Supplies to Have on Hand
Bringing home a new dog is a big event. In the excitement, it is not uncommon for new owners to forget to purchase all the supplies they will need when the shepherd arrives. Among the most critical items are food, bowls for food and water, a collar, and a leash. You'll also want several safe chew toys, as well as supplies to clean (and clean up after) your shepherd. And, of course, there's the crate and all the supplies that go with this purchase.
Food and Bowls
Your new dog will need to eat only a few hours after you bring him home, so be sure to have food and bowls on hand. Not just any food will do. Ask your breeder (or the shelter/rescue staff, if adopting) what food your dog is currently eating and how much he eats at each meal. Whether or not you plan to continue with this food, you shouldn't introduce a new food immediately — this could cause gastrointestinal problems. For more information on how to gradually introduce a new food, see Chapter 9.
Sometimes a breeder may not be sure how much an individual puppy eats if a communal puppy bowl is used. To make sure you are feeding your puppy enough, measure dry commercial food into a bowl and give the puppy thirty minutes to eat. After this time, pick up the bowl and measure how much he ate. This will give you a good idea of how much to feed him regularly.
When it comes to choosing food and water bowls for your new shepherd, keep in mind that puppies and some adult dogs take great pleasure in carrying their bowls around, stepping in them and tossing the food, or chewing on them. Plastic bowls are inexpensive, but they can be easily tipped and destroyed and are difficult to clean. Ceramic bowls are heavy enough to be stable, but they break easily and are often not dishwasher safe. Stainless steel bowls are easy to clean and relatively durable, and bottom-weighted bowls won't tip.
Collars
You'll need to know what size collar your shepherd currently wears, so call your breeder or the shelter/rescue to find out your dog's size. Otherwise you can measure the dog's neck, making sure that you allow room for comfort without making it too loose. Next, you must decide what kind of collar to purchase. A flat-buckle collar is a good choice for a puppy or an adult, as this collar type is often used for early puppy training. However, a young puppy can grow through several sizes before he reaches maturity.
Collars are frequently made of nylon web, cotton, or leather. Nylon is sturdy, but it can rub the hair off a dog's neck. Flat cotton collars can be comfortable and decorative although they usually aren't very durable. Leather is an excellent material for a collar. It's durable, and rolled leather won't rub, but it's often more expensive than other materials.
An adjustable collar can last longer as your puppy grows, but it is a little more dangerous. When the collar is at its tightest adjustment, it leaves a significant amount of collar to be tucked, forming a loop. An active puppy can get this loop hung up on his crate or outside on the fence. Additionally, the adjustable collar typically fastens with a plastic clip. Some of these clips are much more durable than others, so make sure that you don't buy one that will break easily.
Training or choke collars are made either of rolled nylon or leather (like a rope) or metal links. The collar is made to tighten, or choke, as the dog pulls. You may choose to use this collar for training purposes, but it should not be used as your shepherd's everyday collar. This collar is easily caught on protruding objects and could potentially strangle your shepherd.
Leashes
Leashes come in varying thicknesses, lengths, and materials. If you are purchasing a puppy, choose a lightweight leash with a small clip. Owners frequently make the mistake of running out and purchasing the thickest, longest leash available. A thick leash has a heavy clip, which will clunk against your puppy's head. As your puppy grows, you can increase the weight of the leash (and clip) accordingly.
Leashes come in an assortment of materials: nylon web, cotton, leather, and chain (of metal links). It is not wise to purchase a chain leash for your shepherd. Though this leash is durable, it looks tough and gives the wrong impression. You do not want people to think that your shepherd is mean, fierce, and ready to attack. German shepherds are already feared by much of the general public; you don't need to add to this impression.
A better leash to choose is one made of leather because it is durable, lightweight, and strong. The only drawbacks are price and taste. Leather is more expensive than nylon web or cotton, and some dogs find leather irresistible as a chew toy. Nylon web can be tough on the hands if you have to reel a dog in, and cotton must be cleaned more often and tends to wear on the edges.
Chews and Toys
You can't spoil a puppy or dog with too many toys or chew items at once. Many trainers recommend that you keep about twenty items on hand but only offer the dog a few of these at any given time. This way, you can rotate the chews and toys and create the element of surprise. Dogs are very much like children. If they haven't seen a toy or chew for a few days, its reappearance is treated like a special event. If you have many items for your shepherd, keep roughly half of them out and the rest hidden in a cupboard. Every day, replace four items that have been out with four items that were hidden.
The toys and chews you select should all be shepherd-safe. Puppies and adults have strong bites and can break a rawhide bone into chunks or tear a weaker rubber toy easily. Unfortunately, the smaller chunks or torn pieces can become choking hazards. When selecting these items, look for things like knotted rope toys, sturdy tug toys, tough rubber shapes that can be stuffed with dog biscuits, and extra-large tennis balls that are too big for a shepherd to swallow.
Cleaning Strategies and Supplies
Even if your shepherd is coming from a reputable breeder or rescue, you may still want to bathe your puppy or dog before allowing him into your home. Make sure you use a shampoo that is tear-free and designed specifically for dogs. Shampoos made for humans may be too abrasive or too difficult to rinse out of the dog's coat.
Many shepherds have very sensitive skin and/or skin allergies. You may need to purchase a medicated shampoo from your veterinarian if this is the case. If you're not sure whether your shepherd has a skin problem, use an oatmeal-based canine shampoo that is made for sensitive or allergic dogs.
If your dog is not yet housetrained, you must be ready to deal with a few accidents. You should be prepared to spot-clean your floors and carpet with a supply of paper towels, stain remover, and an enzyme-eating cleaner. Several products are specifically made to break down the chemicals in dog urine so that the wet spot no longer has odor. Stain removers can be very helpful, but make sure you test yours on a hidden area first. If the product does not discolor your carpet or upholstery, it is safe to use in the future.
