Brush/Comb: We like a brush like the rake variety as featured above. It removes knots in their hair and the fleece that is released in the brush.
These kongs are fine on their own and do not require a smear of peanut butter to make them enjoyable for your pet. If anything is going to cause issues with a puppy its the addition of treats to their diet. Spoil your puppy with kindness and love, not treats. The food value in treats is typically very low while the calories and fat are very high.
Assorted toys: We have some rope toys. The dog's teeth will be maturing and during their first year, they seem to enjoy having something to chew on. There's no plastic to swallow!
Ear medicine: Keep the hair clipped short from under their ears. Their ears get too warm, and they'll get wet. This is a perfect breeding ground for stuff you don't want in your dog's ears. If you notice your dog scratching their ears, or shaking their head, consult your vet and/or call us. Besides an upset tummy, this is the second most common concern. We've used an ear cleansing solution with good results
Don’t skip the dishes : Two ideally - one for water, one for food. Stainless steel is good. You can put them in the dishwasher and they won't tip over when you press down on their edge. The one above works well for the adult Doodle. A mature dog's neck places their front feet a long distance from their nose, and they won't generally tip over a dish. The best bowls have a base which is wider than the top - this is what you want for a puppy. They come in a variety of sizes, are inexpensive, easy to clean, and don't tip over. A puppy can climb all over the bowl and it will remain upright. We've found them at Princess Auto for very reasonable prices. The black trim around the base slips off when you're cleaning up. You can stack two bowls together when you're packing for the lake.
This puppy is enjoying teething rings from the Nyla company and from the baby section of a department store. Always re-evaluate your puppy's toys for loose and torn pieces or small size (age appropriateness) to determine their safety. Small, sharp toys are choking hazards and may need surgery to remove from the puppy's tummy!
Tennis balls are not recommended due the Doodle tendency of consuming part or all of the ball. Tennis balls can become a choking hazard as the Doodle reaches adulthood.
What’s to eat ?
Their mother enjoyed eating PC Nutrition Lamb and Rice blended with PC Nutrition Puppy kibble throughout her pregnancy so your puppy was receiving the benefits of great nutrition before they were born. They start eating softened kibble on their own at 4 weeks old and once they are fully weaned at age 6 weeks they are exclusively eating kibble. Its essential for optimum development and overall health that your puppy receives a well balanced diet appropriate for their age. Your puppy will will go home with their first bag of PC nutrition Puppy food in their hand made puppy tote. Remember that its important to increase their food intake as they grow. They will go home eating 2/3 of cup three times a day but they are going to be growing about a pound a week until they are a year old !
Treats might be tempting to add to your cart when are shopping for your new puppy but treats are not recommended for young puppies. They are far too rich for them and will often cause upset tummies.
Raw hides and Bully Sticks are NOT recommended at any age as they are a serious choking hazard.
Chewables like puppy safe toys like rope toys are always a good idea. Puppies are teething and will seek to soothe their gums by sampling all sorts of things that can be potentially harmful. Its important to puppy proof ! They are also eager to sample anything that may be food.
A list of dangerous plants is available on the ASPCA webpage.