I've never had my own dog before, so I'm trying to compile as much information as I can before our little corgi comes home in July! If I'm missing anything, pleaaase let me know!

Supplies

• Crate (life stage 36 wire crate or a 36 plastic airline approved crate)
• Homemade enzyme cleaner
• Food
• Toys (chew toys, Kongs, squeaky toys, balls)
• Collar
• Identifying collar tags
• 6ft Leash
• Biodegradable Poop bags
• Dog Shampoo/non-scented baby shampoo
• Brush
• Furminator
• Food and water dishes (non-tipping)
• Nail clippers
• Blankets/towels
• Ear cleaner
• Saline solution for cleaning eyes
• Tick key
• Unscented baby wipes
• Treats
• Musher's Secret (winter)
• Bitter Apple spray

Food

• Most suitable puppy food should be labeled "for large dogs" (to promote slow bone growth)
• Avoid by-products, soybean meal, too much grain
• Food preserved with "mixed tocopherols" is healthier than other preservatives
• Best human foods to supplement dog's diet: raw meaty bones, cooked salmon, tuna, cooked eggs, wild rice, squash, pumpkin, green beans, apples, cooked oatmeal, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, peppermint, parsley, brewer's yeast, carrots, broccoli stalks, cauliflower
• Be weary of "split grains" in ingredient list; listing a variety of "wheat" products separately makes it appear there is less
• Be weary of unnecessary "special" ingredients - herbs, sugar, artificial colours, flavours, yucca, probiotics, glucosamine
• Switch to adult food at 6 months - look for foods with a lot of high-quality meat products (Orijen, Blue Buffalo, etc.) - gradually mix in over 1 week

Training

• Building a routine and being consistent are very important
• Don't give in and take puppy out of crate while whining/crying (reinforces behaviour)
• Potty training - build routine of letting puppy out every 2-3 hours, praise furiously when puppy goes potty outside!
• Puppies can hold their bladder for as many hours as months old plus 1 (3-month old puppy can hold it for 4 hours)
• Leash puppy to bring outside for potty breaks
• Leash puppy before opening car doors
• Cut up chip/food bags and dispose of securely
• Don't let puppy out of sight (keep leashed or barricaded, when too busy to watch puppy, keep her in crate)
• Don't encourage puppy to do things that would be unacceptable as an adult dog (barking, jumping on guests, biting)
• If puppy barks for attention, ignore her until she calms down, then initiate play
• A wet frozen washcloth is good for a teething puppy
• Teach important commands like "sit", "heel", "quiet", "lie down", "drop it" positively with treats and praise
• Don't let puppy try to jump down from high places (couch, etc), bad for growing legs

Socialization

• Socialization should be thoroughly introduced before puppy is 5 months old
• Introduce puppy to a variety of people, animals, sounds, surfaces every day
• If possible, enroll in puppy classes
• Get puppy used to brushing, baths, tooth brushing, and nail clipping regularly with lots of treats
• Let puppy get used to being alone in house, without a lot of fanfare when leaving/coming back

Vet

• Arrange a check-up for puppy shortly after she comes home
• Arrange an appointment for her second set of shots
• Make sure vet is familiar with corgis
• Have back-up vet
• Save 2k for emergency vet fund