Preparing for Puppy
What’s Next?
Shopping
Feeding
Vaccinating
Training
Grooming
Deets below.
AMAZON SHOPPING LIST - We have handpicked some of our all-time favorite puppy products. While not everything here is a must-have, these are the items we personally use and love. Feel free to browse, choose what suits your pup best, and don’t forget—you can always come back anytime you need to restock or discover something new! (We're working on the order of the list - scroll to the bottom for the higher priority products - so sorry!)
DIET - Your puppy is currently eating IAMS Proactive Health Puppy Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe only. (see pic). We emphasize "only" because avoiding things that can cause diarrhea is really important in puppies. For at least the next month we recommend not making any changes and limiting treats, which can upset his/her GI tract. For the first 3-4 weeks you may want to feed 3 times a day but after that your puppy is mature enough to eat twice a day.
CRATE TRAINING - The best tool for effective house-training is a crate. We recommend using a crate AS SOON AS you bring your puppy home. That's right! On day 1. A crate not only provides your dog with a safe space but if done well will be a calming environment as well as an excellent training tool. You may eventually decide to get a larger crate when your puppy is full grown but initially a smaller size seems to be more effective for house training or a large one with a divider. They can be as fancy or as plain as you'd like! We recommend 30" crate (30"L x 19"W x 21"H) for our 35 pound dogs and a 36" crate (36"L x 23"W x 25"H) for our 45 pound dogs. We've linked to a "plain" one in our Amazon list, and we've partnered with Biscuit & Beans for a sleek option.
IS THAT REALLY A CRATE? Created by an industrial designer who wanted a better solution than an ugly metal crate in his home, Biscuit & Beans dog crates combine smart function with timeless design. Dogs need crates—but why not make them beautiful? Each piece is handcrafted in Auburn/Opelika. With thoughtful details like lift-off hinges, angled wall slats for airflow, and sled-style bases for easy sliding, these crates are built to last and designed to complement your home. HappyPaw Doodles Exclusive: Mention HappyPaw Doodles when you order and receive a FREE personalized bone nameplate for your crate! (Must be ordered 6 weeks prior to pickup for delivery.)
VACCINATIONS AND HEALTH RECORDS - Your puppy will receive their first set of vaccinations and deworming at 7 weeks of age (this is the first in a series of four). The next round of vaccines will be due approximately two weeks after your puppy arrives home, and boosters are typically given every 2–4 weeks until your puppy is about 16 weeks old. We strongly recommend scheduling a visit with your veterinarian before you pick up your puppy to keep him/her on track with the vaccination timeline. A copy of your puppy's health records will be provided on pick-up day.
SPAY OR NEUTER - Dr. Ana offers $100 off a spay/neuter to all HappyPaw Doodles at Best in Show Animal Hospital or Westside Village Animal Hospital! We love to watch the puppies grow so come see us for all your health needs if distance allows!
SPAY OR NEUTER - Dr. Ana offers $100 off a spay/neuter to all HappyPaw Doodles at Best in Show Animal Hospital or Westside Village Animal Hospital! We love to watch the puppies grow so come see us for all your health needs if distance allows!
Give Yourself (and your dog) the Gift of Training
Different training options for different situations. Below you’ll find in-person training, virtual training, video training, even a book. The most important thing is to do it!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! We’ve partnered with a local trainer, Ducktown Lodge, to give your HappyPaw puppy the very best start in life. Lucinda and Sarah are expert trainers who have hand-raised over 25 litters themselves and know what it takes to set both puppies and their families up for success. Their caring, hands-on approach means they spend intentional time with you on the phone, guiding you through house preparation and planning before your puppy even comes home. Think of them as your personal puppy coaches—because starting well is always easier than fixing problems later. BONUS FOR HAPPYPAW CLIENTS: Enroll in Puppy Jumpstart and get $200 off Boarding School tuition!
Prefer virtual? For the convenience of online training, we suggest Baxter & Bella. Their classes are conducted via Zoom allowing you to join from the comfort of your living room or anywhere with an internet connection. Use code HAPPYPAW for 25% off lifetime membership.
FREE PREPARING FOR PUPPY CLASS - Baxter & Bella, mentioned earlier, offers a free class that is worth taking advantage of! Learn how to set up your house, what you need to get ready and tips to be successful as you begin training. Use code HAPPYPAW for your free class, and learn from some of the best dog trainers around how to properly prepare for the big day!
Prefer a book? This fun, practical book by Jane Killion shows you how to train puppies using positive methods that really work. Perfect for new owners, it teaches you how to turn play, attention, and rewards into powerful training tools so your pup learns happily and eagerly.
Prefer a structured curriculum? This online course by Jane Messineo Lindquist (creator of Puppy Culture) offers 8½ hours of clear, encouraging video lessons—52 videos total—that walk you through everything from bringing your puppy home to crate training, routines, teething, biting, and socialization using the proven Puppy Culture methods. Learn with playful demo pups and finish with practical routines and a certificate of completion.
Grooming Matters
What a difference a haircut can make! Keep your puppy as cute and cuddly as the day you got it by using the tips below.
Here are a few tips to keep that perfect teddy bear look: 1) Begin light grooming as early as 8–10 weeks to get your puppy comfortable with the process. 2) Brush your puppy’s coat often with a slicker brush to prevent tangles and mats. 3) Schedule the first professional groom around 4–6 months of age. 4) Ask your groomer for a “teddy bear trim” — rounded face, fluffy ears, and neatly shaped paws. 5) Bathe your puppy every 4–6 weeks using a gentle, puppy-safe shampoo. 6) Make grooming fun! Use treats, calm praise, and short sessions to build confidence.
Make sure to brush your pup between grooms or she can go from adorable one minute to, well, looking like a shaved llama the next. Ask us how we know. Poor Pucky! Glad that hair grows!
Dr. Ana offers $30 off for new HappyPaw Clients!