When adding a new puppy to your family, there’s a lot to learn! Doodle breeds are incredibly loyal, affectionate, intelligent dogs. They are hypoallergenic and eager to please, which makes Doodles superior family dogs, even for individuals with allergen sensitivities. However, each family should be prepared for the new experiences involved when adopting a Doodle breed.
As an experienced pet professional, I have created an extensive list of Puppy and Doodle Essentials. This guide will help you prepare for adding an new Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle puppy to your home.
Essential puppy supply list:
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Midwest Home for Pets Wire Crate
Midwest Foldable Exercise Pen
Snuggle Puppy & Kong toys
Amazon Basics No-Tip Puppy Bowls
Life’s Abundance Dog Food, All Life Stages
Big G Slicker Brush & Andis Metal Comb
Extra Small or Small Puppy Collar
Martingale Collar for training
OmniPets Cotton dog leash, 6′ length
1. Your Puppy’s Home
Creating a safe, welcoming space is essential for your new Doodle puppy! You will need a crate for use during potty training or whenever you can’t directly supervise your new puppy.
Foldable Wire Crate
I recommend a wire-sided crate with a removable tray and adjustable divider. For a Standard Doodle, I recommend the 42-inch or 48-inch crate; for Mini and Medium Doodles, 36-inch with a divider.
This see-through crate will give the puppy a sense of security without closing him/her off from the family environment. If you like, you can add a small blanket or towel to this crate for bedding, and a non-destructible toy like a Kong to keep him/her busy. The crate’s space should only be large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. The limited space reduces accidents, because the puppy will not want to soil his/her bed. This encourages pottying outside.
Collapsible Exercise Pen
If you do not have a securely fenced yard, or your yard is extensive, I also recommend a wire exercise pen for your puppy’s potty breaks outside. This prevents wandering/distraction and risk of losing Puppy! You can also keep this pen in the house to keep your puppy safe and out of trouble while you’re busy. This pen should be helpful for the first several months. Just monitor your puppy and make sure he/she can’t climb out!
Each of these items are in my personal inventory for puppy families to purchase! My top recommendation is the Snuggle Puppy. If you want to get only one tool/toy to make the transition easier, get the Snuggle Puppy!
KONG puppy toys are also available in my inventory for purchase. Whatever toys you purchase here will be added to your puppy’s go-home pack on pickup day.
Snuggle Puppy Sleep Aid Plush
Transitioning to your home is the biggest change in your puppy’s life so far! For the first time, your puppy will be separated from his/her littermates. This can cause crying at night and anxiety being alone for the first weeks home. A snuggle puppy is a soft toy with a heart beat simulator and heating pack. These features make it feel like your puppy is cuddling with another dog. It makes a huge difference for your puppy.
Classic Kong, puppy medium
This is the classic KONG, but in a puppy size! Perfect for all puppies & adult dogs up to 35lbs. Play fetch, or stuff with treats or canned food to keep your puppy content for crate time. It is made of slightly more pliable rubber to be gentler on a young puppy’s teeth and gums.
Size is 3.5 inches tall, and 2.25 inches across the base.
Kong Wild Knots Bear
A durable, fun Kong-brand toy for your pup! It features a tough but soft exterior, and the inside is made of durable rope. Soft on puppy’s mouth, washable, but if your puppy manages to chew through, no stuffing hazards or messes here.
Size is 10 inches tall, and about 4 inches across.
Kong Wubba, small
A Wubba is a fun tug, fetch and chew toy that’s nearly indestructible. It’s made of rugged material with a small Kong inside. Washable, and suitable for puppies & small-medium breeds.
Size is 9 inches long.
Puppy Bowls
I recommend using stainless steel no-tip pet bowls for your puppy, as these are easy to clean and don’t retain harmful chemicals and bacteria.
Food should be offered twice per day: morning and night. Whatever your puppy doesn’t eat, set aside for later. Don’t leave it out. It is advisable to monitor your puppy’s intake to understand Puppy’s eating habits in case of illness. Keep water available at all times for your puppy, so he/she can drink when needed throughout the day. Food should be restricted before a long period of crate time and at least an hour before bed, to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Puppy Food
My dogs and puppies are fed an exclusive diet of premium dog food and nutritional supplements not sold in stores. As part of my conditions of sale and health guarantee, this food is a requirement for your puppy. This holistic food was designed by Dr. Jane Bicks, a veterinary nutrition specialist. It is locally sourced and has a list of top quality, limited ingredients. As a calorie-dense, nutrition-packed food, your puppy will need to consume less volume than with other brands. I am proud to say this nutrition company has always been chemical and recall free! For informational videos about the nutrition value and ingredients of this food, please visit the Healthy Pet Challenge site!
