Here is your ultimate new puppy checklist. Complete with all the essential supplies you need to start off on the right paw with your new pup.

I have spent not one, but many days researching the most essential items for your pup.

I wanted this list to be as complete as possible so you can prepare and enjoy your pup from the get-go.

The transition to new puppy parent can be tough if you’re not prepared. This ultimate checklist will help make the experience a positive one for you and your puppy.

Here are your New Puppy Essentials, detailed below:

Before You Bring Home Your Puppy

Puppy-proofing is a must BEFORE you bring your new pup home. 

Those tiny, cute, curious pups can get into a lot in a little bit of time. Making your home puppy-proof is essential for a safe and happy start with your new puppy.

Puppy Proofing Ideas:

• Put up dryer sheets, as they are toxic to dogs
• Hide shoes, socks, and other small, precious, tempting items
• Keep electrical cords out of sight and reach
• If cords must be on the ground, tape down any loose ones to avoid chewing and tripping
• Move houseplants – some of these are toxic to animals
• Decorations should be put away, think tinsel….
• Invest in garbage cans with snap lids or hide them in a cabinet
• Lock cabinets containing food, medicine, and chemicals
• Keep any plush toys out of reach since these should be used only when supervised

Get your puppy’s perspective and crawl around on all fours to see what your pup might get up to.

Puppy-proofing is not unlike baby-proofing!

Check out your backyard as well and pick up any small toys or items that you think a puppy could chew or choke on.

Have a variety of natural chew toys on hand to swap out if your puppy starts chewing on your shoes or other items you would rather not be chewed.

Anti-Chew Spray

Bitter apple spray is a must. After puppy-proofing your home, there may be some items that you just can’t place out of pup’s reach, such as your couch.

Bitter apple spray can be applied to most household items. Humans can’t smell it but dogs hate it, so it helps keep their tiny little mouths away.

Talk To The Breeder, Shelter, Rescue, Or Previous Owner 

It’s a good idea to talk to whomever you are getting your pup from.

They may have valuable insight into your pup’s current routines, habits, favourite games, etc.

Also, they may have started your pup on a certain type of dog food. Feed this to your puppy, to begin with. You can gradually change it once your pup settles in if you’re not a fan but it’s good info to have in the beginning.

The more you know about your puppy, the better able you will be to provide a safe and comfy home for them. 

Educate Yourself  With Books

Learn everything you can before, during, and after bringing home your puppy.

If you know what breed you are getting, buy a breed-specific book from your local bookstore or Amazon.

Not sure which breed of pup you’re getting? Puppies for Dummies is a great starter book that will give you a solid foundation in puppy training basics.

Check out Dogtime.com for useful information about specific breeds.

Consider Your Schedule

It may not be a great time to bring home a pup if it’s a busy or stressful time at your house.

If there are lots of noisy people around or you’re going to be spending large chunks of time outside your house, you may want to reconsider the date you bring home your pup.

These factors can add stress to an already anxious puppy, making the transition that much harder.

Take a chunk of time off of work when you get your pup so you can spend time with them while they adjust.

This will help reinforce your plan and any routines you want to start. A little extra time to bond with your new pup is great too.

What To Bring When Picking Up Puppers

Bringing along a few items when you pick up your pup will help make a more enjoyable experience and create long-lasting memories.

Camera

For pics, of course. Your phone will do just fine!

Another person

You need someone to document the moment. A photographer, a videographer, and someone to share the moment with.

I don’t mean hire a photographer or videographer, just bring along your competent spouse, kid, friend, or family member.

It’s really nice to enjoy the moment with another human being.

Plush Dog Toy And Puppy Blanket

Make sure you have a plush toy and puppy blanket when you pick up your pup. Try to rub them all over your pup’s littermates and mom.

This way when you get home you can put the toy and blanket in your pup’s crate and they will be able to smell the scent of their littermates and mama when it’s time for bed.

The smell and softness of the toy and blanket should be calming for your pup and help them feel less anxious about their new home.

