The Basics of Dog Equipment-Getting the Supplies that You Really Need
By Jennifer Chen
My Doggie Dreamland Columnist
When you first get your dog, you don't have to spend a lot of money on pet supplies. What you need are the basics. Depending on the age and size of your dog, these essentials will include: food, food and water bowls, grooming equipment, a crate or cage, toys, a dog collar and leash, and some deodorizer.
If you don't have a dog yet, but you are planning to get one soon, don't wait. One you get it, that equipment will be used from the very start. Getting the equipment from a pet specialty store online or offline is the best idea. It's quite common for hardware or department stores to carry low grade supplies.
When considering a dog collar, realize that dogs grow quickly. It's quite common for a dog to go through a few collars before it reaches it's adult stages. It is recommended that you start with two collars that are either flat nylon or rounded leather collar to hold an identification tag and dog license (in case your dog gets lost), and a training collar for preliminary obedience work. Nylon collars are preferred over metal ones, since they are easier on a dog's coat and stay up higher on the neck. For puppies, lightweight nylon show leads (six-foot) are excellent. They introduce the pup to a leash gently, without trauma, and are relatively inexpensive. As the puppies grow, they require a more durable training leash. A six-foot braided leather leash is then recommended without sewn parts that could separate. The width you choose depends on what size your pup will be at maturity.
For food and water bowls, getting ones that can't tip over so easily is a good idea. Make sure that the bowls are big enough to be used when the puppy grows up. Do not use cheap plastic or metal bowls because they can splinter or develop jagged edges if the puppy starts chewing on them. Also keep in mind that certain breeds with long, floppy ears such as hounds and spaniels do best with a specially tapered bowl that prevents the ears from resting in the bowl as the puppy eats or drinks.
Having a crate or cage is very effective for dog training or for transportation. Some things that you want to consider are the places you might want to bring your dog. If you wish to transport your dog with your car, make sure that the cage properly fits in it and that the crate or cage can properly be restrained. Also, if your dog to travel with you, is it designed to go through the airlines? Besides metal cages, take a look at high-density plastic cages as well. Dog crates aren't cheap. So getting one that's large enough to accommodate it's future growth is a good idea. You'll need to consider all of these factors before you buy.
About the Author
Jennifer Chen is a dog training specialist and a contributing writer to MyDoggieDreamland.com