Recommended Products
There is nothing more fun than buying things for your new puppy! We want to make sure you are able to easily find products that we recommend. You’ll find bathing, grooming, feeding, toys, bedding, toileting, and accessories all right here.
Please note that you may need to adjust the sizes from the products recommended on this page.
Disclosure: I am a part of Amazon’s Associate Program which means I earn a small commission off the items purchased from this page at NO extra cost to the purchaser (you!). This helps us pay for our own supplies and dog food ;)
Nutrition
It is absolutely nuts how much time and research we’ve put into dog food. Seriously, it has been one of the most complicated aspects of our business, but we’ve given it so much attention because it’s just that important! A bad diet can cause poor health, itchy skin, hair loss, and ultimately, a shortened life for your sweet dog. A good diet on the other hand, brings unending benefits to your canine partner. As we struggled to find a perfect dog food for our dogs and their puppies, this is what we looked for:
Good ratings, minimal recalls
Veterinary approved and solid health information
Affordable and accessible to all our new puppy parents
We found all of that in Purina Pro Plan.
I’ll be honest, I resisted Purina for a while. There was something about it being the “name brand” of dog food that made me think that it wasn’t going to be good enough, but the more we researched the Pro Plan food, we realized it’s what we needed. Our dogs have done amazing on it! They love it, their hair is shiny, and their poop is perfect (you can learn a lot about a dog’s health from their poop).
The puppy food we use for all our puppies is the Pro Plan Puppy | Under one year | Shredded Blend | Chicken & Rice Formula (as seen in the picture).
The adult food we use is the Sport 30/20.
Where to buy:
So, when you bring home a puppy from us, we will send you a bag of food to get started. However, if you’d like to buy some before the puppy comes home, here’s what we recommend:
We love using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program (Prime members only) to supply our dog food and supplies because they offer great discounts and the autoship option is out of this world! You set up a delivery schedule and they bring your dog food to the front door! No more struggling with heavy bags at the store, no more extra stops, no more taking up space in your car. It comes straight to your door.
Supplements
NuVet Plus
Finding a good dog food is only one step toward excellent dog nutrition. Most people agree that taking a daily vitamin is important for their own health, so why not do the same for our pets? Adding a daily supplement will fill in the gaps where your dog’s food might be missing the mark.
We absolutely love NuVet and recommend it to all our puppy owners to give their puppies the best nutrition possible! The benefits of giving these daily treats to your pup are numerous:
Strengthens the immune system
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Reduces itching and scratching
Supports ear and eye health
Improves digestion
Supports cardiovascular health
NuJoint
Boost your puppy’s joint health, especially during the first crucial growing years with NuJoint. It’s veterinarian recommended and is the best thing you can do to help your puppy’s joints grow properly. NuJoint will benefit your puppy because it:
Promotes healthy hips and joints
Rebuilds Cartilage
Keeps joints lubricated
Safe for pets of all ages
Improves quality of life
You won’t find NuVet or NuJoint in stores, but you can order online by clicking the button below.
Save up to 15% on NuVet with AutoShip!!!
Puppy Crate
The crate is a crucial training tool and key to your puppy’s success and happiness in your home. Crates are not just a place for your puppy to sleep in, it’s also a safe place for them to calm down in, a place they won’t go potty, a place for them to go when new people enter the home, and a place where they will find the most comfort.
The size of the crate you use is also important. If it’s too big, your puppy will likely go potty in it because they won’t realize it’s a “den”. If it’s too small, they will be uncomfortable in it. Some crates provide an insert that will make the puppy’s space smaller to start and allow you to expand as they grow. These are great if you don’t want to buy multiple crates! Since we have a variety of puppy sizes, it’s difficult for us to recommend specific crate sizes on this page. Generally, a 24”-36” crate is a good size to start with, but you’ll definitely need to expand quickly.
Here is a crate to consider buying for your puppy (be sure to select the right size before you purchase!):
Basic Crate
Best Cover
Travel Crate
Stylish Crate
Leash & Collar
Whether you plan to take your puppy out for a walk multiple times a day, or will only take your puppy off your property occasionally, a leash and collar are a must! These are important training tools no matter what your plans for your puppy are.
You don’t need something fancy, but it helps to have a set that are quality made.
Here are some leash and collar recommendations:
Food & Water dishes
Your puppy is going to need to eat and I’m guessing you’ll want to have the food and water contained to keep your house clean 😂. We recommend stainless steel bowls because they are easy to clean and keep germ free.
Toys
Toys are actually an important supply to have on hand for your puppy. I would even go as far as to say they are necessary to help a puppy thrive in a typical home. Puppies need to chew, bite, and play and if you don’t have something that is “okay” to do this with, they will find something else and become destructive. Toys are needed for rewards, teething, entertainment, and redirection.
We recommend starting with a variety of toys so you can switch them out regularly and your puppy doesn’t get bored. Look for durable toys without stuffing (because it will end up all over the place).
Snuggle Puppy
We’re going to put an emphasis on this sweet toy because of how special it is. The Snuggle Puppy is a plush toy that mimics a dog’s heartbeat to comfort your puppy. Dogs are pack animals and have a deeply rooted, instinctual need to have others around them. Placing the Snuggle Puppy in your pup’s crate will help them stay quiet and relaxed.
