Recommendations!
We are often asked about food, shampoo, treats, kennels, etc, so we've put together list of our favorite resources, supplies, and gear for our dogs. A number of these items tend to go in and out of stock, but you should be able to find similar items that will fulfill the same function. The links below go to Amazon, and we also find a lot of our supplies on chewy.com as well as at local pet supply stores.
These are materials we have long recommended. I encourage you to purchase wherever is convenient for you! If you purchase from one of the links below, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Scroll down to see additional categories of recommendations.
These are materials we have long recommended. I encourage you to purchase wherever is convenient for you! If you purchase from one of the links below, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Scroll down to see additional categories of recommendations.
Recommended Reading
In preparation for bringing your new puppy home, we highly recommend doing a little homework! Here are some of the books we have found very helpful (though you don't have to read them all!):
|
Some families find that using a Puppy Scavenger Hunt can help to intentionally socialize and expose your pup to a wide range of people/places/things over the next few months. The PUPSTANDING app is a really useful tool! It is designed to not just check off experiences, but also helps you evaluate how your puppy handles each encounter.
|
Recommended Listening
If you prefer to listen rather than read, behaviorist Dr. Jen has some great podcasts about early puppyhood education, and we just LOVE the Baxter & Bella podcast!
Recommended Gear
Your puppy will be around 5-6 pounds when you bring him home, but anticipated mature size is around 20-25 pounds. I use wire crates for all of my adult dogs for their permanent hangouts (we just leave the doors open and they come and go as they wish). The reason I like this style is because they don't collect shed fur or smells (either of dog or of cleaning products!) Something around a 24x18x19 size is roomy for puppy and cozy for adult size. These come in single- and two-door styles so choose whichever makes sense for the setup at your house.
Whenever one of the dogs needs extra quiet time, a crate cover can help replicate that "den" feel. Be sure to choose a cover that is the same size as your crate! (You can also use a blanket, but be sure to account for good airflow and don't let edges dangle into the crate as a temptation to chew/choking hazard.)
We recommend planning ahead and purchasing two flat crate pads/beds for each crate. Having two will give you the flexibility to have one pad in the wash at various intervals. Again, make sure the bed size is compatible with your crate size! Once the dog is a little older an orthopedic bed is nice, but I suggest waiting until your pup is past the chewing stage before introducing one.
For young pups and vet visits I like a smaller carrier/crate because it provides a safe, snug place where the pup can retreat and nap quietly. I always prefer styles with a carry handle on top for ease of use. The 24x17x14 size works for pups up to about 6 months old.
I've really liked this soft-sided carrier for shorter trips like visiting the vet and plane travel. I have used both of these, and the two slightly different designs give you options to match your style. The purple one (also comes in other colors) is a hair larger.
|
|
Our Cockapoos love car rides, and a booster seat will ensure your new travel companion is safe and comfortable no matter how casual or adventurous the trip.
A sling is a great way to allow your puppy to engage with the world around him from an early age while still protecting him from unwanted attention and keeping him away from potential danger or exposure before he is fully vaccinated. We have the model with adjustable-length straps which allows our kids to take turns carrying the pups as well.
We use a play yard style fence setup for puppies to play inside in a puppy-safe area. Many families just gate off a section of their home, but if you don't have a space that lends itself to that, these play yards are very useful! Without access to potential trouble, the puppy can eat his meals and play outside of his crate with limited supervision. (He should of course also have plenty of playtime - and even some meals - with a family member actively interacting with him!) Something along these lines is easy to move and adjust, and we like the 24" height. (An older puppy can jump out of this with relative ease, but sometimes having it is a useful boundary so they know where they are expected to be).
Our dogs love these "donut-style" beds as a soft hangout location anywhere near me (especially under my desk). We have several scattered around the house in strategic locations!
When hot weather hits, our dogs gravitate towards these elevated dog beds. We have several and combined with shade awnings (and of course significant portions of the day in the AC!), the dogs stay cool as cucumbers!
Dog collars, harnesses, and leashes by Lupine Pet are made in New Hampshire and guaranteed, even if chewed! Many of our dogs have been wearing Lupine gear for years. It's great quality and comes in many beautiful designs!
