Did you decide to bring a puppy into your home? Congratulations! You have some happy and frustrating days ahead of you. It’s the truth. No matter how much we love our pets, when they are young and don’t know any rules, it’s up to us to keep it cool and stay calm. But before you think about what to do when you bring a puppy, the first thing is to think about what you need. I’ll go from the basics, over additional things, to some breed-specific new puppy equipment.

The Essential New Puppy Equipment

These are the basics, something that every dog owner needs. It’s quite simple as well, and my guess is, you already have it.

Food bowl

Water bowl

Bed/place to sleep

Collar and a leash

Dog brush (type varies depending on the breed)

Poo bags 

Some toys

Of course, depending on the size of the dog or the dog breed, you will choose the appropriate food bowl. You don’t need a giant bowl if you have a Shih Tzu. Also, make sure that both the food and water bowls are easy to reach.

The bed or the place where your dog will sleep is very important. It has to be somewhere where a dog will feel safe. That means it has to be in a quiet part of your home where there isn’t a lot of movement. 

It’s up to you to choose if your puppy may sleep with you or on your bed. Just remember that what you allow them to do as puppies, they will do ‌when they grow up.

My opinion is to choose a pin brush as your first brush if you have a long-haired dog. If it’s a short-haired dog, such as a hound, a hound glove is the best option. Later, when your dog grows up and comes out of the “puppy coat”, you can combine dog brushes and see which one works the best.

Additional New Puppy Equipment

Having additional puppy equipment is also important, but it’s not necessary. However, it can make your life so much easier, especially when it comes to obedience or potty training. Here’s the list of some additional puppy equipment:

Crate

Play pen

Baby gates (dog gates)

Dog toothpaste and toothbrush

Dog shampoo

Puppy pads

ID tags

Car equipment (transport crate, car harness, etc.)

Puppy clothes

It is very useful to start ‌the obedience training right from the start. Obedience means more than “sit” or “leave it”. It means showing boundaries to your new dog, letting it know what’s allowed inside your home. 

But to make life easier to both you and your dog, we need to make sure your new puppy feels safe in your home and trusts you. Crate training is very useful in these situations. If you can’t or won’t do that, sectioning parts of your home is an option.

A puppy pad is one of the ways of potty training your dog. It is a good start, but we can’t rely on it forever. You have to teach your dog to go outside to do its business.

Some dogs have naturally low fat and thin coats, which means they need our help to keep warm in the winter months. Having a puppy coat and dog shoes is a must in these cases. But it’s not just for the winter. Some dog coats come with built-in hooks to attach a leash.

Breed-specific New Puppy Equipment

All dogs need ‌basic equipment. It would be best if you had the additional as well. But there are some dog breeds that have some physical traits that we need to take into consideration. 

• Dachshunds and other short-legged dogs need some help when getting into a car or other high places. A car ramp is very useful in these cases.
• Large dog breeds need more durable equipment. That means sturdier toys, bigger beds, stronger collars and leashes, and more space in a car. 
• Large dog breeds should have their bowls elevated from the ground to prevent strain. 
• Dogs such as Mastiffs drool a lot, so it’s better to have a dog drool bib right away. Even though puppies don’t drool, they will start at around 10 months of age. The full-on drooling, however, starts when their jaws are fully developed (12 to 24 months)
• Some dogs cannot swim because of their anatomical features. You should always put a life jacket on dogs such as Boston Terrier, Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and almost all toy dog breeds. 

Final Thoughts

In the end, the most important “equipment” you need are love and patience. Lots of patience! Your new dog, no matter how smart it is, doesn’t know the rules. They need to learn where to pee, when to pee, when it’s walk time, when it’s sleep time, what to chew, if jumping is allowed, and so many other things. It is up to you to make a secure home for your new dog, show them you can take care of them no matter what, and that you are in charge. That means that you know what is safe or not, who is a friend, and other things you will experience as you grow together.

Cover photo by Panyawat Auitpol