First off, congrats on your new fur baby! Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time and many new puppy parents (me included) wonder, “What all do I need for a new puppy?” This is a great question as being prepared with all the necessary puppy essentials is important for setting you and your puppy up for success!
In reality, bringing home a puppy is like bringing home a baby. You wouldn’t want to be unprepared by not having the basic necessities you need to properly care for your baby. The same goes for your fur baby.
Being prepared will not only make the transition smoother for your puppy but it will also make the training process smoother for you, as training begins the moment you bring your puppy home.
In this blog post, I’ll cover the essential items you’ll need to have on hand for your new puppy.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase. Read the full disclosure here.
Dog Crate
Crate Training can aid in house training and provide a sense of security for your new puppy.
A dog crate provides a safe and comfortable space for your puppy to rest, relax, and even sleep at night.
It also gives your puppy a safe place when you are unable to have your eyes on them when you are home or away. Giving you peace of mind, while keeping your puppy from chewing or getting into things that could potentially harm them.
RELATED: How to Crate Train a Dog Successfully: The Ultimate Guide!
To help your puppy during crate training, I highly recommend this snuggle puppy starter kit. It comes with a blanket, a couple toys, a snuggle puppy that has a heartbeat and a heat pad so your puppy doesn’t feel alone. This helps reduce barking, whining, and anxiety in the crate.
Make sure to choose a crate that is the appropriate size for your puppy’s breed and age. The crate should be big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around and lay down. Any bigger and your puppy will have an accident.
If you want to buy a crate your puppy will grow into, it is important to buy one with a divider.
RELATED: Why is my Puppy Peeing in the Crate? Here’s Why and How to Stop!
Here are a few of my favorite crates…
Dog Bed
A cozy dog bed is essential for your puppy’s comfort and to establish a designated resting area.
That being said, reserve the cozy dog bed for outside of the crate until your puppy is potty trained. Use a crate mat in your puppy’s crate until then as this still provides comfort but is less enticing to your puppy to pee or chew on.
RELATED: How to Potty Train a Puppy FAST and EASY!
Look for a bed that is washable, durable, and suited to your puppy’s size. It is okay to have a bigger bed than your puppy needs, just make sure it isn’t smaller.
Having a dedicated bed will give your puppy a sense of belonging in their new home.
Here is a few dog bed’s we have tried and loved…
Leash and Collar
A leash and collar are vital for taking your puppy on walks and outings.
Look for a lightweight leash and an adjustable collar that fits snugly yet comfortably. You should be able to put 1-2 fingers under your puppy’s collar. Make sure that it isn’t too loose when it will slip off if they pull.
Attach an identification tag to the collar with your puppy’s name and your contact information. This ensures their safe return if they were to ever wander off.
A very popular choice for an identification tag aside from the simple slide on ID tag that attaches to the collar or microchipping is an Apple Airtag.
An Apple Airtag is not only great for helping you find you keys but it allows you to find your puppy right from your phone. It takes you to the exact spot with precision finding. You can by a collar that you just pop the Apple Airtag in or you can attach it to your puppy’s collar with a Airtag dog collar holder. They make them waterproof or you can customize it.
Toys
Puppies LOVE to play, chew, and explore, so having a variety of toys is crucial for your puppy’s physical and mental stimulation.
Invest in durable chew toys, such as Kong or Nylabone products, to satisfy their teething instincts. Antlers are also great for chewing and are safe and long-lasting.
Additionally, interactive toys like puzzle toys or treat-dispensing toys will keep them entertained and mentally engaged. They can also serve as a fun way to feed your puppy their meals i.e use a treat dispensing ball or snuffle mat in the am and feed them in their food bowl in the evening.
Pro Tip: Mental Stimulation can be more exhausting for a puppy than running.
Food and Water Bowls
Choose sturdy, non-slip bowls that are the appropriately size for your puppy’s breed. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are ideal as they are durable, easy to clean, and don’t retain odors and bacteria.
If you have a larger breed dog, you may want to get a dog bowl that grows with them such as an adjustable raised dog bowl or a wall mount dog bowl. This allows you to adjust the height as they grow.
Remember to give you puppy fresh water. That being said, do not leave your puppy’s water bowl down during potty training as this can cause more accidents. Wait to give free access to water until your puppy is potty trained.
Buy high-quality, age-appropriate dog food that meets your puppy’s nutritional need.
Choose a dog food that has natural ingredients, chances are if you can’t read the ingredients or it says meal after everything then it is not of high quality.
And as we all know what goes in must come out, so don’t forget your poop bags.
Dog Training Supplies
Training your puppy NEEDS to begin the day you bring your fur baby home. I can’t stress this enough!
Really Training? You ask…
Yes!
You need to start crate training, potty training and basic obedience training starting day 1. In order to do begin training the moment you bring your puppy home, you will need a few things such as a dog treats, a training bag and a clicker if you want to use clicker training to mark appropriate behavior.
RELATED: Is it Important to Teach Your Puppy Basic Obedience? (Answered!)
To be honest, I don’t use a clicker, I use the marker words “yes” and “no” but some people do prefer to use one. The choice is yours. The reason I don’t use one is because I know that I won’t have it on me at all times and I want to be able to mark my puppy’s behavior at any time!
You will also want to to have a house line for inside and a training leash for outside.
A house line is simply a lightweight leash about 6 ft long and gives you better control, allows for redirection and correction of your puppy inside.
A training leash is 15 ft or longer. This allow your puppy to have more freedom during outside playtime and it helps teach recall.
Grooming Supplies
Maintaining your puppy’s hygiene is essential, so gather the necessary grooming supplies.
In fact, one of the first things you will most likely have to do as a new puppy parent is give your puppy a bath…
Grooming must-haves are:
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers
- A brush or comb
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Dry Shampoo for dogs for in between baths
Regular grooming sessions not only keep your puppy looking their best but also promote good health.
Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance is a necessity that many dog parents don’t know about, fail to think about or get.
Puppies are naturally curious and accident-prone, so having insurance can provide peace of mind and financial security should any health issues arise.
I know what your thinking… just because your puppy is young and healthy doesn’t mean that they won’t get sick.
Also, getting pet insurance as soon as you bring your puppy home (yes, an 8-week-old puppy can be insured) ensures that they will not be disqualified or penalized later on for preexisting conditions.
Pet insurance helps cover unexpected veterinary costs and can save you thousands of dollars.
So don’t be like most puppy parents and put it off or think you don’t need it compare pet insurances here to get the best price and policy for your puppy.
It’s one of those things you don’t think you need until you do. And then it is too late.
RELATED: The Shocking Truth About Not Having Pet Insurance for Your Puppy!
Conclusion
Being well-prepared with the right puppy essentials sets you and your puppy up for success. It also ensures your new puppy has a smooth and comfortable transition into their new home.
From a cozy crate to interactive toys, proper grooming supplies and pet insurance, these items will help create a nurturing environment for your fur baby.
By providing the necessary care, attention and training, you’ll be setting the stage for a strong bond and a lifetime of happiness together! 💙
Are you excited to start crossing off the items on your puppy essentials checklist? Did I forget something… What other must have items would you recommend for someone getting a new puppy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
