Dog Essentials

You just got a puppy, now what? Maybe you already have a dog or puppy and need more advice. I am sharing ours and Duke’s favorite products and items. Some of these we have learned with trial and error. Other items we found through lots of research and reviews. Either way, these are our favorites and go too’s time and time again.

Bed

I searched hours to find the perfect bed for our pup. I wanted something that was going to help provide adequate support, that I could easily wash and that was waterproof. Having a bed that was water proof (aka pee proof) and to be able to easily wash the bed when he was a little puppy with a bladder that never stopped was a must. I didn’t want to have to buy 100 beds because he got them nasty. This is when I ran across the Go Pet Club Solid Memory Foam Orthopedic Pet Bed.

We initially got the small version when he was under 10 pounds and now have the biggest one we could buy. I LOVE this bed as I can easily take the cover off once a week and wash it. Duke (aka our lab) also loves it and lays on it everyday.

Another thing we have for our dog is a down pillow. I know this is probably a bit much for most, but Duke loves pillows. As a puppy and still now they are one of his favorite things to lay in. That being said I have gotten numerous pillows from Home Goods and made them Duke’s. I have his pillow(s) laying on his bed. It makes his bed a bit more comforting for him and makes it more of a matching living room piece for us.

Toiletries

Ears

Duke has ear issues. I feel like everybody I talk to these days though says their dog has issues with their ears as well. I believe Labs are prone to having issues with their big floppy ears. The key is to keep your dogs ears clean. We use two products to keep Duke’s ears clean. The first being Zymox Ear Cleanser. You can pick a bottle up on Amazon.

Another item we just discovered are ear wipes. I discovered these Pet MD Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes on Chewy when I was looking for different ear cleaners. We just got these the other day, so I can’t boast them too much, but I can tell you we love them so far. They make Duke’s ears smell good and he doesn’t seem to mind them too much.

Brush

We use the FURminator for Duke. He doesn’t much like to get brushed, but this brush works extremely well. Being a lab, Duke sheds SO MUCH, and SO MUCH is an understatement. I would highly recommend this brush. We have had it since Duke was 10 weeks old.

Paws

Colorado is super dry. Like no humidity and in the winter it’s even more dry. Just like humans dogs skin cracks. Duke’s paws tend to crack. We were in Vail one weekend and they had cracked pretty bad so we picked up from Espree Paw Balm from the pet boutique there. It smells super minty and Duke loves it. It also works very well for his cracked paws.

Teeth

Teeth cleaning is a must for your dog, and regular teeth cleaning at that. It’s super important for dogs to have healthy teeth because that’s what they use to eat, AND healthy teeth lead to healthy breath. We brush Duke’s teeth at least 4 times a week. We use a normal human tooth brush as this is what seems to work best for him and TropiClean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Oral Care Dog Brushing Gel. We use this gel because it’s minty fresh and the gel itself without brushing helps get the plaque and tartar off your dogs teeth. Duke surprisingly loves his teeth brushed and the taste of the tooth paste.

Shampoo

Everyone is different when it comes to washing their dog. How much they wash their dog, where they do it and what shampoo they use. I tried numerous shampoos when Duke was a puppy and kept trying until I found one that smelt good and didn’t leave him with dandruff. We give Duke a bath (shower) at least once every 2 weeks. I sometimes do it once a week if he is really dirty as he sleeps with us and I don’t want his dirt on us. We use Paws and Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. This shampoo smells extremely good and leaves Duke with a soft, dandruff free coat.

Treats

SmartBones

I know I have posted about these a few times and made Instagram stories for them, but I can’t say it enough. SmartBones are the best! They are a rawhide free bone and come in numerous different flavors, types and for different indications. There are calming bones with Chamomile and Lavender, Skin and Coat bones, and ones that just taste good to our pup. I think we have tried every kind of SmartBones flavors there are and there isn’t one that Duke won’t eat.

Duke get’s a small sweet potato SmartBone every morning. We call it his “morning coffee” and that’s how he knows it by. If you ask Duke if he wants his “morning coffee” he goes right over to the pantry where his dog treat bin is and waits.

Duke also get’s “happy hour” every evening. Happy hour consists of one of the other flavor of bones. Usually something a little larger. I know, Duke is spoiled, but I like to think of it more as loved.

We tend to go through treats fast giving him “morning coffee” and “happy hour,” so I have them all on auto ship with Chewy, so there isn’t a moment that he goes without.

Merrick

Duke also loves the Merrick Backcountry Sausages. They are legit pieces of sausage for dogs. I do not feel bad giving them to him because they are legit sausage and do not have all the crazy additives in the ingredients and things I don’t know what they are. Duke’s favorite flavor is the Duke Sausage. We also have these on auto ship with Chewy.

Exercise

Running

Dogs shouldn’t be ran until they are at least a year old. It’s not good for their growth prior to this. Yes, they can run in the yard and after balls. What I am talking about it actually going on a run.

Now that Duke is over a year old he runs with me on occasion. I wouldn’t be running with him if I didn’t have this Tuff Mutt Hands Free Leash. It has saved my life running. Duke is super strong and this is the only way I can control his pulling.

Additional Leashes/Collars

• Gentle Leader
• Harness (I use this with the hands free leash)
• Normal Leash
• Retractable Leash
• Normal Color (with seatbelt buckle to clasp together)

Toys

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx is the best for dog toys. They are super cheap and well made, and there are always so many of them. You will pay less than half the price of what you would pay for a toy anywhere else.

Chewy

On occasion I have found Chewy to have some good deals on dog toys. I still prefer TJ Maxx, but I have and do buy toys from Chewy.com.

Food

Taste of the Wild

Food was another beast we struggled with. We went through numerous brands and flavors when Duke was a puppy. Duke as a super young puppy got a double ear infection and had a few other issues leading the vet to diagnosis him as allergic to normal chicken/beef dog food. We tried numerous brands of dog food before we stumbled across Taste of the Wild. Taste of the Wild has been amazing. Duke eats the Wild Sierra Mountain Grail Free flavor as it works best with his GI tract, but there are numerous other grain free versions that are fabulous as well.

Homemade

Vegetables & Fruits

• Apples (Duke Loves)
• Broccoli (Dukes all time favorite veggie)
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Cucumber
• Peppers
• Squash
• green Beans
• Mango
• Peaches
• Peas
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Pineapple
• Watermelon

**Always consult your vet with any questions and concerns. Every Pup responds differently too fruits and veggies. We don’t give Duke a lot but he enjoys a piece here and there while I am making dinner.

Sweet Treats

I made these delicious Pupcakes for Duke for Valentines Day this year and plan to make them again for his birthday. He loved them and they were super easy to whip together.

Travel

We don’t go many places without taking Duke with. He was hit by a car when he was with a sitter when he was younger and so we tend to not trust many people with him and he is very hesitant on trusting/going with other people as well.

Car Carrier

We absolutely love this Dog Seat Cover. It keeps my backseat clean in my car and Duke loves it. He loves sitting right in the side of it by the window and getting the fresh air when it’s nice. When it’s not nice outside we throw one of his blankets in it and he cuddles right up in it. I get the sense it makes him feel safe.

Miscellaneous

I could keep sharing products with you, but I am trying to keep it to the must and necessary ones to make your life easier. The last product I am going to share with you that we love is called a Paw Plunger it is a cup filed with brushes that you add in some water and soap too and then stick your dogs paw in it, move it up and down a few times, and it cleans their paws.

The Paw Plunger is a must for the Spring and Winter when your dog gets muddy paws.

What are some of your favorite dog products? We are constantly searching to improve on what we have and do, to make sure Duke is the healthiest pup he can be.