PreciousGem Miniature American Shepherds

Puppy Supply Recommendations!

I've put together a list below of various dog supplies I would recommend looking into when bringing a new Miniature American Shepherd puppy or Mini Australian Shepherd puppy into your home. Most of these supplies will also be used as an adult. These recommendations include training supplies, enrichment, health, and grooming suggestions. I hope this list is helpful! If you want any other product recommendations, feel free to ask! 

Crate - Highly Recommend!

Crate training is very important! It is useful for many situations such as potty training, traveling, vacation, dog shows, dog sports, boarding, vet visits, safety, and more. Use the divider to decrease the space for your puppy while potty training. Increase space in the crate as they grow. This is a 36" crate which is a great space for everyday at home. A 30" crate is usually a good fit for traveling in the car.

Exersize Pen

This can be a very helpful pen when you can't supervise your puppy, want a safe place for them to play, or situations where you are traveling. They come in various heights depending on how athletic and smart your pup is! You can keep a 24 inch crate inside the exercise pen as well. I typically recommend a 36 Inch or 42 Inch tall pen.

Training Tools / Enrichment

TRAINING BAG - This bag will be used soooo much! Measure their allotted dog food and take it with you everywhere you go with your pup (and adult dog)! Super useful! I have several training bags.
HIGH VALUE TREATS - PawTree offers a wide variety of freeze dried or home-baked treats that are healthy with limited ingredients compared to most treats! This is a great option when you need a training reward that is higher value than their dog food. Give in moderation, despite your pup's wishes. Haha. This can be added to your pawTree food order to help with free shipping.
BUCKLE COLLAR - I love Mes Amis collars and leashes! This is the brand my dogs wear because this fabric/design reduces breakage of coat around the neck unlike most other collars. Extra-Small size is needed for a pup for a proper fit. I used 0.5" width.
SNUFFLE MAT - Great for enrichment/foraging and slow feeding. Please supervise.
LICK MAT - Great with peanut butter and/or yogurt for enrichment, nail trims, etc. Can be frozen to last longer. Please supervise.
KONG - Large, durable, and a great tool for freezing peanut butter/yogurt for crate training and even after! I would recommend at least 2! Can leave without supervision for most dogs which is handy.
KONG WOBBLER - This is fun food dispensing puzzle for your pup! They have to knock it over to get food to fall out.
PUZZLE FEEDERS - This link will take you to a page with many different food puzzles with different levels of difficulty. The puzzles pictured to the right are some good beginner puzzles. 
BED/CRATE PAD - There are various beds available and in different sizes. I would recommend 24" for a smaller/puppy bed and 30" for a medium size bed. Make their crate more comfortable (after potty training and if they don't chew it up), or around the house where they can relax or learn to go to their "place" or "bed" when needed. 
POTTY BAGS - Great to always have on hand in your training bag, car, puppy area! Scented and made from recycled material.

Grooming & Health

SLICKER BRUSH - This is a great tool for routine brushing and my most used brush at home! This is a small brush but I recommend a large after the pup has grown more or for adults.
UNDERCOAT RAKE - This is tool used when their adult coat comes in and helps grab undercoat, especially with thick coats. It can be used too often and thin the coat too much, so I only recommend it as needed. I prefer the slicker brush for general brushing.
COMB - This a good tool for brushing places that are more likely to mat such as behind ears, armpits, groin, and bum hair. It is also helpful for foxtails and other plant seeds.
PIN BRUSH - This brush is great to use on coats that are thick and/or long and harder to brush to the skin. They help detangle but not necessarily grab a lot of undercoat. This is great brush for dogs showing who need to keep as much coat as they can. 
NAIL DREMEL - A Dremel is my preferred method for trimming nails. I am less likely to cause bleeding and the nail isn't as sharp. ​I recommend trimming nails with high value treat like peanut butter on a spoon or lick mat, especially to help with the sound and vibration.
NAIL CLIPPERS - This is a good brand used at many vet clinics if you prefer nail clippers. I recommend trimming nails with high value treat like peanut butter on a spoon or lick mat.
STYPTIC POWDER - This is a must have when trimming nails! If you accidentally cut their quick  (blood supply of the nail), apply this powder with some pressure to stop the bleeding.
TOOTHBRUSH KIT - Toothbrush, finger brush, and chicken flavored toothpaste. The finger brush is great to start with puppies. This is a brand sold at many vet clinics. See my page about DENTAL CARE for more recommendations.
SHAMPOO - PawTree's grooming line offers two great shampoos. A 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner (my favorite), or an Oatmeal and Chamomile itch relief shampoo. 'Tween Time cleaning wipes are also handy. Any of these can be added to your first pawTree food order to help with free shipping.

Ear Setting

Optional for companion/sport homes but recommended if you prefer the traditional button ear look OR highly recommended if the dog is in a Partner Home! :)
​See more about ear sets and different setting methods HERE.
TEAR MEDNER GLUE
This glue is used for two things:
1) Gluing ear tips down for very young pups &
2) Glue moleskin to the ear for Moleskin method
I recommend storing it in a bag in the fridge for longer storage.
MEDICAL TAPE
​This is used to for the Taco-Taping method of ear setting. See my page about EAR SETS & TAPING for further instructions. 
MOLESKIN
This is used for the moleskin method for ear setting, along with Tear Mender glue and sometimes Tungsten powder to add weight.
TUNGSTEN POWDER
This metal powder is used with Tear Mender glue to add weight to some ears such as when using moleskin or if the dog has smaller/lightweight ears. It can be hard to find in stock.
3-C's Dog Supply (preferred source)​
Amazon Link
UNISOLVE ADHESIVE REMOVER
Univalve wipes or solution is handy in helping remove glue from ears, though the glue may fall off on its own with time. Tape or glue cannot be re-applied until ears are washed due to the residue.