Preparing for your New Puppy!
Congratulations on your upcoming puppy! We are so excited to welcome you into the Brooklin Canine family and know you will love this bundle of joy just as much as we do! We have put together a list of “highly recommended” items below that have proven themselves as we have transferred pups into new homes. We are here to answer questions, so please do not hesitate to ask!
Here below are links to some great resources to prepare and guide you as a dog owner. We highly recommend The Puppy Brain for each of our puppy homes. (If you are close to your puppy coming home, start at Chapter 15 and read through Chapter 23 first!) :
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- Crate: 36” w/ moveable divider for puppy from 8 weeks-9/12 months. This will get you through potty training, a few chewing phases, and general training.
- Crate mat/bed: As for beds, we generally wait until the pups are well beyond the chewing/ and potty-training stage. Eventually, however, it is a great addition. As for crate mats, we like primo pads even from puppy stage. They are durable and easy to disinfect and keep clean. www.primopads.com
- Exercise pen: 24” tall black wire. Excellent way to keep a puppy safe but have some room to romp during his first few weeks.
- Elevated cot: Chew proof elevated dog bed
- Calming bed: Calming donut bed, shag fur
- Floor Protector: Non slip, waterproof floor protection.
- Quick release collar: 10”-14” for an 8 week old puppy
- Leash: 5ft leash - I highly recommend Ruffwear because they are strong enough for adult dogs but not too chunky and heavy for pups. We STRONGLY discourage retractable leashes.
- Collar: Durable and Comfortable Collar for everyday use
- Harness: Great for longer outdoor activities.
- Feed/Water Bowls: Stainless steel (with rubber grip so they do not slide and bang) or porcelain bowls. [Plastic is not preferable as bacteria and smells can accumulate more easily.]
- Food Storage: Keep food secure and fresh in a food safe container.
- Potty training: We have raised ‘clean’ puppies that are accustomed to using potty in separate area from where they sleep. They will quickly transition to outside/grass area with a regular potty-training schedule. The turf/pee pad would only be for nighttime or if you have to be away from pup through a potential potty break.
- Food: Farmina Puppy food - We have other recommended foods for rotation, but to prevent upset stomachs from the get-go, please have this food brand ready for them. We rotate our dog's kibble (brand or protein) about every 4-5 months to different proteins and premium brands for overall nutritional balance. We discourage "one brand for life" diets. It's not optimal for their health and nutrition. (You don't eat the same meal all your life either!) *REMEMBER* ALWAYS TRANSITION SLOWLY (approx. 10 days of gradually increasing new food to old food ratio) to avoid tummy upsets.
- Gently cooked: We have had your pup eating gently cooked toppers to enhance nutrition benefit. Even the BEST kibbles are still baked food. Providing a little topper of gently cooked food or high-quality canned meat is a great way to provide your pup with fresh nutrients. Ollie Dog, Farmers Dog etc can do this in an easy, balanced form. We have coupons for both - let us know if you would like to be emailed one!
- Pure Pumpkin Puree: Organic if possible: spoon 1-2 TBLS into kibble during any transition (puppy arrival, vacations, any upset tummies or food transition times)
We cannot emphasize enough the benefit of a strong immune system for your pup. These supplements have proven to be excellent for immune support and health development.
- NuVet Plus and NuJoint 1-800-474-7044 Reference code: 458488
- Wholistic Pet: Probiotics, EsterC (vitamin C) (gradually introduce around 3 months old after pup has solid routine and settled well into their new home.
- Ester-C
- Salmon Oil
- Bovine Colostrum
- Chew Treats: Bully sticks: low or non-odor. Bones and Chews from www.chewy.com have been a solid option. Also, www.bullybunches.com, Mika and Sammies.
- Beef Marrow Bones: Smoked Bones
- Knuckle bones : fresh/frozen NOT COOKED
- *NO RAWHIDE or chews with numerous ingredients, additives. Greenies are not recommended (see ingredient list).
We avoid ALL oral and topical chemical "preventatives" with our dogs. There are excellent, well reviewed, and proven products to use to prevent fleas, ticks, and other pests.
- Cedarcide: Lawn sprays, topical sprays (for humans and pups alike) and granules
- Wondercide: Topical Sprays, flea collars, and spot on (neck area) applications
- Cedarcide Lawn: Outdoor Repellent
- Collars: Flee and tick repelling collars
- Run stool test for parasite check at your vet 1-2 times a year OR as needed.
- Heartworm: test for heartworm twice a year and ONLY treat if positive. Check out www.dogsnaturally.com for more extensive information and options.
Toys/Plush/”Snuggle Puppy”: Be aware of anything they can chew/choke on if they destroy! Pet toys are generally made "safe" but we coach our dogs and pups to NOT tear up stuffies or they can start and continue destructive habits. Tug, toss, fetch, snuggle....don't decapitate. It can be trained!!! Pay attention! :)
Goldens have gorgeous double coats. Regular bathing and complete blow drying (thoroughly dry to the skin is very important) and grooming with the proper tools is imperative to a gorgeous coat. There are many tools that will do more harm than good to your golden's coat. High quality, gentle shampoo paired with proper grooming tools will help you keep your puppy’s skin and coat clean and healthy. There are various great products on the market and so many options. We will share our favorites below as a helpful reference.
- Dog Shampoo: Chris Christenson: HappyEyes tear-free shampoo and conditioner
- Day-2- Day: shampoo/conditioner as they mature. Gently cleanses and moisturizes so you can bathe as often as you wish without fearing the coat will be stripped of its natural oils. (They are 1:8 concentration so they last a LONG time. Dilute!)
- Conditioner: Gentle cleansing, leaves coat soft and silky
- Bushing Spray: Never brush your dog's coat when dry. It creates static between the hair follicles and can make it more tangly and scruffy. A couple spritzes of brushes spray decreases static, coats the hair with protectant against splitting and breakage and helps repel dirt and particles from logging on the coat.
- After U Bathe: final rinse that seals the hair follicle protecting the hair from dust and dirt plus decreases drying time by 30%. (Yes! We have tested it!)
- Dog Brush: Pin brush that gently removes loose hair without breaking the outer guard coat. Ground pins that do not leave micro lacerations on your dog's skin and anti-static stainless steel pins.
- Nail clippers: Miller Forge makes a good nail clipper. (note: a regular pair of human nail clippers are great for the pups)
- Comb: the gold standard of any grooming. This comb is gentle, anti-static, perfectly sized and effective at detangling even the more dense part of your dog's coat.
- Hair dryer: It is vital that your goldnes hair is THOROUGHLY dried after each bath. The double- coated breeds (Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers etc.) can develop many skin irritations and conditions from not being thoroughly dried post a bath. A force dryer drives the moisture from the coat. After the coat is about 80% dry, we activate the warm hair setting to remove the dampness from the coat leaving a clean and dry coat.
- Hair removal: Last step of grooming... hair removal brush. Great for clothing, upholstery, and surfaces of all kinds.