New Puppy Supply Checklist

Once you find your new puppy and decide when to bring it home, start gathering your puppy supplies. You will need certain items as soon as your puppy begins its new life with you, so shop before you pick up your new family member. Preparation will help you feel more relaxed and allow you to spend quality time with your puppy during those first critical days.

  1. Food

    • Your puppy will be happier with familiar food at first.

      Find out what your puppy has been eating and start by feeding it the food it is accustomed to. After consulting your veterinarian, switch foods gradually to avoid causing your new puppy's stomach to become upset. It’s best not to change too many things all at once in your new puppy's life.

    Bowls

    • Weighted, skid-proof, stainless steel bowls are durable and practical for new puppies.

      Stainless steel water and food bowls that are weighted and have skid-proof bottoms are especially practical for puppies that are prone to spilling things and making messes. The vets at Healthy Pet U suggest that you “avoid plastic bowls, as they scratch easily and can harbor bacteria.” Separate bowls keep your puppy’s water fresh, so avoid attached water and food bowls, as they are difficult to clean.

    Collar

    • Not all collars are appropriate for puppies. Good choices are cotton, nylon webbing or leather flat collars that close with a buckle, or quick-release clasp collars that can be adjusted as your puppy grows. Attach an identification tag to your puppy’s collar.

    Leash

    • A lightweight training leash is a good first leash.

      Use a lightweight 4- to 6-foot long leash with a strong clasp for your puppy. Leashes made of cotton or nylon webbing are economical and washable, but a well-made leather leash can last throughout your puppy’s life.

    Crate

    • Three types of crates are wire, plastic and soft fabric. If used correctly, a crate will eventually become a place where your puppy feels secure and comfortable. Put soft bedding and safe toys inside the crate, and never use it as a place for punishment. Puppies grow fast, so consider a crate that will fit your dog when it is full-grown. Use a divider to block off part of the crate to create a cozy space for your puppy. "A crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up to its full height, turn around, lie down and stretch out comfortably," according to RaisingSpot.com.

      (http://www.raisingspot.com/adopting/choosing-puppy-crate)

    Bedding

    • Your puppy needs a soft cozy place to sleep.

      Choose bedding for a puppy that is soft, comfortable and washes and dries easily. Any dog bed should have a removable outer cover that you can clean. Your puppy may need extra comforting during its first few nights. A hot-water bottle wrapped in towels and a ticking clock may soothe your puppy at bedtime, as will a piece of material with the scent of its mother, litter mates or previous caretaker.

    Toys

    • Puppies mouth and chew on things, so buy a few toys that are as indestructible as possible, puppy-safe and interesting enough to encourage your new puppy to chew on its toys rather than on your belongings. Chewing is a natural behavior that exercises a puppy's jaws, keeps its teeth and gums healthy and relieves the pain of teething.

    Grooming

    • Grooming your puppy gently will help get it used to being touched all over its body. Puppy grooming tools include a soft bristle or pin brush, flea comb, nail clippers or dremel tool, finger toothbrush or soft dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

    Confinement: Doggy Doors, Gates and Barriers

    • Baby gates are good for keeping your puppy out of rooms you don't want it to get into or for keeping it confined for safety or house-training reasons. A puppy pen is a useful place for your puppy to be when you do not want to put it in a crate. PedigreePups.com warns that you should “not allow your puppy to run free in your car when you travel with it.” You can use a crate, seat restraint or barrier to confine your puppy while it is in the car.