Perfect Puppy Care Book – Chapter 3 – Supplies (Part 2)

Chapter 3 – Supplies (Part 2)

Chew Deterrent

You must watch your puppy closely to make sure that she doesn’t chew on something inappropriate. You’ll also teach her to leave certain items alone, and encourage her to chew on appropriate items. But your puppy is going to be tempted to chew on all sorts of things, so get some chew deterrent spray. Spray this bitter-tasting spray on items that you don’t want your puppy to chew on, like plants and shoes. Most puppies do not like the taste, so they will avoid chewing on those items.

Some puppies don’t seem to mind the taste of chew-deterrent spray at all. If you have one of these, you’ll have to get a bit creative. Try another brand of chew-deterrent spray or consult your vet for breed specific tips.

Cleaning Supplies

Puppies are messy. They are bound to have accidents in the house until you train them. Sometimes they vomit or have diarrhea, or they track in dirt and grass from outside. Be prepared for these messes by having a few cleaning supplies on hand when you bring your puppy home.

For housetraining accidents, choose a cleaner that has enzymes in it especially for pet messes. If you use a regular carpet or floor cleaner, vinegar, or other spot remover, your floor may look and smell clean to you, but it won’t to your puppy. Her sense of smell is keener than yours, so she still may be able to smell where she has eliminated, which will encourage her to do it again on the same spot. Choose a pet enzymatic cleaner, and you’ll avoid this problem.

Check your regular household cleaners to make sure that they are safe for use around puppies. For example, some aerosol disinfectant sprays can be harmful to your puppy. You may have been using it to clean your bathroom for years and might not be aware that it could pose a hazard to your new family member. Check with your veterinarian to find out if any of your regular household cleaners pose a problem.

Collar

A variety of collars are on the market that you can purchase for your puppy. A good collar to start with is a basic flat one with a buckle or a plastic quick-snap connector. The collar should fit snugly against your puppy’s neck. When you slip your fingers in between the collar and her neck, you should only be able to get two flat fingers underneath the collar. You may worry that the collar is too tight, but having too loose a collar is dangerous. She could slip loose, or if her jaw becomes caught in the collar, she could panic and hurt herself.

Avoid choke chains, prong collars, or slip collars for your puppy. These can cause damage to your puppy’s throat, and they are not necessary when you use modern, reward-based training methods. Also, make sure to remove your puppy’s collar when she is in the crate. There have been cases where puppy’s collars have become stuck on the wire-frame door and have seriously injured the puppy.