Dogs have several needs, most are not expensive, and some can be made from things you likely already have. Use the links below to jump ahead.

Collars | Leashes | Bowls | License | Bed | Treats | Food | Vet Care

Collars

A collar is the most important item to get for your dog. Collars make it so that you can grab your dog before he gets out that door, and keep an id tag on him so that if he had gotten out someone would know he was yours. The best kinds are a nylon buckle collar or a rolled leather one. Chain collars should be for training purposes only, and not worn when not training. The nylon collar should be buckle rather than snap because the plastic snaps have a tendency to break and metal buckles break much less often.

On this collar should be at least 3 tags, a rabies vaccination tag, a license, and an id tag with your phone number and/or address on it. You want to be able to fit 3 or four fingers between your dogs neck and the collar.

Leashes

A leash is the second important item. A standard six foot leash is best, though there are many variations. Choose one with a strong buckle for the size of your dog, and a comfortable handle. If you want a retractable leash, go right ahead, but make sure to get a standard leash for a backup.

Another leash it would be good to have is a 30 foot training leash. This makes it easier to train come and distance stays without giving up control of your dog. Dogs should not be allowed off lead unless legal in your area, and under complete voice control.

Bowls

Your dog needs two bowls, one for food, and one for water. You can get as fancy as you want, but stainless steel and ceramic are normally more aesthetically pleasing, and easier to keep clean. The water bowl should always have clean water in it.

License

Most towns require that dogs over 6 months of age be licensed. This license often pays for your towns animal pound. It also makes it easier to get your dog back if it is caught by animal control. The fee is normally very low ten dollars or so being the norm.

Bed

Dogs will take almost anything as a bed. Most people like buying them a bed to match the decor. Concerns are that the cover be removable for washing, and that is be cushioned enough to be a comfortable bed. Dogs will also adopt old pillows, or couch cushions, as well as adapt to sleeping on your bed. If you allow them to sleep on your bed make sure that the dog has to be invited. Beds are often seen as top ranking positions, and can be very volatile. It is normally better to get your dog their own bed so they can sleep near your bed, but not on it. That way the dog knows that yet again you command the best resources.

Treats

Dogs love treats, and there are many kinds to choose from. You could go with a box of dog biscuits, or to the canine bakery, either way your dog will probably enjoy them. Those from a canine bakery are probably better for him though. Dogs can also eat people food in sparing amounts. Hot dogs are a common treat, and non flavored ones are best. Dogs also enjoy cooked chicken, ham and turkey. The food loses some nutrition by being cooked, but cooking lessens the risk of bacteria. Never give them any bird bones.

Other ready made dog treats include, cow hooves, cow ears, pig ears, pig snouts and all manner of rawhide chews. The first four look exactly like they sound, right off the animal. Rawhide is at least shaped, so less easy to discover the origins of. Most of those ready made treats are fine for dogs provided they chew them enough. If your dog bolts food he should probably not be given anything that requires chewing, or he could end up with a blockage due to an unchewed treat.

Food

Dog food is one of those things you get what you pay for. Lower price dog food is almost always lower quality. Most low quality dog foods are filled mainly with corn or rice, and not the corn or rice we would eat. Corn could be husks left over from processing, or even stalks of the plants. Rice is also often what it left over.

You are better off with a higher quality dog food, as the ingredients are normally higher quality as well. In fact dogs have a high incidence of allergies to lower quality food, and the preservatives in it.

Vet Care

Dogs need to go to the vet at least once a year, if a puppy several times to get shots. The most important vaccination is against rabies, but there are several others that your dog needs to get, and could become very sick without.

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