Invest In These 9 Items Before Bringing Home Your First Puppy

Owning a dog is a huge responsibility, and you need to have all the right equipment to be able to take proper care of them.

Before you bring home your new puppy, there are a few items to make sure you have so that they’re comfortable, happy, and healthy right from the very first day. Here are the most important things you need to buy.

Collar and Harness

Letting your puppy get used to wearing a collar is important, as they’ll need to wear one for life. A dog tag is essential in case your puppy gets lost so that people would be able to contact you.

A harness is another important item, as they’re typically a better choice when taking young dogs for a walk without them hurting themselves by straining on the collar. There are different types of dog harnesses that suit different dogs and different needs, so you might want to do a little research before buying one.

Strong Leash

When taking your dog for a walk and training them, you’ll need to ensure you have a strong leash to attach to their collar or harness.

Make sure you purchase a leash that’s durable since your puppy will most likely attempt to chew on it at least a few times!

Dog Bed and Crate

You’ll also need to get a comfortable bed for your dog to sleep in when they arrive at their new home. Look for something soft, comfortable, and durable, but remember that if you’ve adopted a puppy, they might grow out of it!

You could also purchase a dog crate. The idea of crate training is pretty controversial, but many caring dog owners find it to be a great solution and their dogs love sleeping in their crates too.

Food and Water Bowls

Unless you’re willing to share your cereal bowls with your puppy, you’ll need to buy them their own dishes. Make sure to get separate bowls for water and food, and make sure they’re not too big if you have a small pup.

Along with the food bowls, be sure to purchase their first bag of dog food too. You might need to try out a few different brands before settling on something though.

Grooming Products

You need to be prepared to ash and groom your new pet. You might need to try a few different dog shampoos before you find what’s right for you and your puppy.

Make sure you also have a towel for them, and brush, and any other grooming items that you think they might need based on their breed and fur.

Nail Clippers

Dogs need manicures too! Make sure that you have a good quality pair of clippers so you’re able to keep their nails short, neat, and comfortable.

It’s a good idea to watch a few tutorials on how to do this safely yourself, as well as ask your local vet or groomer for tips and advice. Some animals get anxious when having their nails trimmed, so it’s important that you know what you’re doing and that you’re able to keep them calm.

A Few Toys

You never know what type of toys a puppy might be interested in, but you’ll want to have a few exciting things waiting for them. Having something to get them excited might help if they feel anxious when coming home for the first time.

A ball, a rope, or a squeaky toy are all good, safe options that your puppy will love. You might even consider getting a toy that you can put treats inside to stimulate your pup and keep them occupied for hours.

Lint Roller

If you’ve never owned a pet before, you’re about to find out just how much of their hair will end up on your clothes and furniture!

Depending on what breed of dog you’re adopting, your puppy will start to shed, and their hair will be in places you’d rather not have it. While a vacuum cleaner will do the job well enough, you might want to grab a lint roller to be able to clean your clothes in a rush.

Stain Remover

Finally, with a new puppy, chances are that you’ll have at least a few messes on the carpet before they’re house-trained.

Having a good stain remover will definitely come in handy for accidents, muddy paws, and other messes that come with the territory of having a puppy in your home. While the messes might be frustrating, their unconditional love makes it all worth it.