If you've just purchased a Tibetan Terrier Puppy and are wondering what you should have on hand when your new bundle of joy comes home here is the list I recommend to new puppy buyers.

Food

We use Royal Canin Medium Breed Puppy Food,  Biljac Select, Purina Pro Plan Small Bites Lamb and Rice and Purina Pro Plan Shredded Lamb and Rice.  These  can usually be found at a Petsmart.

I've also found puppies usually really like the Purina puppy food in the bag without the purple at the bottom.

Over the years we've tried Eukanuba, Iams and Science Diet but the dogs never liked them so we don't use those brands.

Growth Collar 

Your adult dog will probably need a 14" collar (see below in leashes if your keeping your dog in a long coat) but the growth collars will help you until they are ready for their final collar.  These adjust from 8", which is what they will more than likely need at first, all the way to 12".  Very important - make sure to check these on a regular basis. Puppies grow quickly and a collar that is too small can do real damage.

Crates  

Either a vari kennel type airline crate or a wire crate will do. If you can afford both I would recommend you get both. I like the wire at home and at shows when the weather is very hot.  The airline crate is much safer for travel in a vehicle and some dogs prefer them as they make them feel safe. After all, dogs descend from den animals and the airline crates more closely resemble the den environment.  Vari Kennel sizes I recommend for Tibetan Terriers are: 200 or 300 for  female and 300 for male. In wire crates I use the 20" x 30" for puppies and females and the 24" x 36" for males. 

Note      -  Vari Kennels is also sold under the Petmate Brand.  Other brands sizes even when they say 200 or 300 are not the same and may be too small for your dog.

Grooming tools

 Visit the grooming page for detailed info.

Gates and Ex-pens

Although you probably have plans of getting a crate, if your going to be gone a lot of the time, having an area other than the crate to confine your puppy, but still give it more room than a crate will afford it is more humane than crating a puppy for many hours on end.  If your home has a small enough area that a gate will work with great.  There are many good gates out there.  Follow the link below to see pictures of my personal favorite.  We have them all through the house to manage puppies and adults.

If you don't have a small enough room you can confine the puppy in using a gate you may want to get an ex-pen.  This can be set up with an inexpensive piece of vinyl from Lowes or Home Depot under it so you can use it anywhere, if you have carpet. The link below has pictures of how we use ex-pens for puppies.

Most of the items I use are available in the here

Ivy Gables Just Tibetans Amazon Store Link

Treats

We use  nylabones to puppies and adults. The white regular nylabones have never gotten much use although the flexible flavored nylabones do seem to appeal to both pups and older dogs. Other treats we use are the chew sticks available at Walmart or Target & Dr. Dentley's rawhide chips, available at Petsmart. We use hotdogs, pieces of cheddar cheese and/or rolled foods like Red Barn for training treats.  These are soft and work very well.  We start using these during housetraining to let the dogs know they are going in the right place and keep using them all through their training.  Recipes for our doggie trail mix is in the food section. 

Leashes

If you are going to be taking your puppy to classes they will more than likely require you to have a 6' lead.  I would buy the thinner of the 2 sizes available in nylon. You may also want a Flex-lead.  A flexi lead is what I use most often for day to day use with my dogs. They love walks on flexi-leads as it allows them to explore a little more during our walks.  If you've never used one, practice with it in a safe place before going out into a public area or anyplace that may have vehicles nearby. Also if you'll be letting a child use it with the dog make sure they understand how the brakes work before they get in a situation that could be dangerous to them or the dog.

 If you keep your dog in a long coat an English style combination collar and lead, more correctly called a slip lead, will be much easier on the coat than an individual collar and lead.  I find these online.  J&J Dog Supplies carries a very nice thin leather one I love and Petedge and many of the other online dog supply outlets have a nice woven one.  Get the smaller diameter one in a 6' length.  The woven one is easier on the coat.

Toys

We  used to give the  dogs stuffed doggie toys with squeakers.  After untold hours picking up white poly fill we no longer give them to the dogs.

Walmart sells a plush water bottle holder with a velcro bottom so you can replace the plastic bottles after they are all scrunched up and no longer making the noise the dogs love.   They are plush, washable and have a squeaker on the top as well.

If you can't find them they are usually happy with any empty water or soda bottle.

We also give them tennis balls which can be purchased in small size for puppies.  Some brands also have squeakers in them.  If you want your puppy to be a ball dog start them on these in the house as soon as you get them.   Squeak them a few times before throwing and make sure they see where it went.   If Tibetans aren't started on balls as puppies most will not be interested later.

 We also give them old socks with a squeaker inside.  We buy the squeakers in large bags and just reuse a sock again and again. The dogs love it and it's less expensive over time.  

Of course if you don't pick up your own socks...... well, this may not be your best option. 

Good luck with your new friend and remember

Have Fun!