Puppy Supplies

[Julie & Cooper]

We're bringing home an 8-week old labradoodle puppy that is expected to be a "small standard" who should weigh approximately 60 pounds at adulthood.  We have a medium sized crate to use for bringing him home, but are in the market for another crate for him as an adult.  Anyone have any recommendations on what type of crate to purchase and where to get the best quality for the price?  We aren't even sure what size crate to look for.  Also will need to contain him in our house during the day for a few more weeks until school is out.  I am a teacher and live close by the school.  I will be coming home at lunch and right after school to feed him and let him romp about, but he will need to be contained in the house while I am away.  Need some suggestions for the best way to do this while he is still being housebroken.  Pick up some great tips about grooming supplies on the grooming group.  I love doodlekisses - it is a wealth of information.  Thanks for any help you can provide this novice doodle owner. 

[Julie & Cooper]

Thanks for the great info. This is just what I needed to know. I too am a secret Walmart shopper and will be heading to our local store to see if they carry this crate type. I am so excited I can't wait to bring our baby home. Thanks for all the help

[Jennifer Goaring]

We have basically the same type of crate -- the wire kind. Heard it was the best so they feel a part of the family. My decision was whether or not to get one for our bedroom upstairs or not as well as the one we have in the family room -- they like to be near and around people and to see what is going on even if they are in the crate -- and it is nice to leave it open and let them go in and out as he pleases to get toys or blankets (and drag them all over the place!)

Anyway -- my hubby wasn't a fan of the dog going upstairs at all and it turns out we got a slightly older puppy (16 weeks) than I had thought we would when first looking so the night time stuff went pretty easy -- he was already used to sleeping in a crate at night. I think if they are having trouble, the crate being up near the sleeping people helps.

What I was going to contribute was that we didn't use the divider and it has worked out fine. Here is our picture to share (just for fun):

I am a novice puppy owner also... but here is the list of things I have gathered:

a collar (something basic you can put ID tags on)
a lead
training type collars (we like the gentle leader head collar -- but there are lots of types and you can wait and see how it goes with lead training before deciding what you need)
puppy food -- we got what the breeder had been feeding him (Wellness Super 5 puppy mix)
water dish / food dish -- probably best to not be plastic so it won't become a future chew toy
love the book "Puppy Perfect" and it has great training ideas, and lots about how to get ready for puppy also
Simple Solution (or some other cleaner for dealing with accidents in the house -- the idea is to get something that neutralizes the scent so he doesn't go back to that spot again -- even on hardwood, you may need to use something - but especially on carpet)
you said you have grooming stuff (you are ahead of me on that -- I am still deciding on what to order! and so far am using a human brush... oops!)

That is all I can think of for the moment... I am sure I am forgetting things though! You will probably get lots of replies. You should join the puppy madness group also -- lots of good info there. Welcome to Doodle Kisses -- it is a fun site with lots of friendly people! Watch out -- it is addictive though :)

Jen G.

[Julie & Cooper]

Thanks for the great info and the ADORABLE PHOTO!! I appreciate the warning but it is too late I am already doodlekisses addicted. :)

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

a 46" crate is what you will need. I can not remember the brand but the safest one is the wire crate that has pins that go down the corners instead of the tabs. The pins lock the crate together and it can not collapse.

Look at the pics posted by Caitlin and Jennifer. If you look close enough at the corners you will see these U shaped tabs, they are what hold the crate together. Your dog if playing hard enough, if he gets his collar caught or doesn't like the crate and pulls at the walls with his feet can collapse the crate inward on himself.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Midwest makes them - there are a few different kinds. Some with pins, some without.
http://www.petcratesdirect.com/dog-crates-better-buy.html

[Linda Karell]

I also have the kind of wire crate pictured earlier for Chervil. I did use the divider, and I put a sheet over it at night (it's near our bed). She loves her crate, and will wait to be let into the bedroom so she can go to her crate and sleep when she's tired.

I'd also add: bully sticks. Puppies are chewing maniacs, and the bully sticks (you can get them online that are cheaper, organic, and odor free) saved my life and my furniture.

Good luck!

[Holly Doodle]

You've already got good advice, but here's a list of the things we couldn't have lived without:

-A ton of treats for potty training, crate training
-Natures Miracle spray
-tons of paper towels to clean up messes
-puppy bath wipes for paws, face, private areas
-chew toys
-doggie bags (we got a dispenser that attaches to the leash, it's wonderful!)
-A baby gate to block off any off limit areas
-Bitter apple spray (we used this a lot on furniture legs, the lead, etc to stop her from chewing

We also got a wire crate from Pet Smart. We chose the one that said it was for labs or retrievers, and I'm glad we got a large one so we didn't have to buy another as she grew larger. It came with a divider which we used for a long time for potty training. Another bonus is that they're less likely to chew on the wire vs. the plastic kennels. Good luck with your new puppy!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, for us the baby gates were key. That way I was always able to keep the puppies with me as I went room to room, but they were contained until they were housebroken. The only other suggestion I have is that you may want to buy a lead that doubles as a tether. It's very helpful (especially during the first few weeks) to tether them to you. It helps to establish you as their leader, and it avoids "accidents" and other puppy bad behaviors.

[Jennifer Goaring]

I just tie our regular 6' lead around my waist or belt loops as needed... would work in a pinch if she can't find the tether kind. I totally forgot about the pet gate we bought... so yes, that should be on the list too! We also haven't tried bully sticks yet, but I hear they are great. I also never bought doggie bags because I have a drawerful of plastic bags from grocery stores and can just use those... and I don't use paper towels -- just use regular rag towels because we have tons. Just a different view on some items :)

Fun to see what everyone puts down as their "must have" list... gives me good ideas for our pup! :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

One more thing I forgot....shampoo. Sometimes that first week there were "accidents"...that often meant bath time.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Definitely baby gates. I think we have at least 6 to block different sections of the house. =O) I prefer Bissell's new product Ewwww over Natures Miracle Spray. It really works.

[BG and Gavin]

A Kong to stuff with peanut butter or canned dog food and kibble to put in the crate when you leave to keep him occupied for a while. Our guy prefered soft toys for the first six months or so, or a knotted up sweat sock over hard chew toys. Those are not allowed in the crate however.