Recommended Puppy Supplies Checklist

This is our Puppy Supplies Checklist – The Puppy Products I think are the BEST and recommend you buy and setup before your new puppy comes home.

Being prepared helps so much! On your puppies first day home you don’t want to be running around trying to figure out what you need.  When everything is setup and ready to go – all you have to do is sit back and enjoy getting to know your new puppy!

When you have the right Setup and TOOLS… Life with YOUR NEW PUPPY becomes 100% easier.

I’ve ALREADY done all the research and testing so you don’t have to.

All the puppy products listed on this page I’ve personally purchased over the years.  I only added products I trust and found useful.  All the products linked below also qualify for Free 2 Day Shipping with Amazon Prime. 

THE BASIC PUPPY SUPPLIES IN-PAGE LINKS…

• Food Bowls
• Dog Food
• Puppy Toys & Balls
• Bones and Teething Chews
• Dental Care Products and Greenies
• Dog Beds, Puppy Blankets and Toy Bins
• Baby Gates, Crate or X-Pen Setup
• Grooming Tools
• Dewormer – Keep Puppy Worm Free
• Natural Health Care/Medicine
• Vitamin Supplements
• Leash & Collar
• Training Treats & Tools
• Name Tag and Microchip (Safety Tools)
• Tools for the Road..Seatbelt and Car Seat Cover
• Cleaning Supplies
• Training Books & DVDS
• Time & Love

FOR YOUR WET DOODLE...THE DOG GONE SMART – MICROFIBER DOG RUGS

Keep the Rain and Mud out of your House!

This is my #1 CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT PUPPY PRODUCT…. I have 4 of them in all sizes! I live in the Great Northwest so we get a lot of rain and MUD!
I needed something that worked and worked well. These are machine washable (also important) and catch about 70% of the water and dirt off their paws before they make it into the house. I LOVE the big ones and they’re worth every penny.. I promise.

The microfiber strands dry five times faster than ordinary doormats!!

To be honest I use the basic doormat size (Large) the most for the doors but the EXTRA LARGE rugs are great for in front of the sliding glass door and I also use them as a place for them to just lay down on or for inside their crates, great for hardwood floors and your kitchen tile etc.

THERE ARE SEVERAL COPY CAT BRANDS NOW SO BE CAREFUL.  SOGGY DOGGY RUGS ARE THE ONES I LIKE BEST.  SOMETIMES I EVEN GET CONFUSED. ALSO DOUBLE CHECK PRICES AND SIZES. 

Soggy Doggy XL Large Dog Rug!

VERY NICE quality and last FOREVER and they are tough & CHEW PROOF (my puppies have chewed on my rugs and their still intact after 2 years so I call that chew proof). DOGS JUST LOVE THESE RUGS! 

SHOP SOGGY DOGGY RUGS: AMAZON LINKS AND SIZES

• Medium size Dimensions: 31 x 20 inches
• Large Size Dimensions: 35 x 26 inches
• Extra Large Size Dimensions: 36 x 60 inches (Soggy Doggy is the only brand that makes this XL Size)
• Runner Size Dimensions: 30 x 60 inches

Regardless of the size… they’re all big enough for any size Doodle and a worthy investment.

THROW THEM IN THE WASHING MACHINE AND CALL IT GOOD! Also Great in the Car or Truck…after a romp at the beach or lake! 

ANOTHER BRAND – MY DOGGY PLACE:

 

I recommend one thing in regards to food for my puppies..  I prefer you feed them a high quality dog food (not a grocery store brand) and preferably an All Life Stages formula or a Large Breed Puppy formula (for my Standard size puppies). 

If you decide to feed a puppy food instead of an all life stages formula,  once a puppy reaches about 80 percent of its adult size is a good time to shift to an adult formula.  This usually happens around the 8-12 month mark, it can be earlier for small breeds. 

After years of doing research for my puppy blog and after trying so many different dog food brands and ultimately getting frustrated with all the inconsistent quality,  I finally tried Life’s Abundance and it not only checked all MY boxes for health and quality but my dogs also LOVED the taste of it… and they enjoy it consistently!  Which is super important to me! 

According to my dogs..  high ratings and expensive price tags do not equal “good taste” when it comes to dog food but Lifes Abundance is 5 star rated so it wins with the humans and the fur babies. 

ALSO READ: How Much You Should Feed Your Puppy

ORDER YOUR DREAMYDOODLE PUPPY’S FOOD TODAY! 

We currently feed ALL our Dogs and Puppies “Life’s Abundance – All Life Stages” Dog Food. We will send your Dreamydoodle puppy home with a 3 lb-bag of their food that should last them at least a week.

Order More Dog Food Today!

MyPuppyFood.com

Life’s Abundance also has some fun & healthy treats for training and teething puppies!  My puppies LOVE the Porky Puffs and they’re much easier on their stomach then rawhide chews and also good when teething! 

Check out ALL OF Life’s Abundance Dog Treats Here!

