The Best Products We Actually Use on Blue and Belle
We get asked all the time: "What products do you use on your own dogs?" It is a fair question — if we are recommending products to clients, we should be using them ourselves. So here is an honest look at what we actually use on our own two pups, Blue (our Dachshund) and Belle (our Weimaraner). These are products we have tested, loved, and continue to reach for every week.
Shampoo and Coat Care
Blue and Belle have very different coats, which means they need different shampoos. Blue has a short, smooth Dachshund coat that does not need much — a gentle, moisturizing shampoo keeps his skin healthy and his coat shiny without overwashing the natural oils. For Belle, with her sleek Weimaraner coat, we use a shampoo that enhances the natural sheen of short-haired breeds. A light conditioner after the bath keeps her coat feeling silky. For both dogs, we avoid anything with heavy fragrances or harsh detergents. Our rule is simple: if we would not use it on a client's dog, we would not use it on ours.
Brushes and Tools
For Blue, a rubber curry brush works perfectly. It removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, and he actually enjoys the massage. For Belle, we alternate between a rubber curry brush for regular maintenance and a bristle brush for finishing and distributing natural oils through her coat. Neither of our dogs has a coat that requires a slicker brush or dematting tool, but those are indispensable tools for our longer-coated clients. The key with brushes is matching the tool to the coat type — the wrong brush can irritate the skin or be completely ineffective.
Supplements
Both Blue and Belle get daily omega-3 supplementation in the form of a fish oil pump on their food. We have seen the difference it makes in their coat quality, skin health, and overall vitality. Belle, being a larger breed, also gets a joint supplement with glucosamine and chondroitin to support long-term joint health — Weimaraners are active dogs and joint support early in life is a smart investment. Blue gets a probiotic supplement to support his digestive health, which Dachshunds can sometimes struggle with. We are selective about supplement brands — we look for third-party testing, transparent ingredient lists, and dosing based on actual research rather than marketing claims.
Treats
We are admittedly treat-happy in our household, but we try to keep the treats high quality and purposeful. Single-ingredient treats — freeze-dried liver, dehydrated sweet potato, dried sardines — are our go-to because they are nutritious, dogs love them, and there is nothing hiding in the ingredient list. We use treats liberally during grooming practice at home to maintain positive associations, and we use them as training rewards. Both Blue and Belle will do just about anything for a piece of freeze-dried beef liver.
Where to Find These Products
Many of the products we use and recommend are available through our curated shop at apstlshop.com, where we have gathered our favorite grooming tools, supplements, and accessories. Everything on the site is something we have personally tested and believe in. We do not stock anything we would not use on Blue and Belle ourselves.
If you want personalized product recommendations based on your dog's specific breed, coat type, and needs, just ask us at your next grooming appointment. Book at American Puppy and we will be happy to share our picks — we love geeking out about this stuff almost as much as we love the dogs themselves.