Checklist

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Sabbilicious

Forums Regular
I am hoping to get a sheltie in september. I am trying to make a list of stuff to get, and questions to ask the person/breeder selling the sheltie. So this is what I got for now.
Questions to ask:
Age?
Type of food being eaten?
Recommendation on what size of kennel?
If the puppy needs any needles or anything?
Any specific things the puppy likes/dislikes?

Now my checklist for things I have to purchase (I am trying to be organized):
Kennel (recommendations?)
Bed (recommendations?)
Food
Food dishes
Brush (recommendations, since I know they have a bigger coat)
Toys (any recommendations for toys that shelties like?)
Leash/collar
Pooper scooper (since we will be cleaning the yard up after the puppy poops)
Food scooper

Anything I might need to consider? or any changes would be greatly appreciated. I am so excited, and just want my puppy to have what it needs.
 
Welcome! We're so glad you're doing your homework before welcoming your Sheltie into your life! :yes:

There have been several threads on planing for a new arrival. That said, we all just LOVE to chime n one more time -- so here goes:

Age: No younger than 9 weeks. Be sure your going to a reputable breeder.
Resource: The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. The Monks will tell you so much!
Crate: Medium. See Monks
Dishes: Stainless steel or ceramic
Brushes: I like Chris Christensen or Cherrybrook as a brush supplier. I like the wooden one for a puppy and the t-brush as they mature. http://www.chrissystems.com/brushes.htm
Food: The most hotly debated topic on the forum! :lol: I feed Acana because it's high protein and grain-free. That said, there are many good foods out there. Scoop with a measuring cup so you know exactly how much you're feeding.
Toys: Mine like soft plush toys, but I also recommend a puppy Orca chew: http://www.petsmart.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=orka&origkw=orca&sr=1
Leash/Collar: I started all my Shelties with a light web collar and thin leash, changing collar size as they grew. Once they reach full size, at one year, they get a martingale collar and matching leash from Leashes by Design -- the kangaroo weave lasts a lifetime! http://www.leashesbydesign.com/
Poop Patrol: I have four Shelties. My choice is a big box of latex gloves and a plastic bag -- it's a lot easier the just pick it up -- plus, the bending and stretching is great exercise. :lol:

Best wishes, and please keep us posted on your preparations. Remember, you can easily spend a fortune -- but you really don't have to.
 
Age:
ours came home at 9 weeks

Food
This is a loaded question here on the forums,my suggestion is to read thru commercial & raw food posts,and go from there. What ever your pup is on when ou bring it home,probably should be left as is until a year old. Lots of variables.Grain o no grain,raw,etc
Recommendation on what size of kennel?

We use soft sided for traveling,but they also use them at night as they please (2 of our shelties) our other little pip squeak,Mia is deaf & blind,she sleeps in hers at night with door closed.It is a metal crate.
To add to your list,you may want to think of getting an x-pen,or baby gates as well.

If the puppy needs any needles or anything?
Not sure what you are asking here?

Any specific things the puppy likes/dislikes?
Are you talking enviormental likes or dislikes,or just personality traits?


Now my checklist for things I have to purchase (I am trying to be organized):
Kennel (recommendations?)
Metal crate or soft sided

Bed (recommendations?)
Well here,Mia instantly detructs anything that feels like a bed.So no specific beds are used. However we do have 2 raised cots that Trapp & Jasper LOVE

Food
Again your decision,read & inform yourself

Food dishes
We use stainless,shallow bowls

Brush (recommendations, since I know they have a bigger coat)
Pin brush,greyhound comb,slicker for much later,dremal or something to trim nails.Assorted sized scissors,round point (blunts are definately needed for ear trims)

Toys (any recommendations for toys that shelties like?)
squirrels,birds...anything that moves:biggrin2:...if you are talking inanimate objects...ours love Skinz

Leash/collar
Again a subject that gets lots of attention on forums. Ours are in lather harness for trips outside the home,they wear no collars here at home.They tend to break the ruff. However many are huge fans of Leash's by Designs. But for us,with 4 dogs,I would have to take out a second mortgage.
We do love martingales here though,and Trapp & Jasper have them Mia does not wear a collar either,only on outings.

Pooper scooper (since we will be cleaning the yard up after the puppy poops)
we use a shovel

Food scooper
None used here,I use a measuring cup,that stays in the food bin.We measure food here,an absolute must!

Anything I might need to consider? or any changes would be greatly appreciated. I am so excited, and just want my puppy to have what it needs.[/QUOTE]
 
Looks like the other members did a fabulous job of covering the other topics!

But..

Toys: My pup has a phenomenal amount of toys (its borderline embarrassing for me). I find that he loves the plush ones (stuffing free actually don't work out too well). He also loves his tugs! They are great for teething and also just to play with him. We love the Kong plush in particular- they are more expensive but very durable.

Hope this help!! Good luck :)
 
Sabbilicious said:
I am hoping to get a sheltie in september. I am trying to make a list of stuff to get, and questions to ask the person/breeder selling the sheltie. So this is what I got for now.
Questions to ask:
Age?
Type of food being eaten?
Recommendation on what size of kennel?
If the puppy needs any needles or anything?
Any specific things the puppy likes/dislikes?
Click to expand...

