When my husband and I brought home our first dog in our early 20s, we were utterly clueless about what we were getting ourselves into. Sure, we had pets growing up, but being solely responsible for training and caring for a rambunctious puppy 24/7 is an entirely different ballgame.
Those first few weeks were a whirlwind of emotions – the pure joy of snuggling our tiny pup mixed with utter exhaustion from the constant supervision, house-training accidents, and nipping/biting phases. More than once, I found myself frantically googling “Is this normal puppy behavior?” at 3 am, mentally and physically drained yet filled with guilt for getting frustrated with our new little buddy.
Related: Exploring the Realities of Dog Ownership and the ‘Puppy Blues’ That Come With It
Looking back, there were so many products and must-haves that could have made that newborn puppy stage infinitely easier had I known about them sooner. From sanity-saving toys to training tools, having the right supplies is key when embarking on the crazy journey of puppy parenthood.
So for all you new puppy parents out there feeling just as lost as I once did, here are the items that became my survival kit for making it through those intense early days with my sanity (somewhat) intact. Hopefully, knowing about them ahead of time can spare you some of the overwhelm I experienced!
Pet Insurance
One of my biggest regrets is procrastinating on getting pet insurance when I first brought my pup home. Those early days and months are filled with so many vet visits – from routine wellness checks and vaccinations to puppy ailments like ear infections, allergic reactions, worms…you name it.
There was a week where I dealt with all those listed above – it was ruff. Had I invested in pet insurance upfront, it would have saved me a financial headache on top of the emotional stress I was already enduring.
I now have a policy with Pets Best pet insurance, and I can’t recommend it enough. Knowing I have that safety net to help cover hefty vet bills allows me to take my dogs in for any issue, big or small, without hesitation.
Crate
Crate training is a game-changer for potty training and boundaries. It gave me a break from the constant supervision, while giving my puppy his very own den to call his own.
I admit I was initially hesitant about crate training, thinking it wasn’t right to confine my pup to a small space. But with proper introduction and by never using it as punishment, he quickly came to love his little nest and would even wander in on his own for nap time.
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Snuggle Puppy
Speaking of their crate being a cozy den, one product that made crate training infinitely easier was a Snuggle Puppy toy. I have to thank the person who invented these. The disposable heater and a pulsing heartbeat sound to mimic the reassuring warmth and rhythmic sensation of snuggling with littermates calmed my puppy down in minutes.
No matter how much time I spent with my new pup, leaving that small crated space alone was undoubtedly scary and isolating for him at first. The Snuggle Puppy became his plush surrogate “mom” to snuggle up to, providing a familiar sense of safety and comfort that allowed him to relax and feel at home in his kennel.
Bully Sticks and Holders
Puppy teething is no joke – those tiny needles can cause incredible damage to furniture, shoes, and, well, you! Having an appropriate chew outlet for your land shark is an absolute must for both your belongings and your sanity.
In my experience, bully sticks are the way to go for a long-lasting, relatively mess-free chewing option. They’re a safer alternative to rawhide, which can cause digestive issues if swallowed, or synthetic chews, which may contain plastic and other chemicals you don’t want your pup ingesting.
A word of caution though – puppy jaws are deceptively strong, and those bully sticks can get chewed down rapidly once your furball gets the knack for it. To prevent any choking hazards from them gulping down the last inch or two, I highly recommend using a bully stick holder.
The holders stop your dog from swallowing too large of a piece of bully stick. Trust me, it’s better than the alternative – I’ll never forget the time my first pup swallowed a large piece of bully stick whole, causing him to projectile vomit. Never again!
Puzzle Feeders and Toys
My dog as a puppy and even still will scarf down his food in seconds, leading to some bodily functions that I won’t describe in detail to spare you the graphics.
An easy remedy for this is using a puzzle feeder at mealtime. These fun, mentally-stimulating bowls have mazes, obstacles, and crevices that cause your pup to work for their food piece by piece rather than gulping it down. My dogs love the challenge, and it tires them out. A win-win.
But beyond just slowing their eating, they provide ample mental enrichment. They truly come in handy, especially on those inevitable rainy days, sick days, or just days you need a break, where long walks or extensive playtime isn’t an option.
