Dog cooling mats are special mats designed to help regulate the body temperature of dogs in hot weather. They are made of materials that can absorb and dissipate heat, such as gel-infused foam, phase-change materials, or water-absorbing polymers.

Many dogs love their cooling mats, especially when the weather is hot. Dogs do not sweat like humans, and they rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. However, panting may not be enough in extreme heat, and a cooling mat can provide relief and help prevent heatstroke. The mat stays cool to the touch and helps cool down a dog's body as they lie on it.

Most dogs find the cool surface of the mat to be soothing; however, every dog is different and some may not be immediately comfortable with a new type of surface. It's a good idea to introduce the mat gradually and monitor your dog's behavior to ensure they are comfortable and not experiencing any adverse reactions. Additionally, some dogs may prefer a particular type of cooling mat or may not like using a mat at all. It's important to observe your dog's behavior and preferences and adjust accordingly to ensure their comfort and well-being.

Dog cooling mats are usually lightweight and portable, making them convenient for use both indoors and outdoors. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, and they may be sold with a removable, washable cover for easy cleaning. Here are a few of our favorites from Amazon: 

BEAUTY ZOO COOLING MAT - This mat has an absorbent layer and is machine washable. Cool, but not cold, this is a great introduction to cooling mats! 

PRESSURE ACTIVATED GEL PAD - This mat is self cooling or can be placed in your refrigerator for faster activation. This pad is filled with a non-toxic gel that can also have orthopedic advantages but might not be the best choice for chewers. Sizing matches many popular crate sizes. 

HYDRO COOLING MAT - This mat has a removable ice pack and is the "coolest" of the options but also the most expensive and least convenient. Can be made larger by joining mats together. Probably best for serious heat or when medically required. 

It's that time of year when procrastinators everywhere start looking for last minute gifts that are guaranteed to arrive by Christmas. If you're searching for something for a Cavalier lover . . . you're in luck. Some dog themed items can be a little cheesy and useless, but here are a few that we promise are both cute and practical. These are our suggestions that are guaranteed to arrive on time: ​

1. For the coffee lover - If you want the perfect gift for anyone who loves coffee AND Cavaliers then check out this adorable mug.
2. For the lady on lockdown - We are loving these Cavalier House Slippers with no-skid bottom. Super comfy and oh so cute. Since one size fits most, you don't even have to try and determine her shoe size. Also a great stocking stuffer. 
3. For the wine or beer lover - Plain glasses are just boring. Bring a little Cavalier to your celebration with these etched wine and pint glasses featuring our favorite breed. 
4. For the person still waiting for their puppy - Have someone who is still patiently waiting to get their new baby? How about this Cavalier specific book on training, socializing and caring for you new puppy. 
5. For the farmhouse decor fan - Have a loved on who loves the farmhouse look? We love this great sign that reads "All You Need is Love . . . And a Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel." 
6. For the cook - These are neutral and very classy embroidered kitchen towels featuring a Blenheim.  
7. For the gardening or yard enthusiast - We've all spent more time in our own yard this year, but if you have a Cavalier lover that enjoys keeping the exterior of the home fancy, perhaps this adorable welcome sign featuring a tri-color Cavalier will be the perfect gift. You might also consider this great welcome mat. 
8. For the one who walks the dog, even in the rain - We can't get enough of this Cavalier themed umbrella.   
9. For the car commuter or car enthusiast - Know someone who spends tons of time in the car? We love these ceramic car coasters featuring a beautiful Blenheim? 
10. For anyone else - Can't figure out what to get? This stylish line of t-shirts and hoodies featuring Brandy (the cool Cavalier) is perfect!

While Amazon is the easiest resource for last minute gifts, don't forget to consider Shutterfly where you can still personalize (for a few hours) something with a photo of your own Cavalier (we love their mouse pads) or Etsy where you can support small business and buy crafty items including ornaments and totes featuring a variety of Cavaliers. Any of these options are sure to bring a smile to your Cavalier lover on Christmas. ​

We specifically ask our Guardian Homes and owners NOT to ask strangers on Facebook what to feed their dog. The majority of owners on forums are not veterinarians, do not properly research animal nutrition and often recommend foods that are poorly rated simply because someone else suggested them (or their vet sells them).  We wrote this post to share what we feed our own dogs and the options (kibble, fresh and raw) we share with our owners. We do not cover foods sold in many veterinarian’s office but would recommend you research those options as well. If a food is recommended and you would like to read a neutral review, we suggest using Dog Food Advisor to look up any food. You may be surprised at what you find from some of the most commonly recommended and expensive vet suggested brands. Please note for us to recommend a food it must have a 4.5 or higher rating with at least 30% protein and real meat as the primary ingredient. 

