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Bringing home a new Puppy?

Congratulations on your new friend! Whether you chose a RockinDachs puppy or are getting one from somewhere else you must have all the necessary supplies to keep them safe and happy. That's why we have compiled this list of our favorite products to help your puppy have the best start in your home.

Please Note: We are Independent Representatives of Life's Abundance and NuVet. If you purchase from one of these companies using the links on our website we will receive a small commission. All of our recommendations are based on our experiences and preferences. We have tested out the products that we have linked or mentioned in this article and trust them.

Creating a Safe Environment

When it comes to the safety of your new puppy there are a few items we recommend:

A wire crate - Crates are the perfect place for naps or just for your puppy to get away for a little bit of me time when they feel overwhelmed. We use wire crates to allow the puppy to see their environment and know they aren't alone. A wire crate is also easy to clean and less destructible than plastic or cloth alternatives. We advise against wire bottom crates as paws can get hurt. If you want to give your dog more privacy you can drape a blanket over the crate or buy a cover. Covers come in all sorts of styles from furniture that your crate can fit in to clothe covers in just about any color and pattern you can think of.
A playpen - Playpens are great for creating a safe place for your puppy to hang out when they can't be supervised. We recommend having a playpen big enough for their crate, a potty area, and a feeding area. This will give them room to play and sleep comfortably when you aren't home. Playpens are also great for when you are traveling this way you can set up a safe place for your puppy to play when you go camping, to a friend's house, or anywhere your adventures take you. We recommend that anytime you have the playpen set up it is away from electrical outlets, curtains, cords, or any other items that can be hazardous for a puppy.
A travel crate - We know you will want to be able to travel with your puppy, we do! We recommend when taking your puppy on a car ride, especially on long drives, that you have your puppy secure in a travel crate. We know they are so adorable when they are looking out the window while sitting in your lap and we are guilty of letting them do it on short drives to the post office or gas station but just like with a child, your puppy needs to be properly secured in a car. If you ever find yourself in a car crash of any severity you'll want the peace of mind knowing your dog is safe. Please make sure you do your research on crash-rated crates. Not all crates are equal in durability and safety in an accident. Due to different needs, we haven't linked a specific crate here but we would be happy to help you find the right one for you.

Food, Supplements, Treats, and Hygiene

To keep your puppy living its best life you will need to feed it good food, practice good hygiene, and of course, you will need treats!

Foods

High-quality food is vital to keeping your pet healthy and happy. Below are our top 3 favorite brands.

Life's Abundance - Life's Abundance goes above and beyond for quality. They use high-quality ingredients to deliver exceptional results that surpass even the most "high-quality" brands. Some of the positive changes we have seen on Life's Abundance are healthier coats, satisfied appetites, and better bowel movements all of which have led to happier dogs. We are independent representatives of Life's Abundance and will receive a small kickback from any purchases made using the Life's Abundance links on our website. Rest assured, our recommendation is based on personal experience.
Diamond Naturals - We love Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat Formula. It is a good food for dogs with dry skin or food allergies (providing the allergy isn't to fish). Diamond Naturals also has probiotics in the food to help promote gut health. When we used this brand we purchased it from Chewy however they do have a locator on the website if you want to find somewhere local to purchase it.
Kirkland Signature - We have a long history of using Kirkland Signature's dog food line. They are a brand we have trusted since before we started our breeding program. As with Diamond Naturals above we prefer to use the Salmon and Sweet Potato blend due to its skin, coat, and gut benefits. Kirkland Signature can be picked up at your local Costco.

Supplements

Even with great food sometimes our dogs need a little more in the vitamins and minerals department. We recommend using NuVet Plus. If you ask Quake these are great candies. NuVet Plus comes in wafers and powder form allowing you to feed it to your puppy either as a cookie or sprinkled over their food.

They also have a joint supplement called NuJoint that is great for older or injured dogs. If you have Dachshunds like us a joint supplement can be great for keeping your little one moving like a puppy for a long time. (This is not a medical statement. This is based on experiences with preventative care and the assistance of joint supplements in our dogs.)

Treats

Treats are great for rewarding your pup during training or as a snack. Remember they add to your dog's calorie count so you may have to learn the proper balance in how many treats they can have.

Bully Sticks - Bully sticks are a great longer longer-lasting chew to help keep your puppy busy and quiet when you have other things to do. While they can be purchased from just about anywhere we prefer these made by Life's Abundance because we know that our dogs won't be consuming anything harmful from the process of making these treats.
Freeze-Dried Turkey Hearts - These delicious and nutritious treats come in snack and training sizes.
Pretty much any of Life's Abundance dog treats really. We generally stay away from pork products but that's a personal preference.
Milk-Bone Trail Mix - We love how this bag of treats gives us bite-sized bones that we can use for training along with higher-value beef and sweet potato chunks.

Hygiene

When it comes to dog hygiene there are a few things to consider. We share our favorites for all your dog's hygiene needs.

Skin and Coat

You can't separate your dog's skin from its coat or vice versa so it is important to use products that will be gentle on both.

Life's Abundance Revitalizing Shampoo - This shampoo is a gentle soap with a refreshing scent. The majority of the ingredients are plant and fruit-based making it one of the easiest lists we've ever read on a shampoo bottle.
Mane and Tail - Main and Tail is one of the few companies out there making products safe for both animals and humans at the same. One of the things that makes Mane and Tail stand out for us is they also have an animal-safe conditioner for extra moisture. You can find their products in almost any store just make sure that if you are getting it for your dog you are getting the original formula as some of their lines are human-specific.
Soft Bristle Brush - Did you know even short-haired dogs can benefit from being brushed? A soft bristle brush is the perfect tool for keeping any coat type healthy. Brushing your dog will allow the natural oils on their skin to coat the hair evenly giving it a healthy layer of moisture and protection. You can pick up a regular soft bristle brush from any store. We use one we bought off the hair care aisle at Walmart.
Deshedding comb or brush - Deshedding brushes and combs come in a variety of styles. It's important to get one that won't irritate your dog's skin. You also want to avoid any that will cut or shear your dog's hair. Our favorite is Hartz Fur Fetcher.