Puppy FAQ’s
Everything You Need to Know Before Bringing Home Your Utah Doodle
We’re so excited for you to meet your new best friend! Here are some of the most common questions we get from families who are preparing to bring home one of our puppies. This guide will help you feel confident and prepared for the journey ahead.
What’s in the Take-Home Bag?
Each of our puppies comes with a thoughtfully packed take-home bag that includes:
Puppy Training Treats – Specially packaged from a local meat locker and made in-house by our team
Puppy Pal Comfort Toy – Helps ease separation from their litter
Small Bag of Puppy Food – To keep their tummy happy during the transition
Roll of Poop Bags – Because, well... you’ll need them
Puppy Bandana – A stylish first accessory from our own Hankie line
Health Records – Includes deworming and 7-week vaccination dates. Be sure to schedule your puppy’s first vet visit shortly after pickup
Feeding FAQ
Option 1: Kibble
Current Food: Taste of the Wild
Amount: 1/3 cup, 3 times per day
Where to Buy: IFA, Tractor Supply, Chewy, and Amazon
A great alternative: Costco’s Kirkland Small Breed (pink bag), made by the same manufacturer.
Feeding Tip #1
Don't allow grazing. Give food and water at mealtimes, and take both away after 15 minutes. This builds a routine and helps with potty training.
Feeding Tip #2
Since doodles have hair (not fur), we recommend adding nutrients for a healthy coat. Add a scrambled or fried egg every other day, or use a daily biotin supplement. We’re happy to share what we use with our dogs.
Option 2: Raw Feeding
We also offer a premium raw feeding option through our house brand, RDI.
RDI is our in-house raw food blend developed specifically for doodles and other breeds that benefit from a species-appropriate diet. It's a complete 80/10/10 formula:
80% Muscle Meat (Beef)
10% Secreting Organs (like liver, kidney, and spleen)
10% Bone (including bone mill and bone dust)
All of our raw food is:
USDA and FDA approved
Pre-portioned in 2 lb or 5 lb chubs (40 lb boxes)
Free of additives and preservatives
Chicken-free
Pre-mixed and ready to thaw and serve
RDI is available only in Utah and is pickup-only in Provo and Salt Lake City. We offer flexible pickup scheduling, including a “Pick Up Now” option for urgent orders. You’ll receive reminders leading up to your pickup day.
Visit www.feedraw.dog to calculate your dog’s portion and get started with RDI.
Puppy Tips ✨
For more video tips, check us out on TikTok @utahdoodles
Potty Time: Let your pup outside 10–20 minutes after eating, drinking, or rough play.
Bedtime Routine: Take away food and water two hours before bed. Potty one last time, play to tire them out, then crate.
Crate Setup: Cover the crate with a light blanket (leave one side open for airflow). We like using a collapsible crate like this one. It’s compact, easy to move, and helps your pup feel safe and cozy while settling down for the night.
Toy Guidelines
We recommend the one‑toy rule:
Give your pup one designated toy to help with teething and chewing. If they chew on something they shouldn't, gently say "no," then hand them their toy. Too many toys can confuse them and make it harder to teach what’s okay to chew.
Our favorite is a durable rubber toy that satisfies their natural urge to chew and promotes positive habits. For added dental health, we also suggest using a tooth‑cleaning chew toy to help keep teeth clean and breath fresh—perfect for teething pups.
Snacks We Recommend
Healthy, budget-friendly options:
Apples
Raw Meats, bones, antlers etc.
Carrots
Celery
And our personal favorite — Beef Bites Training Treats, made in-house by our sister company, Breeding Empire.
After over a decade of breeding, we know how important it is to use high-value treats with clean ingredients. That’s why we spent over a year developing this recipe ourselves. Unlike most treats on the market, ours contain no sugar or garlic powder. Instead, we use molasses and salmon oil to create a rich, crave-worthy flavor that dogs love.
These treats are the perfect size for training, soft enough for puppies, and proudly made by the same team that raises your pup.
Kennel Training
If you plan to crate train, we recommend using a collapsible wire kennel like this one. It’s sturdy, easy to move, and creates a cozy, den-like space that helps your puppy feel secure.
You can find these on Amazon, or save money by checking local stores like Ross or TJ Maxx.
Cleaning Supplies
Accidents happen — it’s part of puppy life. Keep these on hand for easy cleanup:
Grooming Your Doodle
Doodles have hair, not fur — which means they don’t shed much, but they do require regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and tangle-free.
Here’s what we recommend:
Brush 3–5 times a week
Use a slicker brush and metal comb to get all the way down to the skin. This helps prevent matting, which can cause discomfort or even infections if left untreated.First Grooming Appointment
Schedule your puppy’s first full groom around 16 weeks of age (after all their puppy vaccines are done). Let your groomer know it’s your puppy’s first time so they can go slow and make it a positive experience.Baths
Only bathe your pup every 4–6 weeks, unless they get into something stinky. We recommend a gentle puppy-safe shampoo. Overbathing can strip the natural oils from their coat.Trimming Schedule
A full grooming appointment is usually needed every 6–8 weeks. For at-home touch-ups, consider these grooming scissors and tools for trimming around paws and sensitive areas.Face, Feet, Fanny (FFF) Trim
In between full grooms, ask your groomer for a quick FFF trim to keep things neat. It’s faster, more affordable, and keeps your doodle looking polished. You can even try doing it yourself with this beginner grooming kit.
Grooming Your Doodle
Doodles have hair, not fur — which means they don’t shed much, but they do require regular grooming to keep their coat healthy and tangle-free.
Here’s what we recommend:
Brush 3–5 times a week
Use a slicker brush and metal comb to get all the way down to the skin. This helps prevent matting, which can cause discomfort or even infections if left untreated.First Grooming Appointment
Schedule your puppy’s first full groom around 16 weeks of age (after all their puppy vaccines are done). Let your groomer know it’s your puppy’s first time so they can go slow and make it a positive experience.Baths
Only bathe your pup every 4–6 weeks, unless they get into something stinky. After the bath, we recommend using a super absorbent towel like this one to help remove moisture before drying. Overbathing can strip the natural oils from their coat.Quick Drying Tip
Doodles take a long time to dry naturally because of their dense, curly coats. We highly recommend a high velocity dog dryer for quick drying after baths. It cuts drying time in half and helps prevent matting.Trimming Schedule
A full grooming appointment is usually needed every 6–8 weeks. For at-home touch-ups, consider these grooming scissors and tools for trimming around paws and sensitive areas.Face, Feet, Fanny (FFF) Trim
In between full grooms, ask your groomer for a quick FFF trim to keep things neat. It’s faster, more affordable, and keeps your doodle looking polished. You can even try doing it yourself with this beginner grooming kit.