Please remember that we aren't veterinarians, but we are very careful and picky about what we feed our dogs. We talk to our vets. We do our homework. We talk to other breeders. We read labels. We study dog nutrition. We know that when breeding dogs, proper nutrition is the foundation to healthy animals and we've seen first-hand which brands work best on Cavaliers, Cavachons and Cavapoos. We also know that every owner and every dog is different. We do not judge other people's decisions on what to feed, as long as they are doing the best they can for their dog. We would encourage owners to investigate all of the following options: 

KIBBLE - Kibble is only a small part of our dog's diet; however, most owners prefer kibble as the primary source of their dog's nutrition. We would encourage you to also consider adding home cooked and / or raw to your dog’s menu if possible. If you plan to feed only kibble, it's vitally important that you choose the best one you can afford. Kibble can often get a bad rap due to recalls, poor nutritional value and low-quality proteins but some are better than others. Here are our choices (based on where you prefer to shop): 

PAWTREE OPTIONS - We were approached to test PawTree kibble on our dogs and have really enjoyed this company. We have found their claims to be true (less food, less poop, healthier dogs) and our dogs enjoy their products. We are currently feeding a rotation of Salmon & Sweet Potato, Whitefish & Brown Rice and Chicken & Oatlmeal formulas. We are also in love with their raw treats and superfoood seasonings (for that picky eater in the pack). By joining their PawClub and setting up an EZ-Ship these products enjoy free shipping! 
                                         
CHEWY.COM OPTIONS

1. Instinct Original Small Breed Dog Food (Grain Free) - This is a grain free option whose first five ingredients include chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas and tapioca. We only recommend this for dogs who require a grain-free option. Contains 39% protein.

2. Diamond Naturals Small Breed – This is a grain inclusive option whose first four ingredients include chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley and ground white rice. It contains 30% protein.  
     
​AMAZON.COM OPTIONS

1.  Nulo Freestyle Small Breed (Grain Free) – This is a grain free option whose first four ingredients include Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal and salmon meal. There is chicken in this recipe so it’s not suitable for dogs who are allergic to chicken. This kibble contains 34% protein.  

2. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed – This is a grain inclusive option whose first four ingredients are Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal and oatmeal. This kibble contains protein. This kibble contains 31% protein.

HOME COOKED - Many new dog owners get confused with the difference between "raw feeding" (which is based on foods that are not cooked) and "home cooked" which is simply preparing your dog’s food at home from ingredients such as lean meats, vegetables and carbohydrates. This is easy to confuse. For example, we will share a puppy loaf (below) which can be served raw or cooked - it would fall in both categories.

While we do make home cooked meals for our dogs, we find it a challenge to provide all the nutritional elements necessary. We also find from our owners that truly nutritionally balanced home-cooked meals can also be time consuming, more expensive and frustrating (to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients needed). A few of our favorite recipes can be found on Damn Delicious and Food.com. We also regularly add grilled or dehydrated chicken or boiled eggs to our dogs other meals.
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Luckily, today's dogs also have another great option which is "home cooked" meals delivered to your home. Many are less expensive than you may expect. Our dogs currently LOVE Ollie. This is also a great option for dogs who need a limited ingredient diet for allergies.
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RAW FEEDING - This is a passionate and controversial topic. Those who support raw feeding feel that anything less is acceptable. Meanwhile, new dog owners find raw feeding confusing, time consuming and not often in line with their vet's recommendations. If you have an interest in raw feeding a Cavalier or a Cavalier hybrid, we suggest you turn to Dt. Judy Morgan. Her recipe for puppy loaf is a great introduction to raw feeding.

Another great option to get started in raw nutrition is using freeze dried and frozen raw products available through retailers and your local specialty dog food store. We rely heavily on freeze dried raw when we travel, want to introduce a new dog to raw gently and want to supplement with raw. These products provide raw benefits without you having to grind, chop, measure or mix the ingredients yourself! Here are our suggestions to help you get started on raw feeding your dogs:

CHEWY.COM OPTIONS

1. Primal Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food – This brand has tons of flavors and are a breeze to serve. You literally just re-hydrate the nuggets with water (or bone broth) and serve.

