From training to feeding and sleeping to playing, your new puppy needs a few items to make life comfy, easy and fun. We recommend that you purchase these things before you bring your new family member home.

Collar: get your puppy used to wearing a collar the first day you bring her home. Not only does a collar and ID tag help your puppy in the event she becomes lost, but collars are also an important training tool; if your puppy gets into trouble the collar acts like a handle, helping you divert the dog to a more appropriate behavior. Collars come in many styles but for starting out a simple buckle collar with an easy-release snap works just fine. We do not recommend choke collars for puppies.

Leash: for training or just for taking a stroll down the street, a leash is your puppy’s vehicle to explore the outside world. Like the collar, leashes come in a variety of styles and materials. A 6 foot nylon leash is a popular choice but as your puppy becomes older we find the 20—30 foot lead is great for giving your dog freedom to run and smell outside of an enclosed area.

Bowls:  your puppy needs two bowls; one for water and one for food. Both should be sturdy bowls that don’t tip over easily. Common types are mental, ceramic or plastic. Most importantly they should be easy to clean.

Beds: a plush doggie bed makes sleeping and resting more comfortable for your puppy. Dog beds come is all shapes, sizes and colors, but your dog really just needs one that is soft and large enough for her to stretch out on. You might want to buy a large bed that your puppy can grow into as she reaches adult size. Because puppies aren’t house trained yet, it’s helpful to buy a bed that is easily washable.