CWB Puppy Check List! 

 

Many families ask for puppy item suggestions. Feel free to add your own here, but these are some things that will get you started. They truly don't need much!  You can go as crazy or as simple as you prefer! These are just some ideas to aid in the transition and products that we use and love. If you are adopting from me, I will go over all my favorite products in our CWB HANDBOOK, so you may want to hold off on shopping until you find out how to use these products and make sure they are relevant for your home/puppy.

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Dog crate: I like the ones that have an adjustable panel so that you can shrink it down when they're little and that have 2 doors. We use 42" and 48" crates for our 44# poodle, 65# bernedoodle, and 95# BMD. They all fit in either size, but the 48" crate definitely gives them more room to move around should they need to remain it for any extended period of time. For sleeping purposes only, the 42" is more than sufficient. Check out the dimensions and use that to research which crate you like best and will fit in your homes. It's helpful to only have to purchase one and allow puppy to grow into the space over time. Smaller breeds would be fine with the 30”-36" ones. 

https://amzn.to/3w7bESh

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Collars: We do sell CWB personalized collars. They are available in black/white plaid or B/W plaid with gold accents. They’re durable and super cute! $15/each. Usually fit  our full size pups around 4 months of age. We do not have any for our minis yet. 

I LOVE these reflective starter collars, plus they're  inexpensive, durable and adjustable! (Typically puppies fit in a small first, but some mini’s might need the xs. This is one of the reasons that I go with a very inexpensive option for the first one, because they will all grow it quickly!) Most dogs need a small collar to start. https://amzn.to/3HG1dIb

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No-Pull Collar: these are a total game-changer and must have for everyone! It took me years to learn about them but they make leash training SO MUCH EASIER!!!!! I don’t even use a harness anymore because of these. I don NOT leave these on for every day use- they are only to be used with direct supervision if strong correction is needed on tether inside and on walks. The end goal should be to graduate away from them, but they are super helpful when training, initially. https://amzn.to/3DUSpQj

 

Harness: I actually prefer to skip the harness in a puppy because it gives them too much freedom to pull and lead. Instead, I would recommend everyone purchase a TRAINING HARNESS so that when you are working on skills in public, people know to ask to pet your puppy! This will allow you to remind everyone that you are working on teaching basic manners and to not approach without permission. DO NOT EVER ABUSE THESE HARNESSES BY USING THE SERVICE DOG (or therapy dog!!) TAGS! https://amzn.to/43TBtnS

 

Leash: I use a variety of styles depending on what I'm doing with my dog/puppy. A long thin leash is handy in the house to keep puppy close to avoid accidents/mischief. A 2 handed leash is necessary for teaching leash walking. 

2 handed leash: https://amzn.to/42psZlv

Thin leash for tethering in the house: https://amzn.to/3QGpj7x

Small lead for leash training if you did not order a no-pull collar: https://amzn.to/3UvqCvw

 

Grooming (doodles): 

Brushes: This brush is literally worth it's weight in gold: https://amzn.to/2OSc9KK (It's an investment, but if you plan to keep the long teddy bear look, this will help you get a nice smooth coat texture!!!) There is a knock-off version that we started using and it seems to work as well! https://amzn.to/3Y42iSv

Detangler spray (use with  Chris C Brush (above) and it makes them feel SILKY SOFT. Just be careful! Wherever your dog lays on your smooth floor will be slippery! I speak from experience lol): https://amzn.to/37eNOIi If you are nervous about your floors getting too slippery, this another product we have used that came recommended by a groomer to avoid slippery floors. https://amzn.to/4iFcmJN

Rake Brush: I use this on my dogs! It's cheap and effective!!! You need to use something like this brush or a metal comb ALL THE WAY TO THE SKIN, especially under the ears to avoid matting:  https://amzn.to/3eXiXSi 

Metal Comb: (You will want this to make sure you are brushing effectively between grooming appointments.) https://amzn.to/3PKEa14

Shampoo: I LOVE the smell of this shampoo and I don't use anything else with all my dogs! It smells great, really makes their WHITE POP!!! https://amzn.to/3XVoKgA

High powered blow dryer: this is really helpful for blowing off dirt and sand after outdoor play. You will also want this if you plan to do any bathing in between grooming. It really helps fluff up their fur and is quite handy to keep by your back door! https://amzn.to/4iS5Mzr

 

Our groomer uses the following products to best clean and brush all dogs: 

Bath brush: https://amzn.to/48WGZFX

Dual flex undercoat brush: https://amzn.to/3Sgh9FQ

Conditioner: https://www.chewy.com/isle-dogs-lush-coating-conditioner/dp/119903

Facial shampoo for staining: https://amzn.to/3SPocXL

Detangler spray: https://amzn.to/47XVFTV

Undercoat control: https://amzn.to/48dMq2l

 

 

Ear care: This is REALLY IMPORTANT for ALL DOODLE OWNERS. All poodles have hair in their ears, so your doodle will need to have his/her ears cleaned and likely plucked frequently. (NOT all bernedoodles will have ear hair, but most do and almost all curly-coated pups and higher percentage poodle doodles do.) Proper ear care will prevent painful ear infections. I made a post on Facebook regarding ear care. For more detailed descriptions, see the post here: https://www.facebook.com/567697643614627/posts/1603080896742958/

Ear wash: https://amzn.to/3BxSh5w

Yeast ear cleanser: https://amzn.to/3UncEvK OR Alternative cleanser I’m loving: https://amzn.to/3S4y7bl

Ear drops: https://amzn.to/3vjVTUP

Ear powder (for plucking): https://amzn.to/3vLFuZV (THIS IS A HAIRY EAR DOG MUST HAVE!)

