Essentials for first-time Dog Owners
Chances are that you are getting a new dog or already have gotten a new dog. Congratulations! This is life changing and you are going to have A LOT of troubles and fun with your new companion.
I remember when I picked up Luke. He was 7 months old and everything happened so fast. I knew I wanted a dog and have been looking in shelters for months, before I found him on Craigslist. YES - Craigslist.
I went to meet him one afternoon and knew immediately that I’ll adopt him. I brought him home but I did not have ANYTHING dog related at home. I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of beds and food and toys in the store. I concentrated on the most important things and bought other things as needed.
To make this process easier for you, I created a list with the things that are most important in the beginning.
All the Things that You Need
1.Harness
The first thing you need is a harness. My dog had a collar from the previous owner but since he hasn’t learnt how to walk on a leash yet, he was breathing really heavy since the collar was choking him. He was also able to slip out of his collar very easily and I didn’t want him to walk into traffic.
Especially for first time dog owners who have not established a recall command with their dog, a harness is so important. You do not want your dog to slip out of his collar and run into traffic. A harness is much more secure, especially in the beginning. If you do not like the look of the harness, use it until a training routine as been established. You can switch to a collar once you feel confident that you dog will not slip out of his collar and is able to walk on a leash.
There are many different harnesses around, but I like this one since its very sturdy, the material is not as bulky as others. I also live in Florida where it is always very hot and humid so I do not want too much fabric covering my dog’s body. I also love that it has a buckle AND hardware loops for the leash. That means that even if the buckle would break, your dog would still not get out of the harness because it is double secured. They also have a lot of different colors and sizes, which makes it fun to choose. Love it!
2.Leash
A good leash is essential for leash training or your daily walks.
Throughout the past 8 years I have tried so many different leashes. The basic nylon ones are sturdy but look worn after a few months. If you have a puppy that is teething, you might even experience a chewed-up leash one day…
I tried a braided soft-leather leash that was very pretty but the leather would stretch over time. I was afraid it might break one day so I threw it out.
One year, I was visiting my family in Germany and found this gorgeous doubles stitched leather leash that has 3 adjustable lengths. I did not find the exact one here but if you follow this link, this one is pretty similar to the one I still use. It is 8ft long and the length can be adjusted. I have had it for probably 4 years now and it still looks beautiful. The weather aged well and all the hardware works like new. It is a bit more pricey but definitely worth if you are planning on using it for the next few years. I found a non-adjustable 5ft long one here that is a bit more affordable.
3.Collar with a Tag
A collar is not good for walking on a leash but it is a great way to ensure your dog keeps a tag on. In case your dog gets lost, he/she has a tag that makes it easier for your dog to return home. Make sure you get a tag from the pet store with your most recent phone number on.
4. Dog Bed
Your dog needs a dog bed! I have probably 3 different dog beds scattered around the house. He has one in the bedroom that is fluffy and comfortable, one in the living room that is an indoor/outdoor bed and a floor cushion that now serves as another dog bed.
The dog bed in the bedroom has thick fabric around the fluffy inside stuff since my dog likes to mistake his fluffy bed with a fluffy toy… So sometimes he chews on his bed instead of his toys. I ordered the Benji Bed from NufNuf in Nordic Light and love it. It takes a while to get shipped since they are located in Estonia. But I love the look so it was worth the wait.
The indoor/outdoor bed is great if your dog is not house-trained yet. It is waterproof but makes loud noises when your dog lays down. I do not use it in the bedroom because it would wake me up at night.
5. Dog Bowl
There are so many pretty choices for dog bowls. I initially had the metal bowls but found them to make too much noise so I switched to ceramic ones. They are easy to clean and very sturdy. These one are really cute, but to be honest, any type of ceramic dish will work for food and water.
6. Toys
You will definitely need toys. A LOT of them! They are great to distract your dog from chewing up your shoes or furniture or they can help to have them entertained for a little while. Check out my blog about the most indestructible toys here, in case you have an aggressive chewer at home.
7. Treats and Dog Food
Who doesn’t like a good treat? There are different types of treats depending on your intentions to use it. Are you trying to train your dog? You probably need a small treat that doesn’t fill your dog up quickly.
Or maybe you’d like to entertain your dog a bit - How about a rawhide or a bone?
There are so many options when it comes to treats. Take your dog to a pet supermarket and try out different things. Sometimes they even let you try different treats to see which flavor your dog prefers.
Dog food is a little trickier and heavily depends on your dogs’ taste. My dog is very picky when it comes to food and prefers to eat wet food over dry kibbles any day! He is also allergic against chicken which makes it more difficult to find suitable kibble for him. You might think: Just buy the beef flavor instead of the chicken, right? - Well… Even beef flavored kibbles contain chicken fillers or by-products. It is quite tricky to find kibble without any chicken in it. Check out my blog about chicken allergies in dogs here.
8. Comb or Brush
This is something that you might not need immediately after getting a new dog, but sooner or later you will need a comb or a brush to keep the fur in check. My dog sheds twice a year and oh boy during that time he gets brushed daily, sometimes multiple times per day. You will find his fur anywhere, literally anywhere… Giving your dog a bath might help with the hair, but brushing out your dog will definitely prevent a mess in your house.
If you are having trouble with excessive shedding, check out my blog post about shedding here.
There are so many things that you can buy for your dog. It takes time to find out what works for you and your dog. I hope that this blog will help you to find what is important for your new addition to the family. Remember: A dog is very happy with very little, some quality time in a dog park is worth much more than an expensive toy from the store.
Happy Playtime!
ALSO WORTH READING:
