Puppy 101

We've had sweet girl for about a month, and even after only a short time, I can already tell you that there are some definite must-have's if you plan to get a puppy any time soon:

1. An adjustable crate--We found ours at PetsMart for a reasonable price and it's awesome.  We can adjust the amount of space in it we give Bailey as she grows.  After one night of giving her the entire entry way to sleep in, we quickly realized that puppies do in fact poop in one corner and sleep in the other if they are given enough space, soooooooo...we got an adjustable kennel, and she does wonderfully!  She has never had an accident in it! Woo hoo!
2. Hard floors (Tile, laminate, hardwood, etc)--We are very thankful for the floors in our house.  They have made it very easy to clean up after Bailey.  She really hasn't had too many accident anyway, but it only took one accident on the carpet for us to realize how grateful we are for our hard floors and easy clean-up!
3. Adjustable shower head--Don't skimp on this one!  We first bought a cheap one at TJ Max, but it was ridiculously hard to attach to our shower head and more frustrating than useful.  We headed over to WalMart and were pleasantly surprised to find a well-made (but cheaper priced) adjustable shower head.  We gave Bailey a bath last night using it, and let me tell you how wonderful it was...as funny as it was to watch MK sit IN THE TUB with her and keep her calm while I dumped water on her, we were happy to switch to a much better bathing experience.  :) 
4. Squeaky toys and chew toys--Bailey loves them!  If you add some kind of little rope or tassle on it that just makes it all the better.  She can play for hours with her squeaky toys.  I thought she would rip them to pieces because they are soft and fluffy, but they are all still in one piece (minus the tassles that she rips off on the first day that we give them to her--haha!)
5. Grapefruits and oranges--These are chewing discouragers and--let me tell you--they work!  Bailey was gnawing on our banisters on our back porch and on the steps leading up to the hot tub (argh!) and as soon as we (AKA:  Ryan- who was also the developer of this wonderful plan) rubbed orange and grapefruit pulp and juice on all the wood, she was literally appalled and would not go near them! Woo hoo!  
6. A choke chain collar--I know that it sounds like cruel and unusual punishment, but she walks so much better on the leash.  With her normal collar, she would just pull and pull and choke herself.  With her choke chain, I can give her one little tug, and she immediately falls into submission.  OK, not immediately but pretty darn close.  
7. A good puppy book. We are reading The Perfect Puppy, and it has really been helpful!!!  It's provided a great resource and go-to for all those issues that you just don't foresee until you have a nippy, pooping, barking little fur ball.  We love our book!
8. Patience!  Too bad they don't bottle it and sell it at the store because I had truly forgotten how much time, energy, and patience goes into training a well-behaved dog.  It is a really big job, but we already love how trained Bailey is!  Patience is definitely a virtue!!

What about all you other dog owners?  

Any other must-haves??