Ashley, the creator behind @ashlandavenue on TikTok, shares her life with a Miniature Poodle named Papa whose personality charms people right through the screen. The two have built an audience of more than 100,000 followers who tune in for Ashley’s gift as a translator of Papa’s many moods, which land somewhere between adorably attention-seeking and hilariously judgmental.
What’s interesting about her favorites list isn’t that Papa is spoiled, though he clearly is. It’s that the picks are well matched to a specific kind of dog: a Poodle, which means smart, high-energy, grooming-intensive, and in Papa’s case, a little reactive on leash. Read that way, her shortlist is a small case study in buying for the dog you actually have. Here’s what she reaches for, in her own words, and why each one earns its place.
An interactive puzzle toy, for a brain that needs a job
“This interactive toy is one of Papa’s favorites! It’s a fun way to keep him entertained and mentally stimulated while I’m working from home. This puzzle features different difficulty levels and helps teach my dog problem-solving skills.”
Why it fits: Poodles are among the most intelligent breeds, which is a polite way of saying a bored one will invent its own entertainment. A multi-level puzzle that hides treats turns that intelligence toward a sanctioned outlet. Look for one with adjustable difficulty so it keeps challenging a fast learner instead of getting solved in a week.
A dog backpack, for independence on the go
“I purchased this backpack for my dog so that he could carry his own treats and collapsible water bowl to daycare. It’s adorable, functional, and easy to strap on and take off.”
Why it fits: a small dog carrying a light pack isn’t just cute, it gives a busy mind a sense of purpose on a walk. The real buying notes: keep the loaded weight low for a Miniature Poodle (a few ounces, not pounds), and prioritize a chest strap and easy-on buckles so it never restricts the shoulders.
A durable noise-and-texture chew toy, for a heavy chewer
“My dog has had this toy for over a year and still plays with it daily! As Papa is a heavy chewer with lots of energy, this durable toy has multiple sounds and chewing textures built in to keep him engaged.”
Why it fits: the giveaway here is “over a year.” For a heavy chewer, durability is the whole value proposition, and a toy that combines squeak and varied chewing surfaces holds attention far longer than a single-texture one. The test of a good chew toy isn’t how fun it is on day one; it’s whether it survives to day three hundred.
The Easy Walk Harness, for leash reactivity
“The Easy Walk Harness was recommended to me by Papa’s trainer when he was a puppy. This harness has definitely helped reduce my reactive dog’s pulling on walks. I love it because this harness controls his pulling without gagging or choking him like other techniques.”
Why it fits: this is the most functional pick on the list. A front-clip harness like the Easy Walk redirects a pulling dog sideways instead of letting it lean into a collar, which is gentler on the throat and genuinely helpful for a reactive dog. Worth noting it’s a management tool that works best paired with training, not a substitute for it, exactly how Papa’s trainer framed it.
All-natural peanut butter, the Swiss Army knife
“I use this healthy all-natural peanut butter for everything! Because I have a poodle that requires daily brushing, I put a little bit of peanut butter on a lick mat to keep him distracted while grooming. I also use this to make frozen treats and to hide the taste of medicine.”
Why it fits: Poodles need daily brushing, and a lick mat smeared with peanut butter turns a chore into a spa moment. One critical safety note Ashley’s instinct gets right: always confirm the peanut butter is xylitol-free, because that sweetener is toxic to dogs. An “all-natural” jar with peanuts as basically the only ingredient is the safe bet, and it doubles for frozen treats and disguising medication.
The throughline across Papa’s favorites is that none of them are random splurges. Each one answers something specific about living with a smart, energetic, grooming-heavy, leash-sensitive dog, which is exactly how the best shopping lists work: less about what’s trending, more about who your dog actually is.
