We have put together a list of pet supplies that we suggest you should obtain prior to bringing your puppy home. You can purchase most of the items at a local store near you. (They are only suggestions that we believe will make the transition easier for both you and your new puppy)
1. Time (Make sure you have the time to train your puppy, set and follow a routine)
2. Quality food – we use Diamond naturals – Small Breed Puppy. (You can get it at Menards, Fleet Farm, Chewy.com, and Tractor Supply)
3. Wire crate with adjustable wire panel so that the crate can grow with your puppy OR a plastic dog create
4. Wire crate cover (some dogs prefer their crate to be covered- it is not needed)
5. Dog crate bed (it goes in both types of dog crates and makes it more comfortable than laying on the hard metal / plastic floor- may be beneficial to get one that is machine washable)
6. Dog Bed (so your puppy has their own place outside of their crate)
7. Dog Food & Water Bowls (I like to have the 2-in-1 set up for our dogs personally but you can get separate bowls if that is what you like)
8. Dog collar with ID Tag
9. Dog Harness with a Vehicle Seat Belt Device (I advise when traveling with your puppy you have them in their crate or in a harness with the seat belt for the safety of your puppy)
10. Leash for your dog (I recommend not using the retractable kind until your puppy is leash trained because it can cause excessive pulling when on a regular leash)
11. Puppy Shampoo & Conditioner (I personally love the earthbath brand because it has worked well for me and it smells amazing)
12. Slicker Brush (I personally like to get the self cleaning one that is pictured. These are much easier to clean than the original ones)
13. Metal Comb (there are many different styles of combs, but personally I like having the two sizes of teeth on the single comb)
14. Baby Playpen (I use this in many different aspects, but usually it helps us contain our puppies in one spot whether we are cleaning or need to keep them out of a certain area)
15. Potty Pads or a Pet Potty Area (I recommend using either potty pads or a pet potty area for your new puppy, until they have all of their vaccines, if you live in an area that your puppy would have to share its potty area. I’m recommending this because there is a change of the shared potty area containing Parvovirus and we do not want any puppy to come down with it, because it is fatal in most cases.)
16. TOYS! (I personally like to get an array of toys from each category, and the puppy will choose what they like best) The KONG Company divides toys into five categories: Training Toys, which help dogs know what’s OK to chew on and helps with teething. Treat-dispenser / enrichment toys, which help fight off boredom and provide mental stimulation. Interactive toys, which build the bond between you and your dog and include items used in fetch and tug, for example. Self-amusement toys, which are usually stronger, more durable toys that dogs can play with while home alone. Comfort toys, which typically are plush toys, but can be any item with which the dog bonds and often sleeps with.
17. TREATS & BONES! (Here are some pictures of the brands of treats and bones we like to give). Please note, we strongly recommend you speak with your veterinarian before giving any treats. We suggest you wait two weeks post adoption to allow your new puppy to settle into their new home.
