toys nutrition essentials

Puppy Essentials: Setting Your New Pup Up for Success

Kasey Crabtree | November 24, 2025

Bringing home your new puppy is such an exciting time, and having the right essentials ready makes those first days smoother for both you and your Golden. We put together our top recommendations to help you set your English Cream Golden Retriever up for success from day one.

Nutrition

Purina One Plus Puppy Dry Dog Food for Large Dogs (Real Chicken)
https://amzn.to/4oYkzMJ

Goldens grow quickly and need the right support for bones, joints, and overall development. A large-breed puppy formula is important because it’s made specifically for their size and growth rate.

Crate Training

We begin crate training at 6 weeks, which makes potty training easier since dogs naturally avoid going where they sleep. A crate with a divider is best so it can grow with your puppy.

Recommended sizes:
Females: 36 inch crate (https://amzn.to/4rdgUw5)
Males: 42 inch crate (https://amzn.to/3Kj13eE)

Dog Beds

Our dogs adore the K9 Ballistics Tough Ripstop Oval Bolster Bed. It holds up far better than fluffy pillow beds and is easy to clean. We suggest the Large size so your pup can enjoy it well into adulthood.
https://amzn.to/49Db14Y

Play Pens

A play pen gives your puppy a safe, contained space when you can’t keep eyes on them every second. We like sturdy black wire playpens that fold up easily.
https://amzn.to/47YBb0L

Puppy Favorites: Toys and Grooming

Jumbo Lamb Chop

This one is always a hit with our puppies. You’ll see it in our weekly videos because they just can’t get enough of it.
https://amzn.to/48fqhm7

Clicker and Treat Bag

If your pup is staying for training, you’ll need a clicker to mark good behaviors and a small treat bag for quick rewards.
https://amzn.to/3K5klUO

FURminator Brush

A must-have for managing shedding and keeping the coat healthy. It pulls out loose hair before it ends up on your floors and furniture.
https://amzn.to/48e1NtA

Nail Trimmers

Trim only the tip of the nail (the hook). If you’re unsure, we’re happy to show you or you can ask your vet.
https://amzn.to/3XgOJOX

Collars

Your puppy needs a secure, adjustable collar. A good fit means you can slide two fingers under it.

Most eight-week puppies go home in 8 to 10 inch collars.
Puppies staying for training (until 12 weeks) usually wear 11 to 12 inch collars.
https://amzn.to/44ifV3E

Want something stylish? Check out Crew LaLa — one of our boys is a model for them.
www.crewlala.com