New Puppy?

Here are some of my favorite things and some things to help you get started...

A must read - great advice for new puppy owners:
http://www.australian-shepherd-lovers.com/new-puppy-care.html

My favorite puppy training videos:
http://www.dogmantics.com/Dogmantics/new_puppy_vids.html

A crate is wonderful for short-term confinement, sleeping in, or crate training, although you will probably find that your KissMe Kennel puppy is pretty much already housebroken. Since my puppies live with other adult dogs with free access to the outdoors after about 4-5 weeks old, they learn from the older dogs to do their business outside. There are a couple of options - this wire cage is nice because it easily folds down flat like a suitcase, and has a carrying handle. If you are going to travel with your dog on an airline, then you will need an airline approved crate. The intermediate size is usually perfect for your Mini Aussie.

I am currently feeding Kirkland Signature™ Super Premium Adult Dog kibble. You can switch your puppy to a different food if you want to. If you do switch, mix the two kibbles for a few days to avoid tummy troubles. Just let me know when you pick your puppy up and I will give you some of my kibble.

All my dogs get Brewer's Yeast with Garlic.

Here is my absolute favorite dog bed - it is literally chewproof!! 

They love fleece. A big piece of fleece from the fabric store is much cheaper than a pillow bed, easily washed, and easily replaced. Since fleece does not ravel, it lasts a long time even when they chew it.

Another very useful item is a portable exercise pen. For a puppy I sometimes attach the x-pen to the crate and leave the crate door open. It gives them a little more room and they use the crate as a dog house. It is like a mini dog yard and house inside your house. You can get them at any pet store like Petco. Get one that is 4 feet tall. Of course they will be able to jump out of this when they are grown, but they usually won't.

The best food and water dishes are the stainless steel ones.

A slip lead is the best kind of leash. I don't like to use a leash attached to a collar because they can sometimes slip out of the collar. To teach them to walk on a leash, I start by putting it on and just following them around. I gradually start getting them to follow a pull. They learn fast!

Basic grooming tools include an undercoat shedding rake, a slicker brush, and nail clippers.

The Kong that you can stuff with treats is great for keeping them occupied when they have to be confined. A lot of times I just put the regular kibble in them. Knuckle bones from the butcher are also highly valued by puppies! Lots of chew toys, pull toys, etc. Cheese sticks are great for training treats, as are the soft liver treats you can get at the pet store. Cut up hot dogs work nicely too.