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Help... I Got A Puppy! Not to Fear, This List is Here!
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items Bringing home a puppy? Overwhelmed by the gear, training, and chaos ahead? Don’t worry! This list has everything you actually need to get started right. From crates to chews, leashes to enrichment, I’ve included my favorite tools as a balanced dog tr...
Sections
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Training Tools
Chews and Enrichment
Grooming and Cleaning
Toys
Crates and Confinement
Health and Safety
Training Tools
These tools help you communicate clearly, teach life skills, and set boundaries from day one. Whether you’re teaching leash manners or building focus, this is where structure starts.
My go-to leash for structure, safety, and clear communication and teaching leash pressure. Slip leads combine collar and leash in one and are perfect for quick outings or training sessions. This one also clips to the collar for extra security and can...
Slip Leash with Added Safety and Training Features
If your pup slips out of flat collars or pulls like a sled dog, a martingale is a gentle step up. It tightens just enough to prevent escapes without choking, making it perfect for everyday use while teaching leash manners. And this one comes in lots ...
Martingale "Safety" Collar for Puppies
A versatile, secure leash that fits every training need! The dual swivel clips are a standout feature—you can clip one end to your dog and the other to your treat pouch or belt loop. That means your hands stay free, your leash stays secure, and you n...
Best Training Longline with Extra Safety Features
A must-have for hands-free walks and training! This fanny pack keeps all my essentials organized and easily accessible. The spacious compartments hold treats, my phone, keys, and even a water bottle. The built-in poop bag dispenser is super convenien...
The Best, Most Convenient Treat Pouch
The ultimate training reward! These PureBites treats are a game-changer for our training sessions. My dogs go absolutely wild for them, making them the perfect high-value incentive. They’re easy to break into smaller pieces, which is great for extend...
Healthy, Soft, High-Value Rewards
Potty bells are a great way to teach your puppy how to communicate that they need to go out. Hang them by the door and ring them every time you take your pup out to potty. Over time, your puppy will learn to ring the bell themselves to signal it’s ti...
Dog Doorbells for Advanced Potty Training!
Don’t leave home without one! These collapsible water bowls with carabiners are a lifesaver on walks, hikes, training sessions, and road trips. I keep one clipped to every bag so I’m never without a water option for my dogs. They’re lightweight, easy...
Collapsible Water Bowls to Take Everywhere
A clicker is a small tool that makes a consistent sound to mark the exact moment your puppy gets something right. It helps with precision and timing—especially during early learning. Not required, but super helpful if you want clear communication wit...
Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Strap
Chews and Enrichment
Puppies need to chew—and if you don’t give them appropriate options, they’ll find their own. These toys keep your pup’s brain and mouth busy while building calm, confident behavior.
A long-lasting, natural chew that helps puppies work their jaws and relieve teething frustration. Great for crate time, redirection, or just giving them something safe to chew on. Supervise during use and remove when they get small!
Bully Sticks for Dogs & Puppies: Long Lasting Chews
Specifically made for teething puppies, the classic Puppy KONG is softer than the adult version but still super durable. Perfect for crate time, redirection, or just keeping your pup busy. Fill it with kibble, peanut butter, or soft food and freeze i...
Classic KONG Puppy Toys
The gold standard of enrichment. Fill with kibble, soft food, yogurt, or pumpkin and freeze for a long-lasting brain workout. Great for crate training, impulse control, or simply calming your pup down during busy times. I recommend using them in the ...
Frozen Dog Treats for Healthy Enrichment
A more beginner-friendly alternative to Kongs. Toppls are easier to fill and lick clean, perfect for puppies just learning food-based enrichment. You can even feed full meals in them to slow your pup down and give them enrichment at the same time. Yo...
Toppl collection
Hide your pup’s kibble or treats in the soft fabric strips and let them sniff it out. This builds natural problem-solving skills, calms over-aroused puppies, and encourages slow eating. Great for rainy days or crate downtime. This one can even fold i...
Self-Contained Snuffle Mat for Interactive Feeding
Lick mats are amazing for enrichment, calming routines, crate time, and more. They help my dogs settle, work their brains, and associate positive experiences with otherwise boring or stressful situations. One of my favorite uses? I bring one out duri...
Lick Mat for Enrichment & Distraction
Great for building mental stamina and boosting confidence. Choose one with adjustable difficulty so your puppy doesn’t get frustrated, and rotate it every few days to keep it novel.
Puzzle Toys for Mental Stimulation & Enrichment
Grooming and Cleaning
Start your pup’s grooming habits early! These essentials help keep your dog (and your house) clean, while building tolerance for nail trims, baths, and brushing later on.
