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. 

[Debbie and Thomas]

Of all the dozens of toys, treats etc....our puppy adored a plain old fashioned paint roller (the fuzzy part) that my husband pulled out of the cupboard. Rolled it around for hours on the hardwood and lay sleeping with his head on it. We definitely NEEDED the "bitter apple" spray. Thomas was sooo mouthy...he wanted to bite...not at the furniture...just US!!! We went to bed quite often smelling like that stuff. Puppy Kong....stuf it with kibble mixed with peanut butter and he will dig at this for awhile every eve. while you enjoy watching him. Not sure about the crate...never used one....he had the laundry room all to himself (just off the kitchen)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We got our crates through Amazon.com (free shipping). I like the Midwest Life Stages (think that is the name) one that has the divider. The other thing I bought for both dogs and for my daughter's puppy was a SnugglePuppie. I got these through Amazon.com too. It is a stuffed animal that has a heart inside that beats and you can also add a heat pack (I never did). We put it in the crate at night with the puppy and I swear it works. Our oldest dog, Fudge, would come out of her crate every morning carrying that dog. Now, she goes in every morning and pulls out the one we got for our new puppy. For toys, I liked the bully sticks and the Ty Bow Wow beanies. Good luck!!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Personally, I love the soft sided crates. I have had a wire, plastic and the soft sided and it has by far been the best. I find it really easy to move if I need to and it has a door on the side, front and top. Honestly, when I had the metal cage it drove me nuts - it was to noisy! I have been thinking about getting a large plastic type to take camping but I will probably just continue to use our soft one. Now I did have one incident that she was able to get out and broke the zipper BUT in her defense she had come down with something from swimming in Lake Erie and the bacteria count was high and she ingested to much of the water and didn't want to go to the bathroom or get sick in her crate - she opted for the bed in our camper sweet girl LOL There are many different types of soft crates and I have a very nice one made of heavy canvas and a soft sherpa matte on the bottom. I think it was about $89 at a local pet store - and the largest one was $109. I can't imagine that it would hold up if you had a doodle that was constantly trying to get out of their crate though.....