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Preparation · 4 min read

What to buy before your puppy comes home

A short, honest list of what your Kid's Best Doodle puppy actually needs in the first week. Skip the impulse aisle — most of it can wait.

Sleeping and safe space

  • A properly sized crate. Big enough to stand and turn around, not so big that they can potty in one corner and sleep in the other.
  • A soft, washable bed or blanket.
  • An exercise pen or baby gates to create a safe puppy zone.
  • Pee pads for the layout we walked through during your virtual visit.

Food and feeding

  • The exact food your puppy has been eating — we send a sample home and share the brand so you can keep meals consistent.
  • A shallow stainless steel or ceramic food bowl.
  • A separate water bowl that is easy to clean and refill.
  • Simple training treats — small, soft, and low-calorie.

Potty and clean-up

  • Pee pads if your home setup uses them.
  • An enzyme-based cleaner for accidents. Regular cleaners do not fully remove the scent and can encourage repeat spots.
  • Poop bags for outdoor potty trips.

Walks and travel

  • A lightweight adjustable collar with an ID tag.
  • A four to six foot leash. Skip retractable leashes for a young puppy.
  • A well-fitting carrier or travel crate for vet visits.

Grooming basics

  • A soft slicker brush and a metal comb. Goldendoodle coats need brushing several times a week from day one to build a positive grooming relationship.
  • Puppy-safe shampoo for occasional baths.
  • Pet-safe nail clippers or a grinder.

A few gentle toys

  • Two or three soft chew toys appropriate for puppy teeth.
  • One puzzle or lick mat for calm enrichment.
  • A frozen Kong for harder moments — crate practice, evening wind-down, or quiet time while you cook dinner.

What you do not need yet

You can wait on a fancy bed, a wardrobe of outfits, or a large toy collection. Your puppy needs structure, calm, and a small handful of well-chosen essentials more than they need a full pet store.

Lifetime breeder support

A real person on the other end.

Every Kid’s Best Doodle family gets lifetime breeder support — from first-night questions to routine, food, crate transition, and emotional adjustment. You will not be guessing your way through anything alone.

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