Puppy Training Journey #1. Items You Need & Prior Preparation.

This is the first of a mini-series of videos that looks at a number of different areas you are likely to experience with a new puppy. We collected a new puppy, Ruby, a Mini Goldendoodle on the 20th December 2018 and so creating these short videos felt like a natural thing to do.

At the time of writing, I am up to number 9 in the series, and still have a number of areas I’d like to address. Each video is published on Youtube under a collective playlist, which can be seen here. I shall also embed each video at the top of each respective blog post for you.

Prevention is better than cure

The spirit of the videos is to offer clear and practical initial advice, aimed at helping owners avoid common problems further down the line. In my day-to-day work as a dog behaviourist and expert witness in canine behaviour cases, I encounter many issues that could have been entirely prevented if sufficient thought, attention, and effort had been invested from the very beginning. This is especially true when it comes to providing a full and proper socialisation experience for puppies, a critical developmental window that, for most owners, occurs between 8 and 14 weeks of age. After 14 weeks, the socialisation efforts should certainly continue, but ideally, by this point, a solid positive pattern will have been established, giving you the confidence that you are on the right track and well underway. I will cover this topic in much greater depth in the relevant video later on, but it is such a vital subject that I find myself returning to it frequently, as it truly underpins a strong and lasting relationship between dogs and their families.

Puppy products I recommend

In this video, I take stock prior to the arrival of the puppy and go through a list of suggested items that you would be advised to obtain or at least consider. I don’t like to state the obvious to people, but then again we all have our first puppy and so what feels obvious to me, may not to a new dog owner. I have a shop front on Amazon and you can find the products I show in the video on that store at the same prices as you would buy directly from them.

Vet bedding for puppies

Items I list are veterinary fleece bedding, which is especially ideal for puppies due to its tough and durable construction. This type of bedding contains no filling, so there is no risk of the dog pulling out stuffing and swallowing it. Additionally, the material is completely non-toxic, making it safe for young or sensitive dogs. It is also very easy to wash and quick to dry, ensuring convenient maintenance for busy pet owners. Overall, this bedding provides excellent warmth and comfort, helping puppies feel secure and cozy.

Gorgeous vet bedding for your puppy here on Amazon.

Toys for your puppy

I then look at a carefully chosen small selection of toys that are specifically designed to be fun, safe, and appropriate for the size and breed of dog you are expecting. I take time to discuss the benefits of the puppy Kong, as these toys can be easily stuffed with treats and are perfect for soothing young teeth and developing jaws. Additionally, I particularly like ‘raggy’ toys that contain no filling; these allow the puppy to pick at the fabric over time and chew on these items instead of my hands or clothing, helping to establish positive chewing habits early on.

Rope toys I like to use on Amazon.
Lovely little elephant toy for puppies here on Amazon.

Puppy grooming

Moving on, we then look at a range of grooming products that should be appropriate to the dog and its specific coat type. I am not a grooming expert, of course, but the simple and consistent introduction of being groomed and touched all over on a regular basis will be an essential and beneficial part of comprehensive dog care. I often see many young and older dogs that will not allow themselves to be groomed comfortably, and this can usually be avoided as an issue if you invest sufficient time, patience, and gentle effort when the dog is very young. This way, the dog learns to see grooming as a positive, rewarding experience and is far less likely to develop any inappropriate behaviours or anxiety when being groomed or handled in later life.

The grooming kit we used can be seen here on Amazon.

Cleaning a puppy's teeth

I also recommend using a complete kit that is specifically designed for cleaning your dog’s teeth, which includes a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. When this is introduced gradually in short, positive sessions, most dogs can learn to accept the process without much fuss. Taking the time to incorporate this into your routine is well worth the effort, as it plays a significant role in maintaining your dog’s overall dental hygiene and health.

The little kit we used can be found here on Amazon.

Puppy food and nutrition

The subject of food and nutrition is an important one and it’s not only important that your dog enjoys the food you’re offering, but that it is also free from additives and is going to offer the appropriate building blocks to your dog’s health as he or she develops. It's not unusual for the breeder to feed the pups relatively low-quality food given that they have so many mouths to feed, so look to address the subject of nutrition after a couple of weeks once your puppy is home and settled.

