ball?), Chuckit Glow Ball w/crazy plastic arm thing, Premier Squirrel Dude Dog Toy
MISCELLANEOUS
- Leerburg Snap Open Bait Bag
- StarMark Clicker — Does the brand of clicker matter? Anyone have a favorite?
Obviously amazing custom collar from thedogcollarstore.com
Thanks, everyone!!!
“Maybe: 26′ Large Flexi-Lead — Do you use Flexis? I like the option of having a 26′ lead when we’re out training, but I have a bad association with these types of leashes. Frankly, I associate Flexi-Leads with idiots. Not because everyone who has one is an idiot, but because it seems like every idiot has one.” NO Frigging Flexi-Lead. 😉
I would not recommend a Furminator for GSDs. I’ve seen a few get over-Furminated and it’s not pretty, takes forever for the coat to repair itself. The Furminator is a blade (just a really expensive blade) and in my opinion does too much damage to the top coat. I’m no pro-handler, ha!, but I show my GSDs a few times a year and really all I use is a $7 undercoat rake with a pin brush in areas that need some last minute fluffing. The only reason I ever use a Furminator is a cat one someone gave me for free that I use to pull out tangles behind Coke’s ears. For other grooming supplies I like the Miracle Coat waterless shampoo when the dogs really aren’t gross enough for a full bath, I love the smell. I like the Show Ring Mink Oil too but it depends on the venue, UKC does not allow any “products” on the dogs.
For obedience training my favorite leash is a thin ASAT leash about 4′ with no handle. Often I just have the end dragging and hate having handles or any extra hardware. My trial leash that I have used for Chopper and Nikon is a 3′ x 5/8″ leather leash with a ring in the handle (since for Schutzhund and SDA trials you usually wear your leash around the waist or shoulder).
You might want to put together a pet first aid kit. I recommend things like vet wrap, old socks I can use to make emergency bandages or cover an injured foot, a “boot” (for an injured foot or pad), quick stop powder, EMT gel, vetrycin spray, benedryl for an allergic reaction, gas-x for bloat, metro/flagyl for certain stomach upsets/parasitic infections, zymox for ear problems. Be sure to check which products are not OK for dogs (many OTC human meds are fatal, and some of our common OTC creams/gels).
I used a 36″ expen for each of my puppies. Nikon was fine in there, Ana was fine during the time I had her. Pan climbed it a bit but never did get out. By the time they were big enough to maybe get out, they were getting more supervised free time or just going into a larger crate.
For a crate pad I ABSOLUTELY recommend the ones that the Simple Clean guy sells at dog shows. I can’t find them on the site but the guy that’s always selling Simple Clean also sells crate pads in standard sizes. I have six of them and my dogs have never destroyed one. The reason is that he uses upholstery batting rather than actually stuffing them. So the few places my dogs have chewed a bit at the seam, they realize real fast that there’s no fun stuffing to pull out and just leave it be. Even Pan who has eaten everything from socks to rocks to a leash to a memory card doesn’t chew on the crate pads. They are machine washable and dry-able and I do mine all the time with no special care. If they aren’t real stinky I just pull them out and vacuum them on the ground. The ones I’ve bought have all come slightly big so after a few times in the dryer they shrink to size rather than too small. I buy more every year at the UKC premier. I bet if you call the Simple Clean people they can send you some. Oh and the 36″ ones I get have always been $15 which I think is a steal.
Thank you! This is incredibly helpful. Had not thought of the first aid kit — that is a definite must!
I love the furminator also-just don’t use when he is wet. I bought a courtyard kennel-it is more sustantial than an x-pen and Libby is still in it. If you google you can find it-it usually has a GSD sitting in it in the ad.
Jolly ball-Libby loves it-even after she punctured it, it still stays round.
I love the Furminator. Crystal, who works for me and is also a professional groomer also swears by the Furminator. Many people use them incorrectly and this is what gives you poor results. I never use an undercoat rake anymore, only the Furminator. It is not something you use everyday. If you wish to brush your dog everyday you use a natural boar bristle brush. There are some very nice ones from England. I also love a good slicker brush, I like the one made by #1 All Systems. I also like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Curved-Large-Slicker-Chris-Christensen/dp/B000RK3NVG. The slicker brushes from Wal-mart cost $3 – $5 and they are nice, I buy 3 at a time and then I don’t freak out when I loose one.
HA! Why am I not surprised? I’ll just pretend like I asked that to bait you.
Last weekend, I saw a woman walking her little dog (I think a Shih Tzu?) on a Flexi, and it was freely exploring into every bush and peeing on every pole, while she was blithely ignoring him. I remember thinking, “Carole would HATE that!” Then I thought about the spoon lady, and wondered if they were sisters.
@Carole
Yeah and you have Barb ROFLAO! 🙂
To me the Flexi’s are not strong enough and I must be an idiot but I can never get the stopper thing to work right. I’d rather just go to Lowe’s and get ten yards of strong climbing cable and a brass snap.
