Collar and Leash
I prefer collar with a buckle instead of snap closure since they are more secure. They are generally inexpensive and good quality.
The example below is from Petsmart. Prices start at $2.75. They have leashes to match.
Dishes for Food and Water
Every puppy supply list should include quality dishes for food and water.
I like stainless steel bowls since they are easy to clean and can’t be chewed. Ensure they have a rubber non-stick part on the bottom so they stay in place while the puppy is eating/drinking.
The examples below are from Petsmart and start at $3.74
Indestructible Chew Toy
Puppies like to mouth and chew on things, so it’s essential to have a few chew-approved items around.
My dogs have a few favorites. Firstly a Kong is great for general chewing but I like to put peanut butter in it then freeze it and give it as a treat, because it’s frozen it works great for teething and I found it to work wonders for crate training. To train the puppy to want to go into their crate (or as I prefer to call it their “kennel”) I would say “kennel up” as I walk towards the kennel with the Kong from the freezer. The puppy then associates the yummy peanut butter Kong with their crate. Then since it takes a few minutes for the puppy to eat peanut butter out of the Kong it gives you time to leave the house without your puppy noticing and that helps with potential separation anxiety problem.
The Kong products below can be found at most pet stores and start at $5.99
In addition to Kong my dogs LOVE Nylabone’s I like to start off with the “Puppy Pack” which has a selection of 3 different puppy bones
Once the adult teeth start coming in the Nylabone double action chew and the Galileo chew above are definite favorites with my 5 springers. They last even with powerful chewers!
My pups also LOVE Kong squeaky balls and the Kong Airdog range in general is always a favorite!
If you use a “Chuck it” you can give your pet a great work out without doing yourself an injury trying to throw the ball!
Dog Crate
Crate training is the easiest way to good house training habits. A crate (or Kennel as I prefer to call it) can also serve as a safe, comfortable place to keep your puppy while you’re away from home or when you travel with him. Pictured below is one of the crates I have and of the 3 I have it is the best quality. I have the Extra Large size which measures 48L x 28W x 31H. Technically I think it says to use the large size for English Springer Spaniels but I feel that the large is a bit too small. You will definitely want to use the partition that comes with the crate to train your puppy since if they are allowed to use the entire area they may go to the bathroom in the crate. If you partition it off the pup will not want to go to the bathroom in the crate since dogs instinctively will go to the bathroom where they sleep. Just ensure they have adequate room to turn around and stretch out comfortably. It is tempting to want to give them the whole area but in the long term it is much better for training purposes to partition the puppy into a smaller area of the crate until he trained not to go to the bathroom in it.
This crate is the Midwest Life Stages Training and Travel Crates - 1600 Series and is $89.99 from Petsmart, I’m sure it can be found elsewhere.
Walking training aids
I LOVE LOVE the Halti Headcollar! It helps put you back in control of your pet. Calms boisterous animals and simplifies training. Works on the principle that where a dogs head goes his body will follow. By gently guiding a dog's head in the direction you want him to go the dog's body will follow. If you have a dog that pulls on the lead, you will know how exhausting walks can be. Dogs of all sizes can pull on the lead to the point of choking themselves.
Naturally following the contours of a dogs face and positioned well down the dog's nose, the Halti gives you maximum steering power and control. The particular advantage of the Halti is its unique on-off muzzle-closing effect: when the dog attempts to lunge forward or attack, his jaws are closed by the slip ring. When he is relaxed or friendly, he can pant easily and act just like a dog. The soft material and careful design and construction ensures the Halti is comfortable and in many dogs can create a pronounced calming effect.
It is so much more effective and doesn’t cause the discomfort to the animal that a choke chain does. I have known some breeds of dog not to respond as well to the Halti but all of my Springers are like different dogs when walking with the Halti. It will take a bit of getting used to and they will object to it at first by shaking their heads but once they realize it is not coming off they start responding positively to it. I highly recommend a Halti! I usually use a medium size on my dogs but make sure you try it on before using to ensure correct fit.
Grooming Tools
These are puppy products that are often overlooked, but they’re a necessity for Springer spaniels. You should buy a brush and nail clippers, regular grooming sessions not only keep your dog’s coat healthy, and they help build his trust in you as pack leader.
Also since Springers have a longer coat they will likely need to be trimmed a few times a year to ensure there are not matted areas, this can be done by a professional groomer or by yourself with dog clippers. Long hair around their paw pads also needs to be trimmed up regularly so mud and burrs don’t get stuck. I prefer Andis Pro Dog Clipper Kit, the great thing about it is the detachable blade, which means you can just replace the blade when it gets dull instead of buying a new set. It costs around $80.00 but will last you and is worth it over the cheaper clippers. I have also found that cordless is not as good since the battery usually runs out too soon and it generally costs more for cordless too.
Dogs also need their nails clipped regularly, this can be done at the groomer or by your vet or you can do it yourself. If you choose to do it yourself make sure you have the correct tool and that you carefully trim the nails ensuring you don’t cut too short. I have a pair like the orange pair below. I also recommend brushes like those below, I especially like the dual bristle one with softer on one side and harder on the other.
Springers also need their ears cleaned regularly, usually every 2 weeks and every time they are in water. Your vet should sell a good ear cleaner that you can use or they can be found at pet stores and online at places like 1800petmeds.com. Which brings me to a good point in that you will find that you can get most items cheaper online.
Name Tag
No puppy or dog should be without an id tag, an implanted microchip is also something is would definitely urge you to do. The microchip can be implanted without anesthetic with a large needle and although it is a little uncomfortable for the dog it is over quickly however I recommend having it implanted when the pup in to be spayed/neutered that way they won’t have any pain from the injection. Your vet can implant the microchip and prices vary however it is usually not too expensive since veterinarians know it is something that is in the best interest for you pet. The thought of ever losing my dogs upsets me so much that I cannot recommend microchipping enough to make sure your puppy can be traced back to you if he’s ever lost.
I like a fun name tag like the one below, however I do recommend you also have your phone number and possibly address on it.
For microchips I use Home Again however there are other microchips available and your vet can let you know what they use.
Flea, Tick and Heartworm Prevention
It is absolutely essential to use flea, tick and heartworm prevention medications every month. No matter how careful you are you never know what your pup is going to pick up and it’s better to be safe than sorry. I recommend Advantix or Frontline for flea and tick prevention. I have used both in the past but if you have a cat it is best to use Frontline because Advantix can be toxic to cats although it is completely safe for dogs.
For heartworm I recommend Heartguard or Interceptor. There are others available too that I am not familiar with and your vet will be able to advise you what they recommend.
Additional Items
You may want to have other items on hand to make caring for your pet easier.
Pooper scooper: I like the one below after trying almost all of the others available. You can find them at pet stores.
A folding gate: (baby gate) to confine your puppy to a particular room – make sure it is tall enough since Springers can jump pretty high! You can find then at store like Wal-Mart, Target etc.
Chemical deodorizers/cleaners: Great for accidents – I love Resolve pet stain, it smells good and cleans great!
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on a puppy product to keep your pet happy. Once you have the essentials, wait a few weeks and see what else he needs. You don’t want to buy something that never gets used. Also, your puppy can quickly outgrow many items quickly so when possible purchase with his adult size in mind.
We hope this helped you get started on the road to a happy puppy, check back soon for more on puppy diet and how to start you puppy on the raw diet!
Now it's me Charlie signing off I gotta go play with my little girl Belle, check out how cute we are together!
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