Puppy on the way... START PACK???

Ok... I am about to have my first Staffy.
Always had Shelter dogs before... this will be our first pure breed.
And the first one since we have our 3 year old daughter!

I bought a Crate (in Italy is not very common... but I get the point of it and immediately got one).
I bought the Vet Bed for inside the crate.
I bought "toilet pads" for indoor and Food.

She will be 8 weeks when comes home.
Now... I will buy Toys to keep her busy.
... I have these items to buy yet and would love some feedback/advice and in case addition if needed.
Many thanks in advance:

Item to buy next:

- collar and leash for puppy
- Toys (which is best or are best?)
- a Dog bed for when she is with us in the living room (is that a good idea?)
- bowls for food and water

1) Would you buy online (where?) or not?

Any recommendation?

Thanks

Marco

Violet has her crate, and we got her a dog bed for in the living room, but she completely ignores the dog bed (unless she is wearing it like a tortoise shell), and just lies on the couch or rug instead

Smart girl eh?... I guess I will buy one just in case she feels like crashing on it. She'll always be welcome on the sofa with us though... :-)
Thx

A collar and leash is a must. She will have to get used to it. Bowls should be metal and kept off the ground. Kongs are great toys that will last and keep them occupied

Have a quick of the link below it may help a little:


http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/basicsfornewpuppyowners.html

Also plenty of chew toys, above all lots of love, patience and consistency. Have fun.

Amazon are pretty good for dog toys. Also don't forget to register with a local vet.

Hi Marco,

We are getting our puppy (also first Staffy) in a few weeks just like your family...so we need all the same advice...keep asking questions and I will keep looking at everyone's answers!

Are you getting a boy or girl?

Michele

In regards to the collar and lead, I would get a simple webbing one at first and get her used to wearing it as soon as possible. It might be a good idea to get a harness as well.
When Romeo was a puppy I used to get loads of those squeaky toys from the pound shop. He especially like the rubber chicken and squeaky balls. Its a bad idea to give dogs tennis balls as the coating can wear down their teeth. Everyone says Kongs are a good toy but my boy never liked his. Filled bones used to keep him occupied for ages, she'll be too young for raw hide and bigger bones untill her adult teeth come through.
He also liked soft toys but they didn't last that long. When he was really small he also liked to play with the inside of toilet rolls
In regards to the bed, get a larger one as opposed to a smaller one. Romeo loved his bed but he grew out of it by the time he was a year old. Probably better to get one of those cheaper matress style ones as the puppy may destroy it.

Lots of good advice given already. So exciting getting a new little puppy. When they are small stuffed toys are great for playing with. As they get older they tend to rip them open for the squeekers inside!

Hi,

Stella has been wearing Puppia harness:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Puppia-Soft-Air-Mesh-Harness-Many-Colours-/290618763871?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&var=&hash=item8960664fa7
She started with size S, now she has XL (she is 9 months now).

I use flexi lead so she has more freedom (I keep her on lead in public areas because she is too friendly and runs to greet everybody).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flexi-Classic-Small-Retractable-Tape-Dog-Lead-Blue-Purple-Black-Red-Pink-/320794893664?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&var=&hash=item76c11c6129

Regarding toys she loves anything, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, she loves empty kitchen towels rolls and carton boxes as well.

Stella had around 4 or 5 beds, she destroys them sooner or later and she sleeps on the sofa most of the time anyway but she has at least a blanket instead of a "propper" bed and she often goes to sleep there.
I don't have a crate but I can imagine it can be a good thing.

Pads are fine, Stella was quite slow with the toilet training so she was using them at night until she was some 7-8 months. Some people don't like them because it can suggest the dog that it is OK going inside but I like her being relaxed and it was not such a big deal for me personally. I have wooden floors and at least I always had enough empty kitchen towel rolls for her to play with.

Good Luck, do you have a name yet?
All the best!!!
Xx

Well
I knew the forum was friendly, but did not expect so much!
Thank you very much guys.

Michele I got a girl.

For the other advisors, thanks again.. will have a look....

I am on rush now to teach a class, so will post something later re Toilet training...

You rock guys!

...ah... no name yet... my daughter wants Molly.. I don't like it.. and with my wife were more keen on Petra or Chika.
We shall see... we still have 10 days to go!

Ciao

Maybe not for now but when older I use

www.chemistdirect.co.uk

www.petmeds.co.uk

Usually for food and treats and her worming tablets. For future reference I guess! Exciting times