BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG PUPPY SHOPPING LIST
Things to buy for your puppy
Get a crate large enough to house an adult BMD.
Your new puppy will grow very quickly so investment in a crate large enough to be used throughout your dog’s life is best.
A crate sized at around 26X 36 X 28 or larger for added room and comfort should be adequate for most BMDS. There are both wire crates and plastic, "Vari- Kennel" type crates. Collapsible wire crates are available and can easily be folded up for transport.
A 2-3 quart stainless steel food bowl
A heavy ceramic or stainless steel 3-4 quart water bowl
A six foot long training leash and a heavy duty flexi-lead
A cloth buckle or break away collar (choke collars should only be used in training sessions and should never be left on an unattended puppy or adult
Nail clippers or a nail grinder
"Quick Stop', a styptic powder, is available through pet supply houses in case you accidentally cut your puppy’s nail too short
A dental kit including a dog tooth brush and teeth cleaning paste
A mild dog shampoo
Toys and treats that are safe for puppies. (Puppies can eat cloth items or small toys and they can get their muzzles or heads stuck in small sized ring toys. Monitoring puppies with rawhide chews and cloth toys is a good idea.)
The food your puppy will be eating for the first several weeks ( An abrupt change of food can cause digestive upset or diarrhea, so plan ahead and make sure the food recommended by your pup's breeder is available in your area. If it isn't seek the breeder's advice on what other types of food are acceptable substitutes.
Your puppy’s breeder should provide you with your puppy’s nutrition requirements, including the brand of food your puppy has been eating along with a recommendations for the amount and feeding schedule. Young puppies often eat 3 times a day which may be continued for several weeks after placement. Always rely on feeding recommendations from the breeder, who has, through observing development of their own dogs, chosen a diet that works best.
THINGS TO HAVE WHEN PICKING UP YOUR PUPPY FROM THE BREEDER
Bring a crate with washable bedding or a bundle of shredded paper or newspapers
Bring along safe toys for your puppy to play with on the journey to a new home.
Bring water and an unbreakable water dish, and bring some food and an unbreakable food dish if the journey home is more than 8 hours
Bring an 8"-10" cloth buckled collar and a leash. (To be sure the collar will fit, ask your puppy’s breeder what size collar will be suitable for your new pup or dog.)
Bring paper towels and spray cleaner in case the puppy soils his crate
Bring treats
Please remember your puppy has been kept with his dam and litter mates since birth. The puppy may be a little scared and lonely for a few days until getting comfortable with a new environment, learning about what is expected and learning to trust you his new caretaker. Patience and tender hands will go a long way to building a rewarding relationship with your new puppy.