Before You Buy
A list of supplies and preparations you should make before bringing home your new dog or puppy!
- Food- You should try to purchase before hand at least two weeks supply of the same food that the breeder was feeding the puppy. Puppies digestive systems are very delicate and if you switch foods too abruptly, this can cause digestive upset including devastating diarrhea. If you wish to switch to a different food than that being fed by the breeder, you can then do so gradually over a two week period.
- Food Dish- Stainless steel is preferred as it is easy to clean and does not as readily harbor bacteria.
- Water Dish- make sure this is heavy enough and
steady enough to not be easily tipped over; puppies (particularly
Siberians!) often love to play in water!
- Collar- A nylon buckle, semi-slip or martingale collar will do nicely for a growing Siberian.
- Leash- a 4 or 6 ft nylon leash is preferable, and is
a necessity for any Siberian owner! Siberians much be leashed at all
times when not in a securely fenced area.
- Crate- contrary to popular belief, crating your dog
is not "torture", as long as the dog is not left in it's crate for too
long of a time! Dogs are denning animals and often feel safe and
comfortable in their crates, as long as they are properly introduced to
them. A crate is important in potty training your new puppy as well as
preventing your lonely or bored puppy from destroying your house while
you are out! It also makes vehicle travel much safer for you and your
dog. (Note: A puppy or dog should never be left in a crate for longer
than he can "hold it".)
- Toys- puppies and dogs need toys to keep entertained
and to provide an outlet for their energy. We recommend a tough rubber
chew like a Kong or Nylabone, a rope toy, and some kind of squeaky
stuffy. Please be aware that you should always supervise your puppy or
dog when they are playing with a toy that can be destroyed and
potentially swallowed.
- Grooming Stuff- a metal comb with fine and medium
teeth is the best tool for grooming a Siberian. You should also
purchase dog nail clippers and a toothbrush and toothpaste (this comes
in dog-friendly flavors like chicken or liver!), and an appropriate
shampoo. Make sure that you purchase puppy shampoo for your puppy, as
adult dog shampoo or human shampoo can hurt your puppy's skin. Make
sure to fully rinse any shampoo out of the dog or puppy's coat after
the wash.
- Treats- small healthy treats are a great way to begin training your dog or puppy using positive reinforcement. You can begin training your puppy at a very early age, and it sets the building blocks for a well trained dog!
- A fence!- if your yard is not already securely
fenced, you must make sure to do so before bringing your puppy home,
or purchase a large, secure run for him.
- Find a Veterinarian- you should have a veterinarian
lined up before you bring your puppy home, as he will need his last set
of vaccinations and his Rabies vaccination.
- Research Puppy Kindergarten- socialization is very important to a growing puppy, and Puppy Kindergarten can help with this. Some classes also start basic obedience training such as sit and stay, which is very important if you want to raise a well behaved dog who respects your property and othe