Puppy Supplies 101

Before adopting Harvey, Josh and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what we “needed” to do and purchase before bringing home a puppy. And of course there are dozens of online sources with lists of things they believe you need to have handy for your new puppy, but I have discovered some things that they forgot. For those of you who have not started figuring out what to get, I will include the basic stuff as well. In fact, let’s start there:

·         Collar- This seems like an obvious one, but it can be hard to get the right size before having your puppy with you. In my opinion, estimate. You need to be able to get them from Point A to Point B and the collar is necessary for that.

·         Leash- This can be your preference but consider your dog. If you are getting a big dog, chances are one of those retractable leashes will get broken right away. I prefer the good old nylon leashes.

·         Food- This is a tricky one because not all dog food brands are good and researching them is difficult with all kinds of conflicting sources. We used www.dogfoodadvisor.com to decide and chose Blue Buffalo.

·         Treats- For training/good behavior.

·         Bowls- You have to have a place to put their food and water.

·         Toys- Chew toys, stuffed toys, smart toys, I highly recommend a variety of toys and definitely a Kong brand toy. Puppies chew and the more of their own stuff they have to go after, the less likely they will choose your favorite tennis shoe. (Side note- don’t give them something that looks like something they can’t have, for instance a holey sock. Your dog isn’t going to realize you gave it to them because it had a hole and will go after your other socks).

·         Crate- Again, know your dog breed and estimate how big they will get since buying multiple crates can get expensive.

·         Dog bed- This one is again your preference. Most dogs demolish beds while they are puppies so it may not be worth the money until the chewing stops. We gave Harvey an old comforter that we folded up and an old pillow. So far, no damage so we may buy him a bed.

·         Car seat/seat protectors- If you want to take your dog places, do so safely and plan ahead. There are gates, seat covers, and even dog car seats so you can choose what fits your needs.

·         Soap- Your puppy may not smell super awesome after you bring him home or after outdoor play so pick up some puppy friendly soap.

Now for the things you may not realize you need:

·         Poop bags- Or some other way to clean up after your dog goes.

·         Laundry detergent- The day we picked up Harvey I made a huge batch of detergent (yes, made). Mainly it was because Josh and I were out, but I have done several loads of laundry because of Harvey having accidents, using towels after baths, or toweling him off after going out in the rain and mud. (Here is the detergent recipe: http://aprons-n-pearls.blogspot.com/2012/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html)

·         Paper towels- Accidents happen and if you have never tried to soak up pee from your carpet, you probably have no idea how many paper towels you will need. We went through a little over 2 rolls in the first week.

·         Carpet cleaner/floor cleaner- After your puppy has an accident you need to clean it really well so don’t get caught without cleaner. (If you have carpet be aware of the cleaner brand, some can bleach your carpet).

I hope you find this list helpful! I know that Josh and I have needed everything I listed at least once for our first week with Harvey. If you think I missed something, let me know!