Other questions to consider asking...
Do you show your dogs in conformation, agility and/or obedience?
What is the breeder's goal with this litter? (if they have no goal and are just breeding to make extra money or because their dogs are cute... walk away)
How long have they been breeding?
Can you meet the dog's parents? (the father might not be there because many breeders use a sire from another kennel)
Are the puppy's parents health tested for hip dysplasia, eyes, thyroid, etc?
How many sets of shots will the puppy have when you bring him/her home?
What vaccines does the breeder recommend/not recommend?
How much socialization has the breeder done with the puppy?
What's the breeder's health guarantee / contract?


Sabbilicious said:
Now my checklist for things I have to purchase (I am trying to be organized):
Kennel (recommendations?)
Bed (recommendations?)
Food
Food dishes
Brush (recommendations, since I know they have a bigger coat)
Toys (any recommendations for toys that shelties like?)
Leash/collar
Pooper scooper (since we will be cleaning the yard up after the puppy poops)
Food scooper

Anything I might need to consider? or any changes would be greatly appreciated. I am so excited, and just want my puppy to have what it needs.
Click to expand...

I would recommend a wired crate for the puppy. Shelties like to see what's going on, so they like wired crates. Get a crate that your puppy can still use when he reaches adult size. A lot of crates come with a barrier, so you can make the crate smaller when the puppy is little and increase the size as he grows. The crate should only be big enough for him to stand up and turn around and lay down comfortably. You don't want it too big or he might sleep in one end and poop in the other. I also have a soft collapsible crate in my car for when we travel.

I wouldn't invest a lot of money on a bed with a puppy. A puppy will most likely chew or pee on the bed. I bought a cheap one for $10. I waited until my dog was a year old before I bought her a good bed. She likes to sleep on her side, so I went with a big bolster bed.

I recommend a kong toy. The original one that you can stuff with canned food, peanut butter or pumpkin. I put it in the freezer. It keeps my sheltie busy for at least 20 mins and the cold kong is great for a teething puppy. I also recommend a tennis ball. A lot of shelties love to play fetch, but take it away if puppy chews the tennis ball. I also recommend treat dispensing toys. There are all different kinds: balls, wobbler, cubes. They keep dogs busy and provide mental exercise.

Choose a measuring food scooper, so you can monitor the amount of food you feed. I just used a regular measuring cup. I also recommend a vita vault bin to store your puppy's food. It keeps food fresh and keeps bugs out.

You will also needs lots of treats. Start training that puppy from day 1. I like Zuke's minis and Charlee bears. I also use very small pieces of turkey hot dogs, cheese, carrots and even my dogs kibble.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
Sabbilicious said:
I am hoping to get a sheltie in september. I am trying to make a list of stuff to get, and questions to ask the person/breeder selling the sheltie. So this is what I got for now.
Questions to ask:
Age?
Type of food being eaten?
Recommendation on what size of kennel?
If the puppy needs any needles or anything?
Any specific things the puppy likes/dislikes?

Now my checklist for things I have to purchase (I am trying to be organized):
Kennel (recommendations?)
Bed (recommendations?)
Food
Food dishes
Brush (recommendations, since I know they have a bigger coat)
Toys (any recommendations for toys that shelties like?)
Leash/collar
Pooper scooper (since we will be cleaning the yard up after the puppy poops)
Food scooper

Anything I might need to consider? or any changes would be greatly appreciated. I am so excited, and just want my puppy to have what it needs.
Click to expand...

Be careful what you ask for! You are about to be inundated with ideas!

1) Kennel - I prefer a soft-sided crate because of its ease of transport. I could move it up and downstairs, in and out of cars easily. |That being said, in the early days, I actually had two crates - one for upstairs and one for downstairs. Once pup got to about 10 months, I moved his crate ubti an Xpen. Still gave him his den, but a little more space to move around. Then I gradually eliminated the Xpen and blocked the pups into the family room area. And now finally, they have full run of the house and we don't use the crates anymore (except on the boat on the way to the cottage)

2) Bed - to start - should definitely be a crate. Once your dog is no longer chewing or peeing, its up to you. My dogs have full access to the house now, but they always sleep in my room - either on the bed or on fleeces in my room. When its hot, they both sleep on the hardwood floor to stay cool.

3) Food is a huge topic. Your breeder should provide you with what pup has been eating. Most times you will find it supermarket food. Check out the threads on the forum for feeding options. If you decide to transition, do it gradually over a 10 day period, mixing the new food with the old food.

4) Dishes - my dogs will eat out of margarine containers. But they drink water constantly. Just make sure you have water dishes available all the time.

5) Toys - to start - chewing toys. After that, I've found no "perfect" toy for Shelties. My dogs fall in and out of love with their toys all the time. These days, they actually have no interest in toys.

6) Leash/Collar. To start just a small collar and a 6 foot lead. Once pup is used to walking, I strongly recommend a martingale collar. Sheltie heads are small in comparison to their necks and they can easily slip their collars. A martingale (especially one that is 1/2" or less) can be left on all day and not chaf the fur, yet will tighten when attached to a lead so they can't slip their collar.

7) Pooper Scooper - I have two, and it depends on the time of the year and the length of the grass. But better yet, I have a lawn service that scoops my poop! :smile2:
 
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