Here is a list of some things you will need to prepare for the arrival of your new goldendoodle pup. 

Puppy Food - It is best to purchase a high quality brand of dog food for your puppy.  If possible, choose a food specially formulated for Large Dogs.  We use 'Nutram' which is a high quality brand of dog food made with human grade chicken instead of beef proteins.

Food and Water Bowls:  I would recommend purchasing a set of medium-large sized stainless steel dishes.  They're easy to keep clean and they will last a long time.

Collars & ID Tags:  If you are looking to purchase an ID tag for your pup, they are usually available near the check-out in large Pet Supply Stores.  There are only a few dollars each and you can engrave your pet's name, address and contact number on them. 

Leashes:  "Gentle Leader"  halites are very useful when training your pup to walk on leash.  They allow you to have much more control of your dog when you're walking because they fit securely around your dogs snout. If the Gentle Leader is not available to you, you may want to try another halite.  I prefer to use a  retractable lead.  It's great for keeping my dogs close when they need to be and gives them the freedom to roam farther away when allowable.


Crate:  If you plan on crate training your puppy (which I strongly recommend), you will need a large size crate waiting at home.  I prefer the large wire crates as they feel more 'open' so your puppy will not feel closed-in and isolated.  At first you may notice your puppy will feel "lost" inside their large crate, just block off half of the crate (with cardboard and twist-ties) until your puppy is ready for the larger space.

Bedding: You can purchase a wide range of plush beds for your puppy at any department/pet store, but while housetraining you might want to stick with a few old towels. 

Toys & Chewies:  Our girls LOVE  Nylabones - they are very durable, lasting at least a year before needing to be replaced.  Kongs are also great toys, but you may need to stuff it with peanut butter for your dog to show any interest.  Stuffed animals are nice and your pup will love to cuddle with them - just  watch out for buttons and hard plastic eyes/noses.  Your pup will eat them, so only buy "Pup Approved" stuffed animals. 

Grooming Tools:  You will need a gentle Puppy Shampoo, and a metal tooth comb. Nail clippers can also be purchased, or if you're too squeamish to do it yourself (it can get messy if you don't know what you're doing), a groomer or vet will be able to do this for you for a small charge.

Baby Gates:  Check out garage sales and pick up a couple baby gates.  These are useful for keeping your pup out of places he/she shouldn't go. 

Puppy Training Books:  My husband and I have used a wonderful book by Bruce Fogle, D.V.M. called "The New Complete Dog Training Manual".  It's a really practical and comprehensive book on how to train your dog to do the most basic (but most important) things.  I also recommend that enrolling in an obedience class as both pet and owner will benefit from the lessons taught there. 

Small Travel Crate:  You will need a smaller travel crate to transport your puppy home. You can use this as your primary crate for crate training purposes, or put it inside your pups larger crate to get him/her used to their new home.