Are you already looking forward to your new best friend moving in? Then congratulations!
But anyone who is still in the middle of planning for a new four-legged family member is also in the right place. Because a dog like this needs to be well planned.In addition to the running costs of a dog, the Initial equipment for a dog is a major cost item. So that nothing important is forgotten and the products ultimately fit your needs exactly, we have summarized in this article what belongs in theBasic equipment dog!
Transporting your dog: An important part of the initial dog equipment
Whether you pick up your puppy from the breeder or bring a dog from animal welfare to your home, it has to be transported somehow.
There are basically two different options for secure transportation in the car: Dog transport box orDog seat belt.
In principle, when transporting dogs in a car, they are considered cargo and must be secured accordingly. They can be transported in the back seat, behind the front passenger seat or in the trunk.
Dog crates are available in a wide variety of sizes and materials. When making your choice, you should take into account both the subsequent placement in the car and the size of the dog. It should be able to lie comfortably, but not have too much space so that it cannot be thrown too far in the event of an accident in the crate. We recommend consulting specialist staff!
If you decide to use a harness for dogs, it should have a GS seal (tested safety) and be attached to a sturdy and well-paddedChest harness with particularly strong buckles. There are special models developed for this purpose and the use of everyday harnesses may not be sufficient.
No matter what you choose, you should give your dog a blanket or a flat dog cushion make your dog comfortable. To protect the rear seat, an appropriate Rear seat cover can also be useful.
Bus and train travel with dogs
Public transportation is usually too exciting for dogs when they are first transported home. Later on, however, it may make sense to get dogs used to traveling by bus and train. In this case, ask the operator about the tickets required. In addition, depending on the operator and federal state, wearing a Muzzle mandatory for your four-legged friend.
When choosing a muzzle, make sure that it fits properly: It must not slip into your dog's eyes, must not be too big, but also not too tight. It is ideal if your dog cannot take it off, but can still pant without any problems even when muzzled.
Walking & on the go - This belongs in the initial dog equipment
Your new everyday life now includes one thing above all: lots of walks!
So that you and your dog are properly equipped for this, you needCollar,Harness and Leash to the initial equipment for dogs. But even beyond that, there is dog equipment that should not be forgotten.
Collar or harness?
Especially first-time dog owners often ask themselves, collar or harness? Our answer:Both!
Experienced dogs are often only led by a collar, but a harness can provide additional safety, especially in the exciting early days. As part of the initial puppy equipment, they help to protect the sensitive neck of puppies and young dogs that do not yet have the necessary ability to walk on a lead.
Animal welfare dogs are a special case here, they may need a special safety harness that is characterized by a third strap at the narrowest part of the body. This prevents even the most talented unleashers from breaking free!
Collar or chain?
The first choice for dog equipment is usually a dog collar made from common materials such as nylon, paracord, biothane or leather. The different materials have various advantages and disadvantages and personal taste also plays a role here.
Chains score particularly well in three areas:
- Durable and sustainable - with the right choice of chain and care, they will last a dog's lifetime.
- Easy-care - they are easy to clean and do not smell or rot even when wet.
- Safe - the correct choice of material, wire thickness and chain type makes them the right choice even for very large and heavy dogs. In contrast to fabric collars, which can wear out, chains are particularly safe due to their high breaking load.
Our ClicLock fastener offers additional safety and easy handling for selected chains and our other collars. This consists of a sturdy stainless steel housing, a high-quality and seawater-resistant plastic part and thus offers that little bit of extra security with a guaranteed breaking load of 200 kg.
Which dog lead as part of the initial equipment for dogs?
There are also lots of different materials for leads. Even more important than the material, however, is the type of lead:
- Dog leash with or without hand loop in different lengths
- Adjustable dog leash
- Drag leash or search leash in various lengths
- Retriever leash
- Flexi-leash
Our experience shows one thing above all - a wide variety of leashes are used over a dog's lifetime. To start with, an adjustable lead that is adapted to your dog's weight and size is a good choice, after that you will quickly realize what kind of lead can be useful for your everyday life or training.
