Poodle Necessities
There are certain supplies you should have on hand that will make life easier when your poodle joins your family. This is the beginning of a lifetime of buying stuff for your poodle (an activity you'll enjoy for years to come), but these bare-bones necessities will get you through that first important week.
Collar and Tag
Buy a flat collar for your puppy, one that either buckles or uses a plastic quick-release fastener. Whichever type you get, be sure it's adjustable so you don't have to buy a new one every week as your puppy grows. You can choose leather, nylon, cotton, or even hemp. Martingale or limited slip collars can be a good option in situations where you're afraid your pup will slip out of his collar. They're typically made of nylon. When the dog pulls, the collar closes, but not so far that it chokes. These types of collars should be used on outings only, not as an around-the-house collar.
Alert!
Don't put a choke chain on your poodle. It isn't necessary. Poodles are so easy to train that you'll be able to use positive reinforcement-based training to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash without resorting to aversive methods like a choke chain. The same goes for prong or pinch collars.
Get a tag made with your name, address, and phone number, as well as your new dog's name (as soon as you know it), and attach it to the collar. Tags are available through pet-supply catalogs and Web sites in various shapes and in metal or plastic. In addition, many pet superstores have tag-making machines on the premises, so you can make a tag instantly. A collar tag is an essential piece of equipment, and your poodle's best ticket home should he ever become separated from you. There are more permanent means of identification (like the microchip and tattoo), but they should always be backed up with an ID tag.
Leashes
It's imperative to have a six-foot (or shorter) leash for outings to the veterinarian, groomer, and pet-supply store. They're also good for training. Leather is nice and probably the most comfortable to hold. Nylon can give you a nasty burn if it's pulled through your hand, though it has the advantage of being light. Chain leashes are difficult (and painful) to grab. If your new dog is a puppy, or even an adult Toy Poodle, buy a lightweight leash, with a small snap that fastens to the collar. A heavy snap can bonk your puppy in the face.
If you want a longer leash for walks, a retractable leash can be a good choice. These leashes, which extend to 16 or 26 feet, have a nylon cord that automatically rolls, fishing-reel style, into a plastic case with a handle, which you hold while walking your dog. They give your poodle more freedom and more exercise on a walk. However, it is harder to control a dog on a retractable leash. And the nylon cord can burn your legs if it gets tangled around them.
Brush and Comb
Regularly brushing a poodle is essential. The sooner you start gently brushing your dog, the sooner he'll be acclimated to this important activity. Grooming is also a wonderful way to build your bond.
Buy a slicker brush (or a pin brush, if you're planning to show your poodle), as well as a “greyhound” comb (a metal comb with wider teeth at one end and more closely spaced teeth at the other). If you use these two tools regularly, always making sure you brush and comb all the way to the skin, you won't have to worry about mats and tangles.
Food and Water Dishes
Buy a bowl for your poodle to eat from and one for him to drink from. Stainless steel is a good choice because it's easy to clean. (Sturdy glass, like Pyrex, is good, too.) Plastic bowls aren't a great choice for food bowls. Because they're porous, they're hard to get really clean, and bacteria can easily become trapped. Plastic bowls have been linked to loss of pigment on dogs' noses, as well. Ceramic bowls have the advantage of being heavy and hard for the dog to move while he eats, but there is some concern about the toxicity of the glaze on those made outside the United States. Ceramics also can break when dropped.
Fact
You can buy special dishes intended for long-eared dogs that are narrower at the top and wider at the base, so those long ears don't fall in the food. (Or you can just pull your poodle's ears back with a scrunchie when she eats).
No matter what type of bowl you choose, you need to keep it clean. Make it a practice to wash your dog's bowls daily.
Nutritious Food
It should go without saying that you'll need food for your puppy or dog on hand when you first bring him home. Take time before you acquire your puppy to decide what you want to feed your poodle. (See Chapter 8 for information about diet.) You might not want to switch immediately to a new food, however. Ask your breeder what she's weaned the pups onto, and have a small supply of that food on hand. That way, you can make a gradual transition to avoid tummy upset.
Toys and Entertainment
Toys definitely spice up a puppy's life. You'll want some fleecy toys for your pup to curl up with (or destroy), some chew toys to give him when he tries to chew you, as well as balls or other toys to throw for him.
Essential
Be very choosy in the toys you give your poodle. Don't give her anything she can tear apart readily — she might choke on the pieces. And she shouldn't be given anything that will cause a blockage if ingested. Supervise your dog's interaction with any new toy until you can tell how safe she is with it.
An absolutely essential toy is the Kong. This hollow, virtually indestructible rubber toy can be filled with food (and plugged with cream cheese or peanut butter) to keep your dog occupied. Working on a Kong is a great way for him to amuse himself while he's in his crate, exercise pen, or safe area.