We’ve tried and researched a lot of different dog foods currently on the market and we recommend that you do your own research as well. Try visiting the website called http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/

READ OUR Blog  POST LABELED BEST LARGE BREED PUPPY FOOD BRANDS AND BEST AND WORST DOG FOOD BRANDS!

Raw Dog Food & Meal Toppers

You can also use a meal topper like Stella and Chewy’s – raw dehydrated chicken meal topper mixed in with their kibble and warm water.
This one is JUST chicken freeze dried whole pieces. They also sell dehydrated chicken patties. This helps to make their dog food more appealing while also adding more calories and nutrients.

Another option is the Honest Kitchen Raw dehydrated dog food... which makes a type of mush you can mix in with warm water and your dogs kibble.  Even my picky girls will lick the bowl clean!

A 10 lb box makes 40 lbs of dog food.  Great alone or mixed with a kibble,  to increase the nutritional value of their kibble. 

Buy Honest Kitchen Free Range Chicken Formula on Amazon! 

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Dog Food Bowls

PetFusion – Premium Brushed Stainless Steel Bowls

None of our local pet stores, chain or locally owned, seems to carry the basic, undecorated metal pet food bowls any more. I throw them in the dishwasher and I wanted durable bowls that don’t chip, flake paint, or have anything come off in the wash. I checked on Amazon and found that several still can be found. 

OurPets Premium DuraPet Dog Bowl

• Permanently-bonded rubber ring on bottom of bowl
• Reduces noise while pet is eating
• Stainless steel bowls
• Scratch-resistant and crack-proof
• Dishwasher-safe

CRATES, BABY GATES AND PUPPY PENS

For our Aussiedoodle and Labradoodle Puppies I recommend the Midwest iCrate Single-Door Pet Crate or the Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Pet Crate

Using a dog crate as a house-training tool is JUST SMART…

Just like we use cribs for our human babies.. We use crates for our fur babies! Simple as that.

✔  Not only do Dog Crates keep your puppy safe and help with potty training but crate training is also helpful at avoiding separation anxiety issues from developing because crate training teaches puppies how to self soothe and learn to feel safe and content even when left alone.

You wouldn’t let your human toddler crawl all over the house while you slept or worked…please don’t let your puppy!
I honestly believe Crate training is a win-win for both the family and YOUR PUPPY!

Crates should only be used for VERY short periods of time (based on age). Once potty training is completed you can leave the crate door open and belive it or not.. they’ll STILL use it as their safe place to hang out and sleep… if you’ve done it cotrectly.

Crate Training Basics

Crate training your puppy….if done correctly and used as a temporary training tool then using a crate is not mean or abusive however, if used incorrectly or to the extreme it can be.. so PLEASE do your research on HOW TO CRATE TRAIN

The purpose of a crate is to use the canines natural instincts to keep where they sleep clean. Dogs are Den Animals by Nature.

The crate should be large enough for the puppy or dog to stand up without having to hunch, lie on his side with legs outstretched, and turn around with ease and no more or less… a if you give them too much space in their crate… your puppy will arrange his crate to have both a bedroom and a bathroom.

*puppies can go twice as long at night.. IF you have them on a good potty and feeding schedule.

MORE CRATE TRAINING POSTS:

• How to stop your puppy from whining in the crate
• 7 Day Crate Training PDF
• All our potty traing posts…

Standard Size Aussiedoodle – Crate Sizes:

For Dreamydoodle Standard Aussiedoodles – I recommend buying the 36 inch size crate.

For Our Multigen Labradoodle Males I would go with the 42 inch size crate.

Midwest iCrate Single-Door Metal Dog Crate (30 Inches by 19 Inches by 21 Inches) PUPPY SIZE

Midwest iCrate Single-Door Pet Crate (36 Inches by 24 Inches by 27 Inches) MEDIUM ADULT SIZE

Midwest iCrate Single Door Pet Crate (42 x 30 x 28 inches) LARGE ADULT SIZE

Mini Aussiedoodle – Crate Size:

The above size should work perfect for all our puppies as puppies but until adulthood for our mini aussiedoodles only.

Midwest iCrate Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate (30 Inches by 19 Inches by 21 Inches) ADULT SIZE FOR MINIS

Midwest iCrate Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate (24 x 18 x 19 inches) PUPPY SIZE FOR MINIS

There are single door options and a double door options. The double door one has a door on the side and in the front. I just get the single door for the Puppy Size crates but for the adult size I like the option of the double door.

Plastic or Metal Dog Crates?

Petmate Sky Kennel for Pets for dogs 25 to 30-Pounds – Product Dimensions: 28 x 20.5 x 21.5 inches

The X-Pen Potty Training Solution

Do You Work During the Day?

For people who work or for those people who can not take their new puppy out every 2-3 hours because they work, I do recommend they use a contained area with access to a litter box or potty area until they’re old enough to hold it for the full 8 hours in a crate. You can use either baby gates or an x-pen with a crate inside of it to contain your puppy in a small area. I like to put a plastic tarp (as seen in this picture below) under the x-pen. You can either use a puppy potty box or a doggy lawn.. they have artificial and real grass options.