Accidents happen. This cleaner breaks down urine and organic messes at the molecular level, so your pup can’t smell anything left behind. That’s crucial for preventing repeat potty spots. This one smells great and has always worked well for my pack a...
Enzymatic Cleaner for Stain and Odor Elimination
Puppy skin is sensitive, so here's a gentle, tear-free shampoo made without any fragrances or harsh chemicals. It has a mild, soothing formula, perfect for keeping that puppy coat soft and healthy without the added chemicals,
Unscented Hypoallergenic Puppy Shampoo
Getting your pup used to nail care early is key. Grinders can be quieter and less intense than clippers for some dogs, but either works as long as you introduce it gradually and with lots of positive reinforcement. This pack has both, and is super qu...
Safe Nail Clippers and Quiet Grinder
Start brushing early, even if your pup doesn’t need it yet. It builds tolerance for handling and keeps their coat healthy. Choose a brush that suits your pup’s coat type (slicker brush for fluffier dogs, soft bristle for short coats).
Soft Gentle Brush for Puppies
An obvious essential, but easy to forget. These are environmentally friendly and super sturdy, and even have a scent so you don't smell the poop you're carrying all the time!
Scented Sturdy Poop Bags
Toys
Toys provide more than entertainment—they’re a key part of development. These picks are durable, puppy-safe, and great for everything from bonding to teething relief.
These textured, bacon-flavored rings are gentle on puppy teeth and help massage gums during the teething phase. They’re flavored to keep your pup engaged.
Bacon Flavored Puppy Chews
Soak and freeze this toy to provide cooling relief for teething puppies. The fabric shell and inner stuffing help soothe tender gums.
Cool Teething Stick for Puppies' Gums
This stuffing-free plush toy includes a squeaker that continues to squeak even if punctured, making it durable for playful pups. It also comes in lots of cute designs. How cute!
Mini Stuffing-Free Squeaky Toy
A soft, cuddly toy with a squeaker, perfect for gentle play and comfort. While not designed for heavy chewers, it’s great for snuggling. Lambchop is a staple in my pack and they even have different sizes and designs for different events! Christmas La...
Lamb Chop Plush Toy
Crates and Confinement
Crates, gates, and pens help you manage your puppy’s space, which is key to potty training, structure, and calmness. Think of this as creating a safe, puppy-proof environment they can succeed in.
A must-have for crate training! The two doors give you flexible setup options, and the included divider lets the crate grow with your puppy, preventing potty accidents by keeping the space appropriately sized. Pro tip: Always check the size guide for...
Collapsible Two-Door Kennel with Divider
This lightweight, plastic, configurable play yard is perfect for creating safe, enclosed spaces, indoors or out. Unlike metal x-pens, it’s gentle on floors and easy to shape into custom layouts. It's tall enough for larger puppies. Great for giving y...
Configurable Plastic Play Pen with Dog Door
A simple way to keep your puppy safe and out of trouble. Use baby gates to block off rooms, staircases, or to help create calm, structured zones. These are especially helpful for setting boundaries early on and preventing overexcitement or overstimul...
Adjustable Baby (and Dog) Gate
A cozy, soft option that keeps your pup comfy and your life easy. This mat comes in multiple sizes and colors to fit different crates and vibes. It’s plush enough for naps but still low-profile, and it’s fully washable, which is key for accidents, mu...
Washable Kennel Mat
Health and Safety
From ID tags to emergency first aid kits, these items keep your puppy safe in the real world. Don’t skip this stuff—it makes a huge difference in both prevention and peace of mind.
Simple but essential. If your puppy slips a leash or bolts out the door, a visible ID tag with your phone number could be what brings them home. Even if your pup is microchipped, tags are your first line of defense. This one is custom engraved, and d...
Silent Engraved Pet Tag for Collar
This pet first aid kit is packed and ready to take care of your pup in emergencies. They have 2 sizes with different supplies, but both have everything you need to make sure you're on top of it if any emargencies arise!
Loaded Pet First Aid Kit With Convenient Case
This free app makes tracking your puppy’s care easy, from potty breaks to meals, meds, walks, and training sessions. Perfect for staying consistent (especially during housebreaking), and super helpful if multiple people are sharing puppy duties. Bonu...
FREE App to Track Your Dog's Health and Daily Activities
Car safety is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. A seatbelt harness keeps your puppy secure during car rides, reducing the risk of injury and preventing distraction. This one can attach to a standard seatbelt or clip in, and fits snugly ...
Car Seat Belt Harness
For the Humans
Here's a list of articles to start you on the right foot! As a professional trainer who uses a balanced approach, I know how hard it can be to find solid, non-judgmental information on balanced and structured methods. This list includes articles that...
Balanced Dog Training Articles to Help You Learn!