Congratulations! You’ve just made one of the best decisions of your life (probably!) You’ve listened to the kids’ very persuasive arguments, spent hours researching which breed best suits your family and finally settled on a name…now you’re getting a puppy. So what now? It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of bringing a new pup home, so we’ve put together a list of 10 puppy essentials to ensure you get off to the best start.
Puppy Essentials #1: Dog Bed
It goes without saying that puppies sleep a lot, sometimes up to 20 hours per day. Therefore, you’re going to need somewhere suitable for your puppy to rest its adorable little head. It’s hard to go wrong when choosing a bed, but we’d recommend something appropriately sized, chew proof and easily cleaned.
Puppy Essentials #2: Food & Water Bowls
A good set of bowls for food and water should be next on your list of puppy essentials. There are lots of different types of dog bowls available, from plastic, to metal and even automatic dog feeders. Whilst you don’t need to blow the bank here, choosing something that’ll last and suits your dog’s needs is key.
Puppy Essentials #3: Travall Guard
If you’re someone who likes to travel with your dog, a dog guard is a great investment for your vehicle. It will prevent your excited pup from jumping into the interior and causing havoc as you drive. Although universal guards are available, these are often difficult to fit and cause an irritating rattling as you drive. The Travall Guard on the other hand ensures a precise fit with zero gaps, thanks to its vehicle-specific design and premium steel construction. If this’ll be your second dog, or you later decide you want another, the Travall Divider is a great addition. It works seamlessly with the Guard to separate your boot into two separate areas.
Puppy Essentials #4: Crate
Throughout your research, you may have come across the term ‘crate training’. Put simply this is the process of familiarising your dog with its cage to the point where they feel comfortable and safe inside of it. This gives them a place of their own and somewhere they feel secure. When it comes to leaving your new four-legged friend on his own, you’ll also thank yourself for persevering with crate training, as you will be confident in the knowledge that your dog (and your furniture) will remain safe. The ideal crate should allow your dog to stand up and move around, as well as accommodate any bedding. It’s best to start crate training as soon as possible and there are also plenty of guides online to help you get started.
Puppy Essentials #5: Collar & Leash
This one should almost go without saying, but a decent collar and leash are certainly one of the most important puppy essentials. When they’re not sleeping most puppies are like little bundles of energy, so it’s crucial to give them regular walks to wear them out and give them the exercise they need. As with most pet accessories there are lots of options, from standard collars to special harnesses. We’d recommend taking a trip to your local pet shop to see what’s best for your pup.
Puppy Essentials #6: Identity Tag & Microchip
As a new dog owner, you may not have realised that since 1992 it has been a legal requirement to ensure your dog wears a collar or tag bearing the owner’s name and address for easy identification. In addition, as of 2016 microchipping is compulsory in order to reduce the number of strays. This must be done before the puppy is 8 weeks old and is a simple procedure performed by a vet. Failing to microchip your new dog could result in a £500 fine, so should be high on your to-do list!
Puppy Essentials #7: Travall CargoMat
For some dogs, travelling by car for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience. This is especially true for puppies, who are generally a bit more anxious. As a result, it’s a good idea to install a boot liner in your vehicle, to make cleaning up any unfortunate accidents clean and easy. They also help to make muddy paw prints in your boot a thing of the past. As the Travall CargoMat is vehicle-specific, it’s easy to install and is perfectly contoured to fit your vehicle. Its waterproof design also features a raised outer lip to catch any liquid until you get home.
Puppy Essentials #8: Chew Toys
To keep your new pup entertained, as well as aid their normal development, the next item on your list of puppy essentials should be toys. There are millions to choose from, but the best types for puppies are chew toys. These will keep their teeth clean, help to relieve sore gums from incoming teeth and develop their strong jaws.
Puppy Essentials #9: Food & Treats
Puppies grow a lot faster and tend to be much more active than mature dogs. For this reason it’s important to offer them a healthy, nutritional diet that will give them the energy they need, whilst being easily digested. You will have noticed that there are countless varieties of dog food available in supermarkets, all of varying quality. Remember to do your research and try a few different varieties until you find the best match for your pup. Treats are great for rewarding good behaviour and are an invaluable tool when it comes to positive reinforcement. Try to use them sparingly and remember that treats should be earned. To avoid damaging your puppy’s teeth, stick to treats that are softer and choose those with fewer preservatives to aid with digestion.
Puppy Essentials #10: Poo Bags
Last but not least on our list of puppy essentials is poo bags. We hope this was an obvious one, but if you’re new to owning a dog it could easily be overlooked. It’s a good idea to have a few in your coat pocket, so you can clean up after your pup does his business.
So there you have our list of the top 10 puppy essentials, which offers a good starting point. All of these items will make your life easier when you welcome your cute little puppy to your home. As a new dog owner, you might want to check out some more of our dog posts, which are all available here.
