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What do I need, what can I make, and where can I save?

3K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  homemade 
#1 ·
OK, so I'm planning to get a dog by summer time. I have no dog equipment, so I'm starting totally fresh. What are essential items I must get? What are items I can make? What are items I can do without? What are some money-saving ideas you have?
 
#2 ·
Now, I think you can take everyone's advice with a grain of salt, because what some people think is essentially, other people won't think twice about. With that in mind, here is my list:

Essential
  • Crate or Exercise pen. (Personally, I use both)
  • Food and water dishes. I prefer stainless steel, for the ease of cleaning.
  • Leashes of various lengths. Required would be a 6 foot and a long line (I have 20 and 50 feet)
  • Harness. Dogs and puppies pull and I don't want them to get used to pulling on the equipment I plan to walk them on indefinitely. I like front clip harnesses.
  • TREATS! Experiment and see what your dog really goes gaga for.
  • Grooming supplies. Even if you never do your own grooming, buying a cheap set of brushes to get them used to it is invaluable.
  • As a clicker trainer, I would be remiss if I didn't advocate for some kind of marker signal. I like clickers, but a whistle would work too.
  • Puzzle toys. Kongs, food dispensers etc.
  • Car seatbelt. Both of my dogs just lay down and sleep, but if yours jumps around, you need some way to tether them. :)

Things you Can Make
  • Toys. I make toys out of ropes, fleece, t-shirts, and old pop bottles.
  • Surfaces. I get my dogs comfortable with all types of surfaces. While I did splurge and buy some FitPaws stuff, I also made my own wobble boards, balance cushions etc.

Money Saving Tips
  • Get the local points/membership card to your local pet store. Seriously, you'll go a ton, might as well save some money.
  • I go to PetSmart a couple days to a week after a major holiday. All their holiday themed toys are super cheap, and I can pick up a whole wack of them.
  • My vet offers a discount if you buy all your flea/tick/heartworm medication at once. Since it is warm enough for them to be present all year round, I do this and save a couple hundred bucks.

Things I Don't Know Why Anyone Buys
  • Flexi-leashes. You can't use them in any obedience classes, and they are a nightmare waiting to happen.
  • Pee pads/potty pads/fake grass. Just house train your dog.
  • Prong collars/choke chains/shock collars/bark collars. Just don't.
  • Crappy food with crappy ingredients. If the first ingredient is corn or "by-product meal" keep looking. This goes for treats too! You don't have to buy the most expensive thing out there, but don't settle for something crappy regardless of the price.

Things that If You're a Crazy Dog Person like Me are Super Fun
  • Obedience books. Titles from Patricia McConnell, Denise Fenzi, Sue Ailsby and Kathy Sdao all top my list.
  • FitPaws Equipment. So much fun shaping and fitness conditioning to be had.
  • Pet Tutor or Manners Minder.
  • Fancy crash proof crate. MIM Safe Variocage. Ahhhh someday.
  • Cooling vests/cooling pads. These are great for my dogs.
  • Kiddie pool. Again, great for playing with puppies, and also using to help cool your dogs off.

I feel like my list got out of control, but I'm pretty dog crazy so...
 
#3 ·
Thanks your for your list and categories!

Are training books really only for crazy dog people?

I have a training book by Zak George and another book on dog nutrition and how to improve their diet regardless of what diet you choose. I also want a book on dog sign and would consider getting a kiddie pool for the summer.
 
#4 ·
Hi :)

Getting a dog is one of the best plans you'll ever have.
I feel your excitement about it.
I suggest you start searching for a crate fo your dog. Well, it depends on the size of the dog you're going to have.
Have his playing ground and sleeping place already prepared. You can buy a collapsible fence so he would have his own playing space without causing a mess in the entire house. LOL
Try to ask the vet regarding the type of food that is best suited for your dog. Also, you can choose squeaky toys for him to make sure he's not gonna be bored when he arrives in your home. :)
 
#5 ·
My input:

Buy: Crate $25-50 on amazon.
Chew toys(if you value your woodwork/furniture).
Quality food.
Metal leash.

Make: Dog bowls
Some toys(some small tennis balls tied into about 4 layers of socks works well) (hard bottle with some treats in it)
Research your breed and common puppy issues so you are ready.
Prepare family members(especially young ones) with what to do/how to act.
I use a dehydrator for beef liver and sweet potato slices. My dogs love those treats. Could likely use an oven also.