DOGGY LAWNS

PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Indoor/Outdoor Dog Potty, Alternative to Puppy Pads, 3 Size Options for Small to Large Breeds

THIS ONE HAS THE BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS.. READ THE AMAZON REVIEWS FOR THESE HERE!

WHAT ABOUT PUPPY PADS? 

Young puppies tend to chew up the puppy pads which causes a huge mess and may also encourage them to continue to pee on absorbent like materials as adults..Not good, so the grass patches sure would be nice I assume if they’re cared for properly they could work for short periods of time..

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS SETUP

THE EXERCISE PEN (X-Pen)

Midwest Black E-Coat Exercise Pen, 24″H x 8 x 24″W

OR THIS ONE….

*I have also purchased both of these wire pens and both work just as well this next one is just more sturdy and will probably last longer (the picture below on the right was just for fun and is not this pen..well, I don’t think so..looks a lot like it)

BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Cat Fence B Exercise Pen, 24-Inch, Black

Plastic Puppy X-Pens

I HAVE ONE OF THESE PLASTIC PENS AS WELL…I like to use these in the house when people come over to meet our puppies and the 4 panel one al is going to be WAY too small even for the mini puppies. 

I like the shorter 24 inch tall Iris plastic pen because I can easily put down food and scoop my puppies out and you can get the panel add on (which comes with 2 panels or you can add more if you like)

I also wrote a blog post on crate and xpen setups – Click Here!

IRIS Indoor/Outdoor Plastic Pet Pen with 4 Panels 24 inch tall

IRIS 2-Panel Add-On Kit For The Expandable Pet Pen – 24 inch tall

IRIS Plastic Pen with 8 panels with optional extra 2 panel add-on 34 inch tall

• Measures 63 by 63 round by 34 Inch tall

*THE 4 PANEL IRIS XPEN IS WAY TO SMALL AROUND FOR MY PUPPIES BUT IT’S A PERFECT HEIGHT SO EITHER GO WITH THE TALLER 8 PANEL – 34 INCH TALL SETUP OR THE SHORTER 4 PANEL 24 INCH  SETUP AND THEN ORDER THE EXTRA 2 PANELS KIT – THE 34 INCH TALL ONE IS JUST REALLY HARD TO REACH DOWN INTO FOR ME AND I AM 5’5.

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TARP FOR UNDER YOUR X-PEN TO PROTECT YOUR FLOOR

THESE TARPS ARE GREAT AND A MUST HAVE TO PUT UNDER YOUR X-PEN – IF YOU WANNA SAVE YOUR FLOORS. I ALSO RECOMMEND TAPING IT DOWN SO IT DOESNT SLIP ALL OVER THE PLACE. 

8′ X 10′ Waterproof Poly Tarps

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Puppy Go Here Dog Litter Pan – 24″ X 20″ X 5″

I like this litter pan because its BIGGER THEN MOST! 

• Designed just for dogs.
• Great alternative for working families, or apartment living.
• Helps to avoid accidents: the puppy always has a place to go, when you can’t take them out.
• Choice of pan based on the size of your dog.
• Easy to use training guide included.

Puppy Go Here Dog Litter Pan – 24″ X 20″ X 5″

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• Second nature Dog Litter’s absorbent paper pellets with odor control designed especially for use in housetraining your dog to use a litter pan.  Made of recycled materials

Second Nature Dog Litter, 25-Pound

NOT INTO THE CRATE OR X-PEN IDEA?

YOU CAN TRY POOCHIE BELLS…

A lot of our families use these Poochie Bells with GREAT success but almost all of them have ALSO used the bells along side Crate or X-pen training.

Teaching them how to notify you when they have to “go potty” is sometimes HALF the battle.

I don’t recommend using ONLY Poochie Bells in your potty training toolbox BUT if you’re dead set on NOT using any type of containment area or crate to Potty Train your puppy then you’re gonna need to be EXTRA consistent, constantly have eyes on your puppy,  know how to read their “gotta go” body language and follow a strict feeding and potty schedule and it also helps to be home all day in order to avoid potty accidents. Not impossible just much harder. 

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOG FOR A CRATE

Recommended Puppy Gates

IF YOU HAVE A PUPPY – YOUR GONNA WANT PUPPY GATES!!

Once I found these extra tall metal baby gates!  I was SOLD FOR LIFE! But believe me I wasted a bunch of money on crappy ones first.

Hopefully, this list will save you from wasting your money like I did so many times ..

When you have the right tools & setup… life with A PUPPY becomes 100% easier.

AMAZON LINK: Carlson Extra-Tall Walk-Thru Gate with Cat Door (MINE)

They come with one extender piece and then you can also buy extra extensions. Carlson Extra Tall Gate Extension

If you have larger hallway or doorway, no worries  they have extra wide options as well.

