Start simple. Build with confidence.
These are the products we use within our daily routine—not an overwhelming list of options, but a thoughtful starting point to help you feel prepared.
You do not need everything at once. Focus on the essentials, stay consistent, and build as your puppy grows.
Over time, we’ve refined what we use and recommend based on what consistently works best for our dogs and puppies.
This is not an exhaustive list—it is a curated collection of products we trust and use within our program.
Feeding & Simple Nutrition
We believe in keeping nutrition simple, consistent, and supportive of your puppy’s development.
Our puppies are started on a balanced, high-quality puppy formula that supports healthy growth, digestion, and overall well-being from the very beginning.
We use Farmina Cod & Pumpkin Puppy as the foundation of our feeding program. This formula provides complete and balanced nutrition while remaining highly digestible and easy to transition into your home.
Early Gut Support
During early development, we provide gentle gut support as puppies begin transitioning from their mother’s milk.
This may include small, carefully introduced additions such as goat milk, simple starch-based foods, and naturally fermented support. These are used in very small amounts to gently support digestion and prepare the system for more complex foods.
As puppies grow and begin eating more solid food, a balanced puppy formula becomes the foundation of their diet, with these early supports phased into a more simplified, consistent feeding routine.
Early Food Exposure
In addition to their kibble, our puppies are thoughtfully introduced to a variety of fresh foods during early development. These are not used as meals, but as small exposures to support confidence, digestion, and a positive relationship with food.
This may include:
goat milk
small amounts of fermented support
light fresh additions
simple whole foods such as bananas, strawberries, apples, carrots, and leafy greens
Puppies may also explore safe foods naturally in their environment (such as nibbling on greens), as part of their learning and sensory development.
As they grow, we may introduce small amounts of additional fresh options to gently expand their exposure.
These introductions are always done in very small, controlled amounts. The goal is not to replace their primary diet, but to help them become comfortable with a variety of foods so they transition more easily into their new homes.
Many of our families find that their puppies are confident and enthusiastic about fresh treats because of these early experiences. Fresh foods should always be given in moderation and should not replace a balanced diet.
Once your puppy comes home, keeping things consistent during the transition period becomes the most important focus.
Transitioning at Home
We recommend keeping your puppy on the same food during the initial transition into your home.
Sudden food changes are one of the most common causes of digestive upset. Once your puppy has fully settled, you can choose to continue with this formula or slowly introduce additional foods if desired.
We are always happy to help guide you through any feeding adjustments.
From there, families can choose to keep things simple or thoughtfully incorporate additional options based on their preferences.
Optional Fresh Food Additions
Our puppies are raised on a balanced, high-quality kibble to support proper growth, consistency, and an easy transition into their new homes.
As part of early development, puppies may be gently introduced to small amounts of fresh food during their time with us. This exposure is intended to support confidence, curiosity, and adaptability—not to establish a raw or fresh feeding routine.
All puppies go home on the same consistent kibble-based feeding program.
We keep our base feeding program consistent first, and layer in fresh options thoughtfully—not as a replacement, but as a complement.
For families who wish to incorporate fresh food, this can be done thoughtfully as a small addition to the overall diet. One option we have personally used within our program is Texas Tripe, which offers pre-made fresh blends that can be used in moderation as a topper.
If you choose to include fresh food, we recommend keeping it simple, consistent, and limited in quantity during early growth to maintain proper balance.
For families who wish to transition to a fully fresh or raw diet, it is important that the diet be properly balanced for a growing puppy. We are happy to guide you individually to ensure your puppy’s nutritional needs are supported.
Where to Find What These Products
The following items are simple, reliable products we use in our program and recommend as a starting point. You do not need everything at once—focus on what supports your routine and build as needed.
Farmina Cod & Pumpkin Puppy
(26 lb bag recommended)
Available locally at specialty pet stores (we use Hollywood Feed)
Also available directly through Farmina’s website
Smaller bag sizes are available if you prefer to start with a smaller quantity, but we recommend a larger bag to maintain consistency during the transition period.
Puppy Essentials
These are the core items we recommend having ready before your puppy comes home. Keeping things simple and consistent helps your puppy settle in more quickly.
Kuranda Raised Dog Beds
Durable, easy to clean, and creates a defined resting space.
Comfort Bed (Optional for Home Use)
In addition to structured raised beds, many families choose to add a comfortable lounge-style bed for relaxed downtime.
We’ve had great success with large, square beds that offer a soft, supportive surface while still maintaining their shape over time. One option we’ve used within our program is the MuttNation Square Donut Bed, which provides a balance of comfort, durability, and easy care.
This style allows your dog to:
Stretch out fully or curl up comfortably
Transition on and off easily without high sides
Settle into a calm, defined resting space within the home
When selecting a comfort bed, we recommend looking for:
A flat, supportive base (not overly deep or sagging)
Durable structure that holds its shape with daily use
A removable, washable cover
A large size that allows full-body stretching
This type of bed works best as a complement to your dog’s structured resting areas, giving them a comfortable place to relax while maintaining consistency in their routine.
Crate Setup
A properly sized crate is one of the most important tools for structure, safety, and successful puppy training.
We focus on creating a calm, consistent space that supports confidence, routine, and clear expectations from the very beginning.
We historically preferred “up-and-away” (garage-style) door crates for training flow, as they allow for more open space when paired with an exercise pen. However, these have become difficult to find consistently.
A standard double-door crate works beautifully when set up correctly and is what we recommend for most families.
MidWest Double-Door Crate (Recommended)
A dependable, easy-to-find crate with a divider panel that allows it to grow with your puppy.