Be ready for: A series of sleepless nights and potty breaks. Chewing and mischievous behavior. Establishment of a pecking order. Lots of love and fun times!
 
#6 ·
My "must have" list is based off of my dog so I'm sure others would disagree. It's the list I'll be using when I get my second dog.

Must Have's:

-Crate, with a bed or blanket or something comfy in there
-High quality food
-Collar and tags
-Harness
-Leashes, 6' and 20'
-Clicker
-Training treats
-Toys: my dog would be a holy terror without her toys. Definitely puzzle toys, kongs, tugs and whatever your dog loves to play with.
-Winter coat (depending on the dog and climate, of course)
-A wonderful vet who both you and your dog trusts. Aspen LOVES her vet.

Where you can save money:

-Chewy.com saves me a bunch on food and treats. It's nice to have it autoshipped so I never have to worry about running out. I usually add a bunch of training treats and chews to my food order. I just add whatever is on sale that she likes.
-I've also saved a lot of money on toys by subscribing to BarkBox. The toys are good quality so they last.


Other things:

-I've made my own wobble board, jumps, flyball practice equipment... I've used a piece of tupperware to practice body awareness (before I splurged on some Fitpaws Pods :D ).
-I think training classes are important. When I took my pup, she already knew all of the commands being taught but it gave her the experience of being in a new environment, with distractions, with unknown dogs around, etc.

Think about what (if anything) you want to do with your dog: sports? showing? hiking? tricks? From there, you'll have a whole new list of things to buy haha ;)
 
#7 ·
A leash, buy one that is strong well made and you like the way it feels in hand (or find used).
Long-line--you can find them cheaper at farm stores (for pony's/lunge line) or just DIY rope and hardware.
I make lots of things with rope and hardware. Hardware clips include strength rating. Don't buy carabiners without a strength rating.
Keep checking kajiji and other postings for used crates. Crates are useful, and expensive but if you keep checking you may get a good one super cheap when someone's decluttering their home. I have 2 excellent condition 'big dog' crates I need to get rid of, for instance.
I would not buy too much ahead of time. It's fairly easy to make a trip to the petstore. An escape proof collar if you're getting a rescue (aka 'flight risk)--martingale or limited slip. Scared doggies in strange new places can back out of regular collars quick.
Harnesses, I would NOT buy ahead of time. Get the dog, then the harness. If it doesn't fit, you want to be able to return it, right? Unless you find something used super cheap. I have a bunch of old big dog harnessess... yeah, if you were my neighbour, I'd be saying come on over and take your pick...
so to save money, if you know anyone with a dog, they may have some leftovers/extras to hand off...
Dogs can sleep on blankets, old pillows (or new ones if you don't mind), or your couch if you don't mind, or a carpet, again, no hurry on that.
Sweaters, warm gear, don't buy. Cut up used people clothes do a fine job, then you can go to the store and try on and fit a nice one with your new dog if you actually need one.
What you need for the first day/s. A leash and collar or some other means to secure your new dog and get him safely out for a pee.
Good food (and you can buy that last minute, it's not like petstores run out of everything all at once).
POOP BAGS--all caps because it's an easilly overlooked essential for even the first hour (you can even start collecting those from corner store purchases).
Bowls, no hurry. You do have dishes, right? Well okay, maybe you want to buy a bowl. Some dogs like to pick up and play with bowls so extra heavy ceramics from the petstore may be worth your dollars, or just wait and see.
I'm big on wait and see.
And I'm super cheap.
And then I go spend my money on fancy collars or agility classes, oopsie.
Oh, treats... my trick. If you feed kibble (controversial these days, but I do), get a zip lock baggie, fill, add yummy liquid, leftover gravy, milk, parmesan cheese, or just water & parmesan cheese (great for camping trips) let soak, and voila, yummy soft treat food.
Tug toys, old fleece pants, cut legs into long strips, braid, tie off at the end, done.
Enjoy the anticipation...
 
#8 ·
Wow. That's a nice idea. :)
Prior to bringing your dog in your home, be sure to get him a place to rest. There are lots of dog beds that you could choose from. Choose the one that best fits the size of your dog.
Also, consider getting him anti-tick soap and shampoo since it can be a problem in the future.
Regarding the food, it's best to check with the vet what is the right brand for his breed. The same goes for the vitamins.
 