You are correct all-idiots own a flexi-lead, no strike that, all idiots own and use a flexi lead. I think all dog people have one but most are smart enough not to use them. Dog trainers refer to them as the “devils leash.” The only time I would ever use a flexi lead would be if I stopped at a rest stop to potty my dog and actually I don’t even use it then. I use a 6 to 10′ foot leash which is draped around my neck and my dogs are loose…but they are very well trained…and I am not recommending you do that!
If you want to look like a “pet” person use a flexi lead.
I have 3 fave sites for pet supplies
Canis Callidus- http://www.caniscallidus.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=90_91&products_id=625
I have the Schweikert 10 ft leash, my favorite- it’s so soft. This is what I use for protection training too- it’s that strong.
I also have the short leather leash – maybe 18 inches long (can’t remember exact size)
My other favorite place for leashes and collars is Bridgeport-
https://www.bridgeportequipment.com/productCategory.aspx?catID=2
I have and use often the Braided Patrol leash-we use a lot in OB training
I also bought the matching leather slip collar- it’s so pretty. 🙂
For toys etc, the cheapest place I found is PetEdge
http://www.petedge.com/
*Jolly Ball- this is Koda’s favorite toy in the world, he popped it when he was 6 months old. But no harm done it, we play fetch with it everyday.
*Kong solid ball – no holes – solid rubber. He hasn’t destroyed it yet, it held up pretty good.
*Kong Wubbas-
*Big white knotted rope- another Koda favorite
*Jute Tug http://www.elitek9.com/10-long-Jute-Tug/productinfo/TJ10/ Koda has destroyed this, we were playing hard and he ripped it
Yellow ball- this things are amazing- recommended to me by Carole
http://www.elitek9.com/Elite-Working-Balls-with-T-tug-Handle/productinfo/BA01/
http://www.elitek9.com/Elite-Working-Ball-on-a-Stick/productinfo/T03/
Food
This is what I use for water bowl
http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kennel/Dishes-Storage/Pails/ProSelect-Heavy-Duty-Stainless-Steel-Pails/pc/194/c/226/sc/434/43921.uts
Food bowl: http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kennel/Dishes-Storage/Dishes/ProSelect-Dura-Weight-Stainless-Steel-Bowls/pc/194/c/226/sc/431/43825.uts
That’s all I could think right now.
Thank you, Josie!
What size food bowl does Koda have, 2qt or 3qt? And what size water bucket, 2qt or 4qt?
3 Qt for food bowl and 2 qt for bucket- I chose the smaller one for the bucket to minimize the mess when they do play with it-
I switched from stainless steel food bowls to these: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751809
They are extremely lite & microwaveable (heating & warming food is a breeze). They are also very sturdy when you lay them down… they don’t move easy. A little expensive but if you catch them on sale or with a Petsmart coupon, they are a steal.
As to water bowls, I need one cemented to the ground. Nothing I’ve tried has prevented U-Rock from washing my floors with it.
What is the deal with dogs and dumping water bowls? Is there a clinical reason behind it or is it just something dogs do to slowly drive their humans mad? Is it just GSD’s or is it all dogs? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?
oh crap. I forgot about the water thing with these dogs. Kirsten- it is NOT all dogs, just those GSD’s- particularly Julie’s GSDs. 🙂 I have five others (non GSD) that understand water is for drinking.
I’m picking up V-girl tonight. I reckon I’d better get a tarp under the indoor water bucket.
All of my dogs have dumped their H2O bowls. I used a flat back stainless pail and secured it to the side of the kennel so robbers would have a hard time getting it off the side.
Just posted a picture and video of my water bowl crazed GSD.
I also have furminator, I use it mostly on Rascal, I had used it once on Koda. Koda only brush is the slicker brush (made in Germany), it does the job.
Unfortunately, Koda hates the Dremel- so I cut his nails the old fashion way.
My favorite leash is this one–in fact, you will see that I have posted a review of it on the site:
http://www.allk-9.com/all-weather-biothane-nubbie-dog-leash-p-89.html
I can’t stand Flexi-leads. I would never own one. When we were at the K-Zoo Foot Chase law enforcement fund-raiser (posted about it earlier) with Isa, a lady with a wild Yorkie on a flexi started to let the Yorkie come over to Isa–she said, “Can I let my dog walk over to yours?” and I said, “I wouldn’t recommend it.”
I use the Furminator on both Isa and the cats. I love it. I’m with Julie–it would definitely not be an “everyday” brush. I have a nice Vellus brush made in Germany, and also a slicker.
And I can’t forget our go-to toy for water retrieval: the Bumi. It floats, and is nicely visible. Also, it’s funny when she shakes it hard, and it slaps her in the face. Ha! 🙂
http://www.allk-9.com/all-weather-biothane-nubbie-dog-leash-p-89.html
Isa is fine with the Dremel, and it’s my preferred nail-grooming tool now. Wish I’d had something like it years ago!