This is the best starting point for most homes and works well for both training and daily use.
We keep crate setups simple—typically a flat mat or minimal bedding to support structure and cleanliness.
Impact Crate (Optional Premium Upgrade)
A high-quality, heavy-duty crate designed for durability and long-term use.
Best suited for owners looking for a more permanent setup or for dogs that may need a stronger crate.
We are always happy to help guide sizing and setup based on your individual puppy and home.
Exercise Pen (recommended setup)
We recommend a sturdy exercise pen to create a safe, structured space for your puppy—especially during the early weeks at home.
What we use:
32” height pens for young puppies in a highly supervised environment
What we recommend for families:
40” height pen for added stability and longevity as your puppy grows
The taller height helps prevent climbing, leaning, and early escape habits, while giving you a more secure and flexible setup in your home.
A pen can be used:
Around the crate for a larger safe area
As a daytime play and rest space
To support structure without constant confinement
This is one of the most helpful tools for creating consistency and setting your puppy up for success.
Additional note:
While a 32” pen may work initially, most families find the 40” option to be a better long-term investment as their puppy grows and becomes more active.
Toys That Actually Matter
We focus on simple, purposeful toys that support engagement, confidence, and healthy play.
Food & Water Bowls
We keep feeding simple and practical. Below are a few of the basic items we use in our program for everyday feeding and water.
Glass Food Dish
Pyrex Glass Dish
We use simple 9.5-inch Pyrex glass dishes for feeding. Glass is non-porous, easy to clean, and works well for maintaining a consistent and sanitary feeding routine.
Stainless Steel Water Bowl
Stainless Steel Water Bowl
For water, we use basic stainless steel bowls. Stainless steel is durable, easy to sanitize, and a reliable option for daily use.
Look for food-grade stainless steel that is dishwasher safe and free of coatings on the inside.
As Your Puppy Grows
Consistent, gentle care helps keep your puppy comfortable and healthy.
Grooming
Bark2Basics Baby Bark Puppy Shampoo
Day to Day Shampoo Gallon with pump dispenser
Chris Christensen Big G Dog Slicker Brush
Basic Health Support
Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet
Everyday Gear
These are simple, everyday items that support comfort, structure, and ease of use as your puppy grows.
Trixie Rox Design Dog Fabric Collars
These are high-quality, handmade collars that hold up beautifully with daily use and wash easily—making them a reliable everyday option.
BioThane Collar & Leashes
BioThane is one of our preferred materials for everyday use because of its durability and simplicity.
One option we’ve used and trust is from Pro-Mohs Canine Supply.
Leash Recommendation
We keep leash training simple and consistent from the beginning.
We recommend starting with a lightweight 3/8" BioThane leash (6 ft). This allows for easy handling, clear communication, and a more comfortable introduction to leash work for young puppies.
Many of the leashes we use also offer multiple attachment points, allowing you to adjust the handle length as needed. This gives you added flexibility for different situations without needing multiple leashes.
As your puppy grows, you may choose to transition to a slightly wider 5/8" BioThane leash for added durability and control.
BioThane is one of our preferred materials because it is waterproof, easy to clean, and holds up well with daily use.
While simple fabric leashes can work, we’ve found BioThane to be the most consistent and practical option within our program.
Enrichment & Chewing
We keep enrichment simple, structured, and purposeful.
Durable chew options, such as subscription boxes like Bullymake, hold up well over time and provide safe, consistent engagement for growing puppies and adult dogs.
As puppies mature, we also introduce natural chew options such as raw marrow bones. These can support dental health and provide an appropriate outlet for chewing when used correctly.
Raw marrow bones can typically be sourced through local pet stores such as Hollywood Feed or from a trusted local butcher. We recommend selecting larger, appropriately sized bones (generally 6–8 inches or more) to ensure they are safe and suitable.
We recommend avoiding smaller bones, as larger sizes encourage appropriate chewing behavior and reduce the risk of splintering or swallowing pieces.
As with any natural chew, proper sizing and supervision are essential to ensure safe use.
We focus on quality and structure over quantity—puppies don’t need endless options, just the right ones used intentionally.
Chewing Guidelines
All chews are given in a structured and supervised setting.
We recommend offering chews for limited periods of time rather than free access throughout the day. This helps maintain their value, prevents overstimulation, and supports healthy habits.
Within our program, we also use structured “trade” exercises—offering a high-value reward in exchange for the chew and then returning it. This helps build trust, prevents resource guarding, and teaches puppies to comfortably give up items when asked.
Chews should always be supervised and removed when not actively in use.
Training Treats
For training, we keep treats simple and high-quality.
We often use freeze-dried raw options and small pieces of balanced raw or kibble-based foods. This allows us to reinforce behavior without overloading puppies with unnecessary ingredients or excess calories.
Cleaning & Sanitation
Maintaining a clean environment is an important part of raising healthy, well-adjusted puppies.
For daily cleaning, we keep things simple and consistent. Floors are routinely cleaned using gentle, dog-safe solutions such as diluted Dawn dish soap and water.
For deeper sanitation when needed, we use Rescue disinfectant to properly clean and disinfect surfaces and shared areas.
This balance allows us to maintain a clean environment while avoiding unnecessary exposure to harsh chemicals in everyday use.
Building your puppy’s routine doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Start with the essentials, keep things consistent, and allow everything else to come together over time.
We’ve thoughtfully chosen these products based on what has worked best within our program—not because you need everything, but because having a reliable starting point makes the transition easier for both you and your puppy.
If you ever feel unsure, we are always here to help guide you.
Simple, consistent, and intentional—that’s what sets your puppy up for success.