New house, new pup.... what do i need to be prepared!?!?

[Moe Szyslak]

Havent owned a dog since I was 8 years old. Starting to do more hunting and would like a dog. 2 birds with one stone so I am getting a GSP. I've been reading online about training techniques but what about the basics to buy or things to be prepared for. Unfortunately the house is built with higher end products so hopefully he doesnt destroy TOO much! Acre of land with 200 feet of waterfront. Every neighbor owns dogs and direct neighbor has two that are never leashed and wander onto my property all the time but are friendly to me.

Any help would be appreciated. THanks. Pup being looked at is 4 months old.

[Lunker]

Baby gates so you can keep him confined to areas you want. A kennel, getting him used to kenneling is huge. Don't bother buying a dog bed for a pup, they'll destroy it stick to blankets or towels you can wash or throw away. Collar, leash, and lead for training, all things they need to get used to. A good book on training. Something constructive to chew on like nylon bones. Stay away from stuffed toys, as they will destroy those too. And above all, patience. I'm no dog or training expert like some guys here, but those are a few things that came to mind at the moment.

[Archtek]

Check lamp cords, etc. that are plugged into an outlet. Puppies seem to like to chew on those. Either unplug the lamps or do what I have done and replace the receptacles with GFI's.

If you have expensive rugs (especially rugs with fringes), either roll them up until the puppy is out of the chewing stage or go to someplace like Menards and buy a cheapo rug temporarily. And get a bottle of Bitter Apple, although I would guess maybe 25% of the puppies we have raised seem to like the stuff!!

If you have a guardrail with balusters that are wide enough for the puppy to squeeze through, temporarily cover it with something like lattice attached with zip ties. We have seen puppies walk right through a guardrail and fall to the floor below.

Remember the #1 puppy rule: "If it's on or near the floor, it's MINE". Lay down on the floor and look at everything from the puppy's point of view and try to imagine what what kind of trouble a puppy could get into with what you see.

But the best thing you can do is keep a close eye on the puppy at all times. We have been showing and breeding dogs for about 16 years, with an average of 2 litters per year, and yet every now and then a puppy will find some new and creative way to get into trouble! Just grit your teeth and keep your sense of humor; even with all the trouble they can get into, puppies are a blast!!

[leech~~]

[blindluck]

A fenced in area.

Hate to be a downer, but since you mentioned the waterfront property you are going to have to be extra watchful during the winter. The GSP is a hunting dog through and through and they will chase a varmint out on to the frozen lake. If the ice is thin they will go through, and then you will be in a world of s&*t. A friend of mine saw some guy drilling holes all over the place while he was out ice fishing. So much so he had to ask him what he was doing. The guy said he was looking for his dog who had chased a muskrat out there.

[HarleyK50]

I am actually in the same situation with a black lab. Is there a specific list of training supplies: dummies, check cords, etc? I have a crate, food bowls, and some simple toys. I will be working on obedience for the first 4 weeks, and want to have a list of supplies for the next steps. Thanks!

[Arago]

Our lab is now a little over three months. We are bringing him to Neuman's K9 puppy camp for a month of training. Has anyone used this facility?