Chew Toy

To help settle an anxious puppy in the car, having a chew toy on hand just may do the trick.

This will occupy your pup’s mind (or mouth as it were) and help pass the time.

Rags, Towels, Paper Towels, Wipes, And More Towels!

Your puppy is going to be nervous and anxious on the ride home, so you never know what is going to come out of either end.

Be prepared for poop, pee, puke, all of the p’s!

Ollie peed on me on the way home, and boy was I glad we had a towel on hand!

But no change of clothes for me, so I also recommend a change of clothes for whoever is handling your puppy the most. 

Old Clothes

Take it from me, you will most likely get some form of pup excretion on you, so don’t wear your good clothes when picking up your new puppy.

Travel Crate

This may be your and your pup’s safest option for the car ride home. Especially if you go it alone.

A nervous puppy may not be able to stay still very willingly and the last thing you want is your puppy bouncing around the car when you’re trying to drive.

Having your pup ride in a travel crate will also lessen the chance they pee, poop, or puke on you. 

Plan Potty Breaks

Plan to stop every 20mins or so to let your puppy have a chance to potty. This may help avoid being a human patch of grass.

But it also might not. Your pup might just pee on you anyways!

Water Bowl

When you stop for potty breaks, offer your pup some water as well. 

Yes, this may result in them peeing more, but they need water for crying out loud!

At Home Essentials

Once your pup is safely home, you will need to be already stocked up with the following items.

Patience

Sorry, you can’t buy this at your local pet store!

Recognize that puppies are full of energy and constantly test your patience.

They play-bite, chew, pee, and poop in the house (until house trained), and require a good amount of your attention all the time.

They also think it’s fun to randomly attack your legs, chew on your hands, etc. This will decrease with consistent training on your part, but your pup will definitely test your patience in the beginning.

A Plan

Having a rough plan on how you’re going to handle potty training, walking, and destructive behaviours to name a few, is important. 

Admittedly, sticking to a plan will be difficult when you first bring home your pup, but it’s a good idea to have at least a rough idea of how you plan on handling the day-to-day with your new puppy.

If you feel overwhelmed or stuck, contact a local dog trainer and they will most likely have some insight and even book a private lesson.

Since your pup is not fully vaccinated you don’t really have an option for a group lesson at this point.

When we brought our dog, Ollie, home I had not raised a puppy in about 8 years, so I made an appointment with a local dog trainer to go over the basics with me and my young kids.

I only ever went to one dog training session, but I learned a lot and it helped me get on the right foot with training Ollie.

An important aspect to add to your plan is boundaries, such as:

• Are you going to allow your pup on your bed or couch? 
• Will you use a crate for sleeping or when you’re away?

These are a couple of examples of boundaries you should be thinking about before you bring home your sweet pup.

Collars

An adjustable collar is recommended for pups so you can adjust it as they grow. A belt buckle-style clasp is ideal as it is less likely to break than the snap-on collar.

Check the sizing of the collar regularly (every day), as your pup is going to grow quickly. Two fingers between the collar and your pup’s neck is the tightness you want.

Avoid a choker chain as it could get caught on something and is unsafe. Stick to a well-fit collar that fits flat against your pup’s cute little neck.

Puppies love to chew, so while you’re checking the size of the collar, examine its condition as well.

Your new pup will probably scratch or shake his head when you first put on the collar, but don’t fret, they will get used to it in time.

Let your puppy wear their collar around the house, supervised, before taking them for walks. This will help them get more accustomed to wearing it.

Leashes

When it comes to leashes, as with other things in life, size matters.

A 6-foot leash should do for your pup. This length of leash is good for indoors.

PRO TIP: Buy a cheapie leash and cut off the handle so it doesn’t get caught up on anything inside the house.

This will be your indoor-only leash. Make sure it’s inexpensive as it’s going to get chewed and beaten up.

Trying to wrangle an excited pup is a little easier if there is something dragging from them to grab!

A Long Line is also essential to have for your pup. About 30 feet is a good length.

