So You Have a New Member of the Family...
Here are our Recommended Puppy Supplies.
Puppy Food / Dog Bowls
We recommend feeding a high quality puppy food while your pup is little to jump start their nutrition. Your puppy has been started on Purina Pro Plan Puppy Lamb and Rice formula. When switching to a new food, do so slowly to avoid upsetting your puppies stomach. Begin by mixing a small amount of the new food in with their regular food and gradually increase the amount of new food over a 7 day period. Stainless steel bowls are a durable option and are easy to clean.
Toys
It is important to have toys readily available for your puppy. Puppies love to chew while teething! You just want to make sure they are chewing on the right things and not your shoes! There are lots of great natural options like antler pieces, bully sticks, beef bones and raw hides. We also like Kong toys as they are specially made for teething puppies. They are designed to satisfy chewing urges and when filled with something yummy can keep your puppy happily occupied! Some puppies are particularly intrigued by toys that make noise. There are lots of options for toys that peep or squeak!
Grooming Supplies
These are the things you need to keep your puppy looking and feeling good! Nail clippers-there are lots of options available. We clip your puppy's nails while they are with us and touch their paws and toes often to desensitize them and make nail trimming a less stressful experience for both you and your puppy! Brush- When it comes to coat type, Bernedoodles come in quite a variety! Luckily, so do dog brushes. Slicker brushes are great for normal bi weekly brushing. Rake brushes are good if you pup has a particularly thick under coat. We recommend brushing your puppy twice a week. Puppy shampoo- we recommend washing your pup every six weeks. We use Dr. Bronners baby soap. Coat Clippers- If you are the DIY type and want to try clipping your puppies coat at home, we recommend the Wahl Pet Pro cordless pet grooming kit. It works great for Clementine. If taking your puppy to a professional groomer, we recommend starting at 4 months.
Collar and Leash
These are essential for showing your new puppy off to friends and neighbors! We like Blueberry collars. They are durable, affordable and come in a wide range of patterns and colors. We occasionally throw our dogs Blueberry collars in the washer to keep them looking and smelling fresh and they wash up great! If you plan to take you puppy on lots of walks or if your pup is a puller, you may consider purchasing a martingale collar. They provide more control for the walker with out putting pressure on your pups windpipe. There are lots of leash options out there. Make sure you purchase a leash that is strong and sturdy (nylon or braided leashes are what we use) and has a comfortable handle. Also, we find puppy walks are the perfect time to direct your new baby to a preferred potty spot.
Treats
You will want to have small treats ready for your puppy so that you can reward them when they do something good... or adorable! We use small pieces of cheese or cooked chicken, but there are lots of great treat options available. Just be sure to read the ingredient list.
Crate
If you intend to crate train your puppy, make sure that you get a crate that is big enough. We recommend a 42" crate if you plan to crate your pup from puppy to adulthood. Some crates come with an adjustable panel on the inside so that you can limit the space your puppy has inside the crate and adjust as he or she grows. When crate training, you may consider buying bulk fleece by the yard and cutting it to fit your crate, it's inexpensive, you can fold several times to make a comfy bed for your puppy and it washes up easily!
Exercise Pen
Exercise pens are great for allowing your puppy a little freedom while still keeping them contained. We use our exercise pen inside and out when we can't supervise 100% and want to give our puppies a little room to romp and play. We use the Amazon Basics 8 panel exercise pen- it's super easy to assemble, move and store.
Dog Bed
We prefer dog beds that have a washable cover. When purchasing a puppy bed, remember your puppy will grow!