Pembroke Welsh Corgi FAQ 14

What equipment do I need to have when I bring one home?

Crate, food and water bowls, exercise pen or fenced in yard (puppy-proofed), toys, rectal thermometer, collar and leash, grooming equipment (such as nail clippers or dremel, comb and brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo), dog food (follow breeder's recommendation), clean-up tools (pooper scoops, plastic bags, etc.) baby gate(s).
The crate provides a "den", or quiet place for the puppy to sleep and to go when no one is supervising him. Most dogs will seek out their crate for rest and quiet time. Crates also protect your dog from unwanted behavior and accidents, and they make riding in the car safer for everyone.
Fresh water should be available at all times, and the puppy should have his own food bowl. The breeder should send your puppy home with a starter supply of the puppy's food. Follow feeding instructions carefully, increasing quantities as the puppy grows.
Housebreaking the new puppy is easier with an exercise pen, available at many pet stores or through pet supply catalogs, or a fenced in yard. Remember to puppy proof the yard, small puppies can fit through even smaller holes or gaps in fencing. Be especially careful with swimming pools; puppies or adult dogs can easily fall into a pool and drown.
Toys provide mental and physical exercise. Hard rubber bones, balls (too large to swallow), rubber rings and tug toys are popular. Avoid anything that can be chewed into small pieces. Never give cooked or raw animal bones, as these may splinter and cause severe illness or death.
A rectal thermometer is important, as your veterinarian will often ask about a temperature if your puppy is ill. A dog's normal temperature is between 101 to 102 degrees.
Start the puppy off with a soft , narrow collar and a four to six foot leash. Do not leave the collar on the puppy when he is alone, as the collar can become caught and strangle the puppy. Remember to increase the size of the collar as the puppy grows.
Daily grooming is important to the puppy's health and education. Although the Pembroke coat does not mat, a daily "once over" with a comb and brush will keep his coat shiny and keep shedding to a minimum. Once a week nail care is essential. Ask the breeder to show you how to clip or grind nails. Teach your puppy to allow weekly dental care, using canine toothbrush and canine toothpaste. When bathing your puppy, use a non-detergent human shampoo (baby shampoo) or a specially formulated dog shampoo.
When exercising your puppy, be a good citizen and clean up after him. Pooper scoops are readily available at pet stores. Plastic sandwich bags work equally well and can be easily tossed into your garbage can.
Puppy-proof your home. Baby gates are an inexpensive way to confine the puppy during housebreaking. Wires, chemicals in toilet bowls, heat ducts, garbage cans, house plants, antifreeze, chocolate, onions, represent just a few of the hazards present. Never leave a puppy unattended. It only takes a minute for a puppy to find something potentially lethal.