With every great pet comes great responsibility. So, you’ve finally decided to get a dog. Once the initial excitement and novelty wear off, you’ll soon realize that the addition to your family means having to buy new things.
First of all, congratulations. Being a dog parent is one of the best joys that life can give. However, having a four-legged friend means that you will need to buy some equipment and supplies first.
If you’re not quite sure about where to start your purchases, we’ve got you covered. Here are five essential items for new dog owners.
A collar or a harness.
Carrying your dog out and into the house is an option, but it’s not the wisest one. Investing in a collar or a Dachshund Harness is excellent for taking your dog out for walks.
A collar is recommended for bigger adult dogs, while a harness is perfect for smaller dogs. Harnesses can hug the body of a petite puppy. Make sure to purchase a collar or an adjustable harness. Since your dog will still grow bigger, buying an adjustable one will make it a wise investment for the future.
Dog bed.
If you’re planning to keep your pet inside the house, then a dog bed is a must. Your pet must have its designated sleeping or resting place. We recommend that you don’t train your dog to sleep on a human bed as much as possible.
You can set up a dog bed in your room. The dog may hesitate at first, but they’ll soon nestle into their dog beds with enough encouragement. At this point, you can move the dog bed around, and your pet will follow it to sleep.
Dog cage or crate.
Crate training is an ideal and efficient way to help new dogs feel comfortable in a new environment. Make sure to get a crate that isn’t too cramped. A good crate is one that allows your dog to stand up and turn around without bumping into the corners. You can also opt for dog fencing which allows the dog to roam outdoors without leaving your yard, getting lost or injured.
This is ideal for people who need to give a dog time to acclimate to a new environment. A dog cage or crate is perfect for people who often have visitors at home. The cage will allow your pet and visitors to feel more comfortable with each other’s presence.
A teething toy or a chew toy.
The first few months of owning a dog are often marked by chewed-up shoes, shabby furniture, and sometimes even worse. These destructions are due to the fact that a puppy’s teeth are still growing in. The teething stage makes them want to bite and chew on anything in sight.
A chew toy will help keep your furniture as bite-free as possible. It is essential, especially if you share your home with other people.
Training and potty pads.
Potty training your puppy is a challenging task. If you’re still house training your dog, then a training or potty pad may be the game-changer you need.
These potty training pads come with a “dog attractant” that lets your puppy know where to go. They are incredibly absorbent as well, so you can be assured that your floors won’t stink or stain.
Caring for a new puppy can be worrying, and you might get anxious at the beginning. We understand how tempting it is to finally buy cute clothes for your puppy and posting them on Instagram. However, make sure you buy the necessities first!
We hope that this guide helped you figure out what to buy for your dog’s essentials. If you have any more suggestions, let us know in the comments!