Grab Your Gear

Here is some gear that can get your life with your NCIS litter pup (or any pup) off to an easier start.

Not necessary, but possibly useful:

Ridley in his car seat.

Calming pheromone products can be helpful when your pup is stressed by new things.  The brand we have always used is Adaptil.   Adaptil is 100 percent drug free, and mimics a mothers natural nursing pheromones, which helps dogs to feel safe and calm.  Other similar products are Thunderease and Relaxivet.  You can purchase these products in the form of spray (which can be used on a bandanna, bedding, in a crate etc), collar or diffuser.

A "snuggle pup" toy with a heartbeat can help an anxious pup settle down to sleep.  We've never used one before, but have heard good things about them, so we are going to get one for the pup we are keeping this time.  There are several brands available.

It is always safest for your pup to be confined when riding in your vehicle.  If you are in an accident, the safest alternative is for your pet to be in a crate, but if you do not have room in your vehicle for a crate, you should use a canine seatbelt.  This will prevent your pup from possibly being thrown around inside the vehicle, ejected from the vehicle or escaping through a suddenly open door or window.  The photo of Ridley shows him in an "EveryYay Road Trippin' Car Booster Seat".

Kasie on a car ride.

Below are some grooming tools that can make things easier for your pup (and groomer).

With just puppy fluff to care for right now, it's easy to not do much grooming, but do it anyway! 

Get your pup used to being handled all over, including handling his ears, putting your fingers in his mouth and messing with his feet.  Gently run a brush over him several times a week, followed by combing.

If you have clippers and a blow dryer, get your pup used to the sound of both of these before they go to the groomer for the first time.  All the pups have heard both, but they need more exposure and a strong reward history, so they are not bothered by them.  Once they are used to the sound, get them accustomed to the vibration of the clipper by holding it against their body and to the blowing of the air from the dryer.

For your first grooming appointment, focus on making it a positive experience for the pup, rather than getting a perfect haircut and full groom. 

1. This inexpensive little hair dryer/brush combo is genius for getting pups used to the dryer.  The brand name is "iPettie" and I bought mine on Amazon.  It is quiet and the air is not too forceful, perfect for drying puppy fluff.  I do use mine on my adult dogs too and it works well.
2. This "Artero" double flexible slicker brush was a recommendation from friends and is great and reasonably priced.  The smaller size and flexible design make it great for problem areas like armpits.
3. This little double sided pin brush is a good starter brush for puppies.  You can begin by using the bristle side of the brush, so it just feels like petting. 
4. This is a required tool for Portuguese Water Dogs.  You can brush your dog completely and thoroughly, but you are never done until you can run a comb entirely through their coat also.  It's difficult to see in the photo but purchase one with a rounded back (rather than square) as it's easier on your hands.
5. Not everyone is a fan of dematting combs/rakes, but I like to have one handy.  You can use them to break up/cut through a matted area and can then use your pin brush and comb to completely comb the problem area through.
6. 
   Licki-mats are fabulous for entertaining your dog and they can also work great to keep them occupied when you need them to hold still for a grooming session.  This mat has suction cups on the back so you can stick it to the wall of the bathtub during baths or on a surface adjacent to a grooming table while brushing.
7. I hesitated to buy this brush because it is expensive!  The brand is Chris Christenson and mine is a medium sized Big K.  The Big G should work also if you can't find the other brush in stock.  This brush is super-efficient and will cut your brushing time way down.
8. For right now, a human toenail trimmer sized trimmer works perfectly for your pup's toenails.  I'll post a little video of a puppy toenail trim in the next few days so you can see.  I'll also take photos of what I also to trim the adult dog's nails.  You should trim your pups nails at least every 2 weeks.

For the pups that have not left home yet, we are continuing to introduce them to new things.  Two new foods they've had recently were raw sweet potato chunks and sourdough waffles.  The pups gave both new treats a big "paws up".

Yesterday we found a wind-up mouse in the closet toy stash and all the pups had fun chasing it.  Here's a little video of Ziva chasing the mouse.  Warning: there is LOTS of noise from other jealous doggies in the background!