X-Pen
For the safety of your puppy, other human and/or furry family members, the x-pen is a great safe space to keep your little pup when you can't keep an eye on her. X-pens are easy to find on Amazon, your local pet store, or gently used in community groups.
Dog Crate
Give some thought to the size of your puppy now, and they're expected size as they grow and mature. I prefer an indoor wire crate for rest and a Ruffland crate for travel.
Wire Crate
These are easy to find on Amazon, your local pet store, or gently used in community groups. For a full size GSD, I prefer the large. Don't forget the flat yoga style mat for footing and comfort.
Ruffland travel crate
The only travel crate I use! You can find them gently used in community groups.
Food & Treats
Nutrition is number one in a working dog! You'll likely transition from puppy kibble to preferably raw and or adult kibble at some point. It is important you do your homework and choose a protein and filler that works well for your puppy/dog. We recommend and support only the highest level of nutrition and recommend raw feeding 100%. Find what works well for your pup. I'm always here to help.
Taste of The Wild Pacific Stream Puppy
Salmon based protein. This is the food I start the pups on along with raw beef and goat milk. Order a bag and slowly, I repeat slowly switch to kibble of your choice to prevent any GI upset. Learn more here.
N&D Ocean med/maxi
You'll find yourself training your young pup A LOT!! I use hot dogs, mozzarella cheese bits, cooked meat and other goodies sparingly. But my go-to is N&D. It's oily, stinky and the pups love it! (be sure to get the med/max size kibble)
Equipment & Supplies
We all have our preferences. My hope is to get you started off right on your new working line german shepherd puppy adventure with the most success! Keep in touch! Reach out if you have questions, looking for more ideas or help.
Place Bed
I like the vehoo chew proof elevated bed. They are durable and long lasting. Teach your puppy "place" and she can hang out with the family, and stay out of trouble. These are easy to find on Amazon, your local pet store, or gently used in community groups.
Learn more at: https://www.veehoo.com/
Baby Gate
Obvious right? Your puppy is much like a toddler. They are NOT to be left unattended or allowed free access to the home. Invest in one now, you won't regret it later. These are easy to find on Amazon, or gently used in community groups.
Treat Pouch
Trust me. You'll want one! This is my favorite. However higher price point.
Of course you can find a more affordable alternative on Amazon, your local pet store, or gently used in community groups.
Learn more about my favorite pouch at:https://www.voilapets.com/
Collars
Puppies grow fast! And each pup is different. Start with a flat nylon collar. I like a slip lead collar to train pups and young dogs. I use a prong collar for protection and strong dogs who need more support. Fur saver for schutzhund work.
I personally only use a harness for building frustration in protection & tracking.
Work with your trainer to find the best collar for training, and at-home collar for your pup and you.
Leashes
A variety of leashes:
- long line 20-50' for obedience work, recall, long downs, and distance work
- dragline 12-15' designed to let the pup drag a leash for more freedom, but allows you more control and correction. (no loop handle)
- tie-down (not tie out) We use a tie down cable w/an eye hook into the wall. This allows pup to be under control, while you carry on with life.
- Obedience leash - 4-6ft max length. Thin and light, easy to manage.
Some of my fave gear can be found at: www.k9tacticalgear.com
Chews, Puzzles & Toys - Oh MY!
This is a big topic! And a very personal choice. A few of our favorites include:
- Ugly Chews - hair on cowhide
- Soup bones/knuckle bones (from a butcher - NOT from China!)
- Bully sticks
- Cow ears
- Toppl
- puzzle/maz feeders
- starmark treat dispensing bob-a-lot
Find out more at:
Use code 'CCLINE1974' for free shipping
Herm Sprenger Prong Collars
Herm Sprenger prong collars offer gentle, even pressure around the neck, mimicking natural dog communication. They provide clarity and control for powerful, driven dogs. German Shepherds are strong, intelligent, and energetic. Prong collars offer guidance needed during walks, training, or reactivity work.
We love the stainless steel design that prevents choking, the smooth prongs, and the adjustability.
Used correctly, prong collars help build a respectful, responsive relationship with your dog.
Easy Educator EZ-900
The Easy Educator EZ-900 is a remote dog training collar perfect for helping reinforce obedience. With a range of up to 1/2 mile, it offers adjustable levels of stimulation, vibration, and tone to fit different training needs. It’s waterproof and durable, ideal for outdoor use.
Note: This tool is designed for use with proper training and guidance from a professional to ensure safe and effective results. Always seek advice before using it on your dog.
Visit the Brand site HERE.
Dogtra 1900s
The Dogtra 1900S is a durable, professional-grade remote collar with a 1-mile range. It offers 127 levels of stimulation, plus vibration and tone, for precise training. Fully waterproof and designed for tough conditions, it's ideal for experienced trainers working with challenging dogs.
Important: Always seek professional guidance before using remote collars for effective and safe training.
Visit the brand site HERE.
BarkLimiter
The BarkLimiter collar helps stop excessive barking by using stimulation or vibration. It adjusts automatically until the barking stops. With a built-in bark counter, you can track progress and see what works best. It also minimizes false corrections by distinguishing barking from other noises. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 3 months, making it a convenient solution for keeping things quiet at home.