I have been quite consumed over the last week. During the day, I have been quite busy at work, attending/leading a number of meetings, but during the evening, I have been focusing on a new addition that will be coming into my life. I have decided to adopt a Great Dane, and have chosen to name her Bélon, after the sought after oysters that come from the Bélon River in Brittany, France. Over the last 8 months, I have been feeling a void as my cat Metro had passed late May of last year. I miss coming home to her, and while she will never be replaced, I look forward to a new companion.
Bélon, or “Bella” for short, comes from a breeder here in Conyers, GA. She is a blue Great Dane puppy, that will grow to become ~150 lbs. large. I am very excited at the opportunity to raise my first dog from such a young age. I understand it’s a lot of work, but well worth the effort. I have been researching the necessities like mad, and have been reading a book
Unlike a cat, this puppy will I’m sure consume my life for a duration as I attempt to train and raise her. Of course for me, that begins the search for all the items that I’ll need in doing so. I have been scouring the internet for crates, beds, collars, leashes, toys, etc. I have started ordering all these things with great anticipation for when I bring her to her new home in a week and a half.
I have decided, much like the Travel Gear selections of my site, to share with you the items I have purchased to help other potential Great Dane owners in their item selections. I’ll begin with the essential dog crate.
This crate by MidWest Homes For Pets is gigantic. It’s 54″(l)x37″(w)x45″(h)… More than enough room for me to fit in it for sure. Unfortunately it doesn’t come standard with a divider to allow “room for growth”. Thank goodness for Google. In searching for a divder, I ran across the following item:
This item will help section the enormous crate into a space that Bella can be confined to, and I can shift it to give her more room as she grows.
Crate training a dog is a good method in terms of giving her a “den” that is all her own. It also prevents her from having “accidents” and leaving surprises for you around the house. I certainly hope that this mansion of a crate does the trick and that she finds it comfortable. Naturally I will be outfitting it with a pad and blankets for her to get comfortable in so that she too can have a “bed” to sleep on at night, and during the day when I am at work.
Purchase the MidWest Solutions 2 Door Large Dog Crate
Purchase the Divider Panel
Purchase Imagine Life with a Well-Behaved Dog: A 3-Step Positive Dog-Training Program