I've also bought directly from Lupine, but wherever you purchase, the customer service to get a replacement when a collar or leash is damaged is superb.
I've also bought directly from Lupine, but wherever you purchase, the customer service to get a replacement when a collar or leash is damaged is superb.
My young daughter calls these rechargeable LED collars "the glow-up ones", and we have found great value and peace of mind in putting a little glow on our dogs when they go out at night! Provides an additional level of safety and visibility along with a little bit of flair!
We strongly encourage a harness for all leash training (as opposed to just hooking a leash to the collar). Your pup will be around 5-6 pounds at take-home, and we'll be sending you home with a small harness to start off with. But your pup will grow fast! We provide a size Small harness, so a Medium is the next step.
Recommended Food & Treats
The puppies are being weaned onto Purina Pro Plan Puppy kibble. While we start the pups on softened mush, by the time your pup comes home with you, he'll be happy chewing dry kibble as long as he has access to plenty of water. We'll be sending you home with a 1-lb. starter bag, so if you decide to use a different brand it's very easy to just mix the food for a few days to help make a smooth transition from one type of kibble to the next. (Just as a note, for the first few months the pups prefer the standard kibble in either lamb or chicken; if you want to get the kibble "with shreds", it's best to wait until your pup is past 3 months old.)
Treats in moderation can be a great help in training your pup. Remember that puppies love PRAISE! They want to do well and please their owner and will appreciate verbal and physical expressions of praise as much as a treat. Please be careful not to "overtreat" and risk giving your pup a stomach upset. It is entirely fair to use kibbles out of the daily diet as a treat for basic training and good behavior. You can save the special treats for when you really need to keep your pup's attention, such as learning or practicing a harder skill.
I love these pocket-friendly treats! They don't crumble easily and aren't greasy so they're easy to take along on your adventures.
|
These treats are a great size for small dogs and are definitely considered "high value" by our dogs for their attractive smell, delicious taste, and chewy texture. Bonus: chicken-free options for pups with sensitivities.
|
A mat to go under food and water bowls will help protect your floors and keep things tidy.
I like elevated food bowls. These ones are not only attractive, they are just tall enough for young pups.
Our baby couldn't resist splashing in the dog water bowl. This bowl helped keep the mess to a minimum. It has also reduced the splashing from some of our drippier dogs as well!
Some of our Favorite Toys
Snuggle Puppy! These stuffed animal companions truly make a difference for puppies transitioning out of the litter and into their new home. We send every puppy home with their very own Snuggle Puppy and many of our clients tell us their adult dog still enjoys snuggling with their stuffed friend!
Kong Floppy Knots and other Ropey toys: They are a huge favorite of our dogs! We have been really pleased with the quality and durability of the Kong rope toys. We use both the small and medium sizes and the dogs love them all. We have also found a variety of other rope toys that have been very fun for the dogs, and my favorite are the ones that are cute animal shapes!
|
|
Hide-A-Squirrel by Outward Hound: Our dogs love pulling the squirrels out of the stump! Some pups take care of the squirrels, though some of our other dogs are inclined to pull the stuffing out. You can also find versions that are llamas, bumble bees, and more fun variations!
Ethical Pets Skinneeez Crinklers: They squeak. They crinkle. They don't have stuffing to pull out. They're soft. They come in a variety of cute designs. The puppies adore them! I think the small size are ideal. You can find similar stuffing-free toys on chewy.com as well as at your local pet store. Make sure to get ones that CRINKLE - they're the favorite!
Outward Hound Durablez: These durable toys are soft, squeaky, durable, and the extra-small are just the right size for a young pup to tote around with them. We have used MANY of these in all the animal shapes, and our bigger dogs have graduated to some of the larger options, but they also still like carrying the XS ones around.
Chuckit! Squeaky Ball: It's held up to even our strongest chewers, and the 2" ball is just the right size for our mature dogs. Hanna carries hers everywhere with her, and it's been a great bark-deterrent - even when she wants to bark we can't hear her because it's muffled behind her ball! Pro Tip: Get the Chuckit! Launcher to ratchet up the fun! (Make sure you pick balls that are compatible in size with your launcher!)
Soft flying discs: Cockapoos tend to be very athletic and catching a frisbee in mid-flight is super fun for them and fun to watch! I prefer a rubbery or silicone disc as it's softer on your dog's mouth.
