Puppy Supplies Checklist for Your New Goldendoodle
By Pat & Sonny Heino, Bittersweet Goldendoodles, Newport NH
The days before a puppy comes home are exciting and a little hectic. Having the right supplies on hand makes the first week much smoother. Here is the checklist we share with families picking up a Bittersweet puppy.
A crate and a safe place to sleep
A crate is your most useful tool. Choose one big enough for your puppy to stand and turn around in, with a divider if you plan to grow into a bigger size. Add a soft, washable bed and a blanket.
Put the crate in a quiet spot near where the family spends time. Puppies feel more secure when they can hear and see their people, and it makes night training easier.
Food and water
Pick a quality puppy food and ask your vet which one suits a growing doodle. Start with the food your puppy is already eating, and switch slowly over a week if you change brands.
Buy stainless steel or ceramic bowls, which are easy to clean and last longer than plastic. A non-slip mat under the bowls keeps the floor dry.
Collar, harness, leash and ID
Choose a soft, adjustable collar and a lightweight leash for your puppy. A harness is helpful for walks and car rides, and it protects a growing neck. Add an ID tag with your phone number.
Ask your vet about a microchip. It is a safe, permanent way to make sure your dog can find its way home.
Toys and chews
Teething puppies need things to chew. Pick soft rubber toys, rope toys and safe chews, and rotate them to keep your puppy interested. Puzzle feeders give your smart doodle something to think about.
Avoid anything small enough to swallow, and take away toys that start to break apart. Always supervise a puppy with a new chew.
Grooming tools
Buy a slicker brush, a steel comb, nail clippers or a grinder, and a gentle dog shampoo. Start brushing on the first day so your puppy gets used to it. A few calm minutes each day teaches your dog to love grooming.
Book a first visit with a professional groomer early, even for a short, gentle introduction. Puppies who learn that grooming is safe grow into easy adult dogs.
Cleaning and potty supplies
Stock an enzyme cleaner for accidents, poop bags, paper towels and washable puppy pads if you want them. Keep treats by the door for potty successes.
A baby gate is useful for keeping your puppy in a safe area. Block off stairs and any room you do not want your puppy exploring.
Paperwork and vet plans
Gather your puppy’s health certificate and vaccine record and book a vet visit within the first few days. Ask about parasite prevention and the vaccine schedule.
Keep a folder with your contract, records and emergency vet number. If you have questions about any of it, call us at 603-543-7012.
Safety items people forget
Before your puppy arrives, walk through the house at puppy height. Tuck away electrical cords, move houseplants that may be toxic, store cleaning products on high shelves and secure the trash can. Puppies explore with their mouths, and they are quick.
Add a pet-safe first aid kit and keep your vet’s phone number and an emergency clinic number on the fridge. If your puppy swallows something it should not, call right away.
Training and enrichment items
A handful of tiny treats, a clicker if you like them, and a few puzzle toys make training easier. Plan on a puppy class in your area, too. Classes teach your dog to focus around distractions and help you learn good habits.
Rotate toys every few days so things feel new. A frozen, stuffed chew toy gives a teething puppy something to do while you are busy.
What you can skip
You do not need to buy everything at once. Skip the huge bed your puppy will outgrow in a month and skip expensive gadgets. A crate, a few bowls, a collar and leash, good food and a few toys are enough to start.
Add more as you learn your puppy’s habits. Many families find that their dog’s favorite things are the simplest: a soft blanket, a tennis ball and your lap.
A simple shopping plan
Buy the essentials a week before pickup: crate, bed, bowls, food, collar, leash, tag and a few toys. Then add the grooming tools and extras once your puppy is home and you see what it likes.
Ask us anything you are unsure about. After 20 years we have seen what families end up using and what ends up in a closet. Call us at 603-543-7012 and we will gladly help you shop smart.
Ask your vet before you buy
Your vet knows your area and can recommend food, flea and tick prevention and heartworm medication that suit where you live. A short call or a first visit can save you from buying things you do not need. Bring the health certificate and vaccine record from us.
Ready to meet a puppy?
See our available mini Goldendoodle puppies, read the 100 most common Goldendoodle questions, or visit our contact page for directions to the farm. The quickest way to reach us is to call 603-543-7012.