UPDATE with puppy pictures! Buying Puppy Supplies

[Jess & Stewart]

I have just about a month before I bring my guy home! I'm hoping it goes by quickly! I'm starting to buy supplies/essentials. I want some opinions on types of toys to get without going overboard.

I was thinking of getting one or two of each type of toy (chews, plush, squeaker, fetch) and see what he goes for most, like a pack of kong tennis balls, plush toy, kong, rope toy, nylabones, bully sticks. I don't want to get tons of things, but figured I'd maximize what I do buy.

I also bought a 36 inch crate even though my pup is an F1B mini, the 30" looked small & I figure it can't hurt to have a larger size, right? Since it'll give more room once crate/house trained.

I just received 4 week pictures! They're so cute! I like both these males--I'm waiting to see what my breeder says about their personalities. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would not start bully sticks for a couple of weeks. Stick with the food and treats the breeder is giving and don't change or add anything to his diet for at least two weeks after he comes home. The non-edible Nylabones are fine. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

You can't go wrong with puppy Kongs (the pink and blue ones). Just remember that most puppy toys probably won't be appropriate once the puppy gets his/her adult teeth, and you'll have to swap them out with adult dog toys. I love the rubber type balls, and they made the transition from puppy to adult. We must have a dozen throughout the house (mostly under furniture!). Our doods didn't do well with tennis type balls... they tore them up.  The bigger the crate the better. 36" for a mini sounds about right. Karen had good advise re bully sticks, food and Nylabones.

[Sarah Bennett]

Salvador will destroy "toy tennis balls" but will play with the real deal for hours.  I don't know if they are really that much different, but I also find that the real tennis balls are cheaper than the toys too...

[jenn D]

I agree. Only real tennis balls here too! Brisby knows the difference! Lol!

[Sally S Miles]

Congrats - here are some faves of mine: http://www.amazon.com/West-Paw-Design-Guaranteed-Granny/dp/B004A7X2...   we started with small one and now have large also - it's been a wonder - and lots of fun.

Instead of tennis balls get the slick rubbery style that has no fuzzies on it.   Make sure you closely supervise those soft toys with squeakers.   

Kong rules.

I've had dogs that dislike certain toys, my doodly likes 'em all - but she is the destroyer after puppyhood.   

With a 36 crate, your mini may need a divider for a while to aid in house training.

[Wendy]

Our doodle came home a bit later than usual at 10 weeks old.  He loved the smaller, puppy size hard rubber balls, especially on our laminate floors where they generate "self play" by bouncing off things, We added Kyjen's Hide A Squirrel and it is clearly his favorite toy.  He also loves his Skinneeez flat toy. We started with the mini racooon, and we have a Plush puppies egg babies platypus.  We had to help take the eggs out for the platypus, but he loves them. Don't forget antler chews. I swear that the two I bought (1 for the crate) are the best investment in protecting my furniture and anything else I don't want chewed up. At first it will seem that the puppy isn't really chewing them, but in a week's time, you'll be able to feel the difference in the chew.  it's a great anxiety reliever!

[Sarah Bennett]

Salvador was a ball lover as a younger pup.  he loved chasing them, throwing them, trying to catch them, etc.  He also liked anything that bounced.  He had a stuffed squeeky for about 4 months before he tore it apart (it a period of boredom-I was asleep, he was awake, etc).  Now that he's older (8 months), he's a frisbee lover-hasn't mastered the catching of it-but loves to chase it!

[Jess & Stewart]

Thanks all-I'm glad I got a bigger crate, I'll be using the divider but I figured I couldn't go wrong with the larger size.

Kong actually has plush toys that are "de stuffed" and flat. I think I'll look for rubber kong balls instead of the tennis balls. The west paw toys look really durable, I'll probably get one!

Does anyone use Nature's Miracle for hardwood floors? Or do you use the regular Nature's miracle?

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

did not know they had one for hardwood-good idea.  They few accidents we had were carpeted.  Sometimes he upchucks early in the morning and that's always on the carpet too!  

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I've used the NM for hardwood floors (and I believe its also for all hard floors, including tile and stone), and it worked great. Our puppies didn't have access to carpeting so it just made sense. We did/do have a lot of runner rugs on our hardwoods, though (for doodle traction) and when one got soiled I machine washed it with a scoop of Oxyclean and detergent.

[Jess & Stewart]

I don't have any carpeting, my whole apartment is hardwood floors so I thought the specialized NM would be better. Good to know it works just like the original!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Don't forget a good size bottle of Nature's Miracle-the enzyme spray for accidents.  

Kong does, indeed, rule.  YOu can fill it with his regular kibble at first.  

We did not use one, but I hear the puppy snuggler is wonderful.  

so exciting!