Your Puppy Equipment list

Watch my video to get my equipment recommendations for new dog parents.

Restricting access

While your puppy is learning to live in your home, and while they’re learning about potty training, you’ll find things easier if you can restrict their access to certain parts of the house.

• Use a Playpen

• Baby gates

• Crate

Feeding your puppy

• Water bowl

• Kong and Puzzle toys to put the food into so your dog has to work for their food. This not only keeps them out of mischief, but it also keeps them entertained while they’re having some alone time.

• Chews including hooves, ears, deer antlers, goat horns - these are also great for alone time training (be sure to discard them when they get small enough to become a choking hazard).

You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned a food bowl here. That’s because I think feeding your dog from a bowl is a wasted training opportunity. Practicing training commands during meal times means your puppy will work for their food and learn that focusing on you is the best thing ever!

Walking your puppy

• Lead

• Collar

• Harness 

• Poop bags

• ID tag with your number and address on it. I have ‘rescued’ numerous dogs who were actually really nearby their own house, but because there wasn’t an address on their tag, I couldn’t just pop them back through the gate. 

Toys for your puppy

Your puppy will need a variety of toys in all different shapes, sizes, and textures. 

If they aren’t automatically drawn to the toys, make the toys more interesting by playing with the toy and your puppy. 

Toys + Parents = A happy puppy!!!

• Rope toys to play tug

• Balls (solid rubber balls are better than tennis balls if your dog likes to destroy things) 

• Soft toys if your dog just likes to fetch and carry things. Avoid soft toys if your dog likes to dissect things because stuffing and plastic parts will be dangerous if swallowed.

Toileting your puppy

• Dog poop compost bin - search youtube for videos on how to make your own. Don’t put their poop in your regular compost bin though!

• Puppy pee pads

• Or an artificial turf toilet

Even if you’re training your puppy to go to the toilet outside, you may want to have some puppy pee pads or an artificial turf toilet available so your puppy can go to the toilet inside their playpen without you having to get up at night or be at home throughout the day. 

Grooming your puppy

• Puppy Shampoo

• Gloves

• Scissors

• Spare towels

• Grooming tools - Take your dog to your local groomer to ask for recommended grooming products for their specific fur type and length.

Bedding for your puppy

You may want to set up a few different sleeping areas around your house, so your dog always has somewhere to go to keep them out of mischief when you’re busy.

Make sure they are washable, especially while your puppy is being toilet trained.

Driving with your puppy

Seatbelt or travel crate

If  you’re not sure what to expect of your puppy during your first few weeks or months together, check out this post What to expect from your new puppy

Do you find that puppy parenting is proving to be more challenging than you anticipated?

Is your adorable bundle of fluff acting like a bit of a maniac at times?

Are they:

·         Refusing to sleep in?

·         Jumping up on you?

·         Destroying all your favourite things?

·         Chewing your hands, feet, and clothes?

·         Peeing and pooping all over your house?

Then check out "The Calm Puppy," a 5-part program designed to transform your energetic puppy into a well-behaved and delightful companion