2. Instinct Frozen Raw Bites (Grain Free Options) – Also available in patties. Another reputable brand with a wide variety of flavors. This is a grain free option that contains 85% beef and organs. Stored in the freezer, you do need to thaw these prior to serving but they thaw quickly.

AMAZON.COM OPTIONS – Please note that we don’t purchase frozen products from Amazon so this only includes their freeze dried options.

1.  Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Dinner Patties – Another brand we love for travel but not all the flavors are created equal. We were surprised to learn that some of the flavors are not highly ranked so please keep it to Chicken, Venison Blend or Rabbit in this option.

2. Vital Essentials Beef Entree Mini Nibs Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food – This is a great grain free option that is beef only (for those sensitive to chicken). We do not recommend this as the sole food in your dog's diet as  
 
Let us conclude by again repeating that nutrition plays a fundamental role in your dog’s health. You shouldn’t be afraid to try a few different things to see how their skin, coat and energy change. At the end of the day, dog food is a personal choice based on your dog, your time and your budget. Don't surrender that choice to strangers with little to no knowledge of any of those factors and always discuss any dietary concerns with your vet first. 

Occupying your puppy is a key element to training success. It makes crate training easier, it helps to reduce destructive behaviors like chewing shoes and furniture, it reduces teething pain and it allows for distraction when nipping or barking. In order to effectively train a puppy, it's best to have a full arsenal of tools on hand and to rotate them to prevent boredom. While this may seem like a long list, it will take trial and error to really figure out what will work for your puppy. And remember, any items your puppy doesn't use or enjoy can be dropped off at your local animal shelter for less fortunate dogs who would LOVE something new! Below is our list of items we have on hand and what we use them for: 

CRATE TRAINING - One key to crate training is to make the crate or pen somewhere your puppy wants to go, Not only should it be a safe place, but it should also have some stimulation to reduce boredom, barking and whining. One easy way to make that happen is to feed your puppy in the crate and to also provide stimulating rewards. For crate training, look for items that last a while and don't require supervision. Items that could cause choking should be avoided - and never use rawhide. Here are our top picks (click on each to go directly to Amazon): 

• STUFFED KONG - Our favorite crate entertainment is a Kong. Although occasionally messy, we prefer to stuff them with various edible items in an effort to force the puppy to both work for his/her food as well as entertain themselves in the crate. The size Kong you choose will be based on the size puppy but for Cavaliers, Cavachons & Cavapoos, you should always start with the puppy size small and only move up in size once your puppy has mastered them. Our favorite puppy Kongs are the Kong Basic Puppy, Kong Puppy Tire, and the Kong Puppy Binkie. Again, all of these can be stuffed. We will post some of our favorite Kong stuffing recipes in a future post. 
• WEST PAW TOYS - Two of our favorite toys are from West Paw. The first, which we love for crates, is Qwizl. For crate, stuff it with a carrot stick, kibble, apple slices or even a bully stick. While we normally wouldn't suggest a bully stick in the crate when unsupervised, the Qwizl reduces the chances of a small portion of the bully stick causing a choking hazard and extends the life of the bully stick. The other, Toppl, is described below. 
• NYLABONE - There are a variety of Nylabone products. For small breed puppies it's important to purchase the softer puppy version. We like this puppy variety pack because it allows you to figure out what style and flavor your puppy prefers. Please note that one of these is edible and we only use that bone in supervised situations. 
• LICK MATS - A recently new toy, a lick mat is designed to sooth dogs who like to lick and to act as a puzzle for dogs to get the food. Some of our dogs LOVE these and others are barely interested. For crate training we've found it best to freeze them and to look for healthier foods to spread on them as a tummy full of sugary peanut butter is not a great choice for a puppy in a crate as tummy issues could result. We will offer some lick mat recipes in the Kong stuffing post. We do not leave these in the crate when we aren't home as we have heard that some dogs attempt to tear up or eat the actual toy (although our dogs have never tried that). 

