New Puppy Checklist: Gear You’ll Need for Your New Dog

Before you welcome a new puppy into your home, you’ll need to make sure your space is ready for them. Puppies require a lot of attention and care, so making a checklist of what you’ll need is suggested, and picking up these basics for your new puppy is a great place to start.

Best Puppy Starter Kit

Personalized Puppy Box

This starter set of essentials from the American Kennel Club is perfect for your new pup! It’s filled with toys and treats that customers love, as well as a free download of AKC’s New Puppy Guide. Whether you’re buying it for your new dog or giving it as a gift, this Puppy Box has all of the things, advice, and tips you need for your puppy’s first year.

Best Food & Water Bowls for Puppies

Neater Feeder Deluxe Elevated & Mess-Proof Dog Bowls

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For a dinner time that’s mess-free, consider Neater’s elevated feeding set. It comes with two stainless steel bowls for water and feeding, and it is lifted slightly for easier eating and less mess. Plus, raised walls and drainage holes mean your floors stay clean.

Customers reported these secure bowls don’t spill, but they may be on the smaller side for big pups.

Best Elevated Puppy Bed

K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot Elevated Pet Bed

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An elevated bed is good for keeping your pup lifted and is helpful for teaching different cues. This one from K&H Pet Products has a removable, washable cover and is waterproof. Depending on the size you choose, it can hold up to 200 pounds and last well beyond the puppy stage.

Reviewers praised this bed and highlighted its ability to stand up to strong puppy chewers.

Best Soft Puppy Bed

Best Friends by Sheri Calming Shag Vegan Fur Donut Cuddler

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Your puppy will sink into this adorable donut bed. The oval size makes it easy for pups to curl up, while the bumpers around the outside provide head support. The Best Friends bed is made with soft, faux-shag fur and is safe for washers and dryers.

Pups love cuddling in this soft bed, but some consumers warn of wear and tear after repeated use.

Best Crate for Puppies

MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate

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This crate comes in multiple sizes, which is great (since crates have to be replaced as dogs grow). It’s secure, durable, and easy to assemble.

Shoppers praised this crate, though some wished the door moved a little more smoothly.

Best Puppy Training Leash

PetSafe Cotton Dog Training Lead

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Designed for medium and large dogs, this nylon training leash is 15 feet long and perfect for distance training and walks in the backyard and park. A nickel-plated clip will resist twisting when attached to a collar.

Reviewers rave that this leash worked well during training, especially for heavier and larger dogs.

Best Toothbrush and Toothpaste for Puppies

Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Finger Brush Dog Toothbrush

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Oral health is essential to a new puppy, but getting a toothbrush into their mouth might be a little challenging. These finger brushes are a little less overwhelming, and can even soothe your dog’s mouth in the process.

Reviewers love how quick and easy it is to use with dog toothpaste.

Best Puppy Training Pads

Kocho Potty Pads

Kocho’s absorbent training pads are necessary for avoiding accidents. They are thicker than normal pads with four layers of activated carbon that absorb odors and liquids and quickly dry.

Puppy potty pads are a bit like diapers for your dog, and we don’t recommend cutting corners on quality.

Best Treats

Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Treats

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These treats are the perfect motivation for puppies during training, and they’re a healthy choice, too. These chicken liver treats are made in the USA, with no artificial colors or flavors, and only have three calories per treat.

Pup owners indicate that these soft, crumbly treats are puppy pleasers, and well worth the price.

Best Puppy Collar

Blueberry Pet 3M Spring Pastel Polyester Reflective Dog Collar

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Your new puppy will need a soft, adjustable collar. This cushioned collar has buckles made out of eco-friendly plastic and 3M reflective threads sewn into it to provide visibility.

Reviewers enjoy the sturdy Blueberry collar for its reflectivity, safety, and style.

Best Puppy Nail Trimmer

Boshel Dog Nail Clippers

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A good-quality nail trimmer is essential, so choose one that’s been recommended by animal trainers and veterinarians. It has a safety guard (so you don’t cut too deep) and non-slip, ergonomic handles.

The Boshel trimmer works well on thick nails. However, some customers say they were a bit too dull for their particular pup.

Best Puppy Brush

Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush

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This soft, rubber bristle brush is appropriate for both massages and baths. Your puppy will look and feel great with a brushed coat and improved blood circulation. The Furbliss brush is also easy to clean as it rinses with water.

Individuals appreciate that the brush works well both wet and dry, and is gentler than metal bristles.

Best Puppy Shampoo

TropiClean Hypo-Allergenic Gentle Coconut Puppy & Kitten Shampoo

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Help your puppy enjoy bath time with this gentle puppy shampoo. TropiClean’s shampoo is ideal for puppies’ sensitive skin, especially since it’s hypoallergenic, dye-free, paraben-free, and pH-balanced. Plus, its fragrance isn’t overpowering.

Reviewers highly recommend this shampoo, stating that it leaves fur soft and smelling fantastic.

Best Puppy Gate

Carlson Pet Products Tuffy Expandable Gate with Pet Door

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Keep your puppy safely contained with this gate, which conveniently has a small eight-by-eight-inch pet door. No tools are needed to install this extendable gate. It’s made out of non-toxic materials and has a safety lock.

The well-constructed Carlson gate garners good reviews, though some had to make adjustments to the pet door to make it work.