Your Definitive New Puppy Shopping List
This is your first dog as an adult. What the heck do you need? The ethos of The Naked Dog is that you don’t need much. Dog stores will try to sell you the world. When I was a new dog owner I went wild buying things. It’s fun! Who doesn’t like shopping. Enjoy the bounty of offerings. OR save your money for hiring a good trainer and get only the essentials.
After I got a call from a soon to be puppy owner, I wrote up A Definitive Puppy Shopping List. See below for why I feel these are the essentials (and what you can get cheaper off Amazon.)
Crate:
This is 10000% essential. It’s essential for house breaking and for safety. Your dog will be in a crate at the vet, at the groomer, on a plane and they should be crated when you aren’t home until they are 2-3 years old to keep them safe and comforted. The only people who don’t like the crate are the ones who move too fast in the training process, which is why you should follow my guide. Get one in your local “Buy Nothing” group, FB marketplace, craigslist, a thrift store or a neighborhood message board. I recommend using a sheet from Goodwill to cover it, not a blanket - keep it breathable while still giving your dog a comfy closed in feeling - like a hug! I also recommend putting Goodwill towels in instead of a dog bed. A dog can push towels aside if they are hot and they are easy to wash if they are soiled or throw out if they get chewed up.
Dog bowls:
I like metal over ceramic because they won’t break!
Dog Beds:
Beds are earned - not given. Remember dogs have been sleeping on dirt for thousands of years and some adult dogs grow up to prefer carpet or tile. Harley loved the round fluffy bed, and I find dogs also love beds with a raised edge they can rest their chin on to a flat one. If your puppy is chewing beds, keep a good eye on them and pick beds up when you can’t watch them.
Grooming:
The time is now to start introducing your dog to how they will be handled. Check out my 1 hr puppy video or instagram highlights to see how I desensitize. Move slowly, but work on it every day. You will want a brush or grooming gloves, nail clippers, a tooth brush and shampoo.
Chews:
Puppies chew!! Give them a toy to chew on and make sure you always have something handy in each room in case you see they need to let some energy out and have accidentally grabbed something of yours. I like Nylabones, Bully sticks and puppy chews. Beware anything with stuffing or go for a very solid Kong toy that is harder to destroy.
Collars and leashes:
Get a collar with an ID tag on your puppy right away and start using the leash in the house - not on the walk. You can use string and let your puppy drag it so they are always easy to grab. If your puppy isn’t housebroken, use the bells to hear if they suddenly trot off to relieve themselves in another room. Be sure to keep sizing up as your dog grows! You can also ping a Buy Nothing group or hit up a thrift store for collars that won’t be hard to part with.
That’s it! Start minimal.
Training is a far better investment and one that will last the lifetime of your pup.
That tiny nose though. I die. BRB getting another Dachshund puppy….
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