*This list will be updated periodically to ensure we are always recommending the very best products to new puppy owners. Please check back regularly as we update and refine.
Before you bring your puppy home you will no doubt be thinking to yourself, what exactly do I need to purchase and how much will everything cost? Have I got everything? Do I really need this? What do I need to do? We've all been there and it's tempting to buy more than you really need or purchase the wrong thing entirely.
We decided to set up a list below of items we would personally recommend to puppy buyers and what we think they will need before their cute little bundle of fun arrives home. This list is based on years of trial and error and what has worked best for us! We own most of these items ourselves and wouldn't be without them.
The items highlighted are clickable and the links will take you to the page where they can then be purchased. If anyone has any queries about any of the products mentioned, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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Baby gate/s - To cordon off areas of your home you don't want pup to get to or to create a puppy proofed area of your home so pup is safe. You must be able to restrict your puppy's access to parts of your home. Allowing them to roam the entire house will drive you mad. They will pee and poop everywhere, chew things that will harm them and it will take you forever to potty train a puppy on this basis. Choose a room with washable floors, or in an open-plan house you can use a large open top playpen for the same purpose. Ensure all wires and cables are covered in chew protectors (or ideally removed or put out of harm's reach) and put away any loose items you don't want chewing (shoes, remote controls, paperwork etc.).
Adaptil home diffuser and refills, to help puppy feel calm and relaxed during its first week in its new home and beyond. We also recommend these and these from Dorwest Herbs as natural anti anxiety relief supplements that work well and are suitable for puppies. These stuffed toys with a pretend heartbeat do help some puppies to settle in much easier as well.
We recommend giving your puppy Milk Thistle one week before its (one and only) puppy vaccination is due and then for a week after the vaccination to help detox the liver of any toxins.
Puppy food - We will provide you with the details of pup’s current feeding schedule and the type of food we have been feeding a week before puppy is due to leave us, we recommend purchasing the same type of food that we have been feeding pup so as not to upset their stomach. Purchase this in advance of pup arriving so you have it ready. Once pup has reached a minimum of 6 months of age you can then begin to transition them onto a different type of food or diet if you so wish. Up until that age, stick to what we have been feeding them.
Foods we always recommend, tend to use ourselves and that are enjoyed by our pack include:
Raised, stainless steel food and water bowls, they are easy to keep clean and aid digestion as well as deterring pups from splashing water all over the floor (some pups love to do this).
Food storage bin that dogs can't get into! We have 4 of these bins in our pantry to keep those super sensitive Shepherd Dog noses from sniffing out and eating their grub without permission.
Kitchen waste bin that dogs cannot get into or tip over. Alternatively, have all of your rubbish bins behind lockable closed doors. Dogs can and will sniff out bins that have push or swing lids and you will get fed up of constantly picking up your rubbish and cleaning up the mess. Also, this can be a safety/chew hazard depending what's in your bin!
Poop bags - Don't leave home without them. You will end up finding them in all of your coat pockets; even the fancy ones! Always ensure they are strong and in a large size, with tie handles and unscented. You can purchase poop bag holders but we've always found these a bit of a faff to use and so tend to end up popping poop bags in our pockets. Poop scoops and shovels are also a bit of a waste of time, especially when you're on the move (they come into their own in your back garden), much easier to grab poop quickly and easily with your hand on the inside of a poop bag, grab the poop and then wrap the bag over it and tie the handle. Job done.
Grooming equipment - Slicker brush, bristle brush, nail file and flea combs. This particular kit contains nail clippers which are also contained in the first aid kit, however it doesn't harm to have 2 pairs, one for at home and one for when you're travelling. You can of course buy the individual pieces separately as well if you didn't want to double up. Grooming wipes - For ears, eyes and body and for when pup makes a mess (which they will do!), particularly when travelling. Never ever use Furminator brushes as these can damage a Shepherd Dog’s coat, the effect is akin to shaving them (something you should never do with a double coated breed).
Collar, ID tag and lead (upgrade these as your puppy grows). Never put your dog's call name on their ID tag as this can be used by thieves should your dog ever be stolen. Only ever use your surname, house number, street, postcode and phone number. Collars should ideally have strong metal fastenings as well as reflective strips to help you see your dog at night, ID tags should not dangle, as this is very annoying for a dog and their sensitive hearing and it is also a safety risk (they can easily get caught or trapped on something).
