Please note: these items are not required to have a sucessful and happy canine companion. After being asked for recommendations, I decided to make a list. Please enjoy and use as you please.
Crate
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We use and recommend a 42” wire crate. Majority of our dogs fit comfortably in this size and comes with a divider so as your puppy grows the crate can grow with it.
An open wire crate is recommended for house use as the dog can get adequate air flow and view their surroundings. This makes them feel open and welcome to their home area. |
Collars
Your puppy will come with a collar and leash in their go home bag from Twisted Clovers. If you are looking for additional options or to change the color. These are our favorites. Buckle colors with an easy to reach and adjust safety feature that are sure to fit your dog as they grow. With a few different styles perfect to fit into your family activities.
Leashes
The leash to fit your needs. I have marked most of these at 4ft long as that is my preferred training length. A dog properly in heel should have a nice, loose leash at 4ft. I have found that 6ft leashes tend to have too much to hold onto when actively training. Any easy and portable leash option for dogs that do not wear collars full time would be a slip-leash. I have also included my favorite long line for teaching solid recalls around an open yard.
Bowls
Bowls that hold up to the dogs that use them. Metal is durable and easy to clean. I tend to run my dog food bowls through the dishwasher and I need something to hold up. Since they cannot chew apart the edges, there is no raw rubbing along the chin or injury to the gums. These are also super easy to stack and store. A slow feeder is a also a great tool to have on hand. Labradors are known for their quick eating of food and this easy puzzle bowl helps slow them down. Although this is plastic, I have found it holds up well. Still dishwasher safe, would recommend removing from dog once they have finished their meal.
Treat Pouches
Any easy way to have endless treats with you. Check any of my videos or pictures and you will easily spot the simple treat pouch attached at my waist. With positive reinforcement a huge part of our training program it is important for me to carry treats on my body. This keeps them out of my clothes and into an easy to clip on pouch. The deluxe pouch is a favorite if I am walking in town or a park area as I can carry my car keys and poop bags on the go. Clips onto jeans, shorts, yoga pants, jackets, and belts! Easy for everyone in the family to use.
Toys
I am a huge believer that the more toys you have, the more well-behaved dog you will have. Much like a toddler, dogs will be easily fascinated by something "new". I like to keep an arsenal of toys available in my home to choose from and will switch them out with hidden toys every few weeks to keep the boredom level to an all time low. Nylabone and Kong are some of my ALL-TIME FAVORITES! Some of my dogs favorites Nylabones are: antler chew, Philly cheese-steak, peanut butter flavor, bacon flavor, stick, and the dinosaurs!
Beds
Help protect your dog's joints with comfortable sleeping arrangements. A raised bed creates a hammock platform that releases the pressure on joints. A soft comfy bed also is great. I like the edge along this bed as it allows dogs to lean up against them and truly relax their abdominal muscles.
Treats
My favorite go-to treats. Easy to feed out and count towards their daily calorie count. Soft chews are easy on a puppy's teeth and can be split into smaller sizes as needed. I like the Bil Jac soft treats as I can decide how small or large the treat is depending on the task I asked for them to preform. I can reward larger for a command they had previously struggled with. I look for treats that do not have additional coloring as it can lead to stomach cancer in dogs.
Food
We proudly feed Purina Pro-Plan at Twisted Clovers. I have found that it is a great, high quality feed that works for all ages, breeds, needs, and types of dogs. With many flavors and formulas available I am able to pick a feed that matches the dogs needs that I have in my care. Our breeding dogs also eat Purina Pro-Plan as well as weaned puppies in my program. Diamond Naturals is a great runner up that is high quality that is easier on the wallet.
Gut Health
Whether it is to help absorb food, additional calories for a working dog, or to help out a growing puppies these are my favorite to add to dry kibble food. Probiotics help with gut health, digestion, absorption of food and their coat. Dyne is a caramel style add-on dressing that can be poured onto food for additional calories without upsetting the tummy. These are great for dogs of all ages. Read labels for dosing.
Grooming
Keep your pet happy and clean with some of our favorite brushes, nail trimmers, and shampoo. Simple to use and care for your dog makes sure to keep it easy to keep up a regular grooming routine. Love the smell of your dog or puppy at pickup, Fresh 'n Clean is one of our favorites too!
Clean Up
Accidents...it's not if it happens, it's when it happens. From pee, poop, puke and dirt these can be found at my house and in my car. Tough on stains, easy on the surface. Very bleach your car seat by mistake again. They also smell great!
For the Field
For my working dogs that are geared towards hunting. This starting training equipment that is also user friendly.