As part of a continuing nutrition plan for optimal wellness for your dog/puppy, LA also offers holistic treats, supplements, cleaning products, and other puppy essentials. Here are some of my top recommendations. I use each of them in my own home and puppy nursery. To browse through other recommended products, visit the LA webpage here.
4. Bathing and Grooming
As a new Doodle owner, it’s necessary for you to be knowledgeable about the best grooming practices for your puppy.
Brushes & Combs
First, it’s essential to have the proper brush. I highly recommend a Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush. I find it makes a BIG difference. Pricewise, it is a bit of a splurge! But I love mine.
A slicker brush is essential for your Doodle’s thick, wooly coat. A slicker brush will reach the root of your puppy’s fur, successfully de-tangling and fluffing not only the surface, but the entire coat. Just be sure not to scrape your Doodle’s skin. Regular brushing is essential for a Doodle! I recommend brushing daily to prevent mats.
I also recommend adding an Andis Stainless Steel Comb to your grooming supplies. This is a metal long-toothed comb that is ideal for curly coat types. As you brush your dog, work through small sections with the slicker brush. Then, check your work with the comb to ensure you’ve done a proper job!
Here is a more economical alternative brand Slicker Brush & Comb Combo. Not quite as quality, but if you are committed, they will get the job done.
Bathing
Second, when bathing at home, use a quality pet shampoo that will not harm your dog’s coat or body with toxins. I recommend LA’s Revitalizing Shampoo. It has a fresh, gentle scent and no harsh chemicals.
Third, clean your puppy’s ears. Doodle breeds have furry ears that will need regular cleaning to prevent smelliness or infection. To clean your dog’s ears, NEVER use straight tap water! You will need to use an ear cleaner solution. I use this Aloe and Herb Ear Care Formula (you can also use a solution of half water/half hydrogen peroxide). Simply soak a cotton ball with ear cleaner, or drip a small amount into the ear canal. Massage the base of the dog’s ear, then wipe inside of the dog’s ears with cotton balls to remove buildup. The allow the dog to shake. If the hair becomes thick and/or matted, you can talk with your vet and groomer for instructions on Doodle ear plucking.
Grooming
In addition to daily grooming at home, your Doodle will need to visit the groomer approximately every 8 weeks for hair trimming, starting at NO LATER than 4 months old (Learn more about choosing a groomer here). Your groomer will bathe, brush, dry, and trim your Doodle’s coat to keep your dog healthy. While at my home, your puppy will be introduced to bathing, trimmers, and blow dryers. However, it is your responsibility as a Doodle owner to practice these skills at home to help your puppy be comfortable with the sights, sounds, and sensations of the grooming process! Some groomers offer new puppy grooming packages, or socialization sessions. If you’re not sure what they offer, just ask them questions!
5. Collars and Leads
When your puppy first comes home, he/she will need an extra small or small collar. As your puppy grows, you may need to switch to a Medium collar. Be sure to buy a collar with a plastic or metal quick-release clasp, NOT a buckle collar! Puppies love to explore. It’s important to make sure they are wearing a collar that can be quickly removed in case of an emergency!
If you must tie out your puppy, only use a collar that is APPROVED for tie-out. When you choose the collar at the pet supply store, the packaging will specify whether the collar is tie-out safe.
For our Mini Goldendoodles, I suggest the Unique StylePaws Extra Small Puppy collar, 8″-12″, or something similar. It is lightweight, still has the desirable metal clasp, and is widely adjustable.
For our Medium Doodles, I suggest the Country Brook Petz Small Collar, 11″-13″. This is my favorite brand of collar! They’re a bit heavy for a Mini to start out with, but if you purchase one for your Mini pup they’ll grow into it.
As your puppy gets older, enrolling him/her in Obedience Training or Puppy Kindergarten is a recommended practice. Depending on your local training center, some puppies can begin classes as early as 8 weeks. Others require the puppy to be 4 months old (after the vaccine protocol is finished and your puppy is fully protected).
For lead training your young dog, I recommend two specific items. First, I recommend a size small Country Brook Petz Martingale collar. It ranges from 11-15 inches, so it should be big enough for a Mini or Medium Doodle. This collar is equipped with an adjustable loop. Attaching the lead to this loop prevents your puppy from being injured by sudden pulls on the lead, and prevents your Doodle from backing and pulling out of the collar. This is a much safer and effective alternative than using a regular flat collar or a dangerous choke collar.
Second, for training, I recommend an OmniPets 6-Foot Cotton Web Leash. Nylon leashes can burn your hand as the lead slips and pulls, causing pain and difficulty for the handler. The cotton web material is gentler to grip. The 6-foot length is perfect for teaching your Doodle to heel.