If you have a small pup breed, biothane is a nice, light durable material that won’t weigh them down.

If your dog is a larger breed, nylon will be just fine.

Use this leash for potty breaks out in the yard. It allows you to still have control over your pup while they relieve themselves and be able to have a good sniff around the property.

Transfer pup between your house line and long line all day long.

As for retractable leashes – Just say no. These encourage pups to walk in front, not beside you.

They can also be dangerous if they get wrapped around you or your pup’s legs and your pup takes off. No one needs a leash-related injury!

Harness

When your pup is ready to go on walks, you might consider purchasing a harness.

A collar is great for displaying tags and quick potty breaks but when it’s time to venture out into the great unknown, where pulling will probably occur, consider investing in a well-fitted harness.

Take a trip to your local pet store with your pup and have one fitted so you know you’re getting the right harness for your puppy.

Identification Tags

All pups need ID tags. They are little escape artists and surprisingly fast!

There is a higher chance that your escape artist pooch will stay out of the shelter and be returned safely to you if they are wearing some sort of identification tags. 

Keep in mind that municipalities often require you to have ID tags for your pooches.

Important info to put on your pup’s tag:

• Their name (or first initial)
• Your phone number
• The city where you live
• Your full address
• The words “needs meds’ if your pooch requires medication
• The word ‘microchipped’ if your pup is microchipped

Many pet stores have DIY dog tag makers, so do yourself a favour and make an ID tag for your pup when you’re out getting the items on this checklist.

Licensing

Along the same lines as ID tags, licensing may be mandatory where you live. Better give it a Google and find out.

In many municipalities, licensing can be simply done online and you will receive your tags in the mail (after you pay a fee of course!)

Microchip

Getting your pup microchipped will improve your chances of getting them back home safely if they let curiosity win and make a break for it.

Food/Water Bowls

Two bowls will be needed. One for food. One for water.

I advise getting bowls that don’t easily tip over unless you like cleaning up puddles of water multiple times a day.

You may need to purchase larger bowls as your pup grows but if you know there’s a good chance your pup will be a big dog, just buy big bowls at the beginning.

As long as your pup can eat and drink out of them with ease, you’re good to go.

Easy-to-clean bowls are also an asset.

Stainless steel bowls are great, but there are other options such as ceramic. Honestly, bowls are pretty stylish these days so you can pick some that are both functional and esthetic.

Slow-feeder bowls are great for pups who tend to gulp down their food really fast.

Puppy Food

It’s best to start your pup off with whatever food they were already eating.

Changing their diet too quickly could result in upset tummies, requiring them to use the next item very soon.

Pumpkin

Great for a pup with an upset stomach or loose poops. Having it on hand will prevent a trip to the grocery store and a potential accident. 

Treats

Use a few different types of treats for rewarding different behaviours. 

Crunchier treats should be used for rewarding occasional behaviours such as going into their crate at night or going outside to potty since these treats are generally bigger in size.

Training treats are typically small or soft enough for you to cut into smaller pieces (about the size of a raisin).

They are easy to chew and their small size allows you to reward them often and not worry about over-feeding your pup.

Starting off with a bunch of flavours will help you find out what your pup loves and finds high value.

Often times your local pet store will have freebie sample treats you can try with your pup before purchasing.

Stock up on those high-value treats and your pup will love you for it!

Treat Pouch

A treat pouch is a must in my opinion. Clip it to your belt loop or backpack and you always have treats on hand to reward your pup.

Some treat pouches have extra pockets for keys, poop bags, money, you name it.

As a dog walker, I love my treat pouch. Having treats on hand without rummaging around deep within my backpack is a win in my books!

Food Storage

The best way to store your pup’s food is in its original packaging inside either a stainless steel or plastic container.

The bag provides an added barrier that helps seal in fats and oils to prevent them from becoming rancid later.

Keeping dog food in the original bag will also ensure that you have access to the UPC code, lot number, best-by date, brand, and manufacturer information in case of a problem, like a defect or recall.

