Preparing for New Puppies: What Have I Forgotten?

jason_els · Feb 8, 2007

Depending on what happens, I may have two 8 week old male littermates by Sunday evening.

For the home-coming I'm getting food, food and water bowls, two puppy kongs, two crates, two packages of pads for lining the crates, a few packages of treats, 2 small Tupperware containers for brining poop to the vet, 2 play balls, and a vet appointment for Monday afternoon (I know, I'm evil).

Any suggestions on good collars for puppies?

Any suggestions for good leads for puppies?

Any good suggestions for accident cleaner?

I know I've forgotten something, please tell me what it is!

I've heard opinions, pro and con, on crate sharing and have decided to gradually introduce them to double crates. I think the change of space will be stressful enough for the first few days and I want to introduce them to individual crates in a happy, rewarding way.

Certainly some of you will wonder what possessed me to take two at once. Explanation will be forthcoming depending on what happens Sunday.

Zoom · Feb 8, 2007

That is actually my first question...could you be talked into just the one? Especially since it sounds like you've been dog-less for quite some time.

jason_els · Feb 8, 2007

In short, no.

Zoom · Feb 8, 2007

Replied to your PM.

Leashes and collars...I'd stick with nylon and cheaper for now because they're going to outgrow the collars quickly and the leashes will probably end up as chew toys by some point.

Accident cleaner: I swear by Nature's Miracle.

I wouldn't put pads or anything in the crate just yet. Let them get used to the idea of not peeing in the crates and not destroying what's left in there first, and then give them something. My initial reaction is to forego the shared crating and just go right to seperate. They can still be near each other and since they won't be spending a ton of time in them, it's not going to cause any huge detriment if they're seperated for that little bit. It's better for them, actually.

bubbatd · Feb 8, 2007

^^^^^ agree ! Re-think the 2 from same litter . Good luck !!

planet molosser · Feb 8, 2007

I use chinook break away collars because one of my working dogs got caugth on a pipe going under a barn after a critter.

I use petco double handle 4 ft and 6ft leashes best control.

I use Zero pet odor .com and bleach mixes.

I get about 50 pounds of meat bones direct from butcher .
Saved my furniture

Best of luck pls post pics.

Doberluv · Feb 8, 2007

I never recommend two puppies at the same time and especially not two from the same litter. There are a multitude of reasons for this. Otherwise, it sounds like you've got a good start. Also, (not sure if you're planning to or not) but IMO it is dangerous to leave collars or leashes on dogs unattended.

Tracer Tong · Feb 8, 2007

I'm agreeing with the advice about two puppies.

I use Nature's Miracle and it's great. Really great stuff, does something on the chemical level(I know that's a big duh kind of statement but it's true) to dismantle the smell particles, not just mask them or remove them.

Saintgirl · Feb 8, 2007

On the crate issue I personally find it easier to adjust a pup to a crate as their safe place rather than an entire house and new environment. As for collars, I prefer the double handled collars aswell, easier to have full control!
My best advise to you is to prepare yourself for the difficulties associated with having littermates, especially if you have found LGD littermates. Other than that, Good Luck, and post pictures!

mamasobuco · Feb 8, 2007

What are you reasons for not adopting 2 pups from the same litter? I'm raising two pups right now and it feels like I'm killing two birds with one stone. Granted one is a foster and not staying but I am still treating him as my own when it comes to what he should know at his age.

MaryAndDobes · Feb 8, 2007

mamasobuco said:

Littermates tend to bond to each other moreso than to the owner. I've found that littermates tend to even forget the owner exists - they are so busy playing, squabbling, roughhousing, etc that the owner sometimes barely registers. Two together tend to not listen very well because again, they are just too busy having a blast.

It's a nightmare for housetraining. When one puppy goes, the other usually immediately does as well. Instead of one accident, you've got two. Sometimes one is catching on to the notion but the other isn't - if you're not watching every second you don't know which one is and which one isn't.

There is no guarantee that littermates are even going to get along once they reach maturity. Some breeds are same sex aggressive - two bitches may fight, two males may fight. And I don't mean spats, I mean full fledged fights meaning harm.

Looking way down the road, there's a really good chance you're going to lose them very close together and that's not a pleasant thought.

The bottom line for me is a puppy deserves an owner that can devote him/herself to raising it well, and I just believe an owner that isn't splitting their time and attention amongst two puppies is probably going to do a better job and create a better bond with a puppy.

