German Shepherd Puppy Supplies: What to Buy for Your New Puppy
If you have just welcomed a new German Shepherd puppy into your home, you must purchase supplies to ensure they have everything they need. Puppies are a lot of work, but they are also a lot of fun and can provide years of companionship. Here, we’ll go through some fundamentals you’ll need to stock up on for your new dog. We’ll cover everything from food and water bowls to toys and bedding!
You must have some things when you raise a German Shepherd puppy. You can’t live without any of these things.
Other things are nice-to-have or not as important as some other things. This will depend on your lifestyle and your choices about raising a puppy.
As a collar, harness, and leash, some things are essential for your dog’s safety and training. But don’t forget other things, like toys and treats!
Buying a German Shepherd Puppy
1. Collar
In several locations, dogs are obliged by law to wear a collar that includes their owner’s phone number.
They are lightweight and easy to clean. They won’t get stiff after getting wet like leather ones.
You can personalize your dog’s tag with up to 25 characters of information. This will help someone return your pup to you if it gets lost.
Info to Include
We recommend using details such as:
- your last name
- cellphone number
- street number and zip code of your address.
However, we don’t recommend including your pet’s name.
It is widespread for people to steal dogs. Letting the thieves know your dog’s name makes it easier for them to steal your dog.
Harness
- They’re more difficult for a wriggling puppy to remove than a collar.
- A harness is an excellent way to keep your puppy from getting hurt if they pull on its leash too hard. The harness will spread the force over a large muscle area instead of just the throat.
- Since they are less likely to damage your dog while driving, they are a better option than a collar.
- And they make it easier for you to control your puppy during training.
What’s more, there are many types of harnesses to choose from. You can find harnesses that are lightweight and easy to wash or ones that have extra safety features for walking at night.
2. Travel Restraint
Many people want to be able to travel with their dogs. But some things make this easier when you have a German Shepherd puppy.
Puppies that travel in cars without being restrained can sometimes get into mischief.
Dogs that are not restrained can be injured more easily in a car accident.
If you’re traveling with a puppy, it’s a good idea to use a soft-sided travel crate to keep them safe and contained.
On the other hand, this type of crate might not withstand long if your GSD puppy is a destructive chewer.
A great alternative is to secure their harness to the seat belt plug.
This will keep your puppy safe in case of a car crash. The harness will spread the impact over his whole body.
3. Leash
If you’re collecting your puppy at eight weeks old, it won’t need much rigorous exercise.
You should start getting your German Shepherd puppy used to wearing a collar and harness from an early age. This will help them get used to it, so it won’t be a big deal when you take them for walks. When you get a German Shepherd puppy, one thing to buy is a leash.
Puppies are more receptive to learning new things when they are young. That includes getting them used to walking on a leash.
Teaching your dog the basics of walking on a loose leash will help them behave better when they are out and about.
4. Crate
People have mixed feelings about dog crates. They’re popular with certain people and unpopular with others. If you’re thinking about getting a German Shepherd puppy, you’ll need to decide if you want a crate.
But used responsibly, they have many advantages.
- They can become a safe place for your puppy to relax. Puppies often learn that a den is a safe and comfortable place to be.
- They can speed up the process of learning to use the bathroom.
- Crate training prepares your dog for being in a crate in the future. For example, they must stay at the vet or travel by air.
5. Bedding
A bare crate doesn’t make a very comfortable place for a German Shepherd puppy. You’ll need to buy some bedding for the puppy to sleep in.
A vet bed is a machine-washable, quick-drying way to line your dog’s crate and make it comfortable.
They come in typical crate sizes, making it easy to decorate the bottom of the container with these products.’
6. Puppy Gates or a Play Pen
Creating a safe puppy zone for your German Shepherd is an investment for you and your dog.
Puppies are curious and playful. They sometimes get into trouble.
Creating a safe place in your home for your child gives you peace of mind and protects them from harm. If you need to leave them for a few minutes, they will be safe in this designated spot.
Your puppy zone should have wipe-clean floors in case of accidents. By hiding goodies, you can help your dog learn that this area is associated with positive things. In addition, people should clean up after themselves when they leave their prized possessions lying around the house or office.
8. Toys
German Shepherd puppies need plenty of toys to keep them busy. Make sure you buy toys for your new puppy as soon as possible.
