Our Favorite Puppy Supplies

Treats:

Limit treats to training only. A piece of American cheese or Blue Wilderness Training Bites works well. Puppy tummies can easily be upset by too much variety, so we like to keep their diet limited to simple ingredients.

Bowls:

We use ceramic food and water bowls in our house; stainless steel is a good alternative. Plastic would not be my choice.

Identification:

I.D. Tags with your contact information and your veterinarian's, especially ones that connect to an app to help locate a wandering dog. Microchips are great if your dog ends up at a shelter; I consider them a backup plan.

Collar and Leash

A small or medium adjustable collar or harness and a 6-foot leather or nylon leash. Best to go with a cheap small one; they grow fast. Once they are grown, Up Country Inc. has the cutest collar and Leash sets; my dogs have multiples because one just isn’t enough.

Puppy Shampoo

The brand isn’t as important as the ingredient list. I buy puppy shampoo at T.J. Maxx; they always have a good selection. Burt’s Bees is a favorite because it’s gentle and smells good. I avoid anything with oatmeal because I avoid grains due to a couple of the older dogs’ allergies. I also avoid harsh cleaners like Dawn because it’s too drying.

Grooming

Brush (pin brush), comb, and nail clipper

Cleanup Supplies

A stain remover and deodorizing spray are a must. Our current favorites are Zep and Rocco and Roxie.

Chew Toys

Benebones are the current favorites. A Kong stuffed with peanut butter, then frozen, is great entertainment. Make sure the Kong end is too large to swallow if the dog manages to bite it off.

Nighttime Comfort

A stuffed toy with a “heartbeat” is great for comfort at night; it’s magic for most puppies.

Bells For Housebreaking

I look for bells in a craft store that are the size of tennis balls, a choking-prevention measure.

Crate

An expandable indoor crate for crate training.  Goldendoodles /Medium Sproodles – 36” Small        Sproodles – 30” – Tractor Supply, Amazon, and Overstock.com have good prices

Optional - An exercise pen for assistance in crate training (I recommend placing the puppy in the pen in the location where you want the puppy to potty for life. When you take him outside, carry him and place him in the pen so he doesn’t wander off. Do this for a week or two, and that will become the primary potty place.