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You’re getting a puppy, congratulations! It is an exciting time for you, but before you even welcome your new puppy into your home, you will want to make sure you have everything you need. I am here to help, I have put together a checklist for a new puppy, and it includes all the essential items you need, as well as the essential services for your puppy.
Here is an overview of the checklist, and each item will be explained in detail below.
Essential Items
1. Food and Treats
2. Food and Water Bowls
3. Dog Crate and Bedding
4. Leash and Collar
5. ID Tag
6. Exercise Pens or Baby Gates
7. Toys
8. Grooming Supplies
9. Poop Bags
10. Bitter Apple Spray
11. Enzyme Cleaner
12. Carpet Cleaner and Vacuum
Essential Services
1. Veterinarian
2. Dog Trainer and Puppy Classes
3. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
4. Dog Groomer
Essential Items For Your Puppy
1. Food and Treats
If you are picking your puppy up from a breeder, you will want to discuss what type of food they have been feeding the puppy. Usually the breeder will send your puppy home with some food they have been feeding. You will want to continue with the same food for a while, in order to avoid any stomach upset or diarrhea in your puppy. You can always slowly transition your puppy to a different food of your choice.
You will want to feed your puppy food that is specifically designed for puppies. Puppies need to be fed a diet that meets their nutritional needs, and is designed for their growing bodies. Puppies have big appetites and need a lot of calories, in order to give them energy and strength.
You will also want to have some training treats on hand. Treats are a great way to reward good behavior, and to get your puppy’s attention.
2. Food and Water Bowls
There are many types of food and water bowls available to choose from.
I highly recommend getting stainless steel bowls, they are durable and easy to clean. Stainless steel will not harbor bacteria like plastic bowls do.
Ceramic bowls are a good choice too, and do not harbor bacteria either. They can be rather heavy though.
You will want to look for bowls that have a rubberized bottom, that way when your puppy is eating or drinking, the bowls do not slide around.
3. Dog Crate and Bedding
Your new puppy will want to have a safe place to call his own. A crate will make your puppy feel safe, secure, and comfortable, it is your puppy’s den.
It is important to get a crate that is the right size for your puppy. Make sure your puppy has just the right amount of room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. You do not want the crate to be too large, if your puppy has too much room in the crate, your puppy could use it as a bathroom.
If your puppy will grow into a larger sized dog, then you will want to look for a large crate with a divider wall. This will save you from having to buy 2 crates when your puppy grows. The divider wall allows you to make the crate smaller to fit your puppy now, then when your puppy grows you just remove the divider wall and your pup will fit into the larger space.
Provide a soft and comfortable bedding inside the crate. There are many crate liners that you can get. You will want to look for a liner that has a removable cover that can be washed. If your puppy chews on the bedding, then you will want to introduce the crate liner later on after the chewing phase. In the meantime you can make a soft bedding out of blankets and towels.
4. Leash and Collar
Leashes and collars come in many styles and varieties. You will go through a few collars and leashes, by the time your puppy becomes an adult, just from your puppy out growing the collar, and from your puppy chewing on it.
Find a collar that will fit your puppy now, look for one that is adjustable and made of nylon. The collar should fit snug so it won’t slip off, but it should not be too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your puppy’s neck.
Look for a leash that is strong and well-made. It should have durable hardware that links the leash to the collar. Leashes come in a variety of lengths, you can use a shorter 4-foot leash for your puppy in the beginning, and for training, then later on you can use a 6-foot leash.
Do not ever use a retractable leash. They are extremely dangerous to you and your puppy. These types of leashes malfunction over time, the leash handle is bulky, the thin cord can easily break, the length allows your puppy to be put into dangerous situations, the sudden jerking stop of the leash can cause injuries to you or your puppy, and the cord can burn and cut you or your puppy.
5. ID Tag
As soon as you pick up your new puppy you will want to make sure to put the collar on and attach the ID Tag to it. Puppies have a way of easily slipping out of your arms, your yard, and your front door. Make sure the ID Tag has all the vital information on it.
Include your puppy’s name on the front, and your address and phone number on the back. You can go even further in making sure your puppy will be safely returned to you, if he/she ever gets lost, by having your puppy microchipped.
6. Exercise Pens or Baby Gates
A puppy should always be closely monitored, but there will be times when you just can’t keep a close eye on your puppy. Exercise Pens and baby gates are a great way to keep your pup confined in one area.
Exercise pens are a set of wire panels that confine your pup to a specific area, and they can be adjusted to fit almost any space. Baby gates can be used to restrict your puppy from certain areas, or rooms in your house.
7. Toys
You will want to have a variety of different toys for your puppy. A few toys to start with are a great idea, and you will find yourself spoiling your puppy with new toys all the time.
Your puppy will love to chew, so it is a good idea to have some chew toys that he/she can gnaw on. Look for durable hard rubber toys, that come in the shape of a bone.
A few large plush toys, like stuffed animals are comforting to your puppy, and your puppy will want to snuggle with them in his/her crate.
Rope toys are great for playing tug of war with your puppy, and tennis balls are always a good choice for a game of fetch.
There are so many toys to choose from, you need to make sure that the toys you buy for your puppy are well-made, durable, and made for puppies. Be careful of any choking hazards.
Your puppy will destroy certain toys, they all do, just be sure to remove the destroyed toy right away. Stuffing, frayed rope, exposed squeakers, and other loose and broken pieces are all dangerous, and your puppy could easily digest them.
I recommend looking for toys that are made from non-toxic rubbers, and plastics. The toys chosen below are a great pick, you get a pack of 8 puppy toys that are durable, and made from 100% natural rubber, they are super safe and non-toxic.