The Chuckit! flying squirrel is super fun on both snow and water! Most of our dogs struggle to catch this one out of the air, but love pouncing on it as it coasts across frozen ground or splashing into the lake after it.
The Hol-ee Roller (this type of ball) provides fun on a variety of levels; lots of angles to pick up and carry around, fun to push with nose or paws, can be thrown and caught in the air, and holds up to moderate amounts of chewing. Our dogs love these!
If you only buy one treat-dispensing toy for your dog, make it this! It's a classic for a reason. Incredibly durable and versatile, these treat toys can keep your pup busy for long periods of time when stuffed with kibble and other goodies. There are lots of great "Kong recipes" online that include fresh veggies and special treats like plain yogurt that are tasty and healthy options for your pup.
A cute toy basket: You know you'll need a place to store all the toys, right? And one of your pup's favorite games might be "get the toys out of the basket"!
Hygiene Recommendations
For puppy bath time, BioSilk puppy shampoo is a great choice and leaves the puppies' coats very soft. The whitening formula works really well on parti pups and for the paws of pups with significant white booties. I also often use Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo.
|
|
A dual sided brush works really well for detangling, removing debris (your pup will want to roll in the grass, leaves, etc!), and preventing mats from forming. I like this Burt's Bees lightweight bamboo-handled version.
I use an eye comb on our dogs all the time! It's an easy way to remove eye boogies and helps prevent/reduce tear staining around the eyes.
Ticks have just become a fact of life for us and our dogs. I highly recommend Bravecto chews as a preventative measure. But if your dog picks up a tick, having this handy tool on hand will make removal much easier.
Give your back a break and use this tool to efficiently clean up your pup's potty area. Especially with multiple dogs, we have found this to be a great assist in keeping our yard clean!
Training Resources:
Giving your puppy a voice is an important step in training. Learning to ring a bell to ask to go outside helps both of you with house training but it also serves to strengthen your relational bond. Consider which door will be the primary access to "potty" and choose a bell style that will fit well on your doorknob or handle.
Let's face it - there will be accidents. And when there are, it's best to use a cleaner that is pet-safe and doesn't just mask the odor but actually removes the source. Nature's Miracle is an enzymatic cleaner that removes odors and we've found it to be highly effective in discouraging re-soiling an area.
The teething stage is real! We have found this spray to be a very effective deterrent when your pup has fixated on a specific item (like the edge of the sofa, the corner of a bookshelf, etc.) to remind them to go find an appropriate chew toy instead! Also great for the leash and various cords. (REMEMBER: It is your responsibility to keep your puppy safe by removing power cords before he can chew them!)
Disclaimer: I have only used the chew deterrent spray; not the potty training spray or the hot spot spray.
Disclaimer: I have only used the chew deterrent spray; not the potty training spray or the hot spot spray.
Adaptil is a pheromone spray that helps give dogs a sense of calm and well-being. We will send your puppy home with a 2-day sample which is typically sufficient for helping your pup adjust to his new surroundings. Consider using this spray if you have a major life change (such as moving to a new home) or for events that your dog finds stressful (such as being boarded).
This type of surgical suit is super helpful when your pup is recovering from spay/neuter or any other kind of abdominal surgery. Our dogs have seemed quite comfortable while wearing them and it's provided peace of mind knowing they can't get at their stitches or cause accidental harm to themselves.
Soft, comfortable donut collars are much easier on both dog and humans when you need to keep your pup from self-inflicted harm. Whether it's following an operation or just allowing a minor skin irritation to heal, these donuts are definitely a huge improvement over the old fashioned "cone of shame"!
Local Resources:
One of our Dutch Haven families highly recommended Cozy Companions for locally made dog coats and beds. They have a wide variety of colors and patterns so you can order a custom coat just right for your Dutch Haven dog! Karen (owner of two Dutch Haven girls!) tells us, "The owner, Deborah Joyce, is fantastic. Sadie and Brandy have several custom made coats and fleece sweaters to keep them warm, dry, and fashionable! They both love the Pet Puffs most of all and not any of the manufactured dog beds we bought before. The great thing about these is that the pillow, bed, and cover can all be washed in a washing machine to keep them clean and fresh."
