The Puppy Guide

We’re Beth & Owen, proud puppy parents to Reuben the Cavapoochon - and the slightly chaotic humans behind this guide. When we brought Reuben home, we were hit with the realisation that raising a puppy comes with a lot of decisions. Beds, toys, treats, leads, harnesses, chews, crates, grooming tools… it felt like every day we were discovering something new we apparently “needed.” We spent hours researching, reading reviews, watching videos, and, honestly, wasting money on things that turned out to be totally unnecessary.

Very quickly, we realised we weren’t alone. So many new puppy parents feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice - and the pressure to “get everything right” from day one. That’s exactly why we decided to put this guide together.

Every product mentioned here has been bought, used, tested (and sometimes destroyed!) by Reuben. We’ve included the things that genuinely made a difference, the items we wish we’d known about earlier, and some of the things we’d probably skip if we were starting again. Along the way, we’ve also picked up lots of tips, tricks, and puppy-parent hacks that made life easier, calmer, and a lot more fun - and we wanted to share those too.

This guide isn’t sponsored, not influenced by brands, and not about pushing you to buy loads of things. It’s simply a collection of what worked for us, what didn’t, and what actually helped us navigate puppyhood. Our hope is that it gives you clarity, saves you money, and helps you enjoy the early weeks and months without feeling buried in choices.

Whether you’re preparing for your first puppy or you’re already in the thick of those chaotic early days: you’ve got this - and we’re right here with you.