Preparing Your Home for a Czechoslovakian Vlcak Puppy

Prepping Your Home

Getting your home ready for a new CSV puppy:

Let’s Talk Prep:

Bringing home a new puppy is incredibly exciting — but when that puppy is a Czechoslovakian Vlcak, preparation is everything. This is a high-energy, high-maintenance, and incredibly intelligent breed. That means setting up your home with structure, safety, and stimulation in mind from day one.

Here’s what you’ll want to have ready:

Outdoor Kennel

We highly recommend having a safe, secure outdoor kennel space for your Czechoslovakian Vlcak. This gives your pup a reliable, relaxing area while you’re at work, running errands, or attending events — all while providing mental stimulation and a chance to decompress in fresh air.

Sizing & Setup

Minimum recommended size: 8' x 20'
Sheltered: Should be covered and shaded to protect against sun, rain, and snow
Spacious: Allow room to move, pace, and observe — pacing is natural and healthy for this breed

Important Setup Considerations

Location matters: Choose a spot that is close to your home, visible, and easily accessible — especially in bad weather.
Drainage & water flow: Avoid low spots where water collects. Proper drainage is key to preventing standing water and mess.
Cleaning access: Place the kennel near a water source or hose hookup for easy, regular cleaning.
No tie-outs: CSVs are known escape artists and will chew through ropes, cables, and most harnesses.
Dig-proof base: Concrete, pavers, bricks, or deck-style flooring help prevent tunneling out. CSVs are persistent and clever.
Shelter is a must: Include a covered dog house or cave-style space where your dog can retreat from weather or stimulation. These dogs feel safest with a den-like zone to relax in.

With the right setup, an outdoor kennel becomes a trusted space your CSV will love — giving them structure, safety, and freedom at the same time.

Yard & Fencing

A fully fenced yard is non-negotiable when owning a Czechoslovakian Vlcak. These dogs are smart, driven, and love to patrol and observe — your fencing needs to work with their instincts, not against them.

Best Fence Type: Chain-Link

CSVs have a strong natural “pace drive” — they like to patrol and monitor their territory.
Chain-link fencing is ideal because they can see through it.
Solid wood or privacy fences can frustrate them and lead to anxiety, pacing, or destructive behavior.

Height & Security

Go high — 6 feet minimum, higher is better.
If they can climb it, they will. Think “prison fencing” level secure.
We personally use livestock electric fencing across the top of our yard fencing for added peace of mind.

Digging

Don’t forget the bottom — no gaps!
CSVs are natural diggers, and if they get curious (which is always), they’ll try to tunnel their way out.
Reinforce the base with buried wire, rocks, bricks, or concrete edging to stop escape attempts.

Indoor Crate

Crate training is essential for your CSV — it supports safety, potty training, and establishing healthy boundaries in the home.

Invest in Quality

Your CSV is strong, smart, and determined — you’ll need a crate that can stand up to that.
We recommend:

Impact Dog Crates
Ruff Land Kennels (also available at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s)

Tip: Do your homework. Read reviews, ask questions, and talk to experienced CSV owners — not all crates are built the same.

Sizing

Choose a crate that:

Fits your puppy now with a divider for growth
Or go straight to adult size and block off extra space for early training
Allows your dog to comfortably stand, turn, and lie down

Purpose

Crates should be a safe, calm space — never a place of punishment.
Use it for:

Naps
Mealtimes
Wind-down time
Quiet decompression after training or stimulation

Travel Crates

We also highly recommend a second crate for the car.

It adds a huge layer of safety when traveling
Prevents distraction or sudden movement while driving
Gives your dog a familiar den-like space for longer trips and new environments

Food

We recommend a hybrid raw/kibble diet, or fully raw if possible.
Puppies burn a ton of energy and require high-protein, nutrient-dense meals to support growth.
Local butchers often offer dog-specific raw mixes. Some pet food suppliers even deliver!
Always transition food slowly to avoid tummy issues.
Find out more on our Health & Nutrition Page

Treats

Training treats are your best friend with a Czechoslovakian Vlcak — these dogs are highly intelligent and often very food-motivated. Using the right treats can make a huge difference in early training and reinforcing good behavior.