AMAZON LINK: Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Thru Gate (THE SHORTER ONE FOR WIDE DOORWAYS)

Best Cleaning Supplies for Pet Owners

The Mopnado is HEAVEN SENT!!! If you have a dog or a puppy and need a mop this is the Queen of Mops! By the way I only give these kind of product recommendations after I’ve tried it myself and I believe my families would benifit from them. I don’t pick products just willy nilly. It’s taken me years to create this puppy supply list for my families (I hope people find it useful)  ❤

I got this mop on Amazon (as usual) and it comes with 2 Microfiber Mop Heads and 1 scrub brush and the awesome and sturdy spin bucket. It’s well worth the price!

The Mopnado Mop on Amazon!

Here is a video of ME showing you how to use The Mopnado

Another can’t live without cleaning tool…

Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover (24 oz Spray- 2 Pack)

Bacteria-based formula produces enzymes when it comes in contact with Bio material to help remove organic pet stains and odors. From stinky yellow pet urine and feces to vomit and other organic spills, this tackles them all.

• Natures Miracle Stain & Odor Remover
• Their Natures Miracle Oxy Formula
• Natures Miracle Advanced Cleaner Formula

Another REALLY good urine odor remover but more expensive is:

Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator

Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor & Stain Remover for Dog and Cats Urine

For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, kennels, carriers, all pet living and sleeping areas — anywhere stains happen.

*Recommended Beds (I’ve personally used)

I like these beds because they’re are all sturdy but cheap puppy beds so if they chew it up or soil it then you can buy a new one or just wash it and you didn’t waste a bunch of money….

• DO NOT BUY A FANCY,  EXPENSIVE DOG BED UNTIL YOU GET PAST THE PUPPY STAGES…

DOG BEDS THAT FIT THE DOG CRATE

HappyCare Textiles Reversible Rectangle Pet Bed with Dog Paw Printing Medium size

Midwest Quiet Time Swirl Deluxe Pet Bed

2 in 1 All Season Crate Bedding – Fits Midwest Crates – by Pet Dreams

Midwest 24-By-18-Inch Quiet Time Bolster Pet Bed, Fleece

These ONES fits perfect in your crate but a standard size pillow will work just as well for a puppy.

AKC Casablanca Round Solid Pet Bed

I like these beds because they’re are all sturdy but cheap puppy beds so if they chew it up or soil it you can buy a new one or just wash it and you didn’t lose a bunch of money….

All the Available Best Amazon Puppy Beds

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ORTHOPEDIC XL MEMORY FOAM DOG BED:

I got this fancy bed for my girls and they LOVE it. I put it in the corner of my living room and that is their “Place” and now when I say “Crate” ever since I took my super XXL large crate out of the living room they just go to the bed instead and all 3 girls do fit on it. :) WAIT UNTIL POTTY TRAINING IS OVER FOR THIS ONE! 

Heavy Duty XL Waterproof Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed with Denim cover + Free Bonus Case, Fit 48″X30″ Crate

PUPPIES LOVE BLANKIES <3

Puppies love to cuddle up with a super soft blanket and I purchased these on Amazon and they were a hit. Highly Recommended.
They have a couple different prints some not as expensive as others but all the same quality! I have linked the best deal.

“Tuuka found his Monkey Blankie, after not having it for a couple of months, & and still loves it!!”
– from Susan (Tuuka’s Mom)

Get yours on Amazon: 

Bedtime Originals Jungle Buddies Velour Sherpa Blanket

Luvable Friends Dot Print Fleece Blanket – 30×36

Laura Ashley Reversible Micro Fur Pet Dog Bed Blanket Throw

These are so cute! Puppies love this ultra soft material. I wouldn’t recommend leaving in the crate until they’re solid and no longer having accidents. 

Laura Ashley Reversible Micro Fur Pet Dog Bed Blanket Throw! 

Bone Dry Pet Toy and Accessory Storage Bin, Collapsible Organizer Storage Basket for Toys,  Blankets, Leashes and stuff.. 

I highly recommend getting a puppy toy bin or box because toys will pile up and end up everywhere some people prefer the ones that are open at the top so puppy can grab their toys while others like them to have a lid. I like the lids. 

Buy the Bone Dry Pet Toy and Accessory Storage on Amazon! 

LARGE Dog Toys Storage Box by Feline Ruff. 16″ x 12″ Pet Toy Storage Basket with Lid.

Buy Puppy Toy Storage Box With Lid on Amazon! 

Going Somewhere?

Road Trip Puppy Tools!

Bonve Pet Dog Seat Cover – Waterproof Pets Car Seat Covers Liner with 2 Adjustable Pet Car Seats Safety Belts

– With Seat Anchors for Cars, Trucks, and Suv’s – Black, WaterProof & Non-Slip Backing.

• Built-in Openings for your Seatbelts.

Cutest picture ever but obviously not practical…. BUT you can order these dog seat belt connectors BELOW on Amazon TO SNAP ONTO YOUR DOGS COLLAR and into your seat belt connector!

Seatbelt Connector

(best used with a harness)

Recommended Collars and Leashes

Mighty Paw Rope Dog Leash, Premium Climbers Rope, 6 Foot Long with Reflective Stitching, Climbers Carabiner Clip

Hands Free Leash (nice for jogging and even basic umbilical style puppy training around the House)

TRAINER RECOMMENDED – Recommended by dog trainers for gentle control while your dog is on leash, unlike traditional choke collars that use uncontrolled force to correct negative behaviors.

