A Few Items to Have On Hand for Your New Arrival:
Collar and leash (the rescue supplies these initially, but you might want to have extras on hand)
- ID tag - a lot of people forget about this!
- A crate - Either a metal frame crate or a plastic Varikennel
- Dog seat belt - If you train your dog to ride nicely in the car with one of these it will make your life easier.
- A dog mat or pillow for inside their crate.
- A comfortable dog bed for your dog to rest on when tired.
- Food and water dishes (metal dishes recommended)
- Premium dog food - We recommend food like Solid Gold, Wellness, Canidae, and Innova.
- Dog food containers - Helps keep food fresh and airtight.
- Premium dog treats
- Dog toys. We highly recommend Kong toys. You can stuff a Kong full of all sorts of goodies and it will keep your Boxer busy in his crate while you are not home.
- Chewies and bones - Dogs naturally have an urge to chew.
- Nail clippers or a dremel tool - If you can hear your dog's nails on the floor when they are walking, they probably need to be trimmed.
- Dog shampoo. Dogs shouldn't need terribly frequent bathing, but it'll happen sometime!
- Names and telephone numbers of obedience trainers in your area. We think that taking your new family member to some obedience classes is a great idea. It will help you establish communication and help the dog to understand what you want from him.
From Your Visit to the Vet:
- Rabies vaccination and tag - You will need these to license your dog in your community
- Heartworm preventative, like Heartgard, Interceptor, or Sentinel.
- Flea and tick control, like Advantage or Frontline brands.
[Portions of this list courtesy of Second Chance Boxer Rescue.]