I was just wandering what people think are the best toys for a puppy? Also any other helpful hints to help puppy settle in would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Michelle:)

I like Kongs and raggers.  Never ever give your pup an 'old' shoe or similar if you're going to hit the roof if he chews a 'new' one - dogs can't tell the difference between 'mine' and 'yours'.........  An old t shirt that you've been wearing all day will often help comfort a pup in he abscence of a piece of bedding from his first home (it's nice of the breeder give you something, but maybe you can take an old piece of blanket for them to rub round the nest area?)  Allowing your puppy to sleep with you in your bedroom at night (an old cardboard box is as good as anything in the early days) will NOT make a rod for your own back, it is perfectly possible to train a dog whose secure and happy that they have their own sleeping place when the time is right.  Puppy teeth are incredibly sharp and he WILL use them - do what his litter mates will have been doing and when he goes to far say 'Ow!' (practise it until he steps back in surprise) then tell him he's good and immediatly offer him something he can chomp on (like a Ragger)
Make sure you socialise him in the early weeks (this can still be done if he hasn't had his full vaccination course if you choose your places/people wisely) it is the best thing you can do for your puppy by a long way...........

And ofcourse - find yourself a GOOD puppy class (a bad one can do more harm than good :( ) Visit them without your puppy before hand to make sure you feel comfortable and that it is well organised and not just a 'puppies playtime' where anything goes - the puppies should be learning only good things........

Good luck with your new baby!

Hi thanks for the advice I will bear it all in mind as this will be my first puppy .  A quick question sotrry if I sound dumb but what is a ragger? and can you get Kongs in small sizes Jazz has a red one which is fairly big and there was a huge Kong but I haven't seen any smaller than Jazz' Kong.  Can you offer any advice on how to introduce puppy to Jazz I wan them to get along as much as possible and we don't want Jazz to feel left out.

Thanks again
Michelle:)

A ragger is like a rope twist, with a knot in each end usually. Most pet shops sell them in a variety of colours and sizes, for pups to larger dogs. My dogs like a game of 'Tug of War' with them........... I always lose :(

liberty :D

Hi Liberty:)

Thanks for letting me know what a ragger was Jazz has had them in the past(among many other toys) but we have always called them tuggies. He destroyed them though :( the only things that last with him are his teddies and his trusty kong;)

Michelle

Same toy, different name, but the same outcome........... Ultimate Destruction by dog :D  :D

liberty ;)

Also they love to play with empty plastic bottles, the milk containers, cereal boxes to shred.  These items always appeal for the wrecker in every pup, and they love hitting the bottles, and the noise they make.  Just throw them out every day, and remove the tops and rings.

Empty plastic bottles will take priority over any new toy because it makes lots of different noises :-)  hard solid plastic bones are a good investment about £1.50 at wilkinsons they last ages.   rember this if you can squeeze a toy with your fingers it will get a tooth through it in about 0.00001 seconds :-)