Other initial dog equipment for walks
Additional dog equipment such asFlea collars or other parasite and tick protection for dogs are an advisable addition for your adventures.
In addition,Treats and Treat bag welcome companions for four-legged friends on your walks.
As dog owners, we also have the task of taking care of our dogs' waste. Accordingly, from now on you should no longer leave the house without a Dog waste bag. By stowing it in a Dog waste bag dispenser, which you can attach to your keys, trousers or dog lead, you are on the safe side.
At SPRENGER, we want to make the disposal of your dog's waste more sustainable. The use of plastic is being reduced everywhere and we want to contribute to this. Our SPRENGER dog waste bags are 100% plastic-free and compostable. Thanks to the two handles, the poop bags are easy to knot and carry.
Sleeping & eating: the basic needs for the initial dog equipment
Your dog should feel really comfortable at home. Accordingly, you should set up a quiet and comfortable Sleeping area. Whether you opt for flexible blankets and dog cushions, fixed dog beds and dog baskets or a dog crate is entirely up to you.
When feeding your dog, you need food that is tailored to your dog's needsFood and treatsOne thing above all:Two bowls. The water bowl and food bowl should be made of a sturdy material that is easy to clean. Depending on the surface, a Bowl mat can help to protect the floor and prevent the bowl from slipping if it is leaned on too joyfullyleaning on dinner.
Are you always on the go? Then it might be worth buying a Foldable bowl or oneDog drinking bottle.
Training & playing - a must in the initial dog equipment
So that your dog can successfully integrate into our society, training should already be included as a fixed point in the initial dog equipment. In general, we always recommend working with an experienced dog trainer when training your dog.
Possible training equipment that you can familiarize yourself with in advance or that you can ask your trainer about is listed here:
- Dog whistles - for an optimal recall
- Drag leash - for training recall or tracking
- Food dummies and Apportierdummies - for retrieving exercises
- Clicker - for training without treats
SPRENGER toys
Playing together is helpful before training to get rid of energy, or as part of practicing as a reward.
Here you have to find out for yourself which type of game and toy suits your dog best!
Grooming: often neglected when first getting a dog
How do you properly groom a dog? Here the answer is more far-reaching than walking, feeding, training and loving. Physical care in particular is often underestimated. So perhaps a Brush should be added to the shopping cart, especially if the new dog has a long coat, but this is often not enough. Depending on the condition of the coat, in addition to brushes, Dog grooming brush,dog combs or dog scratchers be considered.
Learn all about proper dog grooming here.
AClaw pliers,tick tweezers and First aid kit for dogs are also sensible purchases.
Our grooming tip for initial puppy equipment:
Grooming needs to be practised from puppyhood!
Because no matter whether it's about grooming later on, cutting claws or examinations at the vet - a dog has to learn to keep still. The right grooming utensils can help you here. Soft brushes make it easier to get used to, while rubber currycombs can even be used for massage, making the initial experience particularly positive and pleasant.
Special case: Initial puppy equipment
If you are buying a puppy, you need to take a closer look at the initial equipment for your dog. In some cases, your puppy will already come with a small set of initial puppy equipment from the breeder, so it's best to talk to them about this in advance so that you know what still needs to be purchased and don't buy twice unnecessarily.
Pay attention to the adjustability of collars and harnessesAdjustability, so you can use them for longer and don't have to buy new ones when your pet has a growth spurt.
AdditionalPuppy gate can help you protect your four walls from curious puppies if you can't keep a direct eye on your four-legged friend for a few minutes.
More about the right puppy equipment and our puppy tips you can find it here!
PDF "Initial equipment checklist for dogs" for download
Have you forgotten half of the products mentioned? No problem!
We have summarized everything clearly as a PDF checklist for you to download:
PART OF YOUR PASSION.