GENERAL CHEWING - Dogs chew for multiple reasons including boredom and teething. Getting to the bottom of why your dog is chewing might help you choose the correct toy or product. Also, if your dog is simply bored, the best solution is always increasing exercise and mental stimulation through training.  Below are some of our favorite solutions for teething and mental stimulation: ​

• YAK CHEWS - These natural chews (actually a hard cheese) are relatively new to the dog chew world. If you are lucky enough to have a puppy who enjoys these a single chew can often keep them busy for days and days. They are fully digestible, don't stink and won't stain carpet. You do, however, need to supervise your puppy with them and remove them when they become too small. But don't worry, once the chew is small and presents a choking hazard, you can actually soak them in water for a few hours, microwave them for a minute or until it puffs up. After it cools completely you can give it to the dog as it becomes an edible biscuit. 
• BULLY STICKS - Our dogs and puppies love bully sticks. You should always supervise your puppy when providing bully sticks but this brand is guaranteed to be a favorite. Our dogs often ignore other sticks but these usually generate a fight so have one available for every dog in the house. In order to extend the life of bully sticks and reduce choking hazard, some people use stick holders. We've not found them necessary as we simply remove the small pieces once enjoyed. 
• TUG-A-JUG - While this won't help with teething, it will help with stimulation and boredom. Once the puppies are about 4 months old and have watched an older dog get food from the jug, they will entertain themselves for hours to get a few treats. If you don't have another dog, simply help your puppy get a few treats out. I recommend using small kibble or treats to begin as it's easier to get out for beginners. 
• ​TOPPL - This is the 2nd product from West Paw toys that we love. We enjoy using it as a food treat and later as a puzzle. Purchase the small for a puppy and then if your puppy enjoys it, you can purchase a large and create a treat puzzle for an older dog. Their Amazon page has some great examples of how to use this toy!
• EARTH ANIMAL NO HIDES - We discovered this healthy digestible rawhide alternative in our local pet store and our dogs LOVE them. We use two sizes - the single stick for a quick treat or the 4" size for longer chewing. Unfortunately, these are pretty expensive locally so we searched Amazon and now buy in bulk. Buy in bulk when you can get the single sticks for less than $1 per stick and the 4" chews for less than $5 each. This post will always be updated with the best priced bulk option for our two favorite flavors (salmon and chicken). The other flavors, peanut butter, beef and venison are also great but we use peanut butter for so many other treats (such as Kong stuffing and lick mats) and we've found the beef has the possibility to stain carpet and fur. Here are the links: 
  • ​Best bulk for single sticks (chicken)
  • Best bulk for single stick (salmon) (not currently a great price)
  • Best bulk for 4" chews (chicken)
  • Best bulk for 4" chews (salmon) (best bulk price)

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TRAINING TREATS - Training your puppy is great because it's not only mental stimulation that reduces bad behaviors but it also helps the puppy bond with you. The key to training is high value treats that the dog really wants to earn. That being said you also want to make sure it's okay for their tummies. A lot of dog treats are loaded with bad ingredients and things that can be harmful for your puppy. Try a few of these treats to find one that your puppy really enjoys and when shopping always look for single ingredients, natural ingredients and treats that can be broken in to small pieces for training sessions. Here are a few of our favorites but don't be afraid to also try home cooked treats or pieces of deli meat, ground beef, etc. 

• Sojo's Freeze Dried Meat Treats - Single ingredient treats that are easily broken for smaller puppies. Try a sample pack to decide your dog's favorite. These are our preferred training treat due to size and simplicity of ingredients (and they don't get stale if left open). That being said, we need variety too so the others below are also recommended. 
• Zuke's Mini Natural Dog Treats - A great size, healthy ingredients and they won't break in your pocket or pouch while training. The only negative is they are a little stinky but perhaps that's why our dogs love them so much! We recommend the sample pack of multiple flavors to figure out your puppies favorite. 
• ​Stella & Chewy Treats - This reputable company has several single ingredient treats for you to test on your puppy for training purposes. Our older dogs love the Carnivore Crunch but they may be more difficult to use for training due to their size. 
• Little Jacks Small Dog Training Treats -  Of the treats we offer, these are the least healthy but still better than many commercial treats. That being said, these are perfect to hide pills, offer for potty training, etc. We do not use these when we plan to offer multiple treats. 

​While this blog has focused on puppies, we use every item here for our grown dogs, we simply size up on some of the Kong type toys and don't break the treats in half! Best wishes in occupying your pup . . . 

Online forums are full of misinformation on tear stains and owners are often too consumed with how to reduce the appearance without focusing on the cause of the tear stains. Before reading this post, please make sure you've read our post on the Causes of Tear Stains as the cause is much more important than the cosmetics. 
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Once you've determined what's causing your dog's stains, you now want to turn your attention to treating them and then minimizing their appearance. Some of these suggestions may not apply depending, again, on what's causing your dog's stains; however, none of them are harmful and may help reduce the appearance of the stains.

