THE ESSENTIALS
A few must-haves for a smooth start
Having the right supplies ready before your puppy comes home helps them feel safe, comfortable, and confident as they settle into their new environment. Below you'll find everything we recommend, including our favorite products and helpful tips.
CRATES & BEDDING
A safe cozy space for rest
A crate gives your puppy a secure space to rest, helps with potty training,
and keeps them safe when you're not able to directly supervise.
Helpful Tips!
Choose the right size crate for
their adult weight. 30 in for tiny | 30-36 in for mini/medium | 42-48 for large
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Keep the crate in the puppy zone in a common area of your home during the day and beside your bed at night.
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Use a soft, washable bed or crate pad while potty training early on.
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Add a crate cover to help
with rest.
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Introduce the crate with
positive experiences
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PUPPY PROOFING
Create a safe space to explore
Puppies are curious! A few simple changes around your home can
help keep them safe and set them up for success.
Helpful Tips!
Remove access to small items, electrical cords, and toxic plants.
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Keep shoes, remotes, and anything chewable out of reach.
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Secure trash cans and use covered hampers for laundry.
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Create a safe, designated puppy playpen zone where they can play and rest when you can't provide full supervision.
FOOD & SUPPLIES
Healthy nutrition for a strong start
Your puppy will go home eating NutriSource Pure Vita Puppy Lamb & Pumpkin food. We recommend continuing this food and slowly transitioning if you choose to switch in the future.
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Helpful Tips!
Brush a few times per week to
prevent​ matting at the base of the coat.
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High-velocity force dryers physically blast water out of a doodle fur using powerful airflow rather than dangerous heat and cuts drying time from hours to minutes.
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Start nail trims and files early.
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Use a gentle, dog-specific shampoo.
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Make grooming a positive and calm
experience.
COLLARS AND LEASHES
Safety first, always
A secure collar, leash, and ID tag are everyday essentials to keep your puppy safe while exploring the world by your side.
Helpful Tips!
Choose a properly fitting collar
that can be adjusted as they grow.
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Use an ID tag with your phone number (microchipping is also a wonderful tool that we provide all of our puppies with.)
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A 4-6 ft leash gives the perfect balance of freedom and control.
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Consider a harness for extra comfort,
especially during early training.​
TOYS & ENRICHMENT
Mental & physical stimulation
Toys and enrichment help keep your puppy happy, build confidence, and prevent boredom. A variety of textures and activities support their growing mind and body.
Helpful Tips!
Offer a variety of toys with different
textures (plush, rubber, rope, crinkle, etc).
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Rotate toys regularly to keep
things interesting.
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Supervise play, especially with
new toys.
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Use enrichment activities to build
confidence and prevent boredom.
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Choose appropriately sized toys
for your puppy's age and chewing stage.
CLEAN UP ESSENTIALS
Be prepared for everyday messes
Accidents happen! Having the right cleanup supplies on hand makes puppyhood easier and keeps your home fresh and clean.
Helpful Tips!
Use an enzyme cleaner to fully remove stains and odors (not just mask them).​
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Keep cleaning supplies in a portable caddy for quick access.
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Wash reusable pee pads with a gentle, unscented detergents.
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Stock up on poop bags for walks, cars, and outings.
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Consider a stain eliminator tool for easy carpet clean up.
