Crate with Divider (Tip: Don’t get a crate pad. They look like pee pads! Instead, put a heartbeat pillow in with your pup for cozy comfort and always give your pup something fun to do in the crate like a Kong or Bully Stick. )
Pen and/or Baby Gates
- Lightweight pen – easy to move and store
- Sturdy pen with removable panels (can configure into square, hexagon, rectangle, or octagon)
- Wooden Pen (stylish!)
Big plush dog bed (that looks nothing like a pee pad). Find some stylish options here.
Pee Pads & Pad Tray (if you are pad training)
Freshpatch grass pad or Bark Potty for elimination (optional – this is a great alternative to pee pads) or
Enzymatic Cleaner & Paper Towels
Tether (optional). If you know you’ll want your pup to hang out near you in specific locations (next to the couch on a bed, for instance) a tether that you can place semi-permanently or permanently is very convenient. This way you don’t have to constantly hook and unhook the leash from your furniture. Tethers can be mounted on the wall, under closed doors, and around heavy furniture.
Travel Bag. If you’ll be flying with your pup in cabin, make sure to get a carrier that is airline approved. If flying isn’t of concern to you, there are many carriers in a large variety of shapes and sizes. You’ll be using this bag a lot in the city – for socialization, to take your pup on the subway, into cabs, and onto Metro North or the Long Island Railroad.
Collar and 4-6 foot leash
Identification Tags With Pups Name, Your Number, and “Reward” or “Needs RX” engraved
Harness (optional)
Husbandry Items: Nail clippers, Brush (this curry brush is a nice starter brush, but make sure to get tools appropriate for your dog’s coat), baby wipes (don’t waste money on expensive “pet wipes”), ear flush, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner
A way to keep track of your pups daily schedule. I recommend clients dedicate one notebook for schedule/house training tracking.
A clicker! If you’re my client, I will give you a few.
Puppy appropriate food – whatever your pup has been eating AND what you’ve decided you’d like your pup to eat. Make a gradual transition onto your preferred food.
A variety of treats: zukes minis, wellness pure bites, dehydrated (made in america) jerky style treats, cheese, deli meat, peanut butter, cream cheese (starters for stuffing Kongs)
Chews & Toys: etta says! chews, bully sticks, grab bag of assorted chews, teething keys, Plush toy, Rope toy, Squeaker toy, Ball (but no tennis balls which wear away at tooth enamel), Tug toy. It’s essential to give your pup lots of options for appropriate exploration, teething, and chewing so they develop a chew preference for appropriate items, IE: not your couch).
Work To Eat & Puzzle Toys: Kongs (4 – minimum), Busy Buddy Twist & Treat, Interactive Feeder, Omega Paw Treat Ball. Notice that I didn’t put a bowl on this list? That was intentional! Use these instead. Want more puzzle toys? Look here.
To help your new pup feel safe:
Adaptil Diffuser, plugged in near crate/pen area
Petzu Heartbeat Pillow with Heat Option
A camera with a live feed such as Yi Home – make sure your pup is comfortable and happy while you’re gone. Verify your dog walker (or dog trainer) arrives on time and follows your instructions. De-stress during a break at work to watch your pup snuggled soundly.
Pet Health Insurance has come a long way and covers everything from wellness visits to specialist appointments and surgery. I will always say yes to medical care regardless of cost (as long as my dog has a good quality of life) so for me this is a must and has been worth the monthly expense. Having a sick pet is difficult enough – I never want to deny my dog good care because of finances.
A veterinarian. Our NYC veterinarians provide fear-free puppy care.
The dog decoder app and/or The Language of Dogs DVD… IE: your canine translator so you can quickly learn to understand how your dog is feeling and what your dog is saying.
A pet sitter, dog walker, or dog trainer for mid-day visits to assist with house training while you’re at work. Some dog trainers (like me) will also help socialize your puppy and teach manners while you’re at work.
A dog trainer! Many of my clients call me before their puppies arrive. We set up the pups area, define goals and house rules, write a customized schedule for house training and proactive positive socialization, and go over do’s and don’ts to make the first few days and weeks after pups arrival are as easy as possible. There is so much to teach your little one, and guided instruction will save you from pulling your hair out over puppy antics.
Some of my favorite places to shop:
chewy.com – no tax, free shipping. chewy has almost everything and you can set up autoship so your pet supplies arrive when you’re running low
bestbullysticks.com – because odor free bully sticks are ideal
barkshop.com – from barkbox, many of my pups favorite toys can be found here
dogmilk.com – everything dog, stylish. for the discerning pet parent