Goldendoodle Puppy Supply List: 15 Essential Items
Now that we have a new Goldendoodle puppy for the second time, I'm updating this list to include some new puppy supplies for 2022. I'm sharing everything that's worked well for both Kai and now Byrdie in this puppy supply list.
If you're preparing to bring a new puppy home, the first step is to gather all the basic puppy supplies for daily care and to ease the transition away from the litter mates. In the weeks before we picked up our puppies, we gradually bought everything on Amazon to make it quick and easy.
If you're thinking about getting a new Goldendoodle, this puppy supply list will help you plan for everything that comes with raising a new puppy. I've also included a few extra items that I've found to be extra helpful.
Here's our video pupdate from our first few weeks with Kai. Here's the day we brought Byrdie home meeting Kai and Zuma for the first time.
Establishing a Puppy Routine
Kai and Byrdie are biological siblings. They're two years apart and share the same parents. We thought they would be more alike, but they each have their own personality. Even though they have different personalities, we've found that almost everything we did with Kai is working well with Byrdie.
The first few weeks are all about potty training. We've learned that establishing a routine is one of the best ways to housebreak and train a new puppy. Plus, having the right puppy supplies prevents the frustrations that come with taking care of a new puppy.
Preventing Puppy Separation Anxiety
Kai liked to be with us all the time. We needed to train him to have "alone time." Byrdie is the same way, but she doesn't like to be held as much as Kai did when he was a few months old.
Crate training was challenging with Kai. When we first put Kai in the crate it was so hard. He cried so loud! We gradually increased the time in the crate and always kept Kai on a leash if could not watch him. Now Kai goes in the crate anytime he needs to.
The first week of crate training Byrdie was also tough. She howled every time we put her in the crate. We started with short amounts of time, and gradually increased it. Now she's much better about being quiet when she's in the crate.
In this video, you can get a glimpse of how Byrdie transformed from howling to calmly laying in her crate.
When we picked up Kai and Byrdie from the breeder, I rubbed a towel on the mother and littermates to pick up their scent. I brought the towel in the car on the way home so the scent would be comforting. I then placed the towel in the crate to help ease separation anxiety.
I also found this snuggly toy with a heartbeat and heat pack that helps puppies make the transition from their litter. I found this new one for Byrdie (that Kai now steals from her).
In this video, you can see how Kai absolutely loves it and see more about my discovery.
Socializing Your Puppy
Another important part of puppy training is getting them accustomed to all kinds of sights, sounds, people, and places. We took Kai out and about to different environments, and we're now beginning the same process with Byrdie.
Before puppies have all of their shots, it's best to avoid exposing them to public areas where other dogs have been. We used this sling dog carrier with Kai so we could safely take him around with us. We use it with Byrdie too. She doesn't like it as much because she thinks she's big and wants to be walking with Kai on the leash all the time.
Puppy Supply List
Here are 15 essential items that will help you bring your puppy home safely and confidently. This is our complete puppy supply list of everything we purchased for Kai.
1. Dog Carrier Sling
There are several types of dog carriers out there. I've had this sling for several years and used it with our other dogs. I've had other dog carrier bags, but I like how comfortable this one is.
2. Plush Toy Sleep Aid With Heartbeat
This plush toy with a built-in heartbeat reminds me of something similar we used when our daughter was a newborn baby. Kai is attached to it, and it keeps him happy when we put him in the crate.
The heartbeat sounds like a ticking clock, and he noticed the sound right away. In this video, you can see how he responds to this toy in a different way than he does with his other toys.
3. Hammered Copper Pet Bowls
It's not a necessity, but I think having cute dog food bowls is just fun. I love the style of these hammered copper food bowls.
4. Soft Adjustable Dog Collar
We didn't want to spend much money on a dog collar while Kai was so young. That's why we opted for this colorful inexpensive nylon collar. It's adjustable so it could grow as he grows.
Once he was full-grown, we invested in a new collar. We waited until he was old enough to start formal training before we bought a training collar. He was about 9 months old when we began working with a trainer and using a training collar.
