New Puppy Checklist: 10 Necessary Puppy Products

Creating a safe and comfortable space for your new puppy is essential for a smooth transition. Make sure you pick a spot in your home your puppy can retreat to when he or she feels overwhelmed, or is in need of some down-time. The super soft FurHaven Plush bed is perfect for puppies and comes in different sizes.

Find out what type of dog food your breeder or shelter has been feeding your puppy. Their little tummies are sensitive and keeping their food consistent during their adjustment period is key. Puppies are generally nervous when leaving their siblings and joining a new family. If you don’t have access to their food information, the brand Eukanuba for puppies is great and is customized based on the size of your pup.

Praise your puppy when they do something good and have healthy treats on hand as a reward! Be advised not to get any treats that may be a choking hazard, and make sure you read the weight and age requirements for any treat you purchase. The Zuke’s Puppy Naturals are small, and pup approved. The N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings are also great as a treat and help direct chewing to a non-shoe alternative.

New research has found a harness to be better suited for a puppy than a regular collar and leash. Harnesses are great training tools for puppies learning to behave on leashes, and they allow walkers to have more control. More importantly, harnesses discourage pulling and damage to the trachea.

Even though you will use a harness during walks, it’s important to get your puppy used to wearing a collar most of the time. His collar is also where you need to keep his information if it runs away or escapes. Most pet stores sell customizable tags that can be made in minutes. The Foggy Dog makes adorable collars in a variety of styles and colors.

Puppies teethe until they are around six months old, so be prepared to lose a few shoes or household items during this period. Be sure your puppy has a variety of chew toys and stuffed animals to keep him entertained. It’s also important to puppy proof your house, and to discourage unacceptable chewing behavior. Kong toys and bones are a great choice for a line of safe toys that dogs love.

This expense might be hard to swallow, since it’s easy to put out a couple old bowls and call it a day, but the Neater Pet Feeder is worth every penny! The elevated and contained feeding station protects your floors, and contains splashes. It also separates spilled food from spilled water, so no more soggy food to clean up and it keeps spilled water off your floor.

Potty-training accidents are an inevitable reality with a new puppy, and having the right tools to clean up after your pup is a must. Not all cleaning agents are the same when it comes to pet odors, always buy an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate odor and prevent your dog from continuing to use the same spot. It’s also a good idea to have dog wipes on hand for cleaning dirty paws, and spot treating their coats in between baths and/or grooming.

Turns out, most dog crates aren’t that stylish, and can be an eyesore if you have a small space. The Pawd Pet Crate by Kindtail (in gray) fits seamlessly into your stylish digs and is great for travel. Be sure and fill your dog’s crate or carrier with soft blankets or a crate mat.

It’s important to not allow your puppy free roam of the house until they are completely house trained. A crate can seem confining to leave a dog in all day, so opting for a small play pen is a good choice for those looking for a safe haven for puppy when you aren’t home, or can’t pay close attention.