Lick Mats and Stuffed Kongs
Similarly satisfying for a pup’s mental workout are lick mats and stuffed Kongs. While they might not seem like much, these seemingly simple products can turn a plain old treat into a marathon endeavor for your dog’s brain and senses.
Load up a lick mat’s grooves with a smear of greek yogurt, canned pumpkin or even just their wet dog food, then freeze it for an extra challenging texture to lick clean. It’s downright impressive how long these basic mats can occupy them.
The classic red Kong toy operates on the same mentally-stimulating principle, just in a more three-dimensional package. You can even make a whole “Kong buffet” to cycle through different flavor profiles and textures to really put their sniffer to work.
Training Accessories
Unless you plan to hire a personal dog trainer, having the right tools at home is imperative for effectively teaching your puppy. A basic training kit should include:
- A clicker for precise reward marker training
- A stash of pocket-portable, high-value treats like boiled chicken, hot dogs, cheese, etc. Low-quality store-bought biscuits just won’t cut it for a puppy’s divided attention span.
- Target stick for building focus and heeling
- Portable treat pouch to keep your training rewards concealed yet accessible
I’d also highly recommend a durable front-clip or head harness over a standard flat collar and leash. The advanced control of a harness can make consistent loose-leash walking practice infinitely easier.
And as tempting as it may be to buy that cute studded or rhinestone collar you spot online…please, do yourself a favor and invest in break-away collars and harnesses instead. Active puppies are wriggly escape artists, and you don’t want to risk any dangerous choking situations from a standard collar or harness getting caught on something during play or walks. Their safety is worth prioritizing over fleeting fashion statements.
Interactive and “Smart” Toys
Having a self-sustaining activity or toy to occupy your dog for stretches of time can be a total sanity-saver.
Interactive toys that move erratically or make sounds when touched, like the Wobble Wag Giggle or Cheerble interactive balls, provide entertainment independent of you. Seeing the confusion on my dog’s face as he tried to figure out why this strange object kept scurrying away never failed to crack me up.
Feeling tapped out on trainings or games? Just preset one of these programmable toys, then kick back for a breather while your pup works their brain cells.
Of course, nothing can ever fully replace bonding time, training practice, and good old-fashioned walkies/playtime between you and your fur baby. But having a few smartly-designed, self-operating activities in your arsenal can be a sanity-saver on those days when your patience is wearing thin.
Snuffle Mats
Another type of toy centered around mental stimulation? Snuffle mats! These shaggy, textured pads allow you to hide tiny treats or pieces of dry food throughout the deep fibers for your dog to sniff and forage out.
Tapping into their primal scavenging instincts, snuffle mats promote healthy nosework skills while also providing ample opportunity to put their brain to work. It’s truly amazing how tuckered out my pups would be after an intense snuffle mat session, despite barely moving from the living room floor!
No Chew Spray
Of course, no wishlist of puppy must-haves would be complete without discussing ways to prevent your furry Tasmanian devil from destroying your entire home and belongings.
While supervision is still necessary during the heavy chewing phases, having a few chew deterrent sprays in your back pocket can help reinforce the hands-off approach for furniture, shoes, TV remotes, and other off-limits items.
Grooming Wipes and Tools
Your puppy’s grooming needs are going to vastly outlast their tiny “shark” teeth and chewy phases. From muddy paws leaving trails throughout the house to bathroom accidents to general stinky pup musk requiring a quick freshening up, you’ll want several grooming products and tools on standby.
Specifically, I’d recommend keeping a grooming caddy stocked with:
- Moisture-activated grooming wipes (look for enzyme-based formulas to help dissolve tough smells and stains)
- Dry shampoo powder or foam
- Shed-reducing brushes, combs, deshedding tools
- Nail grinder or clippers
- Ear wipe solution
And let’s be real – even the most devoutly house-trained adult dog is going to have accidents from time to time. When those inevitable potty “oops” happen, paper towels just won’t cut it for the heavy-duty clean-up that’s required.
Invest in a portable spot cleaning machine, preferably designed specifically for pet accidents and equipped with odor-eliminating enzymes and disinfecting formulas. Not only will it attack stains and smells more effectively, but the powerful suction will fully extract liquid messes with minimal elbow grease, instead of just smearing them further into your carpets and floors.