What to Use:

Small, soft treats work best for training — they’re quick to eat and help keep your pup focused.
Treats should be effective and enticing, but also low in calories so they don’t interfere with regular meals or lead to unwanted weight gain.
Go for high-value options like:
- Freeze-dried liver (Benny Bullys is one of our favorites — perfect for all ages and stages)
- Zuke’s treats are also a great small-bite option with simple ingredients
Always check the ingredients — less is more. Avoid fillers, dyes, and preservatives.

Homemade Options:

Homemade treats are a great way to control quality and avoid unnecessary additives.

Many easy, dog-safe recipes are available online
Use only whole, safe ingredients
Great for dogs with food sensitivities
Pro Tip: Freeze small batches for long-lasting freshness

Bed

Provide a comfortable bed for your CSV inside their crate and/or in a calm, designated chill spot in the house.
Don’t be surprised if they chew it at first. This is normal — supervise closely and redirect to chew toys.
Use a washable mat or vet bedding during the puppy’s “chewy phase” to make clean-up easier.
If the bed or blanket becomes damaged and stringy, remove it immediately. Loose threads can be swallowed, leading to costly vet visits — or worse, surgery.
Tip: The concept of “bed” or “place” will become a huge part of your CSV’s training. Pick one consistent location for their bed and keep it there. This will help your pup understand it as a safe, calm spot to relax, reset, or go to when told. Consistency builds confidence.

Toys

Tough chewers need tough toys. CSVs are strong-jawed and smart — which means flimsy toys won’t last long and can be dangerous if swallowed.

Recommended toys:

KONGs (great for stuffing and freezing)
Puzzle toys to work their minds
High-quality rope toys
Durable stuffies — but only under supervision. KONG brand has good ones.

🚫 Avoid:

Dollar store or bulk toys (like Amazon multi-packs) — these are often cheaply made and can pose serious choking or ingestion risks.
Squeaky plush toys early on. CSVs will gut them in seconds and try to eat the squeaker.

Tips:

Rotate toys weekly to keep things exciting.
Don’t be afraid to get on the ground and engage with them — even though CSVs are not typically high in “toy drive,” they’ll still enjoy playful moments with you and benefit from the stimulation.

Bones & Chews

Natural chews are a fantastic way to help with teething, support dental health, and provide mental stimulation — especially on rainy or low-activity days when your CSV still needs an outlet.

Our go-to options:

Raw bones (safely sourced and size-matched)
Dehydrated tendons
Antlers (only once your CSV has fully developed adult teeth — too early can damage puppy teeth)

Chewing is a great way to burn energy and calm the mind — it’s more than just a treat; it’s a tool!

Important Safety Notes:

Always supervise your CSV during chew time.
Size-match properly to avoid choking risks.
Never give cooked bones. Especially cooked bird bones — they can splinter and cause serious harm.
Avoid rawhide entirely. It’s not digestible and can pose a blockage risk.

Collars & Leashes

This breed is strong, smart, and often determined to test limits — your gear needs to keep up.

We highly recommend martingale collars — they offer control without choking and help prevent slipping out. The RC Pets brand has excellent options in a variety of fun colours and solid builds.
Absolutely NO plastic clip collars. CSVs are powerful and can break or back out of weak or poorly designed collars. Stick to high-quality gear with all-metal hardware for safety and durability.
Leashes: Our go-to is the Rok leash — strong, durable, shock-absorbing, and available in three length options to suit different training stages and activities.
Never use retractable leashes. They provide zero control, are a serious safety risk for a fast and reactive breed, and can easily break or snap back. A failed retractable can leave you with a loose CSV on your hands.

Tip: For extra security in busy or new environments, we recommend double-leashing — use a clip lead alongside a slip lead or backup safety line.

Blocking Off Stairs & Managing Access Inside the Home

Use baby gates or exercise pens to help manage your puppy’s access around the house as they learn the rules. Puppies are still developing, and their joints and tendons are especially sensitive. Injuries can happen easily from overexertion or from running and jumping down stairs. To help prevent injury, block off stairways and restrict access to certain areas of the home—especially during their rapid growth phase (typically between 4 and 10 months old).

Think of it like toddler-proofing your home—but with sharper teeth and way more determination! Keep anything potentially dangerous (like shoes, electrical cords, and trash cans) completely out of reach.