They adore playing, which is critical in developing their muscles, motor skills, and coordination.
Toys that they can chew on, such as chewy sticks, also assist in soothing their inflamed gums while teething.
GSDs have pretty tough teeth and jaws from a young age.
9. Food and Water Bowls
All puppies need access to clean water. It is crucial to keep their water bowl clean to prevent the growth of bacteria. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are the easiest options for keeping them clean.
You can give your dog small meals in a bowl while training them. But you should also use most of their daily food allowance as a reward.
GSDs have a deep chest, making them prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus, or ‘bloat.’
It is estimated that bloat kills around 1 in 7 GSDs.
If your puppy eats too quickly, it might get bloated. A slow feeder bowl can help protect them from this.
10. Food
Your puppy should have a small amount of the food they were consuming before you got them.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy food for your German Shepherd puppy!
You should ask your breeder what food they are using before getting your dog. You should also buy a few weeks’ worths of food when the dog comes home.
If you want to transition them onto a different diet, wait until they are completely settled into your home. Then, slowly transition them over for about a week.
This will minimize the possibility of them getting an upset stomach.
11. Treats
Offering a high-value food reward is the best way to learn a new behavior or improve old behavior.
Fortunately, you don’t have to buy dog-training treats to utilize them. A few cubes of cheese or pieces of cooked chicken will do the trick.
It’s fine if some pet owners prefer the convenience of a ready-made product.
You may need to try a few types of dog food to figure out which makes your dog work the hardest.
12. A Grooming Kit
German Shepherds are a type of dog known for being tough and rough. Even though they may seem like they don’t need it, they must still be groomed regularly to stay healthy.
Even if you rely mainly on a professional groomer, keeping some essential supplies at home in case of emergencies is a good idea.
Every dog owner should have these essentials on hand:
- If you want to keep your German Shepherd’s hair free of mats, brush it at least twice a week.
- Shampoo, for when they roll in something stinky.
- And a pair of tick removers.
13. Toothbrush and Toothpaste
These items are considered part of general grooming supplies.
Making sure your German Shepherd puppy has clean teeth is essential. You should choose a toothbrush and toothpaste that are specially made for dogs.
You will need to take care of your dog regularly, not just leave it to the groomer every six weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About German Shepherd Puppy Supplies
Set up your German Shepherd’s crate with soft, toasty blankets and a few of his favorite stuffed animals. To help your pup wind down for the night, say “go night-night” or “it’s the good night” to him.
This breed requires a lot of room for exercise. They need a yard with a minimum floor area of 4000 square feet. They will be able to play and run freely due to this. It’s possible to have a large and energetic dog live in a tiny house or apartment if the daily requirements are well-planned.
It is common for a puppy to spend more time sleeping than awake. It’s very usual for this to happen. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy can sleep up to 18 hours every day! The puppy can grow and learn about its new environment by getting plenty of rest.
German Shepherds should not be left outside for more than half of the day. Puppies should spend considerably less time outdoors throughout the first few months of their lives. You may allow your adult German Shepherd to sleep outside if the weather is nice.
German Shepherd puppies usually sleep for around 15-20 hours each day. They only get up to eat and walk when they’re growing.
German Shepherds want a lot of space to run and play with their puppies. They need at least 4000 square feet of yard space if they live outside.
You should have a fenced-in area of at least 1000 square feet to give your GSD space to exercise and get fresh air. This will also keep people, kids, animals, and wildlife from entering the area.
When it comes to barking, German Shepherds are among the loudest. They may not hear you since they are barking so loudly. Screaming or yelling at your German Shepherd when they bark at strangers will not teach them anything other than that you, too, have a strong reaction to the stranger.
German shepherds are considered to be intelligent and confident dogs. They have a lot of energy and are eager to please their owners. This can make them easier to potty train when consistent with positive reinforcement.
Leaving a German Shepherd alone for eight hours a day will tire them out quickly. Suppose they are left alone for that long. In that case, they may start to engage in destructive or problematic behavior such as digging, chewing, and barking.
For first-time dog owners, German Shepherds are an excellent choice. German Shepherds require a set schedule to keep them from getting bored. Because of the time commitment required, a GSD may not be the right dog for you.