Enzymatic cleaner - Standard cleaners will not cut it when it comes to dog mess, in fact some will make the problem worse and encourage repeat marking. Ensure you have an enzymatic cleaner on hand for the perfect clean up.
Vacuum cleaner - Specifically for pet owners, get ready for those Shepherd Dog fluff balls!
Kitchen rolls, mop and bucket, pet safe disinfectant ... always be ready to clean up any mess or accidents. When travelling don't forget to pack some bin bags or carrier bags with tie handles to put your soiled pee pads and/or kitchen rolls etc. into. Remember to make sure all cleaning products are non-toxic and pet safe (preferably perfume free).
Before your puppy arrives home it's generally a good idea to remove any scented products, candles, air fresheners, products containing fragrance etc. from around your home as these have the potential to cause severe allergies, sneezing and / or itching in dogs. Dogs really don't like them!
Chew proof dog bed - (Opt for size 'Large' for females and size ‘X-Large’ for males) - Do not bother buying an expensive soft and fluffy designer bed for your new puppy, it will last all of 5 seconds. This type of non chew bed will last forever and it can still be made comfortable and cosy with easily replaceable and washable blankets or throws laid on top. We provide pup with a luxury throw in their puppy pack, so there is no need to purchase one of these until the one you will already be provided with is worn out.
Super tough chew toys that last a long while, we love these, these and these but there are many options available.
Kong Toys - Essential for keeping pup busy, happy and mentally stimulated whilst training. Fill them with their favourite mushed up treats and food, stick them in the freezer, take them out for pup when you need them, hours of fun!
Puppy pee pads - For use when travelling in the car or in their puppy buggy etc. just in case they have an accident, do not use for toilet training in the home. These are a washable and re-usable version.
All of our puppies are toilet trained using these litter trays with fake grass mats on top, and are hitting their mark 100% of the time when they’re due to leave us at 8 weeks of age, so we recommend people either purchase exactly what puppy is used to (the tray with the grass mat on top) for indoors, or begin as you mean to go on, forget the tray and simply place fake grass mats outside where you want puppy to pee and poop, they will naturally be drawn to the fake grass area as this is what they are used to and have been raised with.
Don't forget car boot waterproof liners and boot grille/guard (to ensure you're road legal), or car seat covers and seatbelts (please note, you will need to purchase a harness for your puppy if you are using one of these as the clip on the seatbelt needs to attach to the harness and not your pup’s collar, as this could cause severe injury to pup’s neck). We do not allow pups to travel home on pick-up day if they are not secured safely and legally in your car. That means no passengers holding pup on their knees, dropping them into a cardboard box or popping pup into a car bed without being properly fastened in for the journey.
The Highway Code states:
''Rule 57
When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.''
Collapsible dog food and water bowls and travel water bottle, for those longer journeys when you'll need to stop for something to eat and drink. Great for overnight trips and holidays away from home. Always carry water in a well sealed water bottle when travelling anywhere with your dog.
First Aid Kit - Invaluable. A must have both at home or when travelling with pup. Know how to use your kit, animal/dog first aid courses are available up and down the Country. This particular kit also contains tick removal tools and nail clippers so you don't need to purchase them separately if you don't wish to do so.
Pee post - For whichever area you would like puppy to pee in, it encourages them to pee near or against it. You can use this spray to help puppy along, in conjunction with the pee post.
Shampoo - Handy for if your dog ever gets covered in mud and for a freshen up every now and then. The shampoo we have recommended here smells amazing and has the added benefit of keeping fleas, ticks, mites and flies away. Fleas, ticks, flies and mites spray - keeps the bug at bay, naturally. No nasty chemicals required, simply spray on and brush in before your walk. We also recommend this food supplement as a natural preventative against parasites and worms, raw and organic pumpkin seeds are also very effective at paralysing worms and removing them from the digestive system. For reassurance that your dog is worm free, we recommend faecal testing every couple of months or so. There are so many options available now for safe, natural parasite prevention and worming that there's really no need to use medicated options with lots of risky chemicals.
Microfibre dog towel - For drying pup after a bath or shower, these hand towels are also a great option as you can actually fit your hands into each specially designed end for more control. These drying robes are also a great idea. Always ensure if your dog visits the seaside and swims in the sea that the sea water is thoroughly cleaned out of its coat before it dries, as it can cause yellowing in dogs with White fur. Dogs must be 100% dry after being washed or in water otherwise mould and bacteria can thrive in wet coats.
Dawn & Phil 🐾