Poop Bags

These are a must if you go anywhere other than your yard with your pup.

Clean up that poop ASAP so your pup does not go back and eat it. Also so your neighbour doesn’t chase you around with a big stick!

The Amazon basics poop bags are what I use and I have yet to put my finger through one! They even come with a poop bag holder, bonus!

Poop Bag Holder

I recommend keeping a poop bag holder fully loaded in a convenient spot near the door or outside for picking up messes in your yard.

Having one attached to your leash for those on-the-go poops is a necessity.

Many times when you buy poop bags in bulk (which I recommend), they will come with a complimentary poop bag holder.

They don’t have to be fancy or expensive, just competent at dispensing poop bags.

Puppy Pads

The use of puppy pads is a personal choice. They might be handy for an apartment where it’s not so easy to get outside in a hurry.

Whereas if you have easy access to a yard, you might want to just skip over the whole puppy pad phase and take them directly outside at potty time.

Puppy Bed

Start off with a puppy bed that you can teach your pup to lie down on and relax outside of his crate.

Your pup should have a separate sleeping bed for times when you’re home.

Stain-repellent, durable, tear resistant, and washable are all the qualities you should look for in a dog bed for your pup.

Beds with removable covers are awesome because you can simply remove the cover and wash it.

Dog beds with non-removable covers tend to end up misshapen after a trip through the washer and dryer.

Make sure the bed is puppy-sized so your pup feels comfy and safe.

Dog Crate

Puppies need a place where they can be safely confined until they learn their house manners. This could take up to a year. Hang in there, consistency is key!

Your puppy’s crate should be just big enough for them to stand up in, turn around, and lay with their front paws out. That’s it.

Any bigger and they could start using their crate as a bathroom, and you don’t want that. Typically a pup won’t pee where they lay.

It doesn’t matter what type of dog crate you use, plastic or wire, just make sure it’s high quality and the right size for your pup.

Buy a crate with a divider if you only want to purchase one in their lifetime. Move the divider to give more room as your puppy grows.

I used a large dog crate for Ollie at first and just partitioned it off with a piece of cardboard. It did the trick.

It’s a good idea to remove your pup’s collar when in the crate unsupervised because it could get caught and become a choking hazard.

The location of the crate should be where it’s easy to clean and draft-free. Place it in or near an area of family activity, like the kitchen or living room. Your pup is part of your family and being around you as much as possible will help him feel comfortable and safe.  

No bedding should be used in the crate when you first bring home your pup. Extra bedding can cause house training issues and some pups chew and ingest the bedding.

To help foster a positive association with the crate, feed your pup in there for the first year. You can buy attachments, called coop cups, for food and water dishes so that pupper doesn’t dump them out.

A crate keeps your puppy safe when you can’t watch them.

Travel Kennel

Typically made from plastic, some puppies prefer these to wire cages because they feel more ‘homey’.

Like the wire dog crate, make sure it is sized appropriately and there is enough room for your pooch to stand up and turn around in. Unless you can somehow block off part of the travel kennel while your pup is small, you may need to purchase a larger size as your pup grows. 

A handy feature of a travel kennel is its handle on top allowing for easy mobility between rooms in your house. This is great if you want a safe place for your pup wherever you are in your home.

Covering the crate can help decrease the number of stimuli your puppy is exposed to which can really rev them up and get them overly excited in their crate.

Gates

Perfect for blocking off areas of your house where you don’t want puppy roaming, such as your shag carpet in the living room.

Puppies explore everywhere, so blocking off unsafe areas such as staircases is a great idea.

Playpen/Enclosure

An exercise pen is a great alternative to a crate if crating is not your thing. It’s a safe place where puppy can roam around while still being confined to a particular area.

Put your pup’s food and water bowls in there with some chew toys and a bed, and you’ve got yourself a pretty fun enclosure. 

Dog Toys

Start with a variety of toys to see what your pup loves the most. 

There are a few different categories of toys to consider buying for your pooch. One of each is plenty to start off with.

Chew Toys

Chew toys should always be available to your pup.

Puppy should have an all-access pass and the only toys taking up real estate in an accessible dog toy box.

Buy a bigger size chew toy than what you think you will need as they are less likely to become a choking hazard and easier for a pup to manipulate and chew.

Nylabone is king in this category, they last a long time.

Watch your pup at first when they start to chew these toys just to ensure they are not taking big chunks off while they chew.

Antlers are very durable and great for heavy chewers. My dog Ollie has been chewing on his antler for years!

Calming/Comfort Toys

The snuggle puppy is a popular comfort toy for pups.

Its heartbeat mimics mom and litter mates to help decrease your pup’s anxiety.

Even better is to get the mama’s scent on the snuggle puppy before you bring pupper home.

If puppy is a chewer, move the snuggle puppy to the top of the crate. Your pup can still feel the vibration of the heartbeat and also be safe.

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys help stimulate your pup mentally, and help them improve their problem-solving skills. All the while allowing you a few minutes to get something done!

Puzzle toys help burn out energetic pups, which leads to better sleep for both of you!

Fillable Toys

The Kong rules this category of toy.

The lighter pink and light blue kongs are for light-chewing pups. They are made from a softer material and an older dog or an aggressive chewing pup will likely destroy them.

Instead, go for the more durable red or black kong.

Kongs are awesome because you can fill them with all kinds of goodies and they are a great pacifier for your pup. Introduce these right away to your puppy.

Chase Toys

Flirt sticks are amazing for playing and tiring out your pup!

Interactive Toys

Squeaky and plush toys are not used all of the time, supervision is necessary.

These toys are great for tug and fetch. Something soft and engaging is best, leave the hard stuff on the shelf.

A Word Of Caution: If a toy can fit in a dog’s mouth in its entirety, then it’s too small for your pup and could be a choking hazard.

Toys To Avoid

Any toys made from soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge, and cheap plastic. These could get lodged in your pup’s throat or obstruct their bowel, and no good comes from either of those scenarios.

Avoid anything with hard, sharp points or attachments. For example, squeakers that can break off and be swallowed.

Similarly, balls of string, yarn, plastic wrap, twist ties, or any other household item that could potentially become lodged in your puppy’s through should not be accessible.

Old shoes, socks, or personal clothing are items your puppy should NOT chew. Allowing your pup to chew on these gives them the OK to start gnawing on your good items.

Toy Box (Storage)

Your puppy should have easy access to toys that are suitable for chewing unsupervised.

These include hard toys such as Nylabones (as long as you have previously supervised and know that large chunks are not coming off as they chew), antlers, and other toys you have deemed safe.

Providing an easy-access toy box helps prevent your pup from chewing unwanted items and directs them to chew on their toys only.

Go easy on the toys at first, just buy one of each type and then let your pup decide what they like and buy more of those!

Grooming Essentials

There are a few essential items you should have on hand to keep your pup nice and clean once you get them home.

Wipes

Useful for spot-cleaning your pup, especially if your pup is suffering from allergies or skin issues that lead to frequent itching.

Brush

Start brushing your pup at least once a week, even if they have short fur.

Brushing helps reduce shedding and matting and stimulates healthy hair growth.

A couple of different types of brushes may be required for your new pup, depending on their breed.

Let’s go over a few:

Slicker brush: Used for removing mats and tangles. Good for long-haired and curly-haired pups such as Golden Retrievers and their cousins the Doodle.

Purchase one with rubber or plastic tips as it will feel gentler on your pup’s sensitive skin

Undercoat Rake: A dog comb for detangling, thinning, and de-shedding all fur types.

Basic Two-Sided Pin Brush: Good for surface brushing your pup, but does not reach down to the undercoat.

Zoom Groom: Removes loose hair, stimulates capillaries, and natural oil production for healthy skin and coats. Can be used on all fur types. Regular use can reduce shedding.

You can also use this brush to massage in shampoo at bath time.