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Grooming (BMD's):

Deshedding brush: https://amzn.to/4izUe3Z​

Rake brush: https://amzn.to/4iuWUjc

High Power Blower: https://amzn.to/4iS5Mzr
Shampoo: https://amzn.to/3XVoKgA

(All the products our groomer recommends are relevant as well. See previous section.)

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Food/water dish: Food dish can be anything, unless you feel like the puppy eats too fast. If so, you can get slow-feed dishes. You will REALLY appreciate a slow drink water dish!! Tons of styles, but here are some that we use:

Slow feeder (puppy): https://amzn.to/42qcGVy  

Slow feeder (large puppy/adult dog): https://amzn.to/3ozpdDg

No-spill water dish: https://amzn.to/42lgBmA (cheaper version of the slobber stopper)

 

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Chewing: I love Bully sticks, but they can be pretty stinky and your pet will chew through them fast. Too much can also cause diarrhea. As an itty puppy, you won't notice much of a smell and it's a great nutritional source for puppies, but as your dog ages and they consume more, you'll notice an odor.  You definitely want options, tho, so they don't chew up too many of your favorite things.  

Bully sticks (these THICK ones are the ONLY way to go! They last so much longer!): https://amzn.to/3OtNMyJ

REAL BONES: Check your local vets offices and any butcher shops/farm stores. PLEASE DON'T GIVE RAWHIDE or any cooked bones the stores sell. They're AWFUL for dogs and can cause major health concerns. Your pup's teeth will really appreciate quality bones. The bigger the better.

Antlers: If you have hunters in the family, fresh antlers are AMAZING!! I LOVE these elk antlers from chewy and they last forever! NEVER purchase the split ones! They are too brittle and will break off/dry out too quickly. https://amzn.to/47XQzqP

 

Kong/Sumo: I love these toys for filling with peanut butter to make crate training easier. There are different styles, but these are my favorite. Be sure to stock up on peanut butter! I prefer the Aldi brand. It doesn't have any bad additives that can cause diarrhea and I know it's safe from personal use!  In our house we have dog peanut butter (Aldi) and human peanut butter (JIF).  But get whatever works for you. Don't bother with the small size- order a medium or large!! https://amzn.to/3SHimHC

 

Dog food: All our bernedoodle puppies will be started on TLC Puppy Food and Bernese will go home on Royal Canin. I will send links to adoptive families or you can use the link to our TLC store on this page. RC is a little different- so just ask! I live by a "2 Bag Rule"- I always have 2 on hand, so when I open my second bag, I reorder! That way I never run short! TLC is only available by delivery (which is free!!), so be sure you re-order your food if your autoship isn't soon enough!

Food storage: I store all my dog food in this bin. It's air tight and really easy to open! I'd encourage you to get something similar to preserve your food and keep puppy OUT.  https://amzn.to/3SHz0XO

Easy-open food storage: some prefer a tab top opening, so if you prefer this style vs the screw shut vault, this is a good product we've tried as well. https://amzn.to/4kYkTJw

*Please note- TLC food comes in 15# bags so if you only want to open one bag at a time, get the 15# bin. RC comes in 30# bags, so you’ll want the bigger bin if this litter is going home on RC or you want to put an entire case into the bin at a time. For larger breeds, this is incredibly helpful considering how fast they go through food. 

 

TOTALLY OPTIONAL but will make your life easier...

Play pen: Depending on how much you want to invest, having a play area for your puppy for those first few months will make your life A MILLION TIMES EASIER. You can set it up in your living room so that puppy is still a part of your daily life and routine, but don't have to constantly be watching and wondering what he's getting into and peeing/pooping on! LOL You can even get potty pads/litter box options. Piece of advice- just putting a disposable pad down will not work. They will shred it and make a huge mess of it! My suggestion if you want to go all out would be the playpen of your choice, BIG washable pads for under the whole area (depending on the size of playpen you get, you will need one or two washable pads), and a potty area of some sort. (If you are going to get a playpen, try and at least get the 40" tall panels, or they will learn to escape very quickly and easily with the shorter ones!) Here are some suggestions:

Playpen: https://amzn.to/3HE6Ne9

Potty area: NOT EVERYONE should set this up, but if you know you will need to leave puppy for extended periods during the day during the first couple months, you may want to invest in this system. This is our current litter box setup. We will go over this in greater detail in the Private Facebook group, but if you think you will need to utilize a litter box, this is the only one I would recommend. 

