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Before bringing your new puppy home, it's important to understand the responsibility you're forever committing to.
They'll need basic supplies like a bed, collar, and leash, as well as specific things like dog toothpaste and shampoo to stay healthy.
As someone who's had a dog for 15 years, here are 22 things I'd recommend having when you're ready to bring your pup home.
My good friend was recently inducted into the puppy parenthood society when she brought home a spunky Aussie doodle named Maggie (pictured above).
Meeting Maggie reminded me of my own dog Max, who was a mere pup 15 years ago. One time, he pooped on the hardwood floors while my parents were out frantically buying supplies at the last minute, so I scooped him up and kept him in the bathtub while I cleaned up the mess with paper towels.
How hypocritical of me to preach about preparedness while I'm sticking my puppy in the bathtub, right? Well, I learned from my mistakes so you won't repeat them.
Making the decision to get a puppy — or any pet — shouldn't be taken lightly. They're living, breathing creatures that rely on us to take care of them, and that could be a lot of work. If you've done your research and come to the conclusion that your heart, home, and wallet are ready for the life-long commitment, then your next steps are to puppy-fy your home with all the proper supplies.
Here are 22 essentials like crates, training tools, and toys you should have before bringing your new puppy home:
Food and water bowls don't need to be fancy, but they should definitely be functional. Many puppies will be confused or intrigued when they first encounter bowls, so rubber bottoms will help keep them in place while your new puppy gets acquainted to them.
At the very least, your puppy should have identification tags attached to their collar or harness when they're outside in case they get loose. Customize it with important information like their name and your contact information so someone can easily find you and return your pup.
Depending on the size and breed of your puppy, you might want to opt for a harness instead of a collar. Harnesses are a great alternative for dogs with sensitive tracheas, like pugs and Boston terriers. This harness from Puppia is both breathable and weather resistant. Read more about it in our guide to the best dog harnesses.
Depending on the size of their puppy, many new dog parents will opt to potty train their new puppy on a potty pad. These can be helpful during the first several months with your new puppy.
Once your new puppy is ready, you can start leash training and working on recall. A long leash will give your pup just the right amount of slack, and keeps you from buying multiple leashes while training.
Clickers are simple and painless tools that can be used when training your new puppy. The sound of the click followed by a treat helps your puppy learn to associate positive actions with rewards.
A package of treats specifically for training
Zuke's
Zuke's Mini Naturals, available at Chewy and Amazon, from $4.49
Treats can be good to have on hand when teaching your new puppy basic commands like sit and stay, or tackling a larger task like walking on a leash. Zuke's are small and soft, so they're easy to eat and won't fill up your puppy during training sessions.
A simple collar is important for securing your puppy's ID tag. But a cute collar does double duty — it makes your pup look even more adorable in photos.
A puppy play pen
Chewy
Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen, available at Chewy and Amazon, from $34.99
X-pens can be used inside or outside to create a designated space for your puppy. Pens still allow your puppy freedom to move around, while also giving you to control over where they go. They're also great if you're introducing them to grass, or bringing guests into your home for the first time so they can get used to new humans.
Dog food designed for puppies
Amazon
Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, available at Chewy and Petco, $14.48
Once puppies are old enough to consume dry food, they should be eating a formula designed for growth like Purina Pro Plan. Depending on the breed of your dog, they should consume puppy formula until anywhere from 9 months to 24 months old. Check out our guide to the best dog food for more suggestions.
Just like newborn babies, puppies will teethe while their adult canines grow in. The ridges and bumps on this toy will help soothe growing pains and simultaneously clean plaque and tartar.
A pet gate to block off doorways
Amazon
Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through Pet Gate, available at Amazon and Chewy, $39.99
It's not uncommon for new pet owners to want to keep certain rooms off-limits like kitchens or bathrooms, especially if you have a little thief on your hands. Simple pet gates can block off doorways while still allowing easy entrance and exits for us humans.
Plush toys can help encourage a more active playtime. This one features a squeaky center that stimulates natural instincts and can grab dogs' attention quickly and easily. For more ideas, see our guide to the best dog toys.
A gentle shampoo for washing
Chewy
Burt's Bees Tearless Puppy Shampoo, available at Chewy and Target, from $5.19
Just like babies, puppies should be washed with a gentle formula shampoo that won't irritate their skin or damage their coat. This Burt's Bees puppy shampoo has buttermilk to help soothe and soften skin, honey to help retain moisture, and a pH-balanced formula to help avoid dry skin.
A versatile brush that won't damage your puppy's coat
A puppy's coat can be finer and more delicate than when they're full grown. The type of hair or fur your puppy has also greatly depends on the breed of dog they are, so short-haired dogs like pugs will need a bristle brush while long-haired dogs like golden retrievers will need a pin brush. Read more about the best dog brushes.
A pet-safe stain and odor remover
Amazon
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator, available at Chewy and Walmart, $19.97
Accidents happen, and they're going to happen a lot when you bring home a new puppy. This stain and odor remover can help keep your floors, carpets, and couches fresh.
When brushing your puppy's teeth, you should use toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs. Human toothpaste can contain ingredients that might be harmful to your pet if they accidentally ingest it. Plus, the toothpaste is often flavored like beef or chicken, which is far more enticing than mint. Check out our buying guide to the best dog toothpaste, toothbrushes, and chews for more products.
A full stock of scented waste bags
Earth's Best
Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags, available at Walmart and Chewy, $6.99
You'll need plenty of waste bags to clean up after your puppy on walks. These ones from Earth Rated are scented with lavender to help shield nature's smell.
A waste bag holder that can be attached to their leash