#10 ·
Ahhhhhh! WE DEMAND PICTURES! :dog-love:
 
#11 · (Edited)
The pictures are huge, so I'll just post links.

Riding home in the car: https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1....=a32e9e609bcff0ad56030299b50b1f13&oe=59E1462B

And I know you're supposed to limit where puppies go because of parvo, but we were driving most of the day to get home after picking her up and didn't have much of a choice. Anyway, here's an adorable picture of Ronja (pronounced like Sonya, but with an R instead of an S) with my son:

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1....=091155f8263089d7720309e705465092&oe=59B21627

Taking a nap at home: https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1....=068ce86f41f531887f603017c7a26091&oe=59A3C9CB
 
#12 ·
MY ESSENTIALS:

- Food, obviously! Don't settle for cheap brands and avoid fillers like soy/corn/wheat. The first ingredient should be the protein that's advertised (salmon, lamb, rabbit, chicken)
- Food and water dishes, I also always carry one of those pop up travel dishes
- Toys! Kong is an excellent brand and has several interactive dog toys for all kinds of situations (toys that float, toys that soar, toys that make noise, toys that move, toys that dispense treats, etc)
- Collar. I avoid martingale collars but I don't own a sighthound so it's really not a necessary safety precaution I have to take. I would never put a prong or choke on my dog. There are a million-and-one awesome and unique collars on Etsy!
- ID tag! Cheap ones wear down faster than the more expensive ones so its probably worth the investment to not have to buy a new one after a month. I've had Cosmo's for like 6 months now and you can still clearly read his name, two phone numbers, and the phrase "IF FOUND PLEASE CALL". :)
- Leashes. I have several, a 6 foot long one is pretty standard. I also have a three foot one for when I need him to remain close because he tends to wander out, and a 20 foot long line that I used for recall practice (and still use when we need to brush up)
- Crate. Safety is really important and when you're sleeping a pup can get into just about anything they want, including electrical wires and things that shouldn't be consumed.
- Treats! I really like freeze dried raw treats but when I'm in a pinch I just buy treats with as few ingredients as possible (I aim for 1-5 quality, low cal ingredients). Some dogs like sweet stuff some dogs like meaty stuff some dogs are more toy/praise motivated. Just find out what works!
- I train with a clicker and always have it on me
- Poop bags! It's really awkward to have to stand and watch your dog place a pile in someones lawn and be unprepared and have to walk away. Even worse when people are staring. I have a little poop bag holder that I attach to Cosmo's vest / harness
- Harness! They're really good for leash training puppies as opposed to a collar that will put strain on their little necks.
- VACCINATIONS !!! Super important. Rabies / Parvo / Bordetella are the big ones but you should also medicate for heartworms / fleas / ticks. I also treat Cosmo for kennel cough. I'm prob forgetting some because its been a while so a talk with your vet would be good!
- If you live in a big city and do a lot of wandering around on concrete / around glass / if you live in a hot climate I would HIGHLY recommend a pair of ruffwear shoes. They're an awesome brand! Cosmo and I do a lot of walking on cement and it gets boiling hot in the summer, which causes heat blisters. We also travel around a lot and lived in a big city / plan to move to a big city / visit lots of big cities so the risk of infection and getting cut by various trash items on the ground is something to consider. Paw pads are tougher than our feet but can still get cut up and injured!

HOPE THAT HELPED!
 
#13 ·
it starts out with essentials. Now seven years later, Samantha, has an entire shelf in the pantry, an entire shelf in the freezer, only half a shelf in the refrigerator, three beds, her own set of steps up to our bed, leashes, collars, harnesses, raincoats, grooming equipment, her own toothbrush and toothpaste, her toys, so many toys, and more that I can't think of now. Then there is all her stuff in our motor home so when we go out in that her stuff is there.
 
#14 ·
Most everything everyone has said already is important. I also like mind occupying type toys. Food dispensing toys are good. You need to keep your dog occupied when you need some dog free time. Also good obedience classes or books from reputable authors/instructors. I find it VERY annoying when I have a well behaving dog and someone else's has no respect for me, my dog, or their owner for that matter.


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