Plastic tray (necessary to keep raised shelf from slipping): https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/rotationally-molded-plastic-tray-38-x-26-x-2-1-2-gray

Metal shelf (necessary to keep puppy from shredding potty pad AND to allow poop to fall under): https://www.webstaurantstore.com/regency-24-x-36-nsf-chrome-wire-shelf/460EC2436.html

Disposable pads for under potty tray---these fit under the litter system shown here (always be sure to tuck the non-absorbent edges UNDERNEATH): https://amzn.to/3Oo7mfR

Washable pads: THESE ARE MY FAVORITE and I've tried lots! They wash up perfectly and don't smell at all! I just add a little bleach to each wash cycle. Get the right size for whatever pen you get (typically people order the 72x72 pad)  https://amzn.to/39STW6v

 

Tethering: This skill is the best way to give Puppy freedom to explore without giving TOO MUCH that leads to negative behaviors!

Waist tether- https://amzn.to/4kSrt4b

Suction cup tether (for open concept homes)- https://amzn.to/4in59hy

Long lead leash- https://amzn.to/4kUAppK

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Dog bed: Get something cheap and know you will likely wash it a few times and have to toss it after a few months!  I like to put a washable potty pad over the top and then cover it with a blanket so I can wash those things, not the bed. Puppy will likely chew up anything you give them, so don't be surprised when your favorite things get destroyed! LOL I have bought our dogs every kind of bed on the market and they find ways to destroy them all as a puppy.

Suede washable dog bed: https://amzn.to/3HOAo4l The 40" ones are what we have for the dogs in our home

Textured Dog bed: https://amzn.to/4iXpuK9  I really like the look of this one and have a few at home!

Raised bed:  https://amzn.to/3SGtzrS (These can be nice to keep them off a warm floor, if you don't have cool floors. Also helpful in teaching "place")

Cooling mats:  https://amzn.to/3OMLtEe You may want to invest in one of these if you think Puppy is getting too hot- just watch those puppy teeth. These can also be used for working on "Place." (Be sure you check the correct size for your breed.)

 

Toys: Be REALLY careful about the toys you give your puppy. FOR ALL PUPPIES, WE USE BIG TOYS!!! Don't get anything too soft or too small, regardless of the breed/size of your puppy. They can and ALL WILL try to destroy or eat what you give them, so don't risk it!! Before you purchase anything, read the reviews. Do they fall apart easily? If they're meant to be a chew toy, how durable are they- do parts fall off fast? If they do, ALWAYS TOSS those immediately-- puppy teeth are razor sharp and ingesting parts of toys can be very scary.  Loose rope pieces are never a good idea. Frayed rope can be ingested and get stuck in the stomach and intestines. I like ropes that are looped back into the toy, but if those ropes become frayed, toss the toy immediately! Ropes can be a great asset for play tug of war, helping sooth teething pain, and just general play-- but always use caution. ALSO- if the toy can be rolled up and fit into a toilet paper roll, TOSS IT! That can be ingested and lead to a bowel obstruction! Never use small toys, even if they seem long enough! These are one of my pack's favorites.

Rubber ball: https://amzn.to/4238afY

Aggressive chewer octopus toy: https://amzn.to/3XXUxxu

Assorted and SAFER rope toys: https://amzn.to/41Czi5s

Teething chews for puppies: https://amzn.to/3DV6Bsz and https://amzn.to/4bG906U

Benebone chew for older pups (can still be used at any age-https://amzn.to/4hI9db2  (Think about animals in the wild! If your puppy is destroying the “puppy” chews, quickly move on to these more indestructible chews so they’re not ingesting big chunks of the tethers!) 

DURABLE Crinkle/Squeaky toy: https://amzn.to/3DV7SQn  All of these Longidudes are a long time favorite and staple toy in the nursery. All pups love the crinkles and squeakers in it! 

Snuffle mat: https://amzn.to/4bWdFSx

Food dispenser button enrichment/game - https://amzn.to/4i9zqk0 Avoid boredom with this SUPER POPULAR item. MANY families have ordered this and use it at home! We have shared countless updates showing how smart these pups are using this item!

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Diarrhea support: EVERYONE SHOULD ORDER THIS!!! This is liquid gold if you have a dog. I keep this on hand always to cure diarrhea FAST. All puppies should remain on a daily probiotics for the first year of life, but especially when on antibiotics or after deworming. Be sure you switch up your probiotics periodically.

Proviable: https://amzn.to/3jMQY8p 

Probiotics: https://amzn.to/48TG8pu AND https://amzn.to/49hsyfv

Snuggle Puppies: DON'T buy one of these adorable puppy transition aids!!! Every one of our puppies will go home with one to help with the transition!! If you want to have an extra on hand or if yours is loved a little too much and needs to be replaced, here's a link to order a new one later!  https://amzn.to/2Y0C97T