Leash –  Have a secure leash to control where your puppy travels while they are out for walks!

Collar/ Tag- We recommend that you purchase both a collar and harness for your puppy. Why both? A young puppy should become accustomed to wearing a collar for many reasons.

• First a puppy who is wearing a collar can be efficiently and safely collected and restrained in a potentially threatening situation.
• A lost puppy who is wearing a collar indicates that they are loved and missed while a puppy without a collar appears to be a homeless stray.  A  collar should contain contact information on a tag that will allow your puppy to be returned by a good Samaritan without needing to make a trip to the vet or dog shelter to be scanned for their microchip.

Harness – A puppy should be walked on a harness instead of a collar for the first 5 months of their life. When a puppy is first learning to ‘heal’ they will pull in their excitement to explore. If their leash is clipped to their collar it places all the pressure on the puppy’s throat area and adds an unhealthy pressure on their developing trachea, while clipping a leash to your puppy’s harness will distribute the pressure around their chest and shoulders like a hug! Remember to encourage your puppy not to pull and to walk politely by your side so the transition from harness to collar is smoothly made later on!

Food and Water Bowls- Your puppy should always have access to fresh clean water! The bowls you choose for food and water should be easy to clean. You can purchase many types that are dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. 

Kibble– PawTree is your puppy’s current food. The best diet for a growing puppy is a hard kibble that meets their nutritional needs. Crunchy PawTree hard food helps keep your puppy’s teeth clean and their gums healthy. It should contain elevated levels of protein, fats, and vitamins.  We start our puppies on PawTree and we will send each puppy home with a small bag to allow time for you to purchase your own supply from us! 

Brush and Comb– Select a brush appropriate to your puppy’s size and coat texture. The bristles should be both stiff and gentle to stimulate your puppy’s coat and gentle loosen dead fur and debris.

Puppy Shampoo – Our professional groomer uses BalancePro Baking Soda & Deodorizing Shampoo.  An ideal shampoo is a mild soap that meets the needs of your puppy’s coat by cleansing, moisturizing, and hydrating. Try to avoid sulfates and parabens which are harsh on your puppy’s baby fur and sensitive skin. 

Toys- It is important that your provide your puppy with toys that are both safe and fun to support their development. Good toys will help your puppy grow both mentally and physically. Interactive toys stimulate a puppy’s brain to problem solve while supporting their gross motor skills and coordination. Always make sure that you supervise your pet while they are playing!

Crate- The safest place for your puppy, during a short period when they can not be supervised, is in a small confined area free of hazards, such as a crate. A puppy’s crate is like a child’s crib; it should be a comfortable, size appropriate space of refuge. Make the time your puppy spends in their crate a positive experience, not a period of solitary confinement. Practice having your puppy spend short periods of time in their crate while you are present. Offer your puppy a tidbit or small treat when they voluntarily go into their crate. Soon your pooch will view their crate as their safe space!