What Not to Buy
Now that I covered some of my favorites, I wanted to share what I avoid and why.
- Rawhide Treats and Bones: Despite their widespread presence in most pet stores, I flat-out do not recommend rawhide products for dogs. As they soften from chewing and digestion, rawhide treats can pose a very real choking or intestinal obstruction hazard in any sized dog. Even the “all-natural” varieties often contain traces of harsh chemical processing and preservatives you don’t want your pup ingesting.
- Plush and Stuffed Toys: Speaking from extensive experience, stuffed animals and plush toys simply do not stand a chance against most puppies’ shredding abilities. Within mere minutes, those adorable furry friends become a pile of loose stuffing and fabric scraps your dog could accidentally ingest (and more for you to clean up). Unless you plan to have ZERO unsupervised playtime ever, these toys are just not worth the potential dangers and constant need to restock.
- Thin Rope and Stringy Toys: Similarly, any toys made of tightly woven fibers like ropes and strings should be avoided. It’s all too easy for those strands to get tangled around your pup’s jaw or wrapped internally if swallowed. If your dog is destructive, opt for thick, single-material rubber toys or bully sticks for chewing that won’t pose an intestinal obstruction risk if small pieces are ingested.
- Retractable Leashes: I’m against retractable leashes for several reasons. First, the extended distances they allow between you and your pup goes against the fundamentals of proper leash training. They also up the risk of your dog slipping their collar and getting loose by pulling against the leash tension. Beyond that, retractable lines can easily get wrapped around objects and pets’ legs, creating an entanglement or fracture hazard when dog tries running full speed. A traditional 4-6 foot leash is just safer all around, especially with a high-energy puppy.
- Puppy Pee Pads: While undeniably convenient for cleaning, in my experience puppy pee pads are much more hassle than they’re worth for house training. They can send mixed signals about where it’s acceptable to go potty and inadvertently reward accidents in the house. In the long run, advanced potty bells or litter box training from the start is a better approach.
- Synthetic Chews: When shopping for durable, long-lasting chews, I’d highly recommend sticking to natural options like bully sticks, antlers, or beef collegen chews over synthetic chew toys made from plastic, nylon or rubber composites. Not only are the real deal safer to ingest if pieces do break off, but their porous textures help scrape tartar as your dog gnaws, too.
Pet-Proof Home
Finally, my last piece of new puppy parent advice – do a thorough sweep of your home and yard for any potential safety hazards or temptations. It’s well worth taking the time to fully pet-proof the environment and remove all opportunities for your pup to get into trouble.
At the absolute minimum, conceal all dangling cords and wires out of reach or behind baby gates, lock up all household cleaners, medicines, and chemicals in a secure cabinet, and install secure lid-locking trash cans. But beyond that, you’ll also want to clear floors and surfaces of any small loose items like kids’ toys, office supplies, spare change, and other “snackables” that could present a choking or intestinal obstruction risk if ingested.
As for the backyard, be sure to thoroughly inspect for any gaps in fencing or gates where a crafty pup could escape, and secure anything they could potentially knock over like garbage cans, potting supplies, outdoor décor, etc. If you have issues with rats, mice, or other furry freeloaders seeking shelter, you may even need to add repellent sprays or humane traps to prevent your puppy from engaging in any risky wildlife altercations.
It may seem like overkill, but better to be over-prepared than face expensive veterinary bills or tragic accidents due to easily-avoidable household puppy hazards.
Pawting Insights
So there you have it – all of the must-have products and items that became indispensable for me during those crazy early days of puppyhood, as well as the not-so-worthwhile buys to avoid. Stock up on these essentials, and you’ll be well on your way to surviving those first chaotic months with your sanity intact!
As intense as the newborn puppy stage can be, I promise it’s only a temporary season. Those sleepless nights and potty training battles don’t last forever. Having the proper tools and preparations in place go a long way toward making the inevitable “puppy blues” easier to cope with, until your little furball matures into the unconditionally loving companion you’ve been dreaming of.
So breathe deep through those difficult phases, be patient with yourself, and cherish all the hilarious cuddle puddle memories amidst the chaos. Before you know it, you’ll be reminiscing about your puppy moments.
Featured Image by Chevanon Photography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-yellow-labrador-retriever-puppies-1108099/