Ditto on the recommendations for the Jolly Ball, and for the yellow ball Carole suggests. I like the yellow balls either on their own or with just the rope. The t-handle ones hurt my hand when she tugs, and I don’t like the kind of ball that is on a looped rope–it catches in her legs sometimes.
The Vellus products are UBER nice! Glad you mentioned them Jil.
Some people love the T-handle some people hate it, I cannot tug without the T-handle.
For those who do not like the T-handle, the ball on the rope that I recommend also comes with a rope with a knot in the end, no T-handle.
ooh, love this leash! thanks!
Here are a few of thee most important items that no one else has mentioned: band aids (not for him, he’ll become a shark, soon and you may need a few), new socks, new garden hose, new towels (for the numerous water bowl dumps), possibly a new cell phone or glasses 🙂 On a side note, I do use a furminator and think it’s great. I have 2 Shiba Inus and it works miracles on them.
Rita, you are too funny!
We use and recommend stainless steel bowls and buckets because they are the most sanitary and very durable. Plastic retains stuff no matter how much it is cleaned. If you intend to feed raw, definitely use stainless bowls.
Good point, Carole.
Yep use Stainless Steel only for food and water. Plastic in particular has an effect on the pigmentation of their nose and they develop a snow nose from continuous feeding from plasticware.
I’ll hook up with you on your wants/needs list.
Hi Carole,
I’ll be picking up my little Dutch from the W-litter at about the same time. I had recently sent a similar list of questions to Julie’s email, feeling like I was really going overboard with my concerns.
It was wonderful to see that I’m not the only one worried about having everything ready for the arrival of my little angel (devil in disguise!). I would greatly appreciate any advice you have, since my needs/wants list is nearly identical. Julie has been absolutely amazing. I trust her completely. I am almost embarrassed about the questions I have sent her, but I want to be sure that the comfortable loving home Dutch came into will be smoothly transitioned to the loving home we are preparing for him here. I want to take full advantage of his natural drives, yet discourage negative directions that naturally occur. I cannot wait to meet all the challenges ahead, and look forward to the love coming at me at 100mph!
Hi Beverly, you had some very good questions I plan on posting it to the blog next week when things settle down for me a little bit. Thank you so much for your kind words and compliment!
j
Beverly’s post gave me an IDEA: I am going to copy and paste all this knowledge into a google document that we can update and share with all of the new puppy owners. Maybe we can even put a link to it in the “Puppy Prep Books” section.
Jennie you Rock!
For very young puppies this is my favorite toy:
The Robit from Dogsport Gear
When you move up to real tugs, purchase those made from French linen. They hold up well and are easy on the teeth. Burlap is not easy on the teeth. Leather and suede are OK. Do not buy the puppy rags made from a chamois like material —these should only be used with your puppy by your schutzhund trainer.
Also for young puppies Planet Dog orbo (like a kong) in the smallest size. Attach this on a rope to a teaser stick (flirt pole). When the puppy gets bigger move up to the puppy Kong
I can not wait to you Jennie!!! Nothing to add…ok maybe, I might have missed it but a good travel/work bag/backpack that can always be ready to grab and go for portable water (paper towels to clean up spilled water), poop bags/dispenser, extra ball, treats, extra collar, etc.
Did anyone mention the mandatory camera and kiddie pool?
I can’t wait to meet you (and Syd)! And Susan, Michelle, John, Orly, and all of Batman’s extended family. And especially Carole! I always forget I haven’t met you all in person yet!
I was just wondering when you will be picking up Batman. We’ve been reading about him, and enjoying all the pictures of his training and progress. What an amazing boy he is! You must be so excited to bring him home. We will be driving to Michigan to pick up our little Dutch from the V-litter when they are 8-wks old, and were hoping to see Batman if he is still there near the end of January. Otherwise, we’ll just have to settle for enjoying his pictures, which you WILL post regularly for his admirers!
I’m getting Batman on Jan 6, but he left Julie’s puppy farm all the way back in November when he was 8 weeks old. I was very lucky to have Carole help me by raising him for the first 8 weeks, so when I get him at 16 weeks, he will be able to make me coffee and speak Korean. LOL.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m so excited to hear about Dutch, and of course you must post lots of pictures for us after you take him home!
Thank you all so much for the terrific ideas, the web link, and your assistance with my shopping list for (V) Dutch. I am sure that all the other parents-to-be equally appreciate this important information, and are reading and writing down everything possible to be prepared for that long-awaited day when our little ones come home. As they say, forewarned is forearmed!
I just found this vendor: http://k9noz.com/index.html
He makes custom Biothane leads in all different colors! Prices are very good. $14 for a 6′ lead. I like the different colors because I can spot them easier in the closet, and they’re just fun. I think I will get a 6′ leash in bright yellow, and a waist leash in red. That will give my dog-walking outfits a little extra flair.