Recommended Products

Pumpkin powder is a go-to when puppies experience digestive upset and loose stool due to environmental changes/anxiety, dietary changes, etc. While a bit more expensive compared to the generally recommended pumpkin puree, it is much more versatile, shelf-stable, and can be properly portioned without waste. We usually add pumpkin powder into our puppies' everday ration of kibble.

These treats are designed to fill puppy Kongs, but make a good fill for some other brands/styles of treat toys as well.

These are a favorite training reward or occaional treat. Made from high quality ingredients, this is a good non-chicken treat alternative. Since some Doodles are known to have sensitivities to chicken proteins, we love this option!

These pop-in treats come in handy for filling a variety of active and mental stimulation toys. Our puppies love the Nylabone puppy chew toy with one of these tucked into it, but we use these treats with other brands of toys as well.

If you are a Sam's Club member, the Member's Mark brand is cheaper in-store, but if not, these are available on Amazon. About 1/4-1/2 of a treat is recommended for puppies. These are much-loved in our puppy room! They are human-grade treats (all real food ingredients), and truth be told, I have caught our 6-year-old eating them when he's supposed to be treating the puppies!

Minties Fresh Bites help with the occasional "puppy breath" and promote dental health. Minties come in several sizes, but the Fresh Bites are perfect for puppies. In our experience, Minties brand is usually a better value than Greenies, for a similar product.

Our spoiled puppies do get occasional treats. While we have several "healthier" options, original Milk Bones stay on our shelf as a go-to. We have the larger sizes for our adult dogs, but like the little "Maro" treats. They're a perfect puppy size!

These stuffingless squeak toys are popular in our puppy room. Every puppy goes home with one in their gift bag, but I often get follow-up messages asking where to purchase more.

Benebones are a fan favorite with our aggressive chewer adult dogs, so we have the puppy/small version in our puppy room. They are very long-lasting and well worth the investment.

We go through A LOT of yak chews, between our adult dogs (many of whom are aggressive chewers) and our puppies. The DogSee brand is usually the best bang for the buck. Size small is perfect for puppies.

Carrier Family Doodles puppies are home-raised, and are able to be with their Mama and siblings for their formative 8 weeks. While they begin to sleep in a modified crate after weaning at approximately 6 weeks, they still “puppy pile” and are used to having the comfort of their siblings and, often, their Mama.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that the first nights away from this cozy environment can be a big transition for a little puppy! Particularly if you decide to crate train, your puppy may be anxious. The Snuggle Puppy has become a much-recommended comfort toy for new puppies during lonely nights or when left alone during the day.

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Once your puppy discovers a preferred potty spot in a place you don't prefer, it can be hard to break them from returning again to the same area. One of the biggest drivers is the lingering odor that they may pick up, even if you don't notice it. Nature's Miracle is our recommended go-to for stain and odor removal on carpets, upholstery, or mattresses.

Carrier Family Doodles uses our own Astroturf potty system with our puppies. It features long-lasting, professional-grade, re-claimed football field astroturf. You can buy our system, which we feel is a much higher quality for the price, or you can opt for a slightly lower-cost version on Amazon. Either one can be used as a fail-safe during early housebreaking, for convenience while traveling, as a toileting alternative when gating your puppy indoors, or as an option even into your puppy's adulthood! (We have adult dogs that hate going outside to potty in the rain...yeah, we know...and we put a potty system out for them on those occassions as well. Our 20-30 lb dogs have no problem using it).

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We recommend 6" plastic clamps (with approx. 2" opening) to secure Astroturf to the tray.

Our professional grade astro-turf makes this complete potty system well worth the investment.

The tray, absorbent under pads, and turf are approximately 36″ x 24″ in size, large enough for even a mini adult dog.

Our system includes one tray, two under pads, two Astroturfs, and bonus scrapers and a roll of eco-friendly, compostable bags to easily scrape solid waste from the turf and dispose of it with less mess. The set also includes instructions for use and care.

This astroturf potty system is currently only available as a value-add when you adopt a Carrier Family Doodles puppy. You will receive it along with your gift bag on go-home day.

Please note, the astroturf you receive is reclaimed and will have signs of use. However, it is properly sized, cleaned, high-quality, and ready for continued use. We cycle through multiple astroturfs each day, with regular bleaching and sun-drying, and have used the same turfs for years. We were replacing the Amazon turfs every few months due to degradation. Also, (in our experience), this turf is also thicker/fuller, and much more like real grass than the Amazon alternatives.

We recommend separately purchasing approx. 2" plastic clamps or extra-large binder clips to hold the Astroturf down at the corners of the tray.

There are slightly cheaper crates than Midwest, but we prefer this brand for durability and rust-resistance.  This is an ideal size for our "larger" mini puppies that are expected to be 20-40 lbs. (currently, This comes with a divider so you can make the sleep area smaller, as-needed.

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There are slightly cheaper crates than Midwest, but we prefer this brand for durability and rust-resistance. It's also slightly larger in width and height than many of the 24" alternatives. This is an ideal size for our smaller mini puppies that are expected to be up to 20 lbs (currently, Daisy, Midge, and probably Belle's puppies). Size up for all other puppies. This comes with a divider so you can make the sleep area smaller, as-needed.

We bit the bullet and got an original Chris Christensen Big G back when the prices were much higher. They're come down to a much more manageable range since then. Even so, we never regretted this purchase! Our original Big G lasted through 4-5 knockoffs. We groom a dozen adult dogs and brush lots of puppies, and this brush is absolutely essential.

This is a basic and economical, in-ground, adjustable-mode invisible fence option for up to 1/3 acre of free roaming for your dog. There is also a "stubborn dog" version available.

We found the PetSafe wireless "fence" an excellent option for containing our adult male parent dog when he needed to be temporarily separated fro our females. This is an ideal solution for your puppy if you don't have a fenced yard but want them to be able to safely enjoy a small outdoor space. It cam be used as a permanent option, or as a portable alternative in public or non-home locations. Note that if you are only using it occasionally, it does take some training for your dog to learn and respond to the boundary signals.

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This link is for the original, 1/2 acre PetSafe fence. We opted for the "Stubborn Dog," 3/4 acre model for our 50-lb adlt Bernedoodle.

When dogs are left alone for an extended time, or are otherwise in need of mental stimulation, a lick mat is an ideal option. It was only after our adult dogs chewed the edges and ruined multiple (cheaper) plastic mats that we discovered the stainless steel alternative.

Use a rubber spatula and spread the lick at with peanut butter, yogurt, cream cheese, or other healthy spreadables. Freeze if you have time and inclination. Then leave it with your dog for an extended treat that offers mental stimulation, enjoyable distraction, and reduction in anxiety.