5. Dog Leash-15 Feet
For the first six months when Zuma was a puppy, we used a long 15-foot leash to get her accustomed to walking on a leash. Her trainer explained that this prevents the habit of pulling on the leash.
When puppies feel tension on the leash, they instinctively pull back against it. This creates a bad habit of always pulling on the leash. She told us to always allow slack and to let her walk freely on the long leash. This worked so well in leash training Zuma. We've already started using the long leash with Kai. At nine weeks he's already getting the idea of walking on the leash.
Here's a video of Byrdie walking on the long leash. She loves it!
6. Dog Leash-6 Feet
When we're not able to watch Kai closely, we kept him on a shorter leash so that he didn't have too much freedom around the house. This helped prevent him from having an accident or getting into things he shouldn't. We've been doing the same thing with Byrdie, and it's been working well.
7. Soft Plush Chew Toys - 6 pack
This pack of toys is a great start to having a wide variety of toys to keep your pup entertained. I have a box where I keep all the toys so that we can bring out different toys at different times. This prevents puppies from getting bored with the same toys all the time. I got the same toys for Byrdie, and she loves them. They're just the right size for her. (But big brother Kai likes to steal them and tear them apart).
8. Odor-Free Bully Sticks
When it comes to chewing, puppies are constantly looking for something new. Bully sticks will keep a puppy busy for a long time. To keep your puppy from chewing it too quickly, I highly recommend this holder for the bully stick. You can also put treats in it to keep your puppy busy.
Keep in mind, bully sticks are rich for a puppy's tummy, so it's a good idea to limit your puppy to about 15 minutes with it. I prefer this odor-free version. I also like this
9. Soft Crate Pad
You want to make sure your pup's crate is comfy so that it becomes a place where he likes to sleep. Having a soft crate pad that's the right size helps the crate become a safe and cozy hideout for your puppy.
10. Wire Dog Crate (Small)
The basic concept of crate training is that dogs won't go to the bathroom in the area they sleep. But this only works if the crate is small enough.
If the crate is too large, your puppy may use one side of it to go to the bathroom and the other for sleeping. That's why you'll want to start with a small crate and move to larger sizes as your puppy grows.
11. Wire Dog Crate (Large)
As your puppy grows, you'll want to increase the size of the crate so that he stays comfortable and likes being there. It helps to have a general idea of how large your puppy will ultimately become. You don't want the crate to be too large, or too small.
12. Portable Dog Crate for Travel
If you plan on taking your pet with you on weekend trips before he's house trained, you'll want to confine him when you can't keep a close eye on him. A soft, foldable travel crate packs easily so you don't have to bring your wire crate with you.
13. Soft Puppy Training Treats
Having plenty of small training treats on hand is essential. We reward Kai with a treat every time he goes outside. We say, "potty potty potty" and give him a treat. In a short time, he has gotten the idea that good things happen when he goes potty outside. The treats need to be small, soft, and not too rich so he doesn't get a tummy ache.
14. Puppy Food
We started with this Costco brand grain-free puppy food that Kai's breeder was using, but we will gradually switch him to a new food. Our vet advised us against a grain-free diet saying there is evidence that it can lead to heart disease.
Zuma does well with the Honest Kitchen brand of dog foods. I highly recommend this food, along with the Superfood Toppers Before switching to Honest Kitchen Zuma had chronic digestive problems, and this is the only food that has made a difference.
Honest Kitchen is minimally processed with limited ingredients. It's 100% natural human grade dog food. We will buy the whole grain version.
15. Airtight Pet Food Storage Container
It's important to keep food in an airtight storage container to keep it fresh. This also keeps ants or other insects from getting into the food.
This rolling storage container helps us keep all the dog food and treats in one area. I especially like that it's on rollers because I can easily move it out of the way when we're not using it.
I hope this list helps you prepare for you new puppy. Everything I recommend here is what I've personally used myself. By having the right supplies on hand you'll get off to a great start with your new puppy and avoid the common pitfalls of life with a puppy.
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