Puppy Essentials

Everything You Need Before Your Puppy Comes Home

Preparation is a gift to your puppy and yourself. Here’s what we recommend from years of raising doodles and supporting new owners.

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Feeding & Nutrition
We send you home with food - your puppy's transition bag is included. Transition to new food over 7-10 days.
Choose small breed formula for minis; large breed puppy formula for mediums and standards.
Stainless steel bowls - durable, hygienic, and safe for all coat types.
Always provide fresh, clean water. A pet fountain encourages good hydration.
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Crate & Sleep
Choose the right size crate - big enough to stand, turn, and lie down. Use a divider panel while they're small.
A soft, washable crate liner provides comfort without complicating housetraining.
Crate training done correctly = a calmer, more confident adult dog and faster housebreaking.
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Collars, Leashes & ID
Flat collar + ID tag with name and phone number - ready before pickup day.
A 4-6 foot leash for walking. Avoid retractable leashes during puppyhood.
Harness - distributes pressure evenly and reduces neck strain during leash training.
Consider a GPS tracking tag for extra peace of mind in the first weeks home.
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Grooming Tools
High-quality slicker brush - your most important daily tool. Non-negotiable.
Metal comb for working through tangles and checking for mats close to the skin.
Dog-specific shampoo and conditioner for bath time.
Schedule professional grooming every 6-8 weeks. Introduce your puppy by 12-16 weeks of age.
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Health & Safety
Vet appointment within a few days of pickup. We provide full vaccination records.
Puppy-proof your home - secure cords, remove toxic plants, gate off restricted areas.
Pet insurance - explore options before your puppy arrives. Covers illness, accidents, and hereditary conditions.
Basic pet first aid kit - gauze, antiseptic, saline, tweezers, thermometer.
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Enrichment & Training
Puzzle toys and interactive feeders - essential for smart doodle breeds.
Clicker + treat pouch for reward-based marker training.
Puppy kindergarten class - the socialization window of 8-16 weeks is critical. Invest in it.
Great reads: The Art of Raising a Puppy (Monks of New Skete) and Perfect Puppy in 7 Days (Sophia Yin).

Have questions about preparing for your new puppy? We're always happy to help.

Ask Us Anything
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What Families Say

Over 60 Five-Star Reviews

Real words from real families who trusted us to find their perfect dog.

