Essential Items Every New Dog Owner Should Get

Getting a new pet dog can be one of the most exciting times in your life. You’re getting a new friend and family member that will be by your side for years and years to come. Yet, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget that your new pup probably needs more than a bag of food and a water bowl. If you want an easier transition into the life of a dog owner, then you should definitely consider getting some of these items.

Find a Comfy Bed

The first night that you take your dog home, you might be tempted to snuggle up with them in bed. However, a good idea would be to browse dog beds and pick one that is right for your pup. There are many different kinds of dog beds out there. Whether you want a basic bed or one that is pretty lavish, there are options that will suit every dog out there today..

One thing you have to consider is the size of the dog that you have. If your dog is fully grown, you will have a pretty good idea of what size bed you’ll need. Otherwise, you can get a smaller bed for a short-term solution and buy another as the dog gets bigger, or you could get a big bed and let your new pet grow into it. Either way, it’s a good idea to have somewhere for your dog to rest their head.

Get Your Young Pup a Crate

While you might be tempted to take a couple of days off of work to get acquainted with your new dog, the fact is that they will be left alone at some point. Another fact is that dogs like to explore their new environment and that often involves going places they shouldn’t and sampling the various flavors in your home.

Instead of coming home to a door that is chewed through, it’s better to look at some dog crates. These items also come in many shapes and sizes and serve many functions. Basically, it’s a place where you can safely place your dog so that they sleep without waking up and getting in trouble or misbehave while you’re away.

Frankly, it’s a good idea to look at many different models so that you get a crate that is large enough for your dog and can be made comfortable, too. These aren’t meant to be punitive, only to keep your dog away from mischief while they learn the rules of your household. When you’re home, they should be out and about so you can teach them, play, and correct their actions so they know how they should behave in the future. While older dogs are less likely to need a crate than a puppy, it really comes down to the specific pet.

A Good Dog Leash

There is nothing worse than your dog getting out of your control and running off into potential danger. That’s why it is very important to have a collar and leash on hand when you first get your dog. Of course, if it’s still a puppy, it’s very unlikely that they will run out of your arms between the car and your home.

Yet, you have to remember that they are being introduced to a new place and that is often stressful for pets. So, you not only need to have a leash or harness for them, but it has to be appropriate for their size and weight. If you are bringing home a massive dog, it might be a good idea to have something that is made from strong material and limits the range that they can travel.

Don’t be worried about having to get a different leash, either. You might think your dog needs one type and then find out he needs another instead. It’s all a matter of maximizing safety and comfort for you and your pup. If you're buying a dog leash than you have to make sure that you're buying the right dog collars to go with them.

Some Chew Toys

This goes hand in hand with the concept behind getting a good crate. Young dogs will love to go to parts of your home as they look for ways to entertain themselves, strengthen their jaws, and chew on things in hopes of getting a good flavor. It’s ingrained in them.

If you want your dog to chew on things that are safe, constructive, and less likely to result in a trip to the vet, then it’s time to look at toys. There are all sorts of chew toys that you can buy that fulfill all the aforementioned needs and won’t break your bank account either.

You might want to get something that you can use to facilitate play between your dog and you like a toy that you can hold while they pull on it. It’s also a good idea to get dog toys that they can play with on their own. Some of the things that you want to look for in a good toy are high-quality construction, the safety of materials used, and price point. There are a lot of options available for toys and it might take some time to get one that really appeals to your dog, but it’s better than losing a table leg.

Bags and Scoopers

Alright, it’s time to look at some basic biology here. Your dog is going to “go” and someone, hopefully you, is going to have to clean up after them. Whether you have a nice yard for them to use or they are walking around town with you in tow, the last thing you want is to get caught unprepared.

That’s why both of these items, bags and scoopers, are listed here together. These items are used to clean up after your dog while protecting your hands from getting messy as much as possible. The bags are good for when you’re on the go with your dog and need a quick way to pick up and dispose of their waste.

Scoopers are a great item to have if your dog is using your yard as their preferred place to go. That way, you can wait a few days and go out and collect the waste without much of a mess and without bending down again and again. It’s not a pretty business, but the first time you are using borrowed napkins to clean up after your dog, you’ll wish you had stopped to buy some of these items for sure.

Self-Filling Dog and Cat Fountains

Another thing that you will want to get is a self-filling water dispenser for your dog. There are some days when it’s hot out and your dog will need quite a bit to drink. Also, there are times when your dog could flip the bowl over leaving a mess and also ensuring that they don’t have anything to drink.

Both of these issues can be solved with a self-filling water dispenser. These tend to be a little bulkier than your average dog dowl, so the chances are that they won’t be flipped so easily. Another benefit is that you can put a large amount of water in the bowl so that it is dispensed into the bowl over time, giving your dog plenty of fluids as they need them.

Dog Gates

Establishing boundaries with your dog is a vital concern for people that are trying to train a new dog. You might not want the dog coming into your bedroom or going downstairs in your basement. Either way, when you’re in the training phase with your new dog, you need to physically set barriers so your pup stays where they are supposed to be.

Just like with a toddler, a dog gate is the perfect solution in this case. A dog gate will physically prevent your dog from getting into places where you do not want them, protecting your valuables and teaching them that they have limits within your household. That being said, you have to make sure that the gate is actually tall enough to prevent your dog from getting into an area.

With some pets, just blocking the area a little will be enough to deter them. Others will need a taller barrier that they might try to get over before they ultimately give up. You might need to experiment a little before settling on the dog gates that work best for you.

There are all kinds of items that you will want to buy for your new dog. However, there are some that you should probably get before you bring them home. While this time is bound to be incredibly exciting, it’s important to be prepared. By having a comfortable place set up for your dog, a way to keep them close by, and having means to train them, you’re bound to have a good experience with your new dog. It’s important to keep in mind that there are still other things that you might want to get before bringing your dog home, but these are definitely the essentials that you’ll want the first day.