Pet Safe Nylon Martingale Dog Collar – Small

Training Clicker with Wrist Strap

Loops 2 Double Handle Nylon Leash, 6-Foot, Red

**Do not use retractable leashes. They’re dangerous and limits your control.

With Walks Comes… Poop so you’re gonna need some of these too…

Amazon Basics Dog Waste Bags with Dispenser and Leash Clip

You get 900 Black poop bags! That should last you a month at least!  ;) 

KEEPING YOUR PUPPY SAFE…

Please microchip your puppies and dogs. It is heartbreaking to lose a pet and this is another layer of safety precautions you need to put in place to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. First step is to have a name tag and collar on your dog at all times but collars can come off or also be taken off… but a microchip lasts a lifetime and can not be removed.You can get these done by a vet or if you’re comfortable giving a shot,  you can purchase these pre-loaded microchips as well.  Homeagain is the brand I use. 

HomeAgain Microchip Implant Kit (preloaded)

HomeAgain Microchip Implant Kit on Amazon!

MUST HAVE: CUSTOM NAME TAGS

SUPER NESSESARY!  A Must Have Puppy Product. Even if you’re puppy is microchipped and always by your side PLEASE make sure they also have a name tag with your contact info on at all times.  Puppies and life can be so unpredictable.   I have ordered these exact ones and they’re great! Or you can get them at Petco or Petsmart. 

Having the right TOOLS can make your life and the life of your puppy so much easier!!

Showering you Doodle..

Rinse Ace 3 Way Pet Shower Sprayer with 8 foot Hose

I could honestly NOT LIVE WITHOUT MY SHOWER HOSE when it comes time to wash my Doodles and Poodles!!!!

Rinse Ace 3 Way Faucet Sprayer on Amazon!

Tear Free Gentle Puppy Shampoo

• Cornflower and aloe
• Smells Fantastic, Great Price
• Gentle formula, no tears
• Great shampoo for first puppy baths
• Just Read the reviews on Amazon!

• Buy Wahl Puppy Shampoo on Amazon! 

BRUSHING YOUR LABRADOODLE..

My #1 recommended grooming tool for Doodle owners is the…

The Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush

The Slicker Brush, steal Comb and a good Dematting tool are gonna be your “Doodles Coat Care Must Haves”…

This brush is considered the absolute best by every groomer and Doodle breeder/owner I’ve ever met (including me). The cost may deter you, especially when other slicker brushes are so much cheaper, but every part of this brush is designed to make grooming comfortable for your dog. I use this brush on every single dog in my pack without worrying about brush burn, and it’s a miracle dematting tool. 

The Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush

Get a Slicker Brush
You’ll need a good slicker brush. A slicker is simply a brush that’s dense with very thin (but strong) bendable pins. Having hundreds of pins close together works at separating hairs, which demats your dog as you brush.

Bendable and Smooth Pins
Higher end slicker brushes have very flexible and smooth pins. When you brush your dog the pins bend back, easing up on the applied pressure and stopping them from irritating your dogs skin.

Get a Handle on Things
The handle needs to be comfortable to hold. When you brush dogs for living like I do, it makes a BIG difference. Also you’ll need something that is durable and won’t break when it’s inevitably dropped.

Avoid Cheap Imitations
I know it’s tempting to try a cheap version, but it’s better in the long run to get a good brush. Why? Because the pins on cheap brushes will be stiff and sharp which hurts your dog, the handle will break, and the bristles will wear out in no time. You’ll actually save money buying one good brush over a dozen cheaply made ones.

Finishing
Make sure you dog is 100% mat free with a simple and very cheap tool. In comes the Greyhound Comb to save the day. Gently glide through their coat to “seek and destroy” any of those hidden mats the slicker couldn’t quite reach.

Andis Steel Grooming Comb

Andis Steel Grooming Comb – I call this my “seek and destroy” tool, I glide through their coat with the long pinned Andis comb to find any hidden mats. It’s perfect for finishing your dog and making sure they’re 100% clear and free of tangles.

Buy The Andis Steel Grooming Comb on Amazon! 

Dematting Combs! A MUST HAVE For Every DOODLE Owner!

Recommended Tool for ALL Doodle owners especially if you don’t wanna invest in the Chris Christensen Slicker Brush (which also doubles as a dematting tool!) 

GoPets Dematting Comb with 2 Sided Professional Grooming Rake

Buy the GoPets Dematting Comb on Amazon! 

MATS – The most common mistake made when grooming a Doodle or Poodle is to brush over the top but not get in underneath and close to the skin. It can be quite shocking to discover that although your dog looks beautiful ‘on top’ underneath there is a whole nest of matting you haven’t even noticed or you think isn’t that bad then you take them into the groomers for the first time and the groomer says…

“Sorry, we had no choice but to shave them to the skin because they had mats“.

