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What a first time dog owner actually needs
15
items The essentials a first time dog owner actually needs in the first few months: a crate, harness and leash, chews and training treats, feeding and grooming basics, and the cleanup gear you will be glad you bought early. Written for anyone bringing home...
I'm a Gold Amazon Influencer with 1,100+ product review videos and a mom of three, so I spend a lot of time working out what is genuinely worth buying for a busy household. Contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
I'm a Gold Amazon Influencer with 1,100+ product review videos and a mom of three, so I spend a lot of time working out what is genuinely worth buying for a busy household. Contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Sections
4
Crate, walks and gear
Play, chew and training
Feeding and grooming
Accidents and peace of mind
Crate, walks and gear
A folding wire crate with a divider panel, so it grows with a puppy. Two doors give you options for where it sits in the room. This is the 30 inch for medium breeds (21-40 lbs); check your dog's expected adult size before ordering.
MidWest iCrate 30" double door folding crate
A well-made everyday harness with two leash attachment points and reflective trim. Measure your dog's girth before ordering rather than guessing. This listing is the Medium, so check the size chart.
Ruffwear Front Range dog harness
A budget-friendly harness with a front clip that helps with pulling on walks. A sensible starting point while you train loose-lead walking. Sized by weight and girth, so measure first. This listing is the Medium.
PetSafe 3 in 1 no-pull dog harness
A retractable leash with 360 degree tangle-free retraction and a one-hand brake. Best in open spaces rather than busy streets. This listing is the Small, so check the weight rating against your dog before ordering.
TUG 360 tangle-free retractable leash, 16 ft
Thick, leak-resistant bags on refill rolls that fit standard dispensers. Not glamorous, but you will go through them every single day, so buy the big box once and stop thinking about it.
Earth Rated dog poop bags, 270 count
Play, chew and training
The rubber toy you stuff with peanut butter or kibble to keep a dog busy. Freeze it for a longer distraction on a difficult afternoon. Pick the size for your dog's weight.
KONG Classic stuffable dog toy (Medium)
High-bounce rubber balls that hold up to real chewing and float in water. Medium size, so check it suits your dog's mouth. Fits the matching Chuckit launcher if you want more distance.
Chuckit! Ultra Ball, medium 2-pack
A long-lasting chew for dogs that destroy soft toys within minutes. This listing is the X-Large/Giant for dogs over 50 lbs, so pick the size band that matches your dog before ordering.
Nylabone Power Chew knuckle bone
Small soft treats you can hand out quickly during training without overfeeding. The 16 oz bag lasts a long time at this size, and you can break them smaller still for tiny puppies.
Zuke's Mini Naturals training treats, 16 oz
Feeding and grooming
The maze pattern slows down fast eaters, which helps with gulping and mess. A simple fix if your dog inhales dinner.
Outward Hound Fun Feeder slow bowl
A slicker brush with a retract button that pushes loose hair off the bristles. It makes regular brushing far less annoying, and it works on cats too.
Hertzko self-cleaning slicker brush
Accidents and peace of mind
Absorbent training pads for the early housetraining weeks or the rainy days when nobody wants to go out. The 100 count pack is better value than small boxes.
Amazon Basics puppy pee pads, 100 count
An enzyme cleaner for accidents on carpet and upholstery. Soak the area properly rather than just spraying the surface. Test on a hidden patch first if the fabric is delicate.
Rocco & Roxie enzyme stain and odor eliminator
A small deep cleaner for spot-treating accidents and muddy paw prints. The priciest cleanup item on this list, but the one most likely to earn its keep in the first year with a puppy.
Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner
A treat-tossing camera with two-way audio so you can check in when you are out. The most expensive thing on this list and a nice-to-have, not a must. Reassuring in the first months of leaving a dog alone.
Furbo 360 dog camera (no ongoing cost)