1. ​Diet - A high-quality, well balanced diet should always be your first step as it's the most common cause of tear staining. Depending on the age of your dog, please read our posts on puppy nutrition and dog nutrition. Please do not poor a commercial "tear stain supplement" on top of a poor diet and expect results. Even if there is a medical condition behind your dogs tear staining, a quality diet will help your pooch recover. If you are looking for quality nutrition for your puppy or dog, please also consider learning more about PawTree products.  
2. Stainless Steel Food & Water Bowls - You will see this recommendation appear online and it's an amazingly simple way to reduce tear stains. Plastic containers can grow bacteria which are then ingested by your pet or can get on their face while eating. There are now stainless steel bowls in every shape and size including those designed to deter fast eaters. 
3. Filtered Water - When I first saw this recommendation, I was sure it was silly - more internet nonsense. However, it turns out that minerals, iron, chlorine and other impurities in much of the tap water in our homes can be toxic to pets. This change actually completely cleared one of our dogs who was struggling with excessive tears. 
4. Eye Wash - With your vet's permission, consider regular use of a safe antimicrobial eye wash. Our favorite is here on Amazon. Others also swear by coconut oil to clean under the eye and reduce the tears ability to stain the fur. Lastly, a handful of vets suggest using a contact solution that contains a mild boric acid to clean the under eye area. We've not tried this.
5. Eye Comb - In combination with an eye wash and a warm damp cloth to the affected area, an eye comb which removes the dreaded "eye boogers" and helps to keep the eye area clean is really helpful. This kit on Amazon is great for smaller dogs and comes as a pair (since they are easily lost and it's best to have one per dog due to possibility of cross contamination). 
6. Grooming - Simply having your groomer trim or shave the area where the tears are accumulating can really help. To keep on top of this at home we use these tiny eyebrow and peach fuzz razors made for women as they are tiny and not sharp around the eye area.  
7. Blueberries - Forums are full of recommendations to offer blueberries to your dog. While our vet can't confirm whether this will or won't help, we can confirm it won't hurt the dog and they are a powerful antioxidant. Many really enjoy blueberries - ours love them frozen. As to how many to feed, it's best to start with one at a time to make sure not to upset your dog's tummy. Work up to 3-4 per day to determine if they will offer any benefit. 
8. Yogurt - Others claim yogurt has reduced the appearance of tear stains. This is another food that falls in to the category of unconfirmed but not harmful. In fact, a spoonful of plain, low or non-fat yogurt (Greek is best) provides probiotic benefits and serves as an excellent source of calcium for your dog. Again, start small to make sure your dog isn't lactose intolerant. Also make sure to discuss dietary changes with your vet, specifically if they are older or on medications. 

As a reminder, we aren't vets but we own lots of dogs and these are the solutions our vets have offered that we feel have worked. We do not recommend any tear stain supplement until you carefully research as many of them contain low dose antibiotics and are not good for long term use. We also don't recommend many other internet options such as tums or human eye drops! 

Another common question we hear is, "Help, I'm picking up my new puppy tomorrow. What do I need?" Here are our top picks, all of which can be accessed on Amazon.com by clicking on the item. Please see the end of this post on affiliate links and using Amazon Smile to donate to our SPCA!

THE BASICS: 