We use the Forthglade brand and both of our adult dogs enjoy it greatly and Ruby has also taken to it well. It produces stools which are easy to pick up and we virtually never experience any loose stools when feeding the dogs this way. It’s not the cheapest, but inevitably you do get what you pay for in dog food.

I also discuss the type of bowls we use and we prefer the heavier earthenware style as they wash well and are very tough. The weight allows them to stay fixed on the floor rather than to chase it around as they eat.

Forthglade can be found here on Amazon.
The earthenware or glazed bowls I like can be found here on Amazon.

Puppy sling for social experiences

Because we shall be taking Ruby out with us on daily walks from the very outset aged 8 weeks, we shall be keeping her in a puppy specific sling so that she can see, hear and smell all the sights and sounds that she will encounter once able to run freely on the ground. This will give her a terrific head start and can be seen in use in more depth in video number 5, ‘First walks and puppy socialisation.’ In the old days, we used to use the dog down the front of a jacket approach, which is fine, but a little cumbersome and not entirely safe and secure with a wriggling puppy.

The sling I used can be seen here on Amazon. It worked a treat and was sent to Northern Ireland after we had used it to a lady with a new puppy.

First puppy collar and lead

The first collar and leads an important consideration and I like the collars that are a loose weave whereby the pin of the buckle can enter the fabric at any point so that we have a lot of adjustability as she grows in the first 3/4 months. We shall then upgrade to a larger soft collar and lead that is secure and that she cannot slip it off her neck. I was going to create a video on how to introduce the collar and lead, but the collar went on her day one and apart from a little scratching at it she was fine thereafter. We take it off at night when she is in the crate for safety as I have heard the odd story of young dogs snagging a collar when inside the crate. This tends to happen (I believe) with crates that are cheap imports with poorly finished welds and wires. The lead was also relatively easy to introduce and was used primarily in the garden when she is being toileted.

The very first collar and lead I like to use can be found here on Amazon.

Flexi lead for puppies

I then move on to look at the Flexi lead, as this is a great way to offer initial movement in public when on the ground and to remain in control and carry out short recalls as can be seen in Video 9, The Puppy Recall. The Flexi brand of retractable leads is extremely well made and have a nice intuitive button action to stop the line and then wind it back in. The Flexi brand is also including an attachment for a light or poo bag roll, which is thoughtful and useful. 8 metres is a good length for a young dog. Please note that Flexi leads are not the best in all situations, but from early stages with a small dog can be an excellent tool.

The Flexi lead we used is here on Amazon. 
A small tub for holding treats or poo bags clips onto the lead and can be seen here on Amazon.

Crating a puppy

Finally, I look at the dog crate. The style I prefer has two doors, one on the long side and one on the short side for ease of entry and exit. I discuss the importance of using the crate, but not for excessive durations. Sensible use of a crate allows a quicker toilet training routine and to keep her safe and secure in the day if she needs to be left for any time. Covering the crate over at night can often help settle the dog, but ensure that adequate air can circulate and that you are not leaving the dog in either a cold draughty spot or equally a spot that is going to get too hot such as in doest sun in warmer months or a radiator blasting out heat.

The crate I recommend can be seen here on Amazon.

So the above quickly goes through the essential items I encourage a new puppy owner to carefully consider. In addition, in the detailed list I have created for you on Amazon, you will find numerous other carefully selected items that I also feel a new puppy owner would find not only useful but highly beneficial in those early stages.

Preparing the home for your puppy

As well as covering all the essential items you might require, I also emphasise the importance of thorough and careful preparation within the home environment. This involves ensuring that any low-lying objects which could easily attract your puppy’s attention are safely removed or placed well out of reach to prevent accidental damage or harm. Taking these thoughtful precautions helps create a secure and safe space where your puppy can freely explore without unnecessary risk. Additionally, I guide you through a few sensible and practical steps designed to protect your valuable belongings from potential damage caused by an energetic and naturally curious young dog.