Equipment and Supplies

This supply list covers the basic equipment and tools you will need to care for, train, and safely manage a puppy from Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Some training games will use props commonly found around the house and are not included here.

Before you go shopping, check in with your support team! Clubs may have supplies from previous puppies that are still in great condition like crates, play yards, X-pens, grooming tools, etc.

We recognize that with each puppy, your needs for Fundamental Support may change. With the completion of each Puppy Placement Questionnaire (PPQ), you’ll be asked to let us know which items you’ll need us to provide and/or which items you already have or want to purchase on your own. For more information, see Fundamental Support in the Let’s Work Together section of this Guidebook.

Topics covered on this page: 

• Items Always Provided by GDB
• Items Puppy Raisers Provide
• Items Puppy Raisers Provide or Provided by Fundamental Support
• Amazon Shopping List

Puppy’s “Uniform”

• GDB puppy jacket (appropriate sizes available from your club leader or puppy raising field manager).
• Puppy and adult collars (use only the collars provided by GDB in the puppy packet).

Puppy Care

• Heartgard® (heartworm medication) and Nexgard® (flea/tick medication).

Puppy Packet, containing the following materials:

• A Puppy Packet Contents List; there are two versions of the contents list depending on Fundamental Support needs.
• An info sheet titled "Let's Get This Puppy Started!" containing eight QR codes pointing to different pages of the Guidebook relevant to bringing home a new guide dog puppy.
• A postcard titled "Explore the Puppy Raising Guidebook" with a QR code pointing to the Guidebook.
• An info sheet titled "Alter Schedule for GDB Puppies" (only included if applicable to the individual puppy).
• An info sheet titled "Reminder: Your Puppy Needs 8-Week Vaccines" (only included if applicable to the individual puppy).
• A Veterinary Care Orientation Packet for you to share with your local veterinarian.
• A Puppy Diarrhea Kit - just in case! 

Note: Many of the following suggested items are pictured in the Equipment Gallery below.

Puppy Care

• Dog food (see Nutrition and Water).
  • Exception: GDB has limited available funds each year to assist with dog food needs. At any point in puppy raising if you need assistance, please speak to your puppy club leader or puppy raising field manager (PFM).
• Food bowls (stainless steel and non-skid bowls are recommended). 
  • Examples: Amazon Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Bowl Set or Chewy Flare Non-Skid Stainless Steel Bowl)
• Water bowls: can be the same/similar to food bowls above. 
  • Examples of other options include: Lixit water bottle or Lixit water bowl or Spill Proof Bowl
• Pet shampoo (any shampoo formulated for dogs).
• Comfy dog bed and/or fleece rug.

Toys
Please see Exercise, Play, and Toys for guidelines and additional recommendations. To get started, puppies will need:

• A few toys can be provided by GDB through Fundamental Support (see Toys section below).
• Nylon chews or Textured Bone.
• Toys that can be stuffed/smeared with food for mental enrichment. 
  • Examples: Kong (black recommended; red is less durable), Lick Mat, Snuffle Ball, or Kong Wobbler
• Toys for interactive play and bonding.
  • Example: Kong Wubba

Training Supplies

• Long line (15-30ft)

Note: items marked as “OPTIONAL” are provided for reference and are not included

Puppy’s “Uniform”

• Leather or biothane adult dog leash (5ft leather leash can be provided by GDB).
• Gentle Leader head collar (puppies must be acclimated to this brand before recall; appropriate sizes in black can be provided by your club leader or PFM).
• Figure 8 head halter and leash (can be provided by your club leader or PFM) – 6-foot length recommended.
  • The PetWise "Not so Fast Rover" Figure 8 leash linked above is preferred. An alternative is: Learn to Lead Leashes.
• Booties - mostly used for those living in areas with dangerously hot pavement or chemically de-iced roads. Booties can be provided by your club leader or PFM).
  • Prior to using booties, please ask your GDB Support Team member for more information about introduction, sizing, fit and use.
  • For all purpose use, including hot surfaces, and protection from salt, chemicals, and ice in cold weather:
     
    • Ruffwear Grip Trex booties – this brand must be used for hot surfaces; can also be used for cold weather and de-icing chemicals.
       
  • For use in cold weather only to protect from salt, chemicals, and ice (cannot be used for hot surfaces):
     
    • Pawz Disposable Booties
    • Dog booties from dogbooties.com

Puppy Care

• Ear cleaner (use only Virbac Epi-Otic; can be provided by GDB in puppy packet or as requested).
  • Cotton balls/pads
• Toothbrush and dog toothpaste (any enzymatic toothpaste for dogs; CET brand kit can be provided by GDB)
• Grooming brush(es); appropriate option can be provided by GDB based on puppy’s breed.
  • Slicker brush, especially for long-coated dogs.
  • Rubber curry brush, especially for Labrador Retrievers and heavy-shedding dogs.
  • Comb, for long-coated dogs.
  • OPTIONAL: Scissors, for trimming long-coated dogs in areas prone to matting.
• Nail trimmers
  • Nail Clippers (can be provided by GDB) or OPTIONAL: Nail Grinder
  • OPTIONAL: Styptic Powder
• “Pants” for females in season (two black pants can be provided by GDB for intact females and are available from your club leader or PFM).

Household Supplies

• Large Crate (large enough for puppies to stand up, lie down, and turn around comfortably; around 36" L x 24" W x 27" H works well for most of our adult dogs). 
  • Examples: Amazon MidWest 36x23x25 Wire Crate or Chewy Frisco 36x23x25 Wire Crate
• YES Space play yard – we recommend an 8-panel, 30-inch tall play yard with no cross bars. 
  • Example: Chewy Frisco Steel 8-Panel Playpen.
• Potty tray and potty pads
• X-pen – we recommend 42" H. 
  • Examples: Amazon MidWest Homes 42" and Chewy MidWest 42"
• Cable tie-down (around 30-36" long)
• OPTIONAL recommendations:
  • First Aid Kit
  • Enzymatic cleaner (e.g. Nature’s Miracle) to clean up accidents in the home.
  • Bitter taste deterrent to deter inappropriate chewing of household items.

Toys

• Nylon chew (one can be provided by GDB).
• Toys that can be stuffed/smeared with food for mental enrichment.
  • Examples: Kong (black recommended; red is less durable), or Kong Wobbler (one of both of these can be provided by GDB).
• See the Exercise, Play, and Toy Guidelines for more toy examples. 

Training Supplies

• Bait bag for food rewards.
• Lightweight puppy leash (4ft to 8ft length recommended; 4ft nylon lead can be provided by GDB).