The Ultimate New Puppy Must-Haves List: What We Recommend Before Bringing Your Puppy Home
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but having the right supplies ready before your puppy arrives can make those first few weeks so much easier.
At RiverSong Doodles, we spend a lot of time raising, caring for, training, grooming, and socializing puppies. Over the years, we’ve learned that you don’t need every puppy product on the market. You just need the right products.
We’ve put together this Puppy Must-Haves List with many of the products we personally recommend to help new puppy families prepare for their puppy’s arrival.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
1. Puppy Food
One of the first things you’ll need is a quality food for your puppy. Keeping your puppy’s diet consistent when they first arrive home can also help make the transition to their new environment easier.
The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey & Superfoods Whole Food Clusters
A convenient whole-food-style dry food option that makes feeding simple.
Shop The Honest Kitchen Turkey & Superfoods on Amazon (paid link)
The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Beef & Superfoods Whole Food Clusters
For families looking for another protein option, the beef and superfoods recipe is another one on our supply list.
Shop The Honest Kitchen Beef & Superfoods on Amazon (paid link)
Puppy Tip: Whenever you change your puppy’s food, transition gradually rather than making a sudden switch.
2. Chews & Training Treats
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which means chewing is going to happen! Providing appropriate chews gives your puppy something they are allowed to chew.
Small, high-value treats are also incredibly useful during training.
Himalayan Dog Chews
These long-lasting yak cheese chews are a great option to have available when your puppy needs something appropriate to chew.
Shop Himalayan Dog Chews on Amazon (paid link)
All-Natural Chicken Feet
A crunchy natural chew option.
Shop Chicken Feet for Dogs on Amazon (paid link)
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Wild Weenies – Duck
Freeze-dried treats can be especially useful when you need something highly desirable during training.
Shop Stella & Chewy’s Wild Weenies on Amazon (paid link)
Nutri Chomps Rawhide-Free Dog Chews
Another chewing option without traditional rawhide.
Shop Nutri Chomps on Amazon (paid link)
Dehydrated Duck Feet
Another natural crunchy chew option to add some variety.
Shop Duck Feet for Dogs on Amazon (paid link)
Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Treats
Training requires lots of repetition and reinforcement, so having small treats ready is extremely helpful. These are designed specifically for training sessions.
Shop Train-Me! Training Treats on Amazon (paid link)
Puppy Tip: Always supervise puppies with chews and choose a chew appropriate for your puppy’s age, size, and chewing style.
3. Toys & Mental Enrichment
Physical exercise is important, but puppies need mental exercise too.
Puzzle toys, food toys, and enrichment activities can help keep your puppy occupied while encouraging problem-solving skills.
KONG Classic + Easy Treat Peanut Butter Spray
A KONG can become one of the most useful tools in your puppy supplies. Stuffing it with something tasty can help create positive associations with quiet time and crate time.
Shop the KONG Classic + Easy Treat on Amazon (paid link)
KONG Easy Treat Peanut Butter Paste
Great for filling a KONG or other compatible enrichment toy.
Shop KONG Easy Treat on Amazon (paid link)
DR CATCH Dog Puzzle
Puzzle toys give puppies an opportunity to use their brains and work to find food or treats.
Shop the DR CATCH Dog Puzzle on Amazon (paid link)
4. Crate, Playpen & Bed
Creating a safe puppy area is one of the best things you can do before your puppy comes home.
A crate, playpen, and designated resting area can make it much easier to establish a daily routine.
Amazon Basics 30-Inch Foldable Metal Dog Crate
A traditional wire crate is easy to clean and gives your puppy a defined sleeping and resting space.
Shop the Amazon Basics Dog Crate on Amazon (paid link)
FXW Homeplus Indoor Dog Playpen
A playpen gives your puppy more room to move around while still keeping them in a controlled puppy-safe environment.
Shop the FXW Indoor Dog Playpen on Amazon (paid link)
Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed
An elevated bed provides another designated place for your puppy to settle and relax.
Shop the Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed on Amazon (paid link)
Puppy Tip: Your puppy doesn’t need access to the entire house right away. Managing their environment makes potty training easier and helps prevent unwanted chewing and other habits from developing.
5. Leashes & Collars
Having several different leash options can be helpful because they serve different purposes during training.
20-Foot Long Training Lead
A long line allows your puppy more freedom while you maintain control, making it useful for recall work and supervised outdoor training.
Shop the Long Training Lead on Amazon (paid link)
AMAGOOD 6-Foot Puppy Leash
A simple traditional leash for everyday walks and basic leash training.
Shop the AMAGOOD Puppy Leash on Amazon (paid link)
JSXD 5-Foot Hands-Free/Crossbody Training Leash
A hands-free leash can be especially convenient during training sessions.
