So time has come. Your head has been filled with the thoughts of a cute puppy running around your house and garden for a while. You have done loads of research decided on the dog that’s right for your families lifestyle, and today you did it, you went and bought your very own puppy.
However, before you bring your new family member home you will need to be prepared. You need to purchase various supplies so that when the day comes for you to bring your puppy home you will be ready and confident that you can provide the perfect home for your new friend. This is my ‘what you need for a new puppy’ essential items list.
What types of dog supplies do you need?
There is an endless bounty of supplies available for dogs on the market today. They range from necessities such as dog food, leashes, collars and beds to cute dog costumes and accessories. Dog supplies have become a big market over the last few years and numerous pet supply companies have popped up to meet all the needs you have for your dogs and there is pretty much everything you can possibly think of available to buy. Because there is so much competition in the dog supply industry this works as a benefit for you as a dog owner, because you can find great prices on dog supplies just by doing a little research.
Start with the essentials
Don’t get overwhelmed by the amount of products on the market, you have plenty of time to stock up on treats and a lot of the more unique items and gadgets available for you and your dog, first let’s take a look at the basic dog supplies that you will want to get ready for when your puppy arrives home.
Basic dog supplies should include:
Dog food, if you have purchased from a breeder they will let you know what food your puppy has been eating and will probably send them off with a small amount so as not to cause upset stomach issues and they should supply you with a menu of what to feed them and how much for a balanced diet, also if you have adopted a puppy from a rescue they will usually give you a starter pack that will include some of the food your dog has been eating. Dogs have specific nutritional needs which are important so that they grow up strong and healthy. There are so many dog food brands available that are geared towards your dogs age, weight/size, and their activity levels. It is important to maintain the proper weight for your dog’s size and breed. Feeding them certain human foods can lead to excess weight and can be harmful to your dog’s overall health. If unsure what to feed and how much check with your veterinarian, breeder, or rescue for advice.
Dog bowls, you will need two bowls one for food and one for water. There are many different styles and types on the market, you can even get them with your dogs name on, for a new puppy I would definitely steer clear of a plastic dog bowl as you will soon find out that it will double up as a chew toy for your pup, go for a good stainless steel bowl, you can get ones that don’t tip over which are great for puppies, or a heavy ceramic bowl either are easy to keep clean and chew proof.
Collar, you will want a collar that is durable and comfortable so as not to damage their necks, an adjustable collar is essential as your pup will grow pretty quick, a quick release collar is the best just in case they get into any mischief and you need to get it off quickly, also think of the size of your dog and get a collar that fits with them you won’t want a big thick heavy collar on your puppy even if the breed it is will eventually be a large robust dog. You should be able to get 2 fingers between the pups neck and the collar when you put it on. You will also need to get an ID tag to attach to the collar for when they go outside and they should also be micro-chipped, these are essential in helping with the quick and safe return of your dog if it should ever be lost.
Leash, when you first bring a new puppy home, it won’t be able to go out for walks until it has had all its appropriate vaccinations, this doesn’t mean you should not purchase a leash, as you can get you dog used to walking on it around the home so that it is ready for when you take it out for its first walk. Again go for a durable lead as the pup may try to chew on it, i have always had nylon leads that can be used at different lengths so you can adjust depending on the situation you are in, a double ended lead is good as if you are going to put a harness on your dog you can connect it to that and the collar if you wish. You can get extendable leads although I wouldn’t advise to use these with a young pup when you want to train it to walk by your side. They are definitely worth purchasing at a later date if you want to give your dog a bit more freedom if they are not in a safe place to be let off leash.
Dog bed, an essential item for a new puppy as they should have a place to go to that is their own where they can relax, there are many different types of bed, ones that are like padded mats which are wipe able are a good buy for a pup as they may have the odd accident when you first get them so they are easy to clean, you can put a blanket on it too for extra warmth and comfort, beds that have sides around them are also good for a puppy as having that side around the bed will help make them feel more secure, just make sure you get a bed with removable washable covers this is a tip for puppies and older dogs unless you want to be replacing them every few weeks as they start to smell. One tip I will give is maybe don’t spend too much money on the first beds you will buy for a new pup as they have a tendency to chew things so chances are you may get through a few in the early days, once the chewing stage is over check out my blog on the best orthopedic beds to buy if you want to invest in a good bed that will last your dog.
Kennel/Crate, if you plan to crate train your pup then get a crate that is bigger but section off part for them when you first bring your pup home. If they are in too bigger space in the crate they will likely use it as a toilet, but at the same time you will want to invest in a crate that will last as they start to grow to save some money, you can also cover the crate with a blanket so it creates a den like space for them. If you plan to have your dog outside at times, you will need to invest in a kennel it will provide shelter from the weather and shade when its warm, I wouldn’t suggest kenneling a new pup in one when you first bring them home but the same as a crate they will need to be trained to know it is a safe place to go to. A good sturdy durable and waterproof kennel should be provided, and kept clean at all times. Never use a crate or kennel as a place to send your dog for punishment.
One more thing
Although not essential for your dogs safety and probably not classed as a necessity, other items you will need for your new puppy are toys. If you had a child that didn’t have any toys it would get bored and probably get into mischief and start messing with your things that maybe you don’t want them too, well the same goes for a new puppy, if they do not have toys to amuse them they will look for other means of entertainment, and boredom can lead to behaviour issues in the future, so a few toys to start with will keep them entertained, be prepared that some will probably get ruined along the way but better them than your shoes or furniture, just make sure any toys are meant for dogs, so there are no parts that can come off and cause them to choke etc.
You are now ready for the new arrival
These are the basic dog supplies that you will need to purchase before you pick up your new puppy. Just remember to also puppy proof your house so that it is safe, if you need any tips on this check out my blog ‘How to puppy proof a home’ and then you are ready for your new bundle of joy to come home.
You will have many years ahead and lots of fun times, and then later on, you can spend time finding fun toys, dog chews, and outfits, whatever your heart desires for your new best canine friend.