~Tucker&Me~ · Feb 8, 2007

^Agreed!

It's hard enough to devote all the time/training/socialization for one puppy, nevermind two.

Are you willing to pay double vet fee's, double training fee's, and walk and train them seperately?

~Tucker

jason_els · Feb 8, 2007

There's a lot of back story to this which I don't feel comfortable sharing in public but there was a great deal of interest in these very rare dogs from people who live in Pennsylvania and the unneutered dogs needed a new home immediately.

I have gone through this sort of thing before with a previous dog. I took one and my roommate took another. We kept them together except for training and feeding and they turned out fine however they were separated when my roommate moved back to his home state when they were each about 6 months old. We each trained our own dogs but otherwise shared in cleaning their pen area, feeding, and walking. It worked out very well. Maybe we were lucky?

I will look into the break-away collars and thank you for the recommendation on the cleaning agents. I'm speaking to other owners of the breed for feeding recommendations though I'm fortunate to have a premium food supplier 1/4 mile from my house. I will be getting them chipped, but state regs say every dog also has to carry a rabies tag at all times out of doors so I can't avoid using a collar altogether. I hope I can tell them apart!

I won't decide on names until I actually see the dogs and choose ones that fit their personalities, but that's the least of my problems.

dr2little · Feb 8, 2007

Did I miss the breed of these pups? I have to strongly echo the same sex littermate warning but it sounds like there are extenuating circumstances. Many of my most serious dog/dog aggression cases are same sex sibs, it can be a very challenging undertaking and heartwrenching if it doesn't work out.

I'd love to know the breed though, it would clear up some of the concern and would enable a more consise list of appropriate leash/collar and other necessary stuff. You must be VERY excited.....PUPPY BREATH!!!

RD · Feb 8, 2007

What breed are these puppies, Jason?

I would very strongly recommend that you not get two same-sex littermates. However, since you're set on doing just that, I wish you the best of luck.

My absolute favorite brand of leads for puppies are the "Lupine" kind. They are a rather firm nylon material that is almost totally chew-proof as far as puppy needle-teeth go. Even if they do get chewed up, you can send it back and get another one. I get them at the vet's office, but you can order them online too I believe.

http://www.lupinepet.com/

jason_els · Feb 8, 2007

Thanks for the lead info RD! Lupine is sold at the same store just down the street from me.

jason_els · Feb 8, 2007

RD said:

I'll be happy to share that when (and if) I have them on Sunday.

And no, they're not LGDs. I may be crazy but I'm not insane.

sam · Feb 8, 2007

Congrats on the pups! How exciting!

I'm so curious about their story now LOL. so mysterious-- "rare breeds" and in dire need of homes immediately.
Are you going to tell us ANYTHING else- what breed, when are they arriving?how old are they? what are your plans for these pups? Are they to be purely pets? Any competition plans in their futures?
I'm glad they will now have a loving home, but you can count me in as one who doesn't think it's a good idea to keep two littermates. If they need to be taken now great- glad you can come to their aid (if that's what's going on) but I would try to rehome one of them if it was me.

mamasobuco · Feb 8, 2007

MaryAndDobes said:

Littermates tend to bond to each other moreso than to the owner. I've found that littermates tend to even forget the owner exists - they are so busy playing, squabbling, roughhousing, etc that the owner sometimes barely registers. Two together tend to not listen very well because again, they are just too busy having a blast.

It's a nightmare for housetraining. When one puppy goes, the other usually immediately does as well. Instead of one accident, you've got two. Sometimes one is catching on to the notion but the other isn't - if you're not watching every second you don't know which one is and which one isn't.

There is no guarantee that littermates are even going to get along once they reach maturity. Some breeds are same sex aggressive - two bitches may fight, two males may fight. And I don't mean spats, I mean full fledged fights meaning harm.

Looking way down the road, there's a really good chance you're going to lose them very close together and that's not a pleasant thought.

The bottom line for me is a puppy deserves an owner that can devote him/herself to raising it well, and I just believe an owner that isn't splitting their time and attention amongst two puppies is probably going to do a better job and create a better bond with a puppy.

Thanks Mary Ann!
Everything you said makes perfect sense.

stevinski · Feb 8, 2007

what breed?

Preparing for New Puppies: What Have I Forgotten?

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