Shop the JSXD Training Leash on Amazon (paid link)
Fenrir Slip Leash
A simple training lead option.
Shop the Fenrir Slip Leash on Amazon (paid link)
TagME Reflective Puppy Collar
An adjustable everyday puppy collar with reflective material.
Shop the TagME Puppy Collar on Amazon (paid link)
Chain Martingale Training Collar
A martingale-style collar is another training option for appropriate dogs.
Shop the Martingale Collar on Amazon (paid link)
Herm Sprenger Prong Training Collar
For owners using this type of training equipment, proper sizing, fitting, and instruction are extremely important.
Shop the Herm Sprenger Training Collar on Amazon (paid link)
Herm Sprenger ClicLock Fastener
An optional buckle-style fastener designed for compatible prong collars.
Shop the Herm Sprenger ClicLock on Amazon (paid link)
Training Note: Specialized training collars and slip leads should be fitted and used correctly. If you’re unsure how to use a training tool, work with a qualified trainer before using it with your puppy.
6. Food & Water Bowls
You don’t need anything complicated here. Durable bowls and an easy-to-clean feeding area make puppy life much easier.
Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Non-Skid Bowls
Stainless steel bowls are simple, durable, and easy to clean.
Shop the Stainless Steel Bowls on Amazon (paid link)
Hoki Found Waterproof Silicone Feeding Mat
Puppies aren’t exactly known for being neat eaters! A waterproof mat under the food and water bowls can make cleanup much easier.
Shop the Silicone Pet Food Mat on Amazon (paid link)
7. Grooming Supplies
Grooming shouldn’t begin when your puppy gets their first major haircut.
Introducing brushing, combing, nail care, bathing, drying, and handling while your puppy is young can help make grooming a normal part of life.
This is especially important for doodle coats.
Steel Grooming Comb
A metal comb is an important tool for checking the coat and finding areas that may be beginning to tangle.
Shop the Pet Steel Comb on Amazon (paid link)
Extra-Long Pin Slicker Brush & Comb Set
Useful for regular coat maintenance.
Shop the Slicker Brush & Comb Set on Amazon (paid link)
Paw Brothers Professional Extra-Long Slicker Brush
Another slicker brush option designed to work through longer coats.
Shop the Paw Brothers Slicker Brush on Amazon (paid link)
CHI for Dogs Deodorizing Spray
Handy for freshening your puppy’s coat between baths.
Shop CHI for Dogs Deodorizing Spray on Amazon (paid link)
Rechargeable Dog Nail Grinder
Regular nail care is much easier when puppies become accustomed to having their paws handled from a young age.
Shop the Dog Nail Grinder on Amazon (paid link)
Mane ‘N Tail Shampoo & Conditioner
A shampoo and conditioner combination for bath time.
Shop Mane ‘N Tail Shampoo & Conditioner on Amazon (paid link)
High-Velocity Dog Dryer
A force dryer can be very helpful for drying and maintaining a doodle coat after bathing.
Shop the High-Velocity Dog Dryer on Amazon (paid link)
Grooming Tip: Don’t wait until your puppy desperately needs grooming to introduce these experiences. Short, positive sessions when they’re young can make grooming much easier as they grow.
8. Potty Training & Cleanup
Accidents are part of raising a puppy. Being prepared makes them much less stressful.
My Pet Peed Stain & Odor Remover
A pet stain and odor remover is something you’ll want to have ready before your puppy comes home.
Shop My Pet Peed on Amazon (paid link)
Puppy Training Pads
Disposable pads are useful for puppy areas and designated indoor potty setups.
Shop 100-Count Puppy Pads on Amazon (paid link)
Little Wolves Puppy Potty Tray
A potty tray helps hold a 22″ x 22″ puppy pad in place and creates a more defined potty area.
Shop the Little Wolves Puppy Potty Tray on Amazon (paid link)
What Do You Really Need Before Your Puppy Comes Home?
Looking at a long puppy shopping list can feel overwhelming. You don’t necessarily need to purchase everything at once.
If you’re getting ready for your puppy, we recommend having these basics ready first:
- Puppy food
- Food and water bowls
- Crate
- Puppy playpen or safe puppy area
- Collar
- Standard leash
- Long training lead
- Training treats
- Appropriate chews
- KONG or enrichment toy
- Slicker brush and metal comb
- Nail grinder
- Puppy pads and/or potty tray
- Pet stain and odor cleaner
The other items can be added as you learn more about your puppy and establish your routine.
Start Preparing Before Your Puppy Arrives
The first few weeks with your puppy are all about building routines, developing trust, establishing boundaries, and rewarding the behaviors you want to see again.
Having the right supplies ready means you’ll spend less time scrambling for things you need and more time enjoying and training your new puppy.
We hope this list makes preparing for your puppy a little easier!
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked as paid links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