Yep, so Goodbye to that cute Teddy Bear look for at least the next 2 months. Groomer already spend a good 2-4 hours on a regular groom and they will refuse to comb out mats by hand…. believe me they don’t get paid enough because this is a huge job even when the matts are not that bad so give your groomer a break and help them out.

You HAVE to keep on top of it yourself by using a slicker brush and dematting comb (when necessary). You can comb out their ears, tails, hips, bodies and feet etc…once a week and save them from being shaved with these 2 SIMPLE and EASY TOOLS!

This is not an abused Doodle off the street… just a regular Doodle who probably wasn’t combed properly for the past few months. His owners probably couldn’t even tell he was matted this bad because they can hide it very well!!

Believe me I have blushed myself in a few groomers offices when I first started owning Doodles myself. SO EMBARRASSING!!!! AND I felt horrible for my dog! I just had no idea it got so bad so fast!

You wanna save your Doodles Cute Teddy Bear coat?

Buy a Slicker Brush and a Dematting comb!!

• 

TROPICLEAN DEMATTING SPRAY

• Remove mats, tangles, undercoat, and loose hair from your pet’s coat
• No need to ever shave your pet again

Use the Tropiclean D-Mat brush out solution to cut your brushing time in half, while reviving damaged coats, restoring elasticity, and leaving hair with a healthy shine. 

TropiClean D-Mat Pet Tangle Remover on Amazon!

DOODLE EAR CARE IS SO IMPORTANT! 

Their Ears MUST to be kept clean and free of hair. The hair needs to be plucked out every month. It’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes. Get your puppy used to it from day one.. you don’t need to pluck the hair from day one but just get them used to the idea of you messing with their ears so when the time comes they will not be as concerned.

EAR CLEANER FOR DOODLES

The ear care cleaner I trust and use the most is the Epi-Otic Ear Cleanser.  It was first recommended to me by my Veterinarian and it has been part of my grooming toolbox ever since. 

• Epi-Otic ADVANCED Ear Cleanser (8 fl oz)
• Epi-Otic by Virbac (16 fl. oz)

Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone

I love Zymox because it WORKS! Dare I say.. even better than some of the medications you get from the vets. I highly recommend every doodle owner have some of this on hand just in case.

• For treating inflammation of the external ear caused by bacterial, viral, and yeast infections
• Contains no antibiotics
• Destroys antibiotic-resistant organisms

Buy Zymox on Amazon

More Can’t Live without Grooming supplies for the Doodle Owner..

• Tropiclean D-Mat Tangle Remover Spray
• Grooming Scissors (nice grooming scissors)
• Chris Christensen T-Brush 16mm MINI (a smaller Pin Brush)
• Pet Nail Clipper – Claw through style (you have to clip nails at least once a month and be careful not to cut the quick)
• Coat Bath Wipes (for that quick once over after a walk)
• Kwik Stop Stypic Powder (in case you snip the nail quick by accident to stop bleeding)
• Gold Medal Groomers Ear Powder (for gripping ear hair)
• Straight or Curved Hemostat (for pulling ear hair /splinters etc.)
• Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner (ear preventive)
• Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution for Pet Ears (ear treatment)

WANNA LEARN TO GROOM YOUR DOODLE YOURSELF?

Invest in a nice set of Clippers like the Andis Super 2-Speed AG Clipper w/#10 Blade and learn to use them, this can save you hundreds of dollars but you might have to submit your poor dog to some pretty funny haircuts in the beginning believe me I know from personal experience and so do my poor humiliated dogs

Shampoos and Conditioners I like..

I love these brands of shampoos and conditioners. They ALL make my dogs coats really soft and manageable (as manageable as a dogs coat can be!) plus they all smell REALLY good which is super important to me!

• Buddy Rinse Conditioner – Lavender & Mint Scented -16 oz by Cloud Star
• Cloud Star Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo- Green Tea and Bergamot, 16-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)
• 8 in 1 Perfect Coat White Pearl Shampoo, 32 Ounce Bottle, Coconut Scent
  Keeps your white dogs white and fluffy and smelling yummy!
• Bio-Groom Fluffy Puppy Shampoo, 12-Ounce
  Smells REALLY good. My groomer recommended this brand to me when I asked her what she used because I loved how my dogs smelled when they came home.
• Earthbath Brand Shampoo and Conditioner – All Natural  – Smells so good and makes your dogs clean and shiny! Great Stuff!
• Earthbath – Mango Tango 2-in-1 – Conditioning Natural Shampoo for smelly dogs, tangled fur and dull coat

A Great Video on Labradoodle Grooming

The clipper she’s using in the video are the Wahl Professional 2 Speed Corded Clipper Kit

Bonve Pet – Dog Nail Clippers / Trimmer with Safety Guard

 

These kind of dog nail clippers are great because the guard stops you from clipping the nails too short and having a bloody and painful experience for your puppy or dog. If you cut too short and clip the nail’s “quick” (the flesh area under the root of the nail) it will bleed. You can use the guard on these to make it MUCH easier and just snip the tip-off the nail. When you got a wiggley puppy these are super helpful.

