You do not need to buy an entire pet-store aisle before your puppy comes home. This list is split into what you need before pickup, what you will want in the first few weeks, and what is nice to have as your puppy grows.
Everything here is something I have personally used and have experience with. You do not have to use what I use. If you are considering something else, just ask me and I am happy to give you my thoughts.
Each item notes the Paradise Tollers handout where you can read more.
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Your puppy’s food
Open Farm RawMix Ancient Grains Puppy Amazon
Your puppy is going home eating this. Please have more waiting at home, and keep your puppy on it when they first come home.
Learn more: Food, Treats & Meals
Before pickup
Crate & home setup Why I like it Learn more Home crate Amazon Basics 36-inch double-door crate Amazon Use the divider panel to make the space smaller while your puppy is young. I also love the MidWest Contour if you find one locally. Potty Training Washable crate pad or mat FMS Tuff Pads FMS Dog Beds Choose one that washes as a single piece. Avoid zippers and removable covers that invite chewing. Tuff Pads are the choice if you have a chewer. Training Your Toller FMS Berber Pads FMS Dog Beds This is what I use for my dogs that don’t chew beds. Training Your Toller Baby gates or exercise pen Tall gate Amazon A great way to separate your house Potty Training X-pen Amazon These come in handy inside and outside. Potty Training
Travel home Why I like it Learn more Travel crate or airline carrier Airline carrier Amazon If flying, check your airline’s current carrier requirements.
Nail care Why I like it Learn more Nail grinder Dremel Stylo+ 2050 (plug-in) Amazon I prefer this model. It needs to be plugged in, but it is much quieter than the battery ones. Nail Care Guide Dremel 8150 cordless rotary tool Amazon The light on this one is great if you want a battery model. I prefer it over the pet version, which has a nail cover. Nail Care Guide Nail clipper Millers Forge #767C nail clipper Amazon If you prefer clippers over a grinder Nail Care Guide Diamond grinder bit Whitman’s DiamaGroove Whitman’s Optional upgrade. A premium grinder bit that works with a Dremel. Yes, it’s expensive, but it will never wear down. Nail Care Guide Styptic powder G.B.S. styptic powder Amazon In case you nick the quick. Nail Care Guide
The first few weeks
Crates & travel Why I like it Learn more Ventilated fitted crate cover Petsfit 36-inch crate cover Amazon Fitted cover for the home crate, with a front flap you can lift and lower. Puppy Crate Games Travel crate as your puppy gets older Petsfit 36-inch soft crate Amazon A great crate for hotels and Airbnbs when you don’t want a heavy metal crate. Wait until your puppy is out of the chewing stage. Not for use in the car. Adult car crate RuffLand Intermediate RuffLand My preferred car crate for an adult Toller. RuffLand kennel divider RuffLand Divide & Conquer divider RuffLand Lets you size a Gen II RuffLand to your puppy now and grow it with them. Does not fit Intermediate kennels with a side door.
Walking & handling Why I like it Learn more Balance-style or Y-front harness Blue-9 Balance Harness Amazon Lets the shoulders and front legs move freely. Training Your Toller Blue-9 Multi-Function leash Amazon Not a must, but a great leash IF you use the balance harness. Training Your Toller Martingale collar Pro-Mohs soft braided leather adjustable martingale Pro-Mohs Harder for a puppy to back out of than a flat collar. Training Your Toller ID tag ID tagI like the QR-code style tags- you don’t have to get a new tag if your info changes. Slip lead Pro-Mohs biothane 6-foot slip lead Pro-Mohs Your puppy goes home with a puppy slip lead. For an adult Toller, choose the 5/8-inch width. Training Your Toller Standard leash Pro-Mohs leashes Pro-Mohs You will not go wrong with leather or biothane. All very high quality, from a fellow Toller owner. Long line Pro-Mohs biothane long line Pro-Mohs Order with no handle if you plan to let it drag for off-leash distance recalls; the thinner one is better for that. If you plan to hold it to give your dog extra room to explore, get the thicker one. Recall & Off-Leash Safety
Food & training Why I like it Learn more High-value training treats Bark on the Bayou Treats Facebook From a fellow Paradise Toller owner. My dogs love all of them, and her training treats are a great one-bite size. Food, Treats & Meals Treat pouch Wolf in Winter Quickdraw treat pouch Amazon Doesn’t spill out if you lean over and easy to get your hand inside to grab a treat Probiotic Probios Digestive Support Powder Amazon Royal Canin or Probios, for the first few weeks at home. Food, Treats & Meals
Chews & toys Why I like it Learn more Appropriate chews WOOF BullySafe holder and bully sticks Amazon Sized so your puppy cannot swallow them whole. Puppy Biting Stuffable enrichment toy WOOF Pupsicle starter pack Amazon Sized for dogs 10–25 lb. Choose the larger size as your puppy grows. Lick mat WOOF FlipMat lick mat Amazon These can really help when doing nails- stick it to the wall and let puppy lick peanut butter or squeezy cheese. Grooming Your Toller Tug toy Chenille and webbing tug toy Amazon Keep it low to the ground and no sudden changes of direction. Exercise & Growing Bodies Coachi Chase & Crinkle Amazon Keep it low to the ground and no sudden changes of direction. Exercise & Growing Bodies
Nice to have
Training & enrichment Why I like it Learn more Whistle SportDOG Roy Gonia Special whistle, orange Amazon If you want to whistle train a recall this is a good one Recall & Off-Leash Safety, Field & Hunt Training Flirt pole Flirt pole with fleece lure Amazon Keep the toy low to the ground for growing puppies. Puppies & Children, Exercise & Growing Bodies Snuffle mat Large snuffle mat Amazon Fun for puppies and adult dogs to search for the treats- be sure to pick it up after they searched Pawzler Pawzler treat puzzle Pawzler A treat puzzle that helps with boredom. Different levels and an infinite number of ways to arrange it Retrieving bumper Avery 2-inch HexaBumpers, mixed colors Amazon Training tools only; never leave them out for your dog to chew. Field & Hunt Training Avery PerfectHold bumper Amazon If your dog is trying to grab the end not the middle Field & Hunt Training Dokken DeadFowl trainer Dokken Miniature Mallard DeadFowl trainer Amazon Training tool only. Teaches a proper hold on a bird-shaped dummy. Field & Hunt Training iCalmDog soundtracks iCalmDog Amazon Sound desensitization soundtracks and calming music. The puppies have already heard the Puppy, Thunderstorms, and Fireworks. Socialization
Learning resources
Not things to buy, but places I recommend for learning more.
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