Here are a few products we've had success with over the years. Do not fret about buying or using exactly what we use. We've put this together just to be helpful, and we add to it any time folks ask us about certain products or resources.
A MUST for all puppies in their new homes: "Snuggle Puppy" heartbeat toys have been our latest discovery and they make the transition away from sleeping with all their brothers and sisters, to sleeping alone at their new home soooo much easier. Jen has used these with our last 4 pups and they've been the easiest pups to crate train - ever! Can't recommend highly enough: https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000NVDDXM?th=1
My Weigh 7001DX Food Scale: For those continuing their pup on our all natural, raw diet - a food scale is needed (you don’t feed raw food in ‘cups’ like kibble, but by weighing out the right amount of food, based on the weight and age of your puppy). We LOVE the My Weigh 7001DX, because it weighs in grams, ounces AND percentages of pounds - which is the EASIEST way to weigh raw food!
For Chewing: DEFINITELY purchase a bottle of Bitter Apple or other taste deterrent at the local pet store...this stuff is great and can help save furniture, plants, hoses, and other things the pups may find irresistible to chew on!
I am also a huge fan of these: Orka Tire Big Dog Toy: https://www.chewy.com/petstages-orka-tire-tough-dog-chew/dp/46937
Our dogs of all sizes love the rubbery texture, but don't seem to be able to destroy them. These are great because you can put treats in them and they'll keep the pup occupied for a long time.
And we recently discovered these stuffy toys that really do hold up to quite rough play: https://www.chewy.com/brands/godog-6790?nav-submit-button=&ref=searchRedirect&ref-query=godog
The trick with teething/chewing is that you want to match what the pup is seeking at any moment to chew. If they're chewing your chair legs, give them an antler or other hard chew. If chewing bedding, shoes, pillows, etc. - go for softer chew toys to redirect them to. Of course, always supervise your pup or dog with any toys!
Shampoo we use: https://www.petedge.com/gd-groomer-edge-midnight-white-shampooWhippets are VERY clean by nature and too much bathing can dry their skin. Too much bathing will dry out their skin!
Conditioner we use: https://www.petedge.com/bg-silk-creme-rinses
Leashes/Collars:
Leashes & collars can be tough for these guys, as they can easily slip out of most collars, but we love Mendota slip leads: https://www.chewy.com/mendota-products-small-slip/dp/144687?utm_id=401427327&msclkid=df1a1167744413ab59707155aa5a02dd&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-Product%20Targets-Hard%20Goods-SSP-DDG&utm_term=4584688615369523&utm_c All%20Products (you want the 3/8 x 6 ft. size!)
We only use break-away type collars on our whippets, and recommend them for i.d. tags - especially on dogs who live with other dogs, or who are crated at any time (regular collars can get caught up on crates or in the jaws of other dogs when playing and cause strangulation and even death). Here are the ones we use: https://store.petsafe.net/keepsafe-collar
We secure them with retail ties for better reliability - ask us how and we'll show you! Please note - you CANNOT walk your dog on these collars (they will break away), that's why we recommend martingale or slip type leashes for walking.
THE BEST Nail clippers on the planet: https://www.chewy.com/millers-forge-nail-clipper-safety/dp/136878
I've also just discovered this nifty nail grinder that is super quiet - puppy nails are too fine for it, so it's for adults, but does a great job. Plus, it has a diamond head, so no need for constantly replacing sandpaper, like most grinders: https://www.amazon.com/Casfuy-Dog-Nail-Grinder-Upgraded/dp/B07W85ZPL1/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=dog+nail+grinder&sr=8-5
Dental Care:
Tooth gel: tropiclean fresh breath, no-brush gel: https://www.amazon.com/Tropiclean-Breath-Brushing-Dental-Remover/dp/B00379KT66/ref=sr_1_2_pp?crid=3R9QZ17XVMB5F&keywords=tropiclean%2Bfresh%2Bbreath&qid=1694547612&sprefix=tropiclean%2Caps%2C957&sr=8-2&th=1
Tooth brushes: We like finger brushes: https://www.chewy.com/petzlife-finger-brush/dp/101484
Crates: Some whippets like a secure, 'den' feeling of a plastic kennel. I'd recommend the Vari Kennel brand - an adult whippet does fine in the 36L X 25W X 28H size.
If looking for something to go w/ your décor, check out these: http://www.wayfair.com/Furniture-Style-Crates-C504278.html (the downside is they may not survive a teething puppy, and they ARE expensive.)
I don't recommend the wire collapsible crates (even though we use them here at Horsetooth)...because there is a small opening in the front that is perfect size for whippets to catch their feet/legs. We've had some very scary moments (thank goodness no permanent injuries) using these crates. If you do use these wire crates, just be sure your bedding is fluffy/thick enough to cover the gap!
Beds: I use double-sided fake lambskin beds. Be SURE to get double- sided. These things are FULLY washable, (they're not filled with polyfill that the dogs can rip out and eat, ick), and they last FOREVER without losing their shape.
Here’s a link to the best-priced, and long-lasting double-sided lambskins I’ve found: https://www.chewy.com/midwest-quiet-time-fleece-reversible/dp/102266 You’ll want at least the 30” size!
Lambskin beds are also fantastic when placed on top of the BEST raised dog cots on the planet: https://www.chewy.com/frisco-steel-framed-elevated-dog-bed/dp/126782 Get a medium if you only have one or two whippets, but a large will hold up to 5 whippets at once!!! :)
Food: We feed a raw, natural, species-appropriate diet. This means we don't feed commercial kibble (dry) dog food, which is loaded with fillers, chemicals, and questionable meat sources - and that is linked to health issues and shorter lifespans in today's dogs.
Some of the benefits of a raw, whole-food, natural diet are:
natural nutrition - food that dogs ate in the wild, before the invention of commercial pet food
smaller poops - MUCH smaller! Much less volume & minimal to no odor...that's right...'our dogs' poop doesn't stink!'
clean teeth and fresh breath - natural dental health from raw meaty bones
shiny coat & healthy skin
healthy joints
reduced disease and illness
longer lifespan
You can easily feed a raw diet yourself (and this is probably the most economical way to go - we actually save money feeding this way over kibble), and we can help you learn how or you can purchase pre-made raw diets from companies that take the hard work out of it. Just ask, and we'll point you in the right direction!
Litter: We've switched over to Petco's brand of litter "Sophresh" recently from Purina's 'Second Nature' brand...and have been really happy with it.
We ONLY recommend using litter boxes for dogs who will be alone for more than 2 to 4 hours at a time and/or have no yard. If you rely too much on litter training once they go home with you, it will actually take longer to potty train. You can, however use the litter in a space in the yard to entice them to go there!
We hope some of these products/links work for you, too! Holler if you have any questions about your new puppy - we're here to help!