Small Nail Clippers for Puppies and Toy/Mini Doodles

When it comes downs to it, all dogs need their nails trimmed on a regular basis. You don’t want them to be too long or too short, and a healthy nails will slightly touch the ground as your dog walks. The nails of active dogs can gradually trim from walking on pavement, but dogs who aren’t as active should receive trimmings more frequently.

READ MORE ABOUT:

Grooming the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle & Aussiedoodle

Training Tools For Puppies

What you need for training basic obedience commands.

• Hand Signals – Learn them they work like magic
• Training treats (SEE BELOW)
• Dog Training Clicker
• Leash and collar
• Your voice
• A class or some instruction like a book or DVD on training. There are some great videos on Youtube. (I find that weekly puppy classes also will help to motivate you and are great for socialization) I also have tons of helpful puppy training posts on this website… just use the search box in the upper right hand corner to find what you’re looking for.)

MY FAV PUPPY TRAINING TREATS

Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats, Roasted Chicken Recipe – Grain Free 

(all the puppy supplies on this page have free shipping for amazon prime members)

Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Treat – Liver – 10 oz
(Over 300 treats)

I like the BilJac Little Jacs training treats for training. I like them because their small and the dogs LOVE them and will work for you to get them.

Canine Equipment Carry-all Treat Bags

Recommended Puppy Chews and Toys

Try to stay away from rawhide & go for the natural bones if possible… Never feed cooked bones to your dogs or puppies. Some RAW bones are OK.

• Dogs need the minerals provided by animal bones as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
• More info: How to feed bones to your dog

My Dogs Must Have Chew Toys

Elk Antlers!!!!

Antlers Last Forever but are kinda Spendy but Worth it because they last for months!

Antler Chews – These can be more money than your regular dog bones but they also last 100X longer. I highly recommend all dog owners invest in Antlers for their dogs, your dogs will love you for it!

AWESOME!!! Natural bones and Antlers are the way to go. 

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG PUPPIES – WAIT UNTIL AFTER 6 MONTHS OLD AND THEIR ADULT TEETH COME IN

Himalayan Dog Chew

The Himalayan Dog Chew last forever and are made by boiling yak and cows milk. Dogs must work the end of for hours, softening it with their mouths before small parts of it can be slowly scraped off. It’s also 100-percent natural with no preservatives. For dogs 65 lbs and under. 

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NylaBones

Nyla bones are fake bones but fun and of course last forever… Unless they bury them!

Nylabone Just For Puppies Starter Kit Bone Puppy Dog Chew Toys

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Puppy Teething Rings

N-Bone 6-pack Puppy Teething Ring, Chicken Flavor

• Calcium helps maintain healthy teeth and bones
• DHA Omega 3 helps promote healthy cognitive development
• Pliable texture is safe for puppy’s new teeth and helps soothe teething pain and sore gums. 

Dental Care and Greenies!

Dog Toothbrush Set: Next Level Pet Premium Triple Toothbrush Value Pack, Dog & Cat Approved,  3 Count

 

Tooth Paste for your Dog? YES!

SENTRY Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs

• Helps control plaque
• Fights Bad Breath
• Poultry Flavor

Greenie’s chews are another option for keeping your dogs teeth sparkle and breathe fresh!

Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs, Regular, Pack of 27

(keeps their teeth clean, recommended for puppies 6 months plus)

PUPPY TOYS

	Puppies will eat your shoes if there’s not enough things for them to play with….so stock up and don’t give them an excuse to use your favorite shoes as a teething ring
	Teaching Puppies to Play Ball! The Nero Ball Classic TM – K-9 Ball On a Rope Reward and Exercise Toy Puppies do not automatically know how or even love to play fetch. This is something you will have to train them to do and enjoy and this toy makes it fun for you as well. Chuckit! Classic Ball and Ball Launcher on Amazon They have an indoor version as well listed below.. my favorite!
	Chuckit! INDOOR BALLS Chuckit! Indoor Ball – Aussiedoodle Bella’s Favorite Ball! Plus Bone?
	I love the Chuckit! Indoor Balls. This is Aussiedoodle Bella FAVORITE TOY she loves her BIG ball! Best Dog present ever.. these balls are great and STURDY! They also last FOREVER! They do get dirty but that’s because they get used a LOT! Here is one of our mini aussdoodles with one of the indoor Chuckit balls.. All our Dogs and Puppies LOVE THESE TOYS! Chuckit! Indoor Roller and Launcher Chuckit! Indoor Roller (alone) Visit Kula the Surfing Aussiedoodle on our Featured Families Page! Aussiedoodle Kula at 12 wks old with his Chuckit Roller Ball

2-in-1 Fun Skin Stuffless Dog Squeak Toy

Puppies LOVE Little stuffed animals and are great toy for puppies.. small ones and big ones a like.. if you still have some laying around.. my dogs actually love Beanie babies and they work perfect for both puppies and adults! I’ve never had one break open either. But these stuffless ones are great for heavy chewers!  

