All the Gear I'm Using to Keep Two Dogs Happy, Safe, and Healthy (and Tired!)

I’ve had a two dog household for a little over a month now, and OH BOY have I been spending money. It’s been SO worth it, though, as the two dogs very quickly became best buddies and now love to be together. I mean, look at them!

I’ve spent that last few months buying a LOT of dog gear (and returning a lot too), and some of it has been absolutely life changing. Here’s a rundown of all the goodies I’ve gotten, mainly for Gus the Puppy, but also for Ruby the Good Girl.

Did I even consider straightening out the mat and tidying up that console table? I did not!

Exercise Pen and Waterproof Floor Mat

This setup (pen and floor mat) has taken over my living room, and I can’t wait to not need it anymore, but for the time being it is a lifesaver. I also use the pen for when I can’t watch Gus, but need to know he’s safe and secure. I put a bed, water bowl, and some toys in the pen, drop the puppy in, and he’s content and safe until I scoop him out. Ruby spends time in there too — The dogs love to be together, so when I leave the house, instead of crating them separately I put them in the pen together, which they love. The exercise pen has a door, but I almost never use it. I can just lean over and grab a pup or a water bowl easily. The floor mat is completely waterproof and incredibly easy to wash and dry, which I do about twice a week.

I do wish I had tidied up the kitchen, but that’s showbiz, baby.

Slow Feeders/Puzzles

I’ve used slow feeders and I love the Enhanced Pet Bowl, but with Gus, who is a puppy with energy to burn, I wanted to try puzzle feeders. Turns out he LOVES them, and I’ve already had to upgrade him to a harder puzzle once, and I need to do it again (already?!). I’ve already mentioned the Snoop, which is a great way to get enrichment AND feed your kibble fed dog a meal. For mealtime, I use the large one with a small Hol-ee Roller tucked inside for an added challenge. I also sometimes feed Gus on a snuffle mat if I don’t want to set up a toy but I do want him to work for his meal. Next I decided to try puzzles, since Gus got the hang of the Snoop incredibly fast. Outward Hound has 4 levels of dog puzzles, and I started with this level 1 toy that was similar to the “roll it around to get the snacks” methodology of the Snoop. He not only understood and solved it very fast, the ball also doesn’t come apart, so it’s a pain to load treats/food into (especially a whole meal). I decided to try this level 2 puzzle, and he ALSO mastered it almost immediately, even when I opted for the tricker setup. Pretty soon I’m going to have a cabinet full of dog puzzles that my 6 month old puppy has mastered.

Glass Pyrex Bowls

For non-puzzle meals, Gus uses glass bowls. I’d used plastic and ceramic bowls in the past, but in researching I learned that glass and stainless steel and best. The Enhanced Pet Bowl is stainless steel, and I’ve ordered one for Gus, but it’s backordered. In the meantime, I’ve been using Pyrex glass food storage bowls, and they’re perfect. I get them at Target, and I have four. Two 4 cup bowls for his food and water in the kitchen, and a 7 cup bowl in his pen, as well as one in the den where we do the most hanging out. Is this too many water bowls? Yes! But it’s temporary. I don’t want to move water bowls all over depending on where I’ve put the puppy, so for now, we’re sticking with three water bowls strategically placed around the house.

My phone number is on the back of both, and Ruby’s also says “BLIND DOG”

Collars and Tags

Both dogs have these super thin, low profile rope collars. (Each color and size is, annoyingly, a separate listing on Amazon) I’ve written about them before, and they are truly the BEST way I’ve found to keep ID tags on your dogs without any added bulk. The dogs wear harnesses when they’re out and about, but I like the versatility of the collars for holding their tags - they can wear them in the house or with their harnesses, and I know they’re safe. I got both dogs these matching tags from Intentionally Me on Etsy, and I think they’re perfect.

Dog Wipes

Gus has regular playdates with his friends, and it’s the BEST. He gets tired, he gets socialized, and did I mention he gets tired? But he rolls around in the dirt and gets (gently) bit and he comes home pretty dirty. I can’t give him a bath every day, but I also don’t want a dirty dog on my couch. The solution? I wipe him down with made-for-dogs wipe after his particularly messy playdates. Lately I’ve been using these and these, both from Target, for his whole stinky body, and these wipes for both dogs’ butts (some dogs need their butts wiped, FYI).