I've had good luck with some of the Puppia Harness vests kind of like this one- https://www.chewy.com/puppia-blitzen-b-dog-harness/dp/356378 I use this for our Mini in the winter and I like it bc it's very soft and lined around the neck and armpit areas. However, I would not recommend if your pup is an 'escape artist'. Some minis are really good at backing out of a harness :)
We've got the Industrial Puppy harness in XS. It's loose enough to be comfortable on her, but not too loose that she can slip out of it. Very well made too. They come with "SERVICE DOG" patches on it, but they're velcro and you can remove it and replace them with custom ones.
https://www.chewy.com/industrial-puppy-in-training-dog/dp/220469
I use this one to take my 17lb schnauzer to work. I like it because it's easy to clean and it doesn't have any fluffy padding that will make him hot during the summer.
We currently use this with our schnauzer. She’s at 15ish pounds and fits perfectly still. We’ve had it since she was young.
AmazonBasics Pet Car Booster... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0735GGXGK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
We have been using the same one for about a year, and we actually feed her her dinner in the puzzle:
I think it is about time that we get her a new one for some extra challenge. We also use a Kong, which she loves and never gets tired of. You can purchase something called a “snuffle mat” to hide their kibble in :) You can also hide treats around the house for a fun game of hide and seek!
When you take your pup for a walk, give yourself some extra time and let them follow their nose. Sniffing is actually very mentally stimulating, so taking an extra ten minutes to allow your dog to follow different scents makes a big difference!
A good mix of physical and mental stimulation will make for a happy pup :) Ours also loves to learn new tricks. Minis love to learn and please their owners!
We use these ones and our boy absolutely loves them: Amazon Brand – Wag Training Treats for Dogs (Chicken, Peanut Butter & Banana, Hip & Joint) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QMN1RZ9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_9FGDGND8GD2QKFXHHQ2J?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
We've also used some from Blue Buffalo and he liked those ones as well
I use these and clip a little bit every two weeks. Epica #1 Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper,Easy and Safe to Use … https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00JENKK8Q/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_RHEHDPMHGZ6C8YZMEXXD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I clip until I see a white ring and a black dot after clipping. Generally you can feel where the mail overhangs too. I use a red handle Millers Forge clipper and also my trainer recommended this as well to our class. Very sharp and cuts the nail like butter. I got the 5 inch and it’s less than $10.
Millers Forge Steel Pet Nail Clipper 743C with Safety Stop Bar Small Medium Dog https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0111SLMUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_B120PAVAH0PQZ5CSFN8H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
My boys go insane when they see the nail clippers, they get really stressed out. Buying a dog nail grinder is the best choice I've ever made. I recommend you look into it! Now they don't even notice I'm trimming their nails.
I wet the area with a damp cloth, squeeze the gunk with fingers to soften it, and use this small brush to comb it out:
KOOBA Makeup Eyebrow Brush & Eyelash Comb - Portable Eye Powder Foundation Brush, Beauty Cosmetic Tool for Professional and Travel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZHTTS2
I’ve started working on getting my new mini used to the feeling of hand stripping! He’s 9wks old today and we picked him up yesterday. He fell asleep today during our first hand stripping session. Only thing is I’m not too sure if I have the most appropriate tools. I feel like the more I read about hand stripping the less I know! I think I read somewhere that there’s a difference in tools for soft undercoat and the wire topcoat (or vice versa?) and since he’s a soft puppy, I’m thinking maybe I don’t know what I’m doing.
These are what I have:
ARTERO Stripping Knife (Blue-Coarse) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q78RCMS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Mars Professional Dog Stripping... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OGLNC7C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
We feed Nature's Variety Instinct Original to our adults and Addiction Salmon Bleu to our 9-week old.