KONG SQUEAK AIR BALL & ROPE TOYS

KONG Squeakair

Speaking of Kong the brand… my dogs and puppies have never really liked the original fill-able KONG Chews that are SO POPULAR. I hear everyone rave about them..except for my dogs. This is one Kong brand toy however that mine do play with.

Dewormer- Keeping Your Puppy Worm Free

We Deworm our puppies here at two, four, six and eight weeks of age, then once home you should do it again at 12 and 16 weeks and then every 3 to 6 months depending on your vets recommendations. I highly recommend using the deworming medication “Fenbendazole” (brand names are Safe-Guard and Panacur) Safe-Guard which comes in powdered granulas that you sprinkle on your puppies food and covers a wider range of worms and also an effective treatment for Giardia which is common especially in heavy dog traffic areas and rainy areas. I don’t recommend using just pyrantel pamoate because it only covers hookworms.

Buy Safe-Guard On Amazon!

I also recommend the following supplements:

I don’t believe in over supplementing my dogs however I do use Nuvet Plus as a daily vitamin and for coat and skin health I use salmon oil. I use a probiotic when their having intestinal issues or if one of my dogs is taking a course of antibiotics. I personally like Fortiflora or Vetri Probiotic BD – these can also be used as a daily supplement.

Keeping Them Healthy:

Vetri Probiotics BD

• Supports G. I. tract in dogs whose digestive and bowel functions are affected by food sensitivities or infiltration of unwanted bacteria
• Designed to soothe the digestive tract lining
• Provides ingredients that support proper immune function and microbial balance

Coconut Oil

The recommended dose is pretty easy; just give a teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 pounds of dog, or you can give a table spoon per 30 pounds. Start with about 1/4 the recommended dosage and build up to the recommended level over 3-4 weeks, as sometimes flu-like symptoms can appear if you go to fast.”

Coconut oil can help aid pets’ digestion, improve their coats, help prevent infection and more. READ MORE AT PETMD

Salmon Oil for Skin and Coat Health

Grizzly Salmon Oil helps relieve dry itchy skin and promotes bright and lustrous coat!

Omega-3 fatty acids are used to increase energy level, improve the immune system, reduce the risk of blood clots, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and slow the growth of cancer cells.

Just add a pump of this on their food once a day for a shiny and healthy coat and skin not to mention all the other health benefits.

BUY: Grizzly Salmon Oil For Dogs

Fortiflora/Probiotics for Dogs

Fortiflora CANINE. If you have a dog or puppy suffering from diarrhea or poor intestinal health, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Purina’s Fortiflora for help.  This is what my vet prescribes me. It can be purchased over the counter.

FortiFlora restores the natural balance to your dog’s intestines with its unique microencapsulated live microorganisms.

Contains a guaranteed amount of live active cultures. Contains high levels of antioxidant Vitamins A, E, and C. Promotes a healthy immune system.

You just sprinkle a packet over your dogs food once a day.

BUY: Buy Fortiflora On Amazon Prime!

Puppy Training Books and Media

There are so many puppy training books out there and can get a little overwhelming for new puppy owners trying to figure out which ones are truly helpful and which ones are just repeats of the same topics over and over.

Personally, I’ve learned the most about dog training from Cesar Millan. Cesar Millan has several best selling books, a wildly popular TV show and a video series. I really like how he approaches “dog training” and how he’s more focused on teaching dog psychology and why our dogs do what they do and not just teaching commands and tricks.

At the end of the day I don’t “need” my dog to know how to jump through hoops of fire but I do need them to be happy, healthy and well-behaved and to be able to happily coexsist with me and my human family. I do believe that’s all most families want as well. Knowing how our dogs think and how to read their body language really helps to accomplish this goal.

Cesar’s most popular book is called “Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding & Correcting Common Dog Problems” and taught me alot about raising my pack of dogs!!

I’ve also read Cesar’s book “How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond” and both are great to have and you will for sure learn something helpful and new in both.

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DOG TRANING REVOLUTION

Another popular dog trainer is Zak George and he has written a great book that teaches you more of the basic dog training commands using clickers and treats and is called “Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love“.

You can also visit Zak George’s very popular YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/zakgeorge21

I also HIGHLY recommend checking out Cesar’s Natgeo TV show called “The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan”.  Sadly, not available on Netflix.
But I did find some full episodes on DailyMotion.com and you can also visit his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/CesarMillan and of course Amazon. 

Watch the Dog Whisperer on Amazon Prime Video!

Cesar Millan also has a 6 DVD series…
Cesar Millan Mastering Leadership FULL Series Six DVD Box Set for Dog Training and Behavior

Or you can always buy them individually… 

Cesar Millan’s Mastering Leadership Series Volume #6 – Raising the Perfect Puppy

Puppy Culture: The Powerful First 12 Weeks That Can Shape Your Puppy’s Future

A new film from Jane Killion, Author of When Pigs Fly: Training Success With Impossible Dogs! Everything you need to know about puppies, broken down into easy-to-digest 5-15 minute lessons.

A Complete Program, From Breeder To Puppy Owner!

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial – Get 2 Day Free Shipping!

SHOP PUPPY CULTURES WEBSITE