New Puppy Shopping List

22.50 in Dog, list, new, puppy, shopping

Here is a list of basic supplies you may need and in most circumstances want to have when you get your first dog or puppy.

Buckle Collar - This will be kept on your dog to hold its ID tags so in case you pup gets out it will be returned to you.

Harness - is good for training because it takes pressure off the puppys neck and makes it easier to control. I have used both the 2 step harness and the typical harness. I prefer the 2-step harness for my puppy because it is easy to get her into it.

Leash - I do not recommend a retractable leash. Well at least not for training. You dont have as much control over the dog and it makes it difficult to keep it close with its attention on you.

Retractable leashes are good for well trained dog that respond to voice commands almost immediately.

Tags - I think that every dog should have a tag. If your pet goes missing it is a lot easier for a shelter or a person to just call your number. Instead of driving around town looking for LOST dog posters. I recommend getting a GPS tag if your dog is prone to running. There are quite a few options out there for that.

Food Bowl - I recommend that if you have a dog that will be home alone and you want to have it on feed schedule that you get an automatic feeder. I enjoy having my dogs on a schedule because dogs like to have consistency in their lives and it keeps the dog more interested in treats when training because it is hungry. Stainless steel bowls are recommended because the scratches in a plastic bowl can harbor bacteria. 

 Water Bowl - I like having a fountain water bowl for my dogs because it keeps it fresh and cool for my pets. So, I can rest assured that there arent any germs in their drink.

Brush -  I like the FURminator. It removes the rough undercoat and keeps my pets fur super shiny. I like that there is a button to push the fur off the brush. There is also a vacuum attachment so the hair doesnt go every where.

Waste Bags - I take them with me on every walk because I know my little trickster knows exactly when we are going home and loves to place a mine on the way back. I usually just take one with me and leave the rest at home. 

Dog Food - I have been using Exceed, although I will be changing foods. I want to have a healthy dog to go run with me and I like to avoid high amounts of grain and by-products. Real food is the only way to go not a bag full of fillers. 

Canned Food - I feed my dogs both dry and wet food because dogs get most of there water from their food. I just mix in a little wet food with their night meal and call it a day. I again prefer more meat to by-products and fillers. 

Dog Bed - Dogs sleep 16 - 18 hours a day and need a place to rest and I am pretty sure I have spent a ton of money on dog beds. I would advice against getting a puppy an expensive bed because when it starts teething there wont be a bed there will be fluff all over your house. If you havent seen it yet I would look into the Dog Gone bed. It repels water mud and any bad smells that your dog may be carrying. 

Dog Crate - There are many different kinds of crates and deciding on one can be a pain. For a puppy I would suggest getting a plastic crate for two reasons. One they are easy to clean up and two when the puppy goes through the whining stage it is nearly impossible to get her to stop if she can see you through the wire walls. For a older dog that is house trained you can get a wire cage or a soft or wood cage. There are some dangers associated with a ire cage though as a  dog may try to fit his paw through the wiring and can injure himself in a panic. Wooden cages and soft cages are a pain to clean. Although wooden cages look very aesthetic they also come with a higher price.

Exercise Pen - I dont use mine as frequently as I used to as now that my dogs are house trained I dont have to worry to much about leaving them alone in a room and eliminating. I can just toss a few toys in there and leave them be a for a bit but I never leave them unattended for long.

Dog Gates - When bringing a new puppy home an entire house is a lot of ground to cover and it may make the dog feel overwhelmed. You can block of certain area from a dog or puppy with a simple gate or if you have a bigger entry way you can set up a fence of a sort. Then you can make certain areas ok and off limits to your new pet.

Odor Remover - Your new puppy is going to eliminate in the house. Its a guarantee she doesnt know any better she is just being a dog.  You probably should invest in something to clean it up though. And it should remove the pheromones so she isnt enticed to pee there again.

Dog Shampoo - Regular shampoo that we use has too high of a Ph for our pets and it can irritate their skin. There are special pet shampoos that can brighten their coat and keep its color looking nice as well as smelling good. Keeping everyone happy and clean.

Dog Treats - I have worked with many a picky dog and I can exactly recommend a "one treat fits all dog" treat. So instead I just tell people to keep it safe make sure that there arent a ton of toxic things that dogs can digest. I can say that small treat are good for teaching basics but for more complex things a dog should get a more enticing treat but not necessarily bigger. I use actual chicken only for when I teach a new dog agility because if the dog doesnt want to do something it is less likely to do it again later. Two treats that I use are Sniffers 101 and Crazy Pets training treats because they are small and have variety.

Dog Toys - I like to have a variety of toys just like treats each toy has a different value to a dog. I have a chest full of toys and toys get switched in and out of the chest every month or so. It keeps your toy budget lower so your dog thinks he gets a new toy every month just make sure you wash them when you put them in storage. Pick plenty of plush toys, tugs and balls.

Dog Frisbee - Some dogs love to catch a disk and other dogs have to be trained to catch it and bring it back to you. Have some patience with your dog and you can enjoy Frisbee with your dog. If you decide to play Frisbee with your dog invest in a dog Frisbee it is gentler on their mouth and you can get some that are puncture resistant. The Hyperflite Jaws disc is super puncture resistant and is sure to last with your pet.

KONG - I am sure you have heard of them. Kong are easy to use to occupy your dog and keep them entertained for a while. Just fill it up with a few treats and then give it to them. Or just throw it to them and watch them chase after it while it bounces left and right. For tough chewers there are special black KONG and KONG Ballistic.

Chews - Puppies that are teething or dogs that just like to chew need some way to outlet that. I recommend Nylabones because they are safer than real bones and dont shatter. Also you can pick what flavor you get the bone in as well as what size and know that your dog will love it. Beside which dog wouldnt love to chew on a dinosaur. And it cleans their teeth.

Doggie Dental - In my experience I have seen that most dogs dont like having their teeth brushed but that smell is terrible. So their are substitutes for a dog that hasnt been taught to brush his teeth. There are some water add as well as gels and bones that clean dogs teeth.


Eye Care - If your dog gets tear stains then you should invest in some sort of tear stain remover. I recommend wipes because they are there when you need them without any mess. And you can use them to clean up what you cant with the shampoo in the bath.


Ear Care - Dogs can get infections in their ears just like we can but with the proper care that stench can be avoided, trust me its bad. There are three things that you need to clean a dogs ears. One you need to get an ear cleansing liquid, two you need a ear powder to dry the ear out and three a wipe for the outer ear.

Nail Care - If dogs nails are not maintained they can cause a great deal of pain to your pet. But before cutting your dogs nails you should invest in some styptic powder in case the nail is cut to short and the nail starts to bleed. And then pick the nail clippers of your choice. I personally feel more comfortable with the guillotine clippers but if it doesnt feel right dont get them.

FLEA & TICK -  If you plan on taking your dog any where you should definitely invest in a flea and tick preventive mainly because they are not easy to handle after you have them in your house.