You have done your research on the type of dog you want and you’ve found the perfect pup. You have an appointment all set to bring him home but this is your first puppy or it’s been a while so you’re wondering what you’ll need to provide your pup with all of the things they will need in order to have a safe and happy life. Let’s start with the essentials. The first thing you will need is a leash, a collar, and a harness. 

The absolute worst type of leash you can get is a retractable leash. Many dogs have lost their lives darting out into the street because their owners used a retractable leash. If that wasn’t enough to convince you to get a classic leash you can look up the dangers of a retractable leash and perhaps the missing fingers or the festered rope burns on legs that were in a tangle will convince you. There are rope leashes, chain leashes (for dogs who like to chew on their leashes), and nylon leashes. All of them have their pros and cons. It is really a matter of personal comfort. Don’t forget the poop bags! 

Regardless of what type of leash you get, be sure to always secure it to the D ring on the harness or collar and not on the dog tag ring that can spring open. The identity tag should have your dog's name, your name, and your phone number. Remember to update the tag if your information changes. It is also important to keep an up-to-date rabies tag on the tag ring. If the jingling bothers you you can tape them together or buy covers that keep them quiet.
When it comes to collars and harnesses you will want to make sure that you get a collar or a harness that is comfortable for your dog to wear. If you choose to use a collar you will want to make sure that it fits snuggly but not too tightly. The general rule of thumb for this is that you should be able to slide two fingers between your dog's collar and their neck. You definitely don’t want your pup slipping their collar or their harness while you are on a walk. There are several types of harnesses that you can buy, depending on your needs, but the harnesses that clip the leash on the front chest of the dog seem to be better for dogs that pull.  Puppies grow rapidly so you will want to check on the fit of both the collar and the harness regularly. Next, thinking about bringing your new pup home, you will want to make sure that they have a safe ride. 

There are seat belts that clip to your dog's harness (never clip them to a collar) and car crates or fixed car kennels. Whatever you do, it is not safe for you or your pet to just let your pet remain loose in the car. 

Once you get home, you will need to make sure you have two bowls. One for food and one for water. It is best if you get non-skid stainless steel bowls. They are easy to clean and, unlike a plastic bowl, they don’t harbor bacteria. Stainless steel also won’t break like ceramic or glass. If you notice that your puppy just inhales their food you can get a slow feeder bowl. There are plastic slow feeders or puzzle bowls but I always recommend the stainless slow feeders. They usually work well enough, especially for a puppy.

Talk to your vet about the type of food that you should feed to your pup. They are the best source for what is best. Your pup might experience some diarrhea as they get used to their new home and new food. Just add pumpkin to their food and that should help. Treats are another important thing to have on hand, especially for a puppy in training. Look for training treats and treats that are made in the USA Stay away from foreign-made treats, especially jerky treats and raw hides. Again, your vet knows what is best when it comes to treats.

Make sure that your puppy has safe, age-appropriate toys too. Be sure to select toys carefully in order to avoid toys that are too small or splinter easily. Chew toys provide mental stimulation as well as the help that they offer for a teething pup. For more information on teething puppies be sure to check out The Trouble with Teething

You will want to get a crate for your puppy to keep them safe when you are asleep or not at home. For a growing puppy, you will want one that grows with the pup. You can get a crate that comes with a divider to make the crate smaller when they are young and then it “grows” with the pup. If the crate is too large the puppy won’t feel bad about sleeping on one end and going potty on the other. In order to help with potty training, you will want to only give the pup enough room to be able to turn around and lie down. Crates also keep puppies safe from all sorts of mischief like chewing things they shouldn't and having accidents in your home.  They may not seem too gung ho at first but you can get a Snuggle Puppy or another type of toy that recreates the heartbeat of their littermates and gives the pup something to snuggle with while you try to sleep. You can give your pup a bed or a mat to sleep on but if you notice the dog chewing the bed or having accidents it is best to let them just sleep on the pan that comes with the crate. It is certainly better to sleep on the pan without a bed or blanket than to swallow bedding and get a blockage that can be quite harmful. Most dogs end up loving their crates and will even go into them with the door left open during storms or at other times when they need comfort.

Speaking of comfort, you will need some grooming supplies to not only help your pup look their best but to also keep the smell and the shedding down to a minimum. Nail clippers, brushes, dog shampoo, and dog toothbrushes are all things that will be needed to help you take care of your new pet. Dish liquid and human shampoo can be too strong and strip too much oil from your dog’s skin so it is important to buy a shampoo that is meant for your dog's skin and coat. These shampoos are often formulated to actually help cut down on shedding.