I didn’t waste any time. To be honest, the wedding planning took a total backseat and I dove all the way into everything PUPPY!
Rob think’s I’m totally out of my mind.
The amazon orders were tumbling on my doorstep daily.
I started with essentials. Luckily, I had been desperate for a dog for so long that I had already done so much research and read reviews on countless products. I had been subscribed to pet blogs and groups on facebook. I knew a lot for someone who didn’t have a pet, ha! I was ready and I couldn’t wait to buy stuff, it made it feel REAL, YOU GUYS!
Here are some of the first things I purchased, I started with essentials, feeding, poop, and training stuff.
1. GPET stainless steel dog bowls. They are 32 ounces each. I plan on making her a raised bowl stand when she gets bigger but I liked these for while she’s little, they fit perfectly next to the side of our kitchen cabinets and they don’t need a rubber mat, I bought a silicone mat anyways to enclose the mess but the bowls themselves have rubber on the bottom to keep them in place. They also look pretty 🙂 You can find them here HERE
2. PetFusion Waterproof Pet Food Mat. I got size LARGE, its 24×16 and fits perfectly under the bowls I purchased. I just really wanted something that would enclose the sloshed water and runaway pieces of food so there’s not a mess on my floors, plus I like that it’s easy to just throw in the sink and rinse right off. You can find it HERE
3. Candyhome Potty Training Doorbells. This was a MUST for me. Everyone has their own way of housetraining their dogs but personally, I have seen this work the best with everyone I know that uses them. They pick up on it fast! I know it’s such a simple thing, yes, I probably could have made my own, but they aren’t that expensive and plus… ain’t nobody got time fo dat! Find them HERE
4. CLICKERS! From what I have seen, these things are where it’s at! Again, not everyone has interest in doing a lot of training with their dogs, which is fine. For me, I know my breed. German Shepherds NEED structure, they NEED a job, or else they will be a nightmare. I decided I wanted to spend a lot of time everyday train Val to be the best dog she could be so that she would be a well behaved part of our family. I also follow Training Positive on Youtube, this guy knows his stuff and I have watched every single video he has made, he primarily uses a clicker and it’s what made me decide to get some. THIS is where I found my clickers. Also, if you are interested in some good training videos on YouTube, I highly recommend Training Positive . A lot of his videos are older and the quality and angles are a little weird, haha, but the content is top notch. He just recently started making new videos again and it looks like he has upped his filming game so give him a look!
5. I think these next two are pretty self explanatory. Poop stuff. Stuff to deal with the poop. I was not about to go out there without a pooper scooper, I just wasn’t. I wanted a strong one, ya know, the kind that really get’s the poop out of the grass and doesn’t mess around. I got the Bodhi Dog complete poo pack. I had a friend highly recommend this one, it came with a bonus travel poop bag dispenser and extra rolls of bags and it was available in pink. Obviously the poop tools have to be pretty too… HERE is where you can find it.
6. We are going to be doing A LOT of walking and A LOT of traveling. Obviously not when shes a puppy as much because you aren’t supposed to run them hard until they are at least a year old. BUT, we will still be going on walks everyday and visiting friends so I knew I needed to stock up on poo bag rolls. I think this was a pretty good steal! I got a box of 1040 bags and they threw in an extra dispensers as well. I think we will be set for a while. Find yours HERE
OKAY, now for more fun stuff! Well, for for me at least.
We didn’t buy TOO much stuff because we wanted to wait until we have her but I did buy a few recommended toys, a collar and a fancy custom made ID tag for her.
1. Teething ropes. These are the ActivPet mini dental pack. They are a lot tougher material than the regular toy ropes and they say it will hold up to the extra chewing while she’s teething and also stay in tact so she doesn’t end up ripping it apart and swallowing anything. We’ll see, I’ll keep you all posted. HERE is where I found them.
2. KONG. I don’t think I need to explain why I bought these. Everyone with a dog knows they are the best. I got a puppy pack, they are teeny little mini kongs and it came in a pack of 4, 2 blue and 2 pink ones. She will probably get to big for them fast but they will be good for a few weeks at least. I did buy a few medium and large ones to have on deck. I got mine on Amazon just like most of the rest of the things listed here. You can find them HERE.
3. I had a friend recommend both of these next plush toys as well. I’m still uneasy about the stuffed animal thing.. I worry she will rip it up immediately and end up swallowing the fluff or other parts of the toy and we will end up at the vet. However, people keep telling me that’s not always the case and that their dogs LOVE these two toys. This pink elephant is by Zanies and you can find it HERE
4. Same friend recommended this guy. Dogs seem to love it. This one is by Multipet and he comes in different colors and sizes. HERE he is.
5. Chuckit is another brand that I love. I think they make really awesome high quality toys for active dogs. I started with their indoor ball since we wont be able to really run her yet. Once she’s bigger, Rob already said he’s definitely getting the Chuckit Launcher with all of the balls that go with it. This fluffy indoor ball you can find HERE.
6. This is probably one of the only things I couldn’t find on Amazon. Amazon has a ton of other packs like it but not this exact one. I really wanted the puppy triple pack because it had the different levels and hardnesses. I found mine at Petsmart and it comes in pink or blue. Get it HERE.
I couldn’t find an ID tag station that had anything I liked. I’m picky. I wanted something different.
Gotta love Etsy!
I loved the industrial handmade look and the weathered copper. Thank you to The Landlocked Dog Two for your beautiful work.
If you want to get a fancy hand stamped ID tag for your fur baby, check them out at their Etsy shop HERE.
There are a few more things we are waiting to be delivered that are included in our house proofing and puppy prepping. There is a baby gate for the stairs and a crate a friend is lending us and just last minute things like that. I plan on doing continuous reviews as we really get into it and figure out how we function as a new family of 3. This is all for the memory books more than anything. Who knows if anyone gives a hoot about what I do or buy, probably no one but that’s okay! The journey is my own and if it helps someone else then that is great, if it’s just an interesting thing to read while you wait in line at the grocery store, that’s fine too. Until next time!
