Chow/ lab mix

Question
Just adopted maxi from down in north Carolina, she is being transported here and will arrive tomorrow. She is 14 weeks old so the shelter said, I'm in ny. We are going to crate train one down stairs and one in the bedroom. I have been reading that you should have food and water in the crate, yet another answers say not too. Also, she was only outside in n. Carolina, I read that choker collars are not good for any puppy or dog, but again some say yes others no. Can you please give me some advice on how to welcome her into her new home?

Thanks
Amy
My shepherd mix passed suddenly after 12 years of pure joy.

Answer
Hi Amy,
Crate training is great if you can let the pup out every three to four hours at 14 weeks.  If you are going to be gone for more than that, she will need a bigger area.  Try an ex-pen so you can put water, a bed and puppy pads in there.  She will learn to keep her "den" clean this way (her den being her bed).  When she learns that her den is the whole house, she will keep that clean too.  Remember she has to be house broken in each room.
She should always have some water and a good compromise is to put some ice cubes in her water dish. This takes awhile to melt so she can quench her thirst, but not drink too rapidly or too much.  I used to freeze a small zip lock bag with water so it made a big cube that took longer to melt.
Never leave a collar on the dog while you are away until she is old enough not to panic if it gets caught on anything.
For training purposes, I like a pinch collar which is the most misused and misunderstood collar invented.  It was designed to simulate the mother's bite (which is gentle) it should not be used to snap or pull on.  It calms the dog immediately, but it is for when she is a little older.  First she must learn to walk on the leash and any collar is good as long as you use it correctly and encouragingly.
Hope this helps you out.
Nancy