RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
If you only buy the "must haves" for a puppy, that would be:
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food
bed or mat
water bowl
crate
chew toys/treat dispensing toys
flat collar
ID tag
hands-free leash
treat pouch
training books or program
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But many other items for health, safety, grooming, and training are very helpful to have on hand.
I've compiled some favorite items below with a few words about why I chose that item, and what to look for if you want something similar.
Happy shopping!
PUPPY FOOD - 34 LB BAG
We feed Purina Proplan Chicken and Rice. If you would like to feed something else, we suggest to change after the first month they are home with you, after housetraining has been established.
PUPPY FOOD - 6Â LB BAG
Get this size if you plan to transition to a different type of food.
WATER BOWL
Metal and ceramic are preferable to plastic. High capacity bowls are better so you don't have to constantly refill, and a wide base prevents tipping over.
CRATE STARTER KIT
The perfect basic starter kit, including a 36" crate, two bowls that snap to the side of the crate, a cover, and a crate mat. You can also buy the items separately below.
WIRE CRATE
A crate is a wonderful training aid and tool for teaching your dog inside manners. Having a two-door crate makes it easier to access your pup and the divider helps you expand as your pup grows. The 36 inch size should be sufficient for most of our pups.
BASIC FLEECE CRATE MAT
This chew-resistant, comfy, washable crate mat is great for puppies.
PLUSH CRATE MAT - UPGRADE
My dogs love these. I recommend getting several crate mats (2-3) so you have extras when washing, and they are great as "settle" spots to place around the house.
KONG/HOLLOW CHEW TOYS
Stuff with moistened kibble and freeze to help your puppy teethe and stay occupied. Medium or Large is good.
TOPL BY WEST PAW
An easier to use hollow chew toy for pups that lose interest in the Kong. You can add on the small Topl to create a more complicated puzzle toy later on!
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West Paw's Zogoflex line in general is a great brand with lots of interactive toys.
FETCHING STICK
Great for playing with your puppy and redirecting chewing.
ID TAG
Even if your pet is microchipped, an easy-to read ID tag is great for if they escape. I love Two Tails tags as well!
FLAT COLLAR
A flat collar is essential for holding your dog's ID tags even if you use a harness for walking. You'll need the small size to start (12-16").
6 FOOT LEASH WITH TRAFFIC LOOP
Having the traffic loop is very helpful for when you pass by other people and dogs.
HANDS-FREE LEASH
You can loop around your shoulder for a hands-free experience, or attach it at both the chest and the shoulder of a walking harness to help reduce pulling. Great for keeping your puppy nearby when they are in the potty training phase.
PETSAFE HARNESS
Walking harness with seatbelt, back, and chest attachment points
BLUE 9 BALANCE HARNESS
Non restrictive no-pull training harness with front and back attachments. Blue 9 carries trainer-designed products that are thoughtfully made. Wild One also has quality harnesses and leashes but with comfort padding.
FLYING DISCS
Durable, light, and easy for a dog to grab onto because of the soft padded border. Spruce and Peach enjoy these a lot!
CHUCK IT BALL LAUNCHER
We love our Chuck It launcher! Save your back from stooping, throw a ball farther with less effort, and best of all avoid touching tennis balls covered in dog slobber. This fits a regular tennis ball or a chuck it brand ball.
BALLS
These are more durable than regular tennis balls, which tend to rip quickly. I love the glow in the dark ball for evening fetch!
SQUEAKER MAT ALLIGATOR
We have a squeaker mat alligator very similar to this that is Shiloh's absolute favorite toy.
KONG PLUSH TOYS
This plush toy is sturdy and my dogs love it. We have the XS size for very young puppies and they are only about 2" long, so I recommend getting the medium size for older puppies.
HEDGEHOG TOY
My puppies like carrying around small soft toys like these little hedgehogs. Bonus - it's a puzzle game! There is an adorable chipmunk version as well.
STUFFING-FREE TOYS
Dogs love plush toys for comfort, to carry around, for fetch, and for tug. Doodles tend to be medium level chewers, so steer clear of latex rubber toys and flimsy stuffed plush toys after 3-5Â months.
BULLY STICKS/ NATURAL CHEWS
Pricey, but safer than rawhide and irresistible to dogs. Please use caution with rawhide substitutes - some like Dream Bones contain sorbitol which is toxic to dogs.
ENZYME SPOT CLEANER
Enzymatic cleaners help remove all traces of accidents so that your puppy can no longer smell them.
ECO FRIENDLY POOP BAGS
Compostable yet sturdy!
DOGGIE BAG HOLDER
It clips on your leash, and even has a hook on the back to hold the used bag until you get to a trash can.
DOGGIE BAG HOLDER LEASH ATTACHMENT
This dispenser velcros on to your leash so it's always handy, and it even has enough room for keys and other items.
NAIL TRIMMER
Simple is best when it comes to nail trimmers.
BRUSH
Gentle and effective for many coat types.
EAR WIPES
Floppy eared breeds are more prone to ear infections, and regular cleaning helps reduce that risk. These pads make it simple and easy, but do hold them in your palm to warm them first.
TOOTHPASTE
Vet recommended enzymatic toothpaste
PUPPY FINGER TOOTHBRUSHES
Gentler on gums and easier to manage with a puppy than a hard plastic toothbrush.
FLEA AND TICK CONTROL - UP TO 20 LB
We apply the first dose of flea prevention at 7 weeks. Before your pup reaches 20 lbs, you will probably need one or two monthly doses of flea prevention for the 10-20 lb size range.