Chews
Puppies need to chew on things. They explore their world through their mouth and they are also growing lots of teeth. Chewing is a calming activity for them and can be a good thing if you are able to direct them appropriately. If you don’t provide them with things they can chew on, they’ll find things to chew on that you don’t want destroyed and that is never good for your relationship.
Below you’ll find the chews we recommend. Avoid Rawhide products as it can break off into slimy chunks and choke your puppy.
Beds
Puppies like to snuggle and burrow into something to get cozy while they sleep. If you would like to provide your pup with a bed, here are a few recommendations.
I do want to warn you, though, that beds are sometimes not conducive to potty training and might be better if saved for later. If they are placed in the crate, the puppy might pee on it without you knowing it. Once a puppy thinks it's ok to pee in the crate, it can be difficult to train that out of them. You don’t have to put anything in the crate, but if you really want to, we recommend a white towel until potty training is complete. If you would like to buy a bed for the puppy to snuggle on outside of the crate while you are watching, that is fine.
Elevated Beds
Elevated beds can be a nice option in hotter weather and for cleanliness. Here is our recommendation for an elevated bed:
Grooming
Grooming is a big deal for all the puppies we sell, so we put a lot of emphasis on it. Having the right grooming tools makes a big difference!
Slicker Brush
The slicker brush is one of the most important tools for Doodle pet parents to have. This brush will help you maintain a beautiful, mat free coat if used properly. We like a good solid brush with long, bent bristles that are close together and a flexible cushioned base.
Other Brushes
Of course, there are other brushes available for different uses such as soft brushes, combo brushes, combs, and bath brushes.
Nail Trimmers
Keeping your puppy’s nails trimmed is essential for good posture and long term joint health. It also helps your floors from being scratched 😉. There are manual nail clippers and grinders. Either option is fine, as long as you take the time to learn how to properly use them.
Groomers and vets will take care of this for you, but if you decide to do it yourself, here are some options:
Shampoo & Conditioner
Baths are pretty much inevitable for a puppy. We recommend bathing your puppy once a month or as needed (after that visit to the park when it rained!). Bathing too often isn’t good for the oils in their fur and it’s a lot of work.
Conditioner is a step you should never skip as it helps your dog’s coat stay silky soft and easy to brush.
Specially formulated to be hypo-allergenic and PH balanced for the delicate skin of puppies and kittens. NuVet’s® Puppy and Kitten Shampoo is environmentally safe and created to moisturize your young pet’s sensitive skin and give their coat sheen and luster.
Dental Care
Did you know dogs need their teeth brushed? To keep them in optimal dental health, brushing is important. There are also chew treats and water additive to help your pup’s mouth stay clean.
Ear Care
Dog ears can be erect (pricked), bent or completely flopped over, but however they are shaped on the outside, the anatomy on the inside remains the same. Parasites, moisture and debris can easily be trapped inside the ear canal, leading to conditions that, if left unchecked, will invite bacteria and yeast to take up residence in the affected area.
NuVet Ear Cleaner is a unique formulation containing all natural eucalyptus and soothing aloe vera. This is the perfect solution for maintaining healthy canine or feline ears.
Helps reduce ear wax
Promotes clean healthy ears
Routine ear cleanser for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens
Clippers
If you plan to groom your dog at home, the biggest advice I can give is to buy quality clippers! You can read more about our DIY grooming experience on our blog.
Dryer
Another essential grooming/bathing tool is the dryer. To avoid matting and tangles in your puppy’s coat, you need to dry them thoroughly after every bath.
Potty Training
Potty training requires it’s own set of supplies that you’ll be glad to have on hand!
Pens & Baby Gates
Containing your puppy in a small area is crucial for potty training success. They need to learn not to go potty in a small area before they can be trusted with the rest of the house.
Puppy Pads
There will be times when you have to leave your puppy and it’s best to give them a place they can go on when they need to. Puppy pads are special absorbent pads that have a scent that encourages the puppy to go on them. Puppy pads are also great for car rides just in case of an accident.
Cleaner
Messes are going to happen. It’s best to accept that fact now and be ready for it. Eliminating the smell of a mess is crucial for avoiding a repeat offense.
NuVet Organic Stain and Odor Remover is effective on areas soiled by pet urine and feces. No mere cover up, our All Natural, Organic formula actually removes undesired odors and discourages your pet from soiling on the same spot again.
This safe and gentle stain and odor remover is an All Purpose Organic cleaner that can be used on clothing, furniture, floors, carpets, cages and litter boxes. NuVet Labs® Organic Stain and Odor Remover is the only stain and odor removing product you’ll ever need. Being biodegradable means it safe for you, your pets and the environment.
Door Bell
Bells on the door are used to give your puppy a way to indicate to you that they need to go outside.
Training
Training is going to be a big deal for you. While you probably don’t need a ton of supplies, there are some tools that can help. Clicker training is an effective way to pinpoint behaviors for rewards, a treat pouch is great for quick access to treats whenever you need them, and, of course, treats are necessary for rewards. Speaking of treats, make sure they are soft and easy to eat quickly.
We also have a recommendation for a wonderful puppy training program called Baxter & Bella. Read more about it by clicking the button below: