When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
- Before bringing your new puppy home, it's important to understand the responsibility you're forever committing to.
- They'll need basic supplies like a bed, collar, and leash, as well as specific things like dog toothpaste and shampoo to stay healthy.
- As someone who's had a dog for 15 years, here are 22 things I'd recommend having when you're ready to bring your pup home.
My good friend was recently inducted into the puppy parenthood society when she brought home a spunky Aussie doodle named Maggie (pictured above).
Meeting Maggie reminded me of my own dog Max, who was a mere pup 15 years ago. One time, he pooped on the hardwood floors while my parents were out frantically buying supplies at the last minute, so I scooped him up and kept him in the bathtub while I cleaned up the mess with paper towels.
How hypocritical of me to preach about preparedness while I'm sticking my puppy in the bathtub, right? Well, I learned from my mistakes so you won't repeat them.
Making the decision to get a puppy — or any pet — shouldn't be taken lightly. They're living, breathing creatures that rely on us to take care of them, and that could be a lot of work. If you've done your research and come to the conclusion that your heart, home, and wallet are ready for the life-long commitment, then your next steps are to puppy-fy your home with all the proper supplies.
Here are 22 essentials like crates, training tools, and toys you should have before bringing your new puppy home:
A dog bed as comfortable as yours
Casper Dog Bed, from $135, available at Casper
Casper is known for its mattresses for humans, but it also makes a durable and comfortable dog bed that we love.
A food and water bowl
Frisco Stainless Steel Dog Bowl (2-pack), available at Chewy, $11.99
Food and water bowls don't need to be fancy, but they should definitely be functional. Many puppies will be confused or intrigued when they first encounter bowls, so rubber bottoms will help keep them in place while your new puppy gets acquainted to them.
An ID with pertinent contact information
Go Tags Personalized ID Tag,available at Chewy, from $7.95
At the very least, your puppy should have identification tags attached to their collar or harness when they're outside in case they get loose. Customize it with important information like their name and your contact information so someone can easily find you and return your pup.
A harness to wear during walks
Puppia RiteFit Dog Harness, available at Chewy, $19.99
Depending on the size and breed of your puppy, you might want to opt for a harness instead of a collar. Harnesses are a great alternative for dogs with sensitive tracheas, like pugs and Boston terriers. This harness from Puppia is both breathable and weather resistant. Read more about it in our guide to the best dog harnesses.
Absorbent pads to help potty train
Wee-Wee Housebreaking Pads, available at Chewy, from $6.99
Depending on the size of their puppy, many new dog parents will opt to potty train their new puppy on a potty pad. These can be helpful during the first several months with your new puppy.
A training leash for walks
Signature K9 Biothane Long Line, available at Amazon, $23.95
Once your new puppy is ready, you can start leash training and working on recall. A long leash will give your pup just the right amount of slack, and keeps you from buying multiple leashes while training.
A clicker to help train your puppy
Starmark Pro-Training Clicker Deluxe, available at Amazon, $5.53
Clickers are simple and painless tools that can be used when training your new puppy. The sound of the click followed by a treat helps your puppy learn to associate positive actions with rewards.
A package of treats specifically for training
Zuke's Mini Naturals, available at Chewy and Amazon, from $4.49
Treats can be good to have on hand when teaching your new puppy basic commands like sit and stay, or tackling a larger task like walking on a leash. Zuke's are small and soft, so they're easy to eat and won't fill up your puppy during training sessions.
A simple neck collar
Frisco Tie Dye Dog Collar, available at Chewy, from $9.09
A simple collar is important for securing your puppy's ID tag. But a cute collar does double duty — it makes your pup look even more adorable in photos.
A puppy play pen
Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen, available at Chewy and Amazon, from $34.99
X-pens can be used inside or outside to create a designated space for your puppy. Pens still allow your puppy freedom to move around, while also giving you to control over where they go. They're also great if you're introducing them to grass, or bringing guests into your home for the first time so they can get used to new humans.
Dog food designed for puppies
Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, available at Chewy and Petco, $14.48
Once puppies are old enough to consume dry food, they should be eating a formula designed for growth like Purina Pro Plan. Depending on the breed of your dog, they should consume puppy formula until anywhere from 9 months to 24 months old. Check out our guide to the best dog food for more suggestions.
A teething toy
Nylabone Teething Pacifier, available at Chewy, $7.32
Just like newborn babies, puppies will teethe while their adult canines grow in. The ridges and bumps on this toy will help soothe growing pains and simultaneously clean plaque and tartar.
A pet gate to block off doorways
Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through Pet Gate, available at Amazon and Chewy, $39.99
It's not uncommon for new pet owners to want to keep certain rooms off-limits like kitchens or bathrooms, especially if you have a little thief on your hands. Simple pet gates can block off doorways while still allowing easy entrance and exits for us humans.
A crate that also matches your furniture
Casual Home Wooden Crate, from $122, available at Lowe's
Crate-training your puppy allows them to have their own space where they can feel safe and comfortable. You can opt for a standard metal crate, or choose a crate that also blends well with your furniture, like our freelance reporter did.
A squeaky toy to stimulate natural instincts
Star Wars Chewbacca Toy, available at Chewy, $8.98
Plush toys can help encourage a more active playtime. This one features a squeaky center that stimulates natural instincts and can grab dogs' attention quickly and easily. For more ideas, see our guide to the best dog toys.
A gentle shampoo for washing
Burt's Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo, available at Chewy and Target, from $5.19
Just like babies, puppies should be washed with a gentle formula shampoo that won't irritate their skin or damage their coat. This Burt's Bees puppy shampoo has buttermilk to help soothe and soften skin, honey to help retain moisture, and a pH-balanced formula to help avoid dry skin.
A versatile brush that won't damage your puppy's coat
Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Brush, available at Chewy, $5.47
A puppy's coat can be finer and more delicate than when they're full grown. The type of hair or fur your puppy has also greatly depends on the breed of dog they are, so short-haired dogs like pugs will need a bristle brush while long-haired dogs like golden retrievers will need a pin brush. Read more about the best dog brushes.
A pet-safe stain and odor remover
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator, available at Chewy and Walmart, $19.97
Accidents happen, and they're going to happen a lot when you bring home a new puppy. This stain and odor remover can help keep your floors, carpets, and couches fresh.
A disposable and easy-to-use toothbrush
Vet's Best Dental Finger Dog Toothbrush, available at Chewy, $6.24
Using these finger brushes instead of a long soft-bristle brush allows you to have more control when attempting to brush a squirming puppy's teeth.
Dog toothpaste
Petsmile London Broil Flavor Pet Toothpaste, available at Chewy, $15
When brushing your puppy's teeth, you should use toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs. Human toothpaste can contain ingredients that might be harmful to your pet if they accidentally ingest it. Plus, the toothpaste is often flavored like beef or chicken, which is far more enticing than mint. Check out our buying guide to the best dog toothpaste, toothbrushes, and chews for more products.
A full stock of scented waste bags
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags, available at Walmart and Chewy, $6.99
You'll need plenty of waste bags to clean up after your puppy on walks. These ones from Earth Rated are scented with lavender to help shield nature's smell.
A waste bag holder that can be attached to their leash
Tuff Mutt Poop Bag Holder, available at Chewy, $12.99
This waste bag holder can be attached to any leash so you'll always have bags on hand during walks and outings.
Francesca Rea Manager, Story Production Francesca Rea is the Story Production Manager for Insider Reviews, Insider's e-commerce team. She graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in geology, and worked in that field for two years before starting her digital media career at BuzzFeed in 2018. When she is not working behind the scenes, Francesca likes to write about life hacks, how to pamper our pets, innovative products, and companies who pave the way for a sustainable marketplace. Regardless, she enjoys exploring all products if it will benefit the masses. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnoJrBtHvPrqepsV2owrG8y6KcrA%3D%3D