Flea Comb: Used to check for fleas from time to time.

Furminator: Helps to reduce the amount of shedding and ultimately fur you will need to clean up around the house. 

Start brushing your pup right away when you bring them home to help get them used to the strange experience of being brushed.

Reward heavily with treats when brushing your pup. This helps make it a positive experience and easier to maintain as they grow.

Brush, brush, reward, brush, brush, reward…..

Toothpaste

For good oral health, start brushing your pup’s teeth with some delicious meat-flavoured toothpaste. 

The earlier you start this fun habit, the more likely your pup will tolerate it.

Toothbrush

It’s a good habit to brush your pup’s teeth every day.

Good oral health means lower vet bills over the course of your dog’s life.

Getting your pup used to it at a young age will make brushing easier as they get older. Even if your puppy hates it, and they probably will, keep trying.

There are no bones or chew toys that do the same great job at cleaning teeth as good ol’ fashioned toothbrush and toothpaste.

Shampoo

Human shampoos will not do, they’re too harsh.

Pups need a light, sensitive shampoo that is gentle on their delicate skin. Your puppy doesn’t need to be bathed too often, but a bath when you get home may not be a bad idea. 

On the way home from picking up Ollie, he peed all over me! We both needed a bath when we got home!

Nail Clippers

Your pup’s nails should receive regular trims every three to four weeks to prevent discomfort when walking, and potential health complications, like infections from overgrown nails.

Have a good supply of treats on hand when trimming your puppy’s nails so they develop a positive association with this uncomfortable task.

Ear Cleaning Solution

Puppies are messy, they get dirty, and that dirt will inevitably end up in their ears.

Routine ear cleanings help prevent itchiness caused by gunk and build-up in ears.

Monthly ear cleanings can reduce this itchiness and scratching.

Cleaning Essentials

Messes of all kinds will occur with your puppy. Having cleaning supplies on hand when you need them makes cleaning up that much easier. 

Here are some cleaning supplies to stock up on before you bring your up home.

Enzyme Spray 

Accidents in the house are a given. Be prepared with an enzyme cleaner.

Enzyme cleaners eliminate odours that only your dog can smell, making it less likely that your pup will pick a regular spot to potty in the house.

Avoid any cleaning agent that contains ammonia as it smells just like pee to a dog, and dogs love going where they have gone before. 

Vacuum Cleaner

Very useful to have for sucking up all that fur that is bound to end up on your floor and carpet.

Dust Mop and Rubber Broom

Useful for cleaning up rogue fur from your floors, such as tile and hardwood.

Lint Rollers

For removing fur from your clothes. 

Pro Tip: Use lint rollers on your clothes and your pup after a fun excursion in the woods or long grass. Lint rollers can help remove ticks that are not yet attached to the skin.

I keep one in my vehicle for just this purpose.

Rags and Towels

Have these on the ready for those new pup accidents in the house, and for wiping their paws off before they get in the door.

Having them stacked outside or directly inside your door is ideal for easy access.

You just may prevent a mess on your carpet or an impromptu mop session.

Paper Towels

Have close by for those ‘accidents’ that will be happening on your floor.

First Aid Supplies

Preparing yourself with an at-home and portable first aid kit with basic supplies is a good idea.

Your pup is a curious, adventurous little creature, and being prepared for any situation can help bring you some peace of mind when you’re out and about.

Here’s a basic list of supplies to have on hand.

• first aid manual
• gauze pads
• medical adhesive tape
• stainless steel scissors
• stainless steel tweezers
• medical gloves
• cohesive bandage
• triangle bandage
• whistle
• baking soda (clots blood if pup gets a cut or nails trimmed too short)

You can prepare your own puppy first aid kit, or purchase one already done for you.

List of Services

You should have a list with all your puppy’s important phone numbers. 

Put it on your fridge, in your phone, or somewhere that is easily accessible.

This list should include your pup’s:

• Veterinarian
• Trainer
• Pet Insurance Provider
• Dog Walker
• Groomer
• Dog Sitter
• Boarding Facility
• Family Contact

And any other important numbers you want to add.