1. CRATE - We love the 24" crate from Midwest for puppies. It's just small enough to teach them not to use the potty in their crate but large enough to allow them to move around, eat and play with toys. When we've gone larger, we have always ended up with accidents. By the time they have outgrown this, they are really only using it for sleep and seem perfectly happy with its compact size. 
2. SLEEPING MAT - We want to be brutally honest, this mat doesn't last long. Once your adorable pup starts chewing it will be destroyed but for providing a soft place to land the first few weeks, this is a favorite. You may also consider the coordinating cover. And if your puppy is a little older and already prone to pulling stuffing from plush objects, you can start with a simply 24" memory foam bath mat that's still better than a blanket but hared to destroy!
3. BOWLS (IN CRATE) - Most trainers recommend feeding your puppy in the crate to increase their association of the crate with something positive. If nothing else, you need to make sure you puppy has access to water when crate training. A rambunctious puppy can easily knock off the traditional "hanging" bowls that use a simple hook. I prefer this type of bowl that lock in to place but have a removable stainless steel bowl for food and water. We use smaller bowls to control overfeeding and ability to make a mess but if your pet will be alone for extended periods you may want to choose the larger size. Always feed your pet from stainless steel to reduce tear stains and other health issues. 
4. KONGS - In order to effectively house train your puppy, you have to make time in the crate something they enjoy. We find stuffed Kongs to be essential to this task. There are all sorts of Kong recipes you can create but this puppy sized teether is the perfect start to appropriate chewing. We'd have at least 2-3 on hand for a new puppy.
5. BULLY STICKS - You should always supervise your puppy when providing bully sticks but this brand is guaranteed to be a favorite. Our dogs often ignore other sticks but these usually generate a fight so have one available for every dog in the house. A little costly but so worth it to keep your puppy entertained. 
6. YAK CHEWS - These natural chews are relatively new to the dog chew world. I suggest starting with just one as some dogs just don't care for them while other dogs love them. If you are lucky enough to have a puppy who enjoys these a single chew can keep them busy for days and days.
7. HARNESS - You should not use a collar on your puppy for walking purposes. For leash training and walks, we suggest a starter harness and a 4 or 6 foot standard leash (not adjustable / retractable). Some puppies will outgrow their harness rather quickly so we like this one as it's stylish (many colors), easy to adjust and inexpensive. Most Cavalier, Cavachon and Cavapoo puppies will require the extra small but confirm puppies weight with your breeder. XS fits 5-10 pounds. Once puppies learn to walk on a leash, you can consider using a collar or upgrading to a no-pull / front tab harness to avoid pulling. 
8. SHAMPOO - No need to wash your puppy right away but accidents happen and sometimes your baby will need a bath. We suggest the Earthbath line of products and also find their grooming wipes to come in handy in between bathing. 
9. BRUSH - Introduce your puppy to proper grooming with a small slicker brush. Most puppies don't need anything more than an occasional bath and a slicker brush for the first several months. After that your grooming needs will be dependent on your dogs specific coat. 
10. TRAINING TREATS - Training requires treats and lots of them. A lot of dog treats are loaded with bad ingredients and things that can be harmful for your puppy. We suggest these treats (or similar brands) that are one ingredient. For small puppies consider breaking or cutting them in to smaller pieces. Try a sample pack to decide your dog's favorite. We like this bundle b/c it includes a small traveling bowl (which we use for water on walks and trips, not treats). 
11. TRAINING BOOK - This is an inexpensive training book that covers the basics. Having a solid training plan prior to getting your pup is the key to having a great companion and a great relationship. Don't wait until a problem develops to start training!
12. CLEAN UP - While shopping, make sure to pick up some carpet cleaner (accidents happen), a pet safe household cleaner that you can also use on the crate and hard surfaces and some poop bags!

A FEW EXTRAS: 

1. TRAINING BELL - Using bells to house train pups is currently very popular. We begin ringing the bell (ourselves) to indicate poppy trips very young so the puppies associate the sound with using the potty. We find this door side bell works best for our home b/c it doesn't alert when we are using the door for other purposes and is very easy to install. We install so the bottom of the bell is about 12" from the floor. 
2. CAR SEAT - Even a fender bender can be deadly for an unrestrained animal so our pets travel in car seats. These can be expensive so search for less costly alternatives that attach to seat belts if needed. We prefer these b/c they elevate the small dog to see out of the window (which often helps with motion sickness as well) and have solid safety ratings. Should only be used with a harness (never a collar). 
3. TUG-A-JUG - We can't figure out why this toy doesn't get better ratings as all of our dogs enjoy it. Once the puppies are about 4 months old and have watched an older dog get food from the jug, they will entertain themselves for hours to get a few treats. If you don't have another dog, simply help your puppy get a few treats out. I recommend using small kibble as it's easier to get out for beginners. 
4. TRAINING / TREAT POUCH - To effectively train your pup you need positive reinforcement on your side (literally). When I'm training one of our dogs, I have a training pouch with healthy kibble or cut dried liver treats on my side. This is definitely an extra as you can use Ziploc bags but I find they get messy, dogs try to rip them and you can't get to the treat as quickly. 

As we've mentioned, we are huge supporters of our local SPCA. If you have benefited from this list, please consider using the Amazon Smile program and adding "Dorchester Paws" to your list of organizations to receive donations from your shopping. Please also note that we may receive credit from Amazon for affiliate links provided in this list. All affiliate earnings are donated to the SPCA. 

Have something to add to the list, please share your ideas with future puppy owners by commenting on this post with your suggestions! Thank you!