Puppy Supply Checklists!

Here, by category, are some of my recommended purchases for adding a Havanese puppy to your household. Don’t worry! You don’t need to buy all of these today. Start with the Basics and some Grooming Tools and then you can add other items you need over time.

To make things easy, these are links to Amazon pages, but you can find these supplies at many other sources, including direct from the manufacturer’s website. I get a small commission from these links, but they are all items I use and/or recommend, not advertisements. That being said, sometimes Amazon changes things on the back end, so double check things like measurements before you buy!

Basic Small Breed Puppy Supplies

• Playpen (plus extension panels if needed)

• Either a wire crate or a plastic crate (whichever you prefer)

• Small crate beds that are easy to wash

• A fuzzy bed for outside the crate/pen

• At least one litterbox, maybe more depending on your set up and how much you want to carry one around

• Pee pads for the litterbox, although you can also use newspaper or other absorbent materials

• Enzyme cleaner for when they don’t quite make it to the litterbox

• A leash, a collar, and an ID tag with your phone number

• A longer training leash (15+ feet - note that I do NOT recommend flexi-leads)

• Food and water bowls - I recommend stainless steel

• Once your dog is older, these no-drip water bowls are great (just too tall for babies)

• Clickers to get training off on the right note

• Storage for dog food and treats - store food in its original bag in an airtight container.

• Poop bag holder, poop bags, and this little tag that carries used bags so you don’t have to

• And/or a pooper-scooper for your yard

Basic Home Health & Hygiene for a Small Breed Puppy

• Small toothbrush and dog toothpaste

• Dental gel for days you can’t get to brushing, and Dental Treats which fall into the category of “better than nothing”

• Nail clippers, plus styptic powder (many people prefer a low-speed electric file)

• Zymox if your dog has mild but persistently irritated ears (this is not a routine cleaner)

• Tear stain cleaner (I use on face hair, not in eyes)

• Basic topical wound care for minor cuts

• Probiotics for intermittent use, or to help with stomach upsets or support while on antibiotics

• Kaolin liquid for occasional, mild diarrhea

• Shelf-stable bland food to help with stomach upsets

• A tick key to safely & fully remove those nasty little creatures

Toys for Small Breed Puppies

• Generally safe, chew-focused toys that require moderate supervision, like Nylabone Keys (a major favorite ), Dinosaur, or Fake Femur Bone

• Edible chews that require close supervision, like Bully Sticks or oversize Collagen Rolls, which are a special treat to pull out when your puppy is really making you crazy

• Enrichment food toys like snuffle mats, soft puzzle toys, or Toppl toys

• These Kong squeaky tennis balls to help with spacing the bottom teeth as they grow

• Several soft toys with different sounds and textures, like Lambchop, Octopus, Dumplings, and Pineapples

Food & Treats for Small Breed Puppies

• I feed and recommend Royal Canin (both Puppy and Adult - size Small for Havanese)

• Alternatives include Purina Pro Plan All Lifestages and Health Extension original formula only

• Full Moon treats that are the perfect size for training

• My dogs also love these tiny freeze dried fish, but they are more of a snack than a training treat

Grooming Supplies for Small Breed, Long-Haired Puppies

This list is for pet puppies who will have short- to medium-length hair as an adult. If you’re interested in what I use for show dogs, please reach out and ask!

• Soft slicker brush for everyday brushing

• Metal comb to check for mats at the skin

• Puppy-safe shampoo

• Grooming spray to help with tangles and static

• Nail clippers, plus styptic powder (many people prefer a low-speed electric file)

That’s really all you need for a puppy! If you are keeping your adult dog in a pet trim more than 1-2”, you may also benefit from some additional items:

• Specialty dematting spray for larger mats/tangles

• Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner sets, like Plum Silky Shampoo & Conditioner

• A Big G slicker brush, which is pricey but amazing at helping remove undercoat

• A long-pin brush with rounded ends for finishing brushing

Books for Raising a Small Breed Puppy

• Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor

• Train Your Dog Positively by Victoria Stilwel

• Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend by Lili Chin

• Social, Civil, and Savvy: Training & Socializing Puppies to Become the Best Possible Dogs By Laura Van Arendonk Baugh

• When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs by Jane Killion