Nice-to-Have’s

These are items that are not essential to your pup’s well-being and happiness but are certainly nice to have if you desire.

Furbo Dog Camera

The Furbo can give you peace of mind when you’re not at home.

It uses an app that allows you to interact with your pooch while you’re away.

The Furbo also has bark notifications so you will be notified when they are barking and try to calm them down.

You can even fill it with your pup’s favourite treats and reward them for their awesome behaviour.

Telehealth

With veterinary telemedicine, you talk to a vet over text, phone, or video chat to get real-time advice on what you should do for your pup.

This service can come in handy if you are unable to get to your veterinarian’s office in a timely manner.

Fenced in Yard

Great to have as a barrier to the outside world for your puppy. Especially in those early, unvaccinated days when they should not be interacting with other dogs.

Invisible Fencing

A great alternative to keep your pup close to home if you don’t have a fenced-in yard.

Training Clicker

Many people swear by this method of training. They are pretty inexpensive, so might be worth picking one up and giving it a try with your puppy.

Pooper Scooper

A good option if you really hate picking up poop with a poop bag.

DNA Test

Spending time with your pup will help you learn about their temperament, tastes and intelligence.

DNA tests can help you learn other invaluable information about your new puppy.

Your pup’s DNA can uncover their mystery breeds (if they’re a mutt), give you insight into your purebred’s odd physical traits, and even identify hereditary or breed-specific conditions your pup could be at risk for in the future.

Another advantage to partaking in a DNA test for your pup is potentially preventing a predisposed condition.

For example, if you learned your pup was at risk for hip dysplasia, you could work with your vet early to start detection screenings and make diet and lifestyle changes that could help delay or even prevent the onset of the condition. 

Online Puppy Training

Doggy Dan is a great resource for puppy training if getting out to your local trainer is not an option.

Check out the Project Moses section which shows Doggy Dan training Moses from 8 weeks old to 1 year. Definitely worth it.

Leather Leash

A leather leash is good for training and eventually walking, as they have a nice hand feel

A 6-footer is a nice length.

Don’t leave this one attached in the house unless you love buying leather leashes!

This leash will be used infrequently as young pups won’t be going for walks very early on.

Calming Collar

Calming Collars contain a pheromone that is shown to reduce fear of loud noises, bad behavior, and barking. 

A dog calming collar can help reduce your puppy’s stress-related behavior.

Pooh Grabber

While different from the above-mentioned pooper scooper, its function is the same.

You never have to actually touch the poop through the pooh bags.

Pooh Grabbers conveniently fit in your purse, bag, or pocket for quick and easy access.

Snuffle Mat

Good for treats, and slows down fast eaters.

Need 5 minutes to get something done? Pull out the snuffle mat!

Lick Mat

A lick mat can also provide you with a few minutes of peace!

Layer on some puppy-safe foods such as peanut butter, pumpkin puree, smashed fruit, soaked kibble, or anything else your pup likes that can be smeared onto a mat.

Paw Cream

A paw protector is used to create a protective barrier to help prevent and heal dry, cracked, and irritated paws.

These ailments are commonly caused by hot pavement, salt, cold weather, and other harsh elements.

Car Seat Cover

Helps prevent fur from sticking directly to your seat.

Simply remove, wash, dry, and replace.

Portable Water Bottle

Water bottles specifically for dogs are great because they come with their own bowls that are usually attached, making it less likely you will forget it! 

Alternatively, you can pick up a collapsible bowl to take with you on walks, just don’t forget the water!

Safety Light

Keep visible on those outside potty breaks at night. Easily attaches to collars, leads, or harnesses.

Car Harness

If you plan on traveling often with your pup, you should consider a car harness or some other type of restraint system in your vehicle.

These can help keep your pup safe while you pay attention to the road!

What To Do Next?

Head out to your local pet store and start gathering supplies before you pick up your pup!

Check out the best accessories to buy for your pooch!