The first week with your new puppy will be busy.
Plan on taking some time off work to help your pup through this transition. Your puppy will demand much attention. He/she will be whining the loss of litter mates, his/her mother, and the humans he has been with since birth. It’s your job to fill that role, ease the transition, and bond with your new companion. It’s time to visit the pet shop. Don’t wait until you have your puppy; go now! Walking into the pet shop can be overwhelming. There are so many options, and inexperienced workers who don’t know much about dogs. Your bill can quickly add up if you’re buying all the wrong things.
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Puppy Essentials! We highly recommend these products for any new puppy.
We highly suggest these pro-biotics to help with puppy’s natural defense against parasites, and to help keep their tummies regular.
Salmon oil has DHA in it which is great for smart puppy brains.
Puppies pee on the floor. This Mini Carpet Cleaner will suck it up out of carpet or the cracks in your hardwood floor.
Every puppy needs a crate!
We suggest getting two crates; one for the bedroom and one for a common area like the kitchen. We like the midwest crate because it is safe for puppies.
Over 50lbs: 48″
35-45lbs: 42″
25-35lbs: 36″
Under 25lbs: 30″
You’re going to need this, like it or not! Nature’s Miracle will take the smell out of your floor.
Use this carrier to take your puppy home on the plane.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb
These are the pine pellets we use. For a smooth transition, we recommend getting these same equine pellets from Tractor Supply. If you can’t get these, you can try the ones below from Amazon.
Use this tray for your pine pellets. This tray is very similar to the trays we use.
Our puppies are litter box trained and by 8 weeks old, use the litter box almost all the time. We HIGHLY recommend you continue this when you get your puppy home.
More recommended products for your puppy.
If you need to block off a larger opening than a doorway, this gate might work for you.
We suggest getting the smallest leash possible. The more heavy the leash, the more it will annoy your puppy and make it harder to leash train. We suggest the 3/8″ wide leash. Let your puppy get comfortable in your home for a few days before starting leash training. Leash training should be started in the house, not outside.
Easy to Clean Pet Grooming Brush Removes Mats, dander and trapped dirt. Easy to clean. Suitable for Long and Short Hair. Great for doodles.
Every puppy needs training treats! Use sparingly as puppies have sensitive stomachs. For young puppies, each morsel should be cut into 1/4ths.
A Versatile comb is an essential tool for fluffing, de-tangling, and removing dead hair.
You’ll need a good Treat Pouch when your pup is young. Keeping treats with you at all times will help make your puppy behave better.
Bitter apple spray helps discourage puppies from chewing on things. Remember, if your puppy is chewing on something like your furniture, then they shouldn’t have access to your furniture!
Our Puppies love this little guy
These bowls are awesome! They prevent water droplets everywhere. Most of all, they make it very difficult for puppy to spill.
Your puppy will hate being contained, but sometimes, you just need a break! This playpen is essential until your puppy is 100% potty trained.
Train your dog to ring the bells to ask to go outside.
We’ve tried a dozen different dog discs and this is the best one we have found.
Puppies love bully sticks and it will help keep your puppy occupied. Be sure to monitor your puppy with the bully stick to make sure they don’t try to eat it and choke.
The cute plush squirrel dog toy with bright color, greatly attracting your dogs and keeping them entertained. This toy is safe, soft, and lightweight; perfect for puppies.
We typically recommend you take your puppy to the pet shop to buy it a collar. Don’t let your puppy on the floor if it’s not fully vaccinated. If you want to buy your collar ahead of time, get a light, small collar with a plastic clasp. You can start with the extra small, and then get the small. Let puppy get acclimated to your home for a few days before putting on a collar (making it uncomfortable at first).
A bowl like this will help make feeding time last longer, aid your pet’s digestive process and most of all, it’s fun and stimulating for your puppy.
Your puppy will have times where it wants to snuggle up in it’s bed, and other times it wants to find a cool hard surface on which to sleep. We suggest buying an inexpensive bed like this at first, because your puppy will most likely treat it like a toy. When your puppy gets older and stops chewing, then you can buy a more expensive bed. Most puppies do NOT like a bed in the crate.
This Dog dental kit is gentle yet effective in reducing tartar buildup, eliminating dog’s bad breath, and whitening and brightening your dog’s teeth.
Most puppies don’t like being restrained in the car, but sometimes a seat belt is necessary for their safety. If your puppy gets car sick, don’t restrain or contain it. Puppies are much more likely to get car sick if they can’t move around freely (just like humans).
We like this gate because it looks nice and is easily adjustable.
Kong! Every dog needs one. Put a little peanut butter inside to keep your puppy happy and occupied for awhile.
The snuggle puppy helps puppy sleep at night and not feel so lonely by simulating a litter mate.
This entertaining and engaging dog treat dispenser toy is an interactive puzzle that trains smart dogs to learn sequential steps for more challenging play. Load it with their regular kibble!
Below our our top favorite Doodle toys, submitted by our Puppy owners on our facebook group.
Amazon has changed their links so these links below may appear broken. We will update them as time allows.
Test your puppy’s smarts with puzzle toy that also works as a slow feeder.
Keep your puppy entertained with the snuffle ball!
These squeeky toys have no stuffing!
These feeder balls will entertain your puppy. They chase them all over.
The classic yellow duck!
Put food in this wobble kong and your dog will quickly learn to tip it over to get the food out.
Puppies love these crinkle octopus.
This nylabone is safe for your puppy and they love to chew on it.
The chuck it flying disc is just as good or even better than the hyperflight. Remember, flying discs and balls are not toys. Your dog only gets them if you throw it and they bring it back to you.