1.
Puppy
or dog food: Make sure that you have
some of the same type of food the dog hasbeen eating. If you want to change to a
different food, do so later. If you change now, abruptly, your dog could suffer gastrointestinal
upset, including diarrhea. Not a good wayto start out in a new home! Call the breeder,
rescue group, or shelter and find out what your new dog is used to eating.
2.
Food
and water bowls: Have a couple of
unspillable water bowls and decide where youwant them. Choose a place where you won’t be
upset if he splashes and dribbles water. The bathroom is often a good spot, or a corner of
the kitchen where you won’t trip over it. You also want to have a big water container outside.
Metal bowls work well, are unbreakable, and are easy to clean.
3. Identification:
Pick up a temporary collar
tag for your new dog. There are tags on which you can handwrite your name and phone number.
This will serve until you decide on your new dog’s name and can get an engraved tag. Your
dog also needs a microchip (a permanent identification chip that is injected under the
skin), but you can talk to the veterinarian about that on your dog’s first visit.
4.
Collar
and leash: Pick up a nice, soft collar
that buckles for your dog’s everyday wear. His identification tag should be
attached to this collar. A 4- or 6-foot leash is fine for walking the dog and
for beginning his training.
5. Crate: A crate will serve as your dog’s bed for the first two to three years of his life.
It also will keep him safe when you travel and will
provide him with a place that’s all his. The crate should be big enough for him to stand up, turn
around, and lie down, but not so big that he can relieve himself in it and get away from
the mess. You may need to buy a couple of crates as your puppy gets bigger. You can place
an old towel in the bottom of the crate; don’t buy a cushion or bed, as those will get chewed
up during puppyhood.
6.
Baby
gates and X-pens: Baby gates and X-pens
(foldable, portable exercise pens found at pet stores) are wonderful ways to
limit a puppy’s ability to wander around the house. Baby gates can block off
hallways, and X-pens can fence off portions of rooms.
7.
Toys:
Your dog will need a few
toys to help keep him busy. A few chew toys, such as goodquality rawhides and
bones, will give him something to chew on. A couple of interactivetoys, like a
Kong or a food-dispensing toy, will keep him occupied when you have to leave him
alone. Image source
8.
Grooming
tools: Your puppy needs some basic
grooming tools, including nail trimmer, shampoo, toothbrush and baking soda, soft pin
brush, and comb. Depending on your dog’s breed, he may need more tools
9.
Cleaning
supplies: Your new puppy or dog will
make messes. He may have housetraining accidents until he learns where to go to
relieve himself. He may get overexcited and throw up or might spill his water.
He will definitely track in mud from outside, and, at some point, he will chew
up something he shouldn’t. So, be prepared to clean up anything.
10. Pooper scooper: You will need a pooper scooper (available at pet stores) or a
shovel and rake to clean up after your dog in the backyard. You can use plastic
bags to pick up after him on walks—either the commercially available
bags made for this purpose or plastic grocery or newspaper bags.
Credits: The Howell Book of Dogs
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