I recommend BilJac, because it's what I feed my puppies. The puppy select chicken recipe dry dog food.

If you're going to switch from BilJac to another brand, do it gradually so they don't get an upset tummy. Mix the new food with the BilJac for a few days:

1/4 new food to 3/4 BilJac for a few days, then,
1/2 new food to 1/2 BilJac then,
3/4 New food to BilJac 1/4.

I use Pure Paws products for shampoo day

The Shampoo and Conditioner are the h2o line, and they have a finishing spray in the regular line.  It really makes a difference in the coat.  Here are a few links if you would like to order.  It costs a little more, but it is very concentrated and lasts a long time, you will be pleased with the difference in their coat.  I don’t use anything with oat meal, it makes the coat stick together.

• Hydrating Dog Shampoo:  Pure Paws h2o Hydrating Dog Shampoo
• Hydrating Dog Conditioner:  Pure Paws h2o Hydrating Dog Conditioner
• Finishing Spray:  Pure Paws Finishing Show spray 8 oz

I use Chris Christianson Grooming tools.  Again, they cost a little more, but the outcome is noticeable and it sure makes the job easier.

• Greyhound Style Buttercomb:  Chris Christensen 504 8 5 fine coarse Greyhound Style Buttercomb
• Small Comb: Brands Chris Christensen Dog Grooming Products
• Slicker Brush: Chris Christensen Slicker Brushes Mark II Small Slicker
• Pin Brush: Chris Christensen Original Pin Brushes

This link has a nice selection of scissors as well.  I have 3 pair.  Small for trimming around paws.  Long for grooming arms and body, and thinning shears for everything else.

• Chris Christianson Scissors: Chris Christianson Scissors

MOSQUITO REPELLANT 

Cedarcide Original.  If used properly, biting insects will stay away.  It does not have DEET, so it's non-toxic to animals and it's safe for your family, pets, and home.

For use directly on people, pets, and indoors, Cedarcide Original kills and repels biting pests like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, mites, and ants without harmful chemicals.  And, it's safe for clothing, gear, carpeting, furniture:  Cedarcide Original

FLEA & TICK PRODUCTS

ZODIAC^® SPOT ON^®

FLEA & TICK CONTROL FOR DOGS AND PUPPIES

• Kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes for up to 30 days
• Kills flea eggs
• Prevents reinfestation of fleas on your dog

When your puppies are very young, you don’t want to use any of the topical poisons on them, or the ones you give by mouth.  I would recommend waiting until they are at least 3 to 4 months old.

I have found Cedarcide Original to be safe for very young puppies under 12 weeks for protection against fleas. Wash them with your regular shampoo, have Zodiac Flea & Tick spray for Dogs, Puppies, Cats and Kittens ready to spray on them when they are still wet.  To treat round their face and head, spray some of the product on your hands, and massage it in these areas, because fleas go towards the head when you wet your puppy.  Spray the Zodiac on the rest of their body, them wrap them in a towel for a few minutes, hold them, and make sure the muzzle is out of the towel and they can get fresh air.  This way, the product is diluted because they are still wet, wrapping them in a towel will contain the fleas.  After just a few minutes, unwrap them in the sink or tub, then rinse them in warm water.  You will see dead fleas going down the drain.  Then apply conditioner to the coat and rinse again.

When the puppies are 12 weeks and older, if there is still a flea or tick infestation, I would then recommend using NexGard Chewables.  The packaging says it is safe for puppies over 8 weeks old, but I want to point out another thing that you probably will not hear from anyone else but me.

Please be really careful and weigh the puppy each time before giving them this product.  When you adopt one of my puppies, they will probably only weigh between 2 to 3 pounds.  The weight scale on the package will say “For dogs 4-10 lbs” PLEASE DO NOT give them the entire tablet.  It will taste good to them, and your vet will recommend you give one every month, but please believe me, I have heard more than one story about how sick they get if you administer the entire tablet.

They should not have any side effects at all if you do the following:  weigh your puppy.  If it is only 2 lbs, go by the top weight on the box, and cut the tablet in 5 pieces.  This will be plenty to alleviate the tick/flea problem without poisoning your puppy.

If it still has fleas or ticks the next month, weigh again, and go through the same process of using the larger weight scale.  This product actually sterilizes the flea or tick, so it breaks the cycle.  You should not have to use it every month, you may only need to use it one time to alleviate the problem, unless you walk your puppy in areas where they will pick up more fleas or ticks.  Change your route, and see if this helps.