Recommended Puppy Supplies
Bowls come in all shapes and sizes, and offer solutions to various feeding issues. Good quality stainless bowls are easy to clean and will last for years. We consider the non-tip bowls a MUST HAVE for puppies, and have never had either puppies or adults be able to tip or play with this type of bowl. The puppies might play IN the water bowl, but that's a different story! These bowls also have a silicone ring around the bottom that keeps the bowl from sliding around. 24 - 32 ounce bowls should be about the right size. I have and love the water/food dispenser and they're perfect for multi-pet households. The 1 gallon size is about right for one or two dogs. Wash the bowl part each time you refill it! The neater feeder offers protection for those messy eaters. The Slopper Stopper is a great solutions for dogs who slop water onto the floor around their bowl. Slow feed bowl with maze shaped bottoms help slow down dogs who gobble their food too fast. The "spaniel bowl" is a narrow, deep bowl designed to keep your dog's ears out of the food or water!
For crate size I'd recommend a crate that is about 24 x 36. Your puppy will not outgrow this crate too fast, and it may even be large enough for him as an adult. I have always recommended the wire crates rather than the plastic ones. I think air flow is better with the wire crates and pups can see out and feel less confined. Lately I've been rethinking this, as some say plastic crates are safer to use at least until the pup is crate trained and content in his crate. I can see this point as well, so please research each option. Metal crates are available with one door or two doors. If you get a metal one, look for a crate with two latches on each door. Two latches are safer than just one because it prevents a puppy from pushing the corner and getting his head stuck in the door. Maybe the best idea is to get a smaller plastic crate to use now, then change to a wire one later. Plastic crates hold in the puppy's heat so you may need to put a fan on it if the pup is hot.
So many options for grooming tools! Getting your puppy used to being brushed when he's small will make the job easier when he's big! We like to start with this double sided brush. The bristle side is soft and gentle, and the pin side will get tangles out down to the skin. Look for pins with rounded ends that won't hurt. As your puppy's hair grows, you'll want to be sure you're combing all the way from the skin to the end of the hair, otherwise mats can form. You'll need a better/bigger comb like this one from Petmate. I like one with rotating teeth, and it's nice each half of the comb with different spacing between the teeth. You'll need scissors for a little trimming here and there. I have other more expensive scissors, but these little yellow ones are my favorite. They have a nice rounded safety tip and are super sharp. I have the six inch. If your dog has long hair and you want to try grooming him yourself, you'll need a set of clippers. I have the Andis AGC2 clippers, but for single dog households I know several families have been happy with the Oneisall clipper set and it's a good economical choice. A grooming table isn't necessary, but for me it saves my back and my dogs also sit more still when on the table. After all these years I finally bought this dryer in 2019 - what a game changer! Using the dryer gives my dogs that super fluffy coat that they have when they come home from a professional grooming.
I really like this Iris food storage container. I use the top bin to store my excess dog treats that won't fit in the treat jar, but I just keep it in the cabinet to make scooping food out of the rolling bin easier. I like a ceramic treat jar with a lid that just lifts off. I give treats often and want them easy to access without having to open up a treat box or bag, or unscrew a lid on a treat jar. I can grab a treat in three seconds from this nifty treat jar. A treat pouch is handy for training, and this one comes with a clicker (a necessity!) and a collapsible water bowl. This is a great combo package, especially if you're planning to attend classes with your pup. I like to keep a rubber mat under the food bowl and water dispenser to help protect the floor from drips and dropped food. Check the size so both of your bowls will fit on it. I have 4 of the Bergan wall mounted dog food storage/dispensing bins that are 12 years old, so I can say they hold up well. They aren't the prettiest things, so you'd probably want to hang it in a laundry room, mud room or garage.
I was in doubt about the effectiveness of the Dirty Dog Door Mat until I received one as a gift! They really do help dry your dog's feet. When our dogs come in from outside, I have them sit on the DDDM while I get them a treat, which takes 20 seconds max. That's all that's needed to really reduce the amount of footprints when the dogs step off the mat. Many of our puppies have been trained to ring a bell to go outside. I prefer this type of bell over the kind that hang on a rope or fabric ribbon because this seems easier to ring. The bells on the ribbon (I call that type 'jingle bells") require a pretty solid shake to make them ring. Poop bags...yep, you'll probably need to be armed with some just in case! Get a dispenser that clips to your leash and you'll never be without it. Clicker training is an excellent positive training method that we highly recommend. All that's really needed is a cheap little clicker (here's a 4 pack) and some mini training treats and you're ready!
Dog beds come in all sizes, shapes, colors and prices! It's pretty much guaranteed that any bed you buy for your puppy will not last through adulthood, so don't go overboard on a fancy expensive bed for your puppy . Look for a good quality reasonably priced bed that your pup won't outgrow too fast. The cover should be removable for washing, or there are some that you can throw the whole thing in your washer. We like either a flat type bed or one with a bolster. Instead of fluffy pillow-like filling, we like something more substantial like those that are called orthopedic or have foam inside. For inside your crate you'll want a thinner pad that still has some cushion to it. Once your pup is past the house training and chewing stage you can upgrade to a nicer, prettier, more expensive bed if you'd like. Dog cots are a favorite for our adult dogs, especially in the summer when they're looking for a cool spot to lay. We use these indoors, but they also provide a nice resting place on your porch or patio. The fabric is a mesh so rain passes right through. The Coolaroo brand is a reasonably priced cot that holds up well. We've never had a frame fail on one, but we have had dogs chew on the fabric. Luckily the fabric is replaceable so all is well. A small size should be big enough for your puppy, or go with a medium if you'd like to have one that your pup can use as an adult. If you're up for spending some extra bucks, the ultimate dog cot is Kuranda brand. They are guaranteed to be chewproof for a year, which should just about cover the 'puppy stage'! I like the way the legs are straight down which saves space. If your pup is reluctant to use the cot, try draping a towel over it for a few days.
Please consider these safety items for your puppy. Just like small children, dogs should always sit in the back seat of the car and use a safety harness. An airbag deploying could seriously injure your dog if he is in the front seat. Look for a crash-tested safety harness such as these Kurgos. Water safety is also important if you have a pool or plan to be boating or around lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. If you have a pool, the first thing to teach your puppy is how to get out. Even if your puppy can swim, if he accidentally falls in the pool and can't get out he will eventually become exhausted and drown. Teach him how to use the steps to get out, and if you don't have steps you should get something like this Scamper Ramp product and teach him how to use it. For river, lake, or boating fun your puppy/dog should have a good quality life jacket. If your pup accidentally falls in the water the bright color will keep him visible and the handle will make it easier for you to pull him back into the boat. Again, even if he can swim the life jacket will help him stay afloat if the current carries him away or he can't get to shore.