Here are some of my favorite puppy items. You may use this list as a guideline when shopping for your new buddy! Several products have shopping links for your convenience.

Nature’s Miracle is great stuff. It honestly deodorizes any accidents your puppy may have while potty training. I prefer the non-scented kind. When I use it, I KNOW I haven’t just masked the smell.

Dog Food and Water Bowl/Food Bowl: Starlight Ridge puppies are raised on Life’s Abundance “All Life’s Stages” Dog Food. (This is the food in the light green and white bag, NOT the puppy food.)  www.lifesabundance.com We made this switch after concerns about dog food companies outsourcing overseas and losing quality control. I never want to get a phone call saying that something tragic has happened among our puppy families because of a dog food that has been recalled. LA pet foods are based on solid holistic vet science. They provide both prebiotics and probiotics, fruits and veggies and multiple sources of proteins. Please make sure to order when your puppy is six weeks old, so it’s ready when puppy comes home. Keeping puppy on the same diet will minimize transitional diarrhea. You’ll want to get on Auto ship for ease.  Your puppy will go through one large bag every three months. You may also want to add on a bag of bully sticks. They’re my go-to treat to keep puppy occupied while he’s young and learning to love his crate. 

NuVet Plus Supplements: Next to food, these supplements are the most important thing to order for your puppy. Giving NuVet is like wrapping your puppy in a protective shield of nutrients that optimize immune function which is lowest during the stress of leaving our nest and going to their new environment.Please order when puppies are four weeks old.  www.nuvet.com or  800-474-7044. Starlight Order Code: 15989. 

Bitter Apple Spray WORKS. Your puppy is teething. He will chew anything that’s in his path. It’s not his fault if precautions aren’t taken and your best shoes get ruined. This spray can be used on your hands, feet, clothing, cords, furniture, shoes, rug corners… pretty much anything.  It’s a great natural consequence. You won’t need to verbally scold. (Which is important to avoid during their fear period 8-11 weeks)  Just spray and snicker. 😉

Baxter and Bella Training Program We are super excited to announce that we have partnered with Baxter & Bella and their online puppy school, providing pet parents with lifetime access to all the training help they could need.  B and B includes more than 65 step-by-step lessons, over 100 how-to video demonstrations, printable charts & checklists, as well as unlimited LIVE One-on-one professional coaching and online classes. When you use Discount Code STARLIGHT, you will save 25% . This is not a substitute for in person training, but the prep work and training that’s included to prepare you before puppy comes home is worth the program’s weight in gold.

 All Natural Treats for outings. You’ll want to take your puppy with you to safe places as often as possible. It’s good to introduce him to as many new people as possible. When puppy meets a new person, ask that stranger to give puppy a treat that he LOVES. This goes a long way in making meeting people an immediately positive experience. Make sure you’re holding puppy while stranger is giving treats. Speak with a super happy tone, not a cautious tone. For basic, day-to-day treating and training, you will not be giving full treats. Instead, fill a baggie with his regular kibble dog food and put a few soft treats in the bag as well. smush the Bag around until the kibble is well coated in yummy treat flavor. Treating with regular dog kibble does a few things: It keeps your dog from getting spoiled and skipping meals in expectation of more treats (Its a cycle you don’t want to be in.) It keeps their gut healthy so they avoid diarrhea. It keeps them from getting clogged anal glands (totally smelly and gross and AVOIDABLE.)

Crates are great! Until he’s potty trained, any time you’re not able to watch your puppy, or have your puppy close by, he should be contained. We use Metal crates here. I like them because they have better airflow than plastic crates. Medium to Large sized crates are ample. Remember, immediately upon coming out of his crate, or waking up from any nap, puppy will need to go potty.

Walk him directly outside. Do not pass GO.

Leash/Collar   Your puppy will come home wearing a collar (which they will quickly outgrow.) When you’re ready for leash training, place a short leash on him and let him drag it around the house several times per day for a few days. (Use bitter Apple Spray when he tries to chew it.) Then pick it up and call the puppy to you. At this point, never drag the puppy or pull the leash, or he will instinctively resist you. Make it a positive experience. Treats are okay to use here. Give it time. He will get used to the feel of it. Then you can move on to training on lead.

An Appointment With the Vet     Your puppy was given his first set of vaccinations at 8 weeks. His next set is due when he is 12 weeks old and his final set is due at 16 weeks old. A vet appointment should be set before your puppy comes home, so you’re not caught off guard. Vaccinations and proper vet care are essential for his wellbeing.

A Spot in Puppy Kindergarten   It’s my deep hope that each Starlight family will take their puppy through classes and take the Canine Good Citizen test. Training helps both you and your dog  in so many ways. When you and your pup share the common language acquired through training courses, bonding is accelerated. Classes provide socialization and build your dog’s confidence. They provide enrichment and stimulus for your pup’s brain. Training nips behavior issues in the bud, which enhances your pup’s safety. …and training certainly creates less work for you in the long run!! Okay, I’ll get off my soap box. But, please… sign him up now.

Soft Plush Toys, Teething Toys, Small Tennis Balls    I will provide you with an old plush toy carrying the scent of his litter mates and mama. You will need plenty more with his new home scent Make sure to rotate toys and chews. Puppies will get much more enjoyment out of a toy that has been hidden for a week and reintroduced. …So start shopping!

Bed and Blanket    Your Pup will need to nap a lot. (Basic rule: for every hour of play, he’ll need a 1 to 2 hour nap.) Hopefully this is broken up into small segments; with lots of play/nap cycles throughout the day. 

Brushes, Scissors and Thinning Shears are important tools for your dood. I will supply you with proper grooming instructions. You’ll need to practice while your puppy is young, so you can educate your groomer when puppy’s needs outgrow your skills.

My favorite shampoo HANDS DOWN is called Mink Sheen Shampoo. Again, available through Amazon. You won’t believe how soft and silky it leaves his fur! Tangles and burs are easy to get out when you use it regularly. For additional detangling and softening, use Nature’s Specialties Detangling and Conditioning Spray. They both smell amazing too!