Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience, but being fully prepared will make the transition smoother for both you and your new pup. From feeding essentials to training tools and comfort items, having the right supplies in place ensures your puppy feels safe, happy, and well-cared for from day one.
In this quick guide, we’ll cover the essentials every new puppy owner needs, so you can start off on the right paw and focus on bonding with your newest companion.
We'll cover all the essentials across the following areas:
- Identification and Safety
- Sleeping and Crate Training
- Feeding Essentials
- Training and Behaviour
- Grooming and Hygiene
- Toys and Mental Stimulation
- Health and Wellness
- Travel Essentials
- Other Optional Gear and Supplies For Your Pup
If you also haven't already - you can get claim your free puppy pack from Dogz Online, if you have used Dogz Pay to pay for your dog on our site.
For identification and safety
- Collar or Harness and a Leash: a properly fitted collar or harness is crucial for safety and training. Make sure it’s adjustable and comfortable. Ezy Dog Collar and Leash are included for free in your Dogz Online Puppy Packs
- ID Tags: at a minimum, your pup’s collar should have your phone number. Collar tags can get caught and fall off, slide ID tag can be favourable.
- You can also opt in for Smart Pet Tags like the Petrack Smart Pet Tag or Dogness Smart Dog Tag which can be helpful if your dog ever gets lost, you can have alerts and notifications on whereabouts or if your dog decides to wander around
For Sleeping and Crate Training
- Crate: provide your puppy with a secure area where they can rest without being disturbed, and are helpful in raising a well-trained puppy. A dog crate should be rigid/hard-sided, large enough to give an adult dog room to stand, lie down and turn around, and well-ventilated. Consider the Paws for Life Wire Crate or the Kazoo Premium Crate - be sure to get the right size.
- Crate Mat: Sometimes opting for something like an inexpensive (but comfy) mat lining or bed sheets before getting a bed can be a good starting point until your puppy is out of the chewing stage.
- Dark or Opaque Bed Sheets: Find or purchase inexpensive bedsheets to cover your puppies crate to help them feel safe, and to assist with crate training
- Bed: if you decide to opt for a bed, we recommend the personalised Ezy Dog Bedding Collection
- Exercise Pen and Baby Gates: The Exercise Pen provides a secure play area when your pup isn’t being supervised. Baby gates help limit access to certain areas of your home. The Canine Care Exercise Pen or Pawise Dog Play Pens are good options for your exercise pens, and we'd recommend Dog Space Metal Expandable Gates.
Feeding Essentials
- Food & Water Bowls: Stainless steel non-slip bowls are durable and easy to clean. Consider a slow-feed bowl for fast eaters or a puzzle feeder to add enrichment, and help for those pups that eat too fast.
- Dry Food Storage: If you plan to feed kibble, get an airtight, pet-safe, and dog-proof storage container.
- High Quality Dog Food: Initially, it's a good starting point to feed your pup what the breeder or rescue was feeding. This will aid in your pup's transition into your home. Then we recommend feeding puppy food formulated or designed for growth and development. Read our Guide on Puppy Feeding here.
- Some Eureka Dog Food Samples are included for free in your Dogz Online Puppy Packs
Training & Behaviour
- Treats: You'll need a variety of delicious treats for training. Try several different textures and flavors to see what your pup’s favorite is! High Protein, Chicken Puppy Treats are always a good favourite
- Clicker: A dog training clicker is a great tool for positive reinforcement training. Pair it with high-value treats to encourage good behavior.
- House Training Pee Pads & Enzymatic Cleaner: Accidents happen! Use pee pads to help with potty training and clean up messes with an enzymatic cleaner
- Chew Deterrent Spray: Protect your furniture and shoes by using a bitter chew deterrent spray.
Grooming and Hygiene
- Puppy Shampoo & Grooming Tools: Use a gentle, puppy-safe shampoo and choose grooming tools based on your pup’s coat type. Ask your breeder or vet for recommendations
- Nail Clippers or Grinder: Regular nail trimming prevents injuries with a pair of nail clippers. Alternatively you can opt for a nail grinder.
- Toothbrush & Dog Toothpaste: Start early with dog-safe toothpaste to maintain good oral health.
- Grooming Wipes: to make cleaning up after your puppy easy on trips
- ODRout Grooming Wipes are included for free in your Dogz Online Puppy Packs
Toys and Mental Stimulation
- Chew Toys & Teething Relief: Puppies love to chew, and having durable chew toys to ease teething discomfort. Go for big toys, and make sure to monitor your puppy and toy before it gets to a size they can swallow
- Interactive Puzzle Toys: Mentally stimulate your pup with puzzle toys that dispense treats.
- Comfort Toys (Snuggle Puppy): A Snuggle Puppy with a heartbeat and warming pack mimics littermates and helps reduce anxiety.
Health and Wellness
- Parasite Prevention: to protect your puppy from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. A sample of Nexgard Spectra Parasite Protection is included for free in your Dogz Online Puppy Packs
- First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit should include antiseptic, bandages, a tick remover, and a thermometer. You can make your own First Aid Kit, or purchase pre-made ones.
- Schedule a Vet Appointment: It’s best to schedule your first free puppy vet check before your puppy comes home, as it can be difficult to get appointments with good vets.
- Consider Pet Insurance: it’s a good way to safeguard your puppy’s health from accidents or health concerns. See our Full Guide on Pet Insurance.
Travel Essentials
- Car Crate: to make travelling in the car like to the vets, safer and more comfortable for your pup. Check out Kazoo's Car Crates
- Car harness: If you don’t use a crate in the car, it is recommended to use a crash-tested harness. Check out Ezy Dog's Drive Car Harness.
- Car Seat Cover for Dogs (optional): if you don’t use a crate in the car, you can also use a car seat cover to keep your seats clean from any spills or accidents.
- Poop Bags & Bag Holder: to clean up any accidents that might happen in the car, on walks.
- LOGIN Poop Bags and Bag Holder are included for free in your Dogz Online Puppy Packs
Other Optional Gear and Supplies For Your Pup
- GPS Collar: track your dog’s location via your phone.
- Life Jacket: are essential for dogs on boats/kayaks/canoes, as well as breeds that don't float well and pups just starting out
- Litter/Potty Box: great for small breeds or apartment living or If you are going to put a potty box in your pup's ex-pen because you cannot be available to the puppy for 3-4 hour periods during the day. For all but the smallest pups, you will need a substantial potty box so it doesn't tip over or bend.
- Supplements for growth: Fish oil with Omega-3, DHA, and EPA supports brain, joint, and immune health. Check your puppy food label before adding extras.
