Crates are wonderful for nightime potty training and for car traveling (use xpens/baby gates for confinement during the day). Put the puppy crate right next to your bed at night; dangle your fingers through bars for comfort, wake up if puppy needs to go potty. Crating during car travel can also help keep your puppy from getting carsick and keep it safe as well as contain any accidents without ruining your uphostery. Airline style PLASTIC CRATES, also called varikennels, are secure and enclosed in style; some puppies like a dark, cozy den. 200-300 is puppy size, 400 fits many adults, 500 for bigger adults. Airline style crate, size 300

Midwest side-door wire crate Many puppies prefer WIRE CRATES because they can see out better. I use a Kennelaire folding crate (size 20W x 24H x 30L) for pottytraining my own puppies, placed next to my bed at night. For traveling, my female Belgians usually ride in a Midwest side-door folding crate (36L). My males ride in the next size up (42L). A rubber backed bathroom mat keeps mat and dog from sliding. Add a comfy mat and a hanging water bucket, with a smooth style handle for travel safety.

 
Safer smooth style bucket (L) as compared to the old style bucket (R)

MORE ESSENTIALS Stainless steel food and water bowls; please note that many Belgians are allergic to plastic, resulting in loss of pigment in the lips which then turn pink. Raised water bowls are fine, but studies have shown that raised food bowls actually increase the risk of bloat. TOYS, CHEWS & TREATS  Although rawhide has its dangers, I do sometimes give it to teething puppies at Montage, but only with great care, always removing a chew before it becomes small enough to swallow whole. I prefer to use bully sticks rather than rawhide as they are easily digested and do not seem to get stuck in the dog. If you do use white or pressed rawhide, make sure the brand is made in the USA! Countries like China and Argentina do not process the animal hides thoroughly, leaving residues of lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium salts, insecticides, formaldehyde. Gummabones are good for chewing but avoid the dental kind because sharp chunk can break off. Rope tug toys - puppies love them and they are great except be careful about rope strands coming loose as they can be pulled out and swallowed. Canvas retrieve toys, cow udder tug toys, all good. Fleece toys - watch out for squeekers when unstuffed and bells and glass eyes. Rubber Kongs with openings for peanut butter and cookies - essential for separation anxiety prevention Dangerous toys and chews include cow hooves, plaque attackers and other "dental chews" which can splinter and end up slicing intestines. Raw bones can also be quite dangerous because of pieces splintering off, teeth breaking, or even salmonella if left out too long. I sometimes give beef knuckle bones for teeth cleaning purposes as they do not splinter off. Keep in freezer to stay moist in between chewing. Please note that opinions on what is safe can be quite varied in the dog world. Discuss with your vet, understand the risks involved - blockage from softened rawhide pieces, tooth injury from hard bones, etc. Take into account your puppy's need to chew, use your own brain to decide what is best for you and your puppy, and go on from there. I keep a large supply and variety of Puppy Treats on hand for training and a reinforcement rich environment. My personal favorites include Wellness Just for Puppy Treats and Blue Bits (soft, chewy, small),Charlie Bears (small, crunchy bite sized), Goldfish (the human treats), and string cheese. I also make my own treats and there are great recipes for this purpose on the web. Do watch out for preservatives and color dies in store bought treats. Many brands from China, especially jerky treats, have plastic and chemicals in them. Also, I recommend avoiding pigs ears as they frequently carry salmonella. Pet roller hair removal device for clothing Grannicks Bitter Apple or Phooey spray and furniture cream Club Soda is a great non-toxic carpet cleaner - it works! Nature's Miracle has several good products. Be very careful not to use regular carpet cleaners and/or to sprinkle on powder type carpet deoderizers; Belgians can be highly allergic to these substances and some of them are quite toxic to all animals bulding up slowly in the body cumulatively, leading to eventual health problems. WHERE TO BUY ESSENTIALS: Pet stores such as Petco/Petsmart (but watch out for their chew brands!) online stores such as Mighty Mite, Fosters & Smith, SitStay, and Cleanrun. Planet Blue Dog - has the best bully sticks in my opinion - made in the USA from grass-fed bulls, non smelly and long lasting.