FLEA AND TICK CONTROL
This topical monthly flea and tick preventative is my go-to. You may wish to talk your vet for a recommendation for oral flea control or a combo heartworm/flea prevention pill. This size will work for larger adolescent puppies and adults.
SLOW FEEDER
A slow feeder gives your dog a job and helps mentally stimulate them while feeding.
SNUFFLE MAT
Hide kibble for your dog to find. Fun alternative to a slow feeder! We also love our snuffle mat from Piggy Poo and Crew
BOB A LOT
The small holds about a cup of kibble and is a fun simple puzzle toy to occupy your dog longer while feeding.
DID YOU FEED THE DOG?
Great tracker/reminder
SNUGGLE PUPPY
This comfort aid has a heartbeat sound and a space to insert heat pouches. It mimics their experience of sleeping with their litter at home and can make them comfortable as they transition to their new home. (You can also use heartbeat noises on your phone or a ticking clock, and a rice sock or hot water bottle, but it's nice to have something made for the purpose knowing they won't choke on it etc.) Do watch for knockoffs.
CRATE COVER
A crate cover is not a necessity, but it creates a dark, den-like atmosphere that can help calm your pet. A blanket or towel can do the trick as well.
BASIC PEN
Use to create a "success area" or "x-pen" for your pup that gives them more room than just a crate, without allowing them full access to the house. Be sure your option has a door.
PEN - STURDIER
Use to create a "success area" or "x-pen" for your pup that gives them more room than just a crate, without allowing them full access to the house. Be sure your option has a door.
LITTER BOX
The litter box I use for puppies. Can be used (preferably two) to give your pup an indoor elimination spot if you will be away alot.
Standlee Alfalfa Pellets (for horses) from Tractor Supply make a great cheap litter that helps control odors.
ALFALFA PELLETS FOR LITTER BOX
Absorbent, fresh-smelling litter if you do choose to litter train.
PEE PADS
Good to have on hand as backup, even if you plan to do errorless housetraining.
TRAVEL WATER BOTTLE
Very handy for out and about in daily life". A silicone bowl works well too.
DOG SEATBELT
Simple car leash that goes around the head rest - great for the front seat.
CAR SEAT COVER
So you can go on all the adventures without worrying about muddy paws.
TRAVEL KIT
Daycare, boarding, or going out of town for the weekend? This travel set has zippered cubes to pack dry food, collapsible silicone bowls, and storage compartments for toys, chews, and accessories.
PUPPY SHAMPOO
Try a gentle, tear-free shampoo to make baths pleasant. This is the one we use before your puppy comes home to you.
SHAMMY TOWEL
So much more absorbent than a regular towel.
BATH WAND
Honestly so much faster and easier than the cup method of rinsing! This water wand is adjustable for high-pressure on the body and low-pressure on head and sensitive areas. It attaches to a normal showerhead.
PORTABLE SHOWER
Another great option if you don't have a shower hose, and this one doesn't require modifying your existing showerhead. Just fill a bucket and submerge the pump. Portable for indoors, outdoors, camping, etc.
MICROFIBER DOORMAT
Great for absorbing muddy tracks before they get all over the house!
LICK MAT
Smear with peanut butter and stick on the tub wall to distract and reward your dog during bathing or grooming, or use on the floor (see recipe ideas online) to occupy them. Make sure to get one with suction cups for sticking on the wall.
MISSING LINK SUPPLEMENT
I've used this for years and my dogs love it!
FREEZE DRIED LIVER TREATS
The ultimate high-value dog treat. Ian Dunbar suggests using these exclusively for house training and very important behaviors such as coming when called. You can also use fresh high-value treats such as chopped pieces of hotdogs or bits of cheese, but it is much handier to have dried treats.
FREEZE DRIED LIVER TREATS
Bulk freeze dried liver treats.
TREAT POUCH
Having a treat pouch makes training so much easier as it frees up your hands for a leash, for luring your pet, etc.
TREAT POUCH
More compartments, straps to wear the pouch easily, and storage for doggie bags make this a great training pouch.
LEASH BOSS
A do-it-all doggy fanny pack great for casual walks. Space for treats, a ball, doggy bags, and it comes with protective bags to store messy items on your way home. Not for attachment to a leash.
KLIMB
Incredibly useful platform for dog training. Very helpful for teaching stay, place, tricks, agility concepts, good greeting behavior for guests, etc.
HAMMOCK BED
Budget version of a Klimb, beloved by dogs, and a great "place" or lounging bed.
CLICKER
Essential for many positive training programs - even if you don't use it all the time, it is a great tool to have! The bungee wrist strap is very convenient.
LONG LINE
Inexpensive long line made of nylon webbing, for decompression walks, teaching recall, allowing your dog to explore safely etc.
BIOTHANE LONG LINE
same as above but waterproof and easy to clean which is so nice when working with a long line outside. It's best to choose a bright color so that people can see from a distance that your dog is on a lead.
PUPPY START RIGHT
Comprehensive puppy training and developmental guide by Karen Pryor using positive (clicker-based) methods
PERFECT PUPPY IN 7 DAYS
A positive-reward based guide to starting off your puppy the right way, by Sophia Yin.
51 PUPPY TRICKS
Age appropriate tricks and basic obedience commands broken down into small manageable steps, by Kyra Sundance, founder of Do More With Your Dog.
HOW STELLA LEARNED TO TALK
Just for fun!
A BALL FOR DAISY
A children's story about a dog and her ball, told through expressive illustrations.
BANDANAS
Because dogs in bandanas are adorable. Also check out The Foggy Dog for matching bandana/scrunchy sets and other fun dog gifts.