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April Neely
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We couldn’t be happier with our experience! We brought home Merry just in time for Christmas and kept her name because it perfectly captures the joy she brings to our family. She’s incredibly smart, and already knows many commands as well as her name. She’s sweet, snuggly, and loves the snow! Our vet gave her a clean bill of health and was impressed with how well-socialized she is, which speaks volumes about the care she received before she came home with us. We are completely in love with her and feel so fortunate to have found such a responsible breeder. Highly recommend!
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Sarah Toma
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We had a fantastic experience with Unique Canines! They were amazing to meet us halfway in Indy on a morning’s notice! We saw a precious Bernedoodle, perfect look, perfect age, and we decided in one day to snag him and add him to our family. It was a bit nerve wracking since we knew nothing of his temperament. But….this boy was a Christmas miracle. He fits right in. He’s incredibly well socialized and desensitized to the chaos of family life with four kids. Their puppy handling and socialization program has been truly a gift. He came already knowing to pee outside and has only had one accident in the first four days. He has learned his name, “come,” sleeps all night in his crate, and relaxes so easily. I still can’t believe we are only 4 days in. He was 16 weeks when we brought him home, but they really did amazing with him for those two extra months. We are so so grateful!
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Stephanie Pagone
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Simply the best. Unique canines came highly recommended to me from a friend whose parents purchased a Bernedoodle from them a few years ago and I am so glad I went with them for my puppy! I purchased a mini Bernedoodle from their Southwest litter and can’t say enough good things about them. My puppy has an amazing temperament, was well socialized before I picked her up and has been such a great companion. They are truly ethical breeders and the kindest people that help you through the whole process and answer any and all questions. Highly recommend!
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Billy Bunn
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We adopted our mini Bernedoodle, Azumi, from Unique Canines, and the entire process was flawless. From our very first interaction, the team was responsive, transparent, and genuinely caring. You can tell they truly love what they do and are passionate about raising healthy, happy puppies. Azumi arrived through their puppy nanny delivery service, which was such a smooth and stress-free experience. She came to us confident, well-socialized, and clearly well cared for during her first eight weeks of life. You can immediately see the difference that a nurturing, hands-on breeder makes. She’s healthy, bright, affectionate, and just an absolute joy in our home. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience or a more wonderful puppy. Thank you, Unique Canines, for giving Azumi the best possible start and for helping us welcome such a special little girl into our family!
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Bailey Buss
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We heard about Unique Canines through a friend who got their Bernedoodle from them so I started following Unique Canines on instagram. Fast forward two years and we brought home our very own three month old Bernedoodle from Unique Canine’s. For many years we had dreamed of having a Bernedoodle and we have not been disappointed! He turned a year a month ago and has been the most wonderful addition to our family. We have three kids ranging from 9 to 3 yrs old and our Bernedoodle is their loyal companion and adores them all! He is just the most social and happy guy who is ready to run and play or snuggle up and watch a movie with his family. Highly recommend Unique Canines. They were great to work with and we have been so happy!
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Heleny Tejada
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We are beyond thrilled with our new Aussie Doodle from Unique Canines! We’ve wanted this breed for years, and after much research, we finally found the perfect pup. From start to finish, the process was smooth, professional, and reassuring. Our boy is the sweetest, most lovable companion, and it’s clear he came from a responsible, caring breeder. He’s happy, healthy, and has already stolen our hearts. If you’re looking for a well-bred, affectionate, and intelligent doodle, we highly recommend Unique Canines!
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Sara Dauber
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Unique Canines has been one of the absolute best experiences I have ever had with a company, let alone an amazing family. Olli (Snug from the Warm & Cozy litter) had an unbelievable first day and made it through the night beautifully. She quickly became a natural and beyond comfortable with her new environment and us. It's only been 24 hours and it's already been so much fun learning her personality, we are SO in love with her. She is cuddly, independent, playful and incredibly welcoming to everyone she is meeting. She's an amazing dog and a wonderful breed. It is clear that Unique Canines creates a wonderful environment for the puppies that are welcomed with every litter. We've loved watching Olli grow through the videos that Unique Canines would post and their communication with us was incredibly easy throughout the entire process. I can't say enough good things about Unique Canines and the breeders that they are. We are so excited to continue our journey with Olli and hope to work with Unique Canines again in the future.
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Emma Sayre
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Our Buster Bear just recently turned 2 years old and he is such a smart, sweet, playful boy. Unique Canines was super easy to work with and quick to respond to our questions. We get compliments all the time on how cute and sweet Buster is and we have Unique Canines to thank for that. 100% recommend them to anyone looking for a mini Bernedoodle ♥️
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Gina Dee
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We had nothing but excellent interactions with Andrea and Landis at Unique Canines- they went above and beyond to help connect us with our Aussiedoodle - a smart, healthy, downright adorable girl pup. Unique Canines offered quick responses to all of our questions and run a very tight, professional operation. Not only that, but Andrea and Landis' children help raise the pups, which I am convinced helped her easily acclimate to her new life with our 9-year-old boy. They have a beautiful relationship. Zoey completes our family and we're so happy she came from Unique Canines.
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Nicole Velardo
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We just welcomed the sweetest aussiedoodle into our family over the weekend and I can’t recommend Unique Canines enough! Both owners are so helpful and nice!

You've Done the Research. Now Go Get Your Dog.

The crate is picked out. The groomer is bookmarked. The bowls are in your cart. All that’s missing is the puppy. If you’re ready to take the next step — or even just ready to ask your first question — we’d love to hear from you.

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Unique Canines raises Bernedoodle and Aussiedoodle puppies in Goshen, Indiana with a family-focused approach.

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