Shopping List
Here's a good list of items I've found useful for owning and caring for my Golden Retrievers
I've bought and used most of these items so I can recommend them from my own experience.
(Note: I may receive a referral commission on some of these so, when purchasing items on this page, you'll be supporting the Imagination Goldens quality breeding program!)
Heartbeat Puppy
This is a good tool for helping your new puppy adjust to life away from Momma and siblings. The gentle heartbeat gives puppy the impression that Momma is close by and puppy is safe.
Portable Telescoping Stool
If bending over or getting up and down on your knees is difficult, this collapsible stool is perfect! It’s lightweight and easily adjusts to the height you need. Great for dog bathing, grooming, training sessions, etc.
Easy Walk-Thru Safety Gate
One of the most important keys to successful puppy training is controlling the spaces your puppy has access to. I swear by these gates. They’re easy-to-install, pretty sturdy and allow humans to move back in forth while keeping puppy contained!
Eureka FloorRover Bagless Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner
There are several good pet-oriented vacuum cleaners out there. I’ve been using this Eureka for two years now and love it. It’s reasonably priced, does a great job, and is easy to empty/clean. I also like that it has washable/reusable HEPA filters!
Washable Dog Pee Pads
I love these washable pee pads. They do the job, are easy to launder, and will save some money on buying disposables. They’re also available in a variety of sizes to fit your needs.
MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate
Midwest Crates are sturdy and always have multiple door locks which is essential for keeping mischievous pups from escaping. I strongly recommend getting the two-door crate so you always have options for placement.
PetAmi Waterproof Dog Blanket
This is essential for protecting furniture, beds or any other area you don’t want doggie fluids to penetrate! Comes in a variety of sizes.
Broom and Dustpan
Vacuums are great but this broom and dustpan is perfect for when you just need to do a touch-up or for when those dog hair balls appear out of nowhere!
Pet Playpen Mat
Another item I swear by. These waterproof mats are lightweight and provide a handy barrier for underneath your puppy pen. Easy to launder and come in a variety of sizes.
Dog Treats Training Pouch
This is a must for dog training. Easy to carry and keep with you during the day so you’ve always got a reward handy for those good behaviors in the moment.
LEVOIT Air Purifiers
With multiple Goldens, my dust level went through the roof! Even with just one Golden, you’re going to see more dust. I call this air purifier ‘The Beast’ because it will clean massive amounts of air fast. It’s also wifi connected so you can control it from your phone. I also like that I can vacuum the filter rather than replacing it which saves a little money! They do make smaller sizes if you don’t need ‘The Beast’. 🙂
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator
Eliminates odors from puppy accidents and helps puppy steer away from returning to the same spot again.
Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner
Excellent all purpose cleaner that is much safer than traditional cleaners.
Low Noise Blow Dryer
This isn’t specifically for pet use, but I like that it has high air flow, high, medium and cold heat settings, and a low noise level that doesn’t traumatize your pup! Great grooming tool!
Amazon Basics Unscented Standard Dog Poop Bags
You’ll want to keep plenty of these on hand!
Native Pet Bone Broth for Dogs
Is your pup getting bored with his/her kibble? This is a delicious topper for your pup’s kibble that will keep them coming back for more. Just sprinkle a pinch on top and stir it in. Or, add a little warm water for a great brothy mix.
Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats for Dogs
Highly recommended! These are hands down the best training treats I’ve found. They are low in calories but high in taste and your pup will pretty much do anything you ask to get them! They come in a variety of flavors but my pack love the bacon!
Vittles Vault Airtight Pet Food Container
I’ve used Vittles Vaults for 25 years and still have the first one I ever bought! They are indestructible and the airtight seal keeps moisture and bugs out of your pet’s food. Available in a variety of sizes.
Curaseb Cat & Dog Ear Infection Treatment Wipes
With long, floppy ears, Goldens are prone to ear infections. These wipes are great for cleaning out the ears and for weekly ear maintenance.
6’’ Long Cotton Ear Swabs
These are great for ear cleaning and removing gunky wax or dirt.
Curaseb Cat & Dog Ear Infection Treatment
Another essential for your pup’s ear hygiene kit. Use this to flush out and coat the deeper areas of the ear canal to keep germs at bay and remove gunk and dirt.
Paw Print Throw Blanket
Cute, soft and cuddly paw print blanket. Great for lots of uses and places!
Nutri-Vet Pre and Probiotic Soft Chews for Dogs
If your pup is dealing with soft stools or diarrhea, these probiotic chews can help. (If diarrhea persists, always check with your vet)
Deluxe Naturals Elk Antler Chews for Dogs
One of the safest chew items for your Golden. They’re irresistible and last for months and months. They won’t splinter or break and can be washed off. As they wear, I smear a dab of bacon grease on them to make them irresistible again!
SENTRY Worm X Plus 7 Way DeWormer
Dogs and puppies are going to get parasites. It's just a fact of nature. You should plan on de-worming your puppy every 2-3 months during the first year and then twice per year after that. I love this de-wormer because it’s a one-and-done, meat-flavored pill that you can give like a treat. No having to de-worm over several days. And it prevents 7 different types of parasites so you get great coverage with it. Just remember that you always need to de-worm again in exactly 2 weeks to kill the eggs that will be hatching from the old parasites!
Reuseable Dog Hair Remover
Excellent dog hair remover.
Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs
This is a must have for Goldens! A couple of squirts per day with their food will keep their skin and coats healthy and beautiful.
Kong Toys!
I strongly recommend Kong toys. They are well made and will last a long while. Most are designed to hold treats too. I don’t recommend the premade Kong treats though. My dogs never cared much for them. Instead, I recommend using your own peanut butter, carrot sticks, broccoli sticks, pumpkin, apple slices, or a variety of other dog-safe foods.
Heavy Duty Dog Playpen
Try to avoid flimsy dog playpens. They’ll work fine at first, but as your pup gets older and bigger, it won’t be able to keep them contained. This is a heavy duty steel pen like the ones I use. They’re sturdy and will continue to help keep your pup safe and contained as they get bigger.
Water Buffalo Horn for Dogs
Like elk antlers, water buffalo horns are a wonderful choice for Golden Retriever chew toys. They’re very sturdy and will last for months and they can be washed off. They will eventually start to fray so toss them when you see that happening.
Chuck-It Balls
Chuck-It balls are virtually indestructible and are an excellent toy for your Golden. Not only does it serve as a great chew toy, but it’s also an ideal way to teach your Golden to fetch.
Vetericyn Plus All Animal Wound and Skin Care Spray
No matter how hard you try to keep them safe, your pup will suffer their share of scrapes, cuts and bumps. If it’s something serious, then it’s off to the vet. But for the everyday stuff, this is a great treatment to have on stand-by!
Self Cleaning Grooming Brush
This is another must for Goldens. If you want to keep shedding under control while at the same time making your pup feel like the most loved animal on the planet, brush them with this. The first time they’ll be a little cautious. But after the first brushing, they’ll come running every time they see you pick it up!
Grannick’s Bitter Apple Liquid Chewing Deterrent Spray
If your puppy starts chewing on things he/she shouldn’t, this can be helpful. I have found that it will work most of the time.
Professional 6-Speed Electric Rechargeable Pet Nail Grinder
If you want to trim your dog's nails, the time to start is immediately – while they are still a young puppy. The older they get, the more they will resist. They best way to trim nails is with a grinder rather than clippers. The grinder allows you to reduce them down and smooth off the rough edges which will help you avoid a lot of unwanted scratches from long or roughly cut nails!