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What You Need Before Bringing Home a New Puppy

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Over the weekend we brought home a new puppy! Meet Zoey, a German Shepherd Boxer mix.

bringing home a puppy checklist; what you need to have at home before bringing home a dog

I had forgotten how much work puppies are! Even after having the kids pick up all their toys, the little puppy still found things to chew on.

We started out puppy-proofing the house by securing loose cords, picking up toys [especially Legos], putting my one real plant up out of reach, but of course she found even more things to get into. Just know you may have more puppy-proofing to do once you bring them home.

As far as gathering supplies before bringing puppy home, this is a general idea on what your puppy will need to get started.

Checklist: What You Need Before Bringing Home a New Puppy

bringing home a puppy checklist; what you need to have at home before bringing home a dog

Dog Bowls // stainless steel dog bowls are a great option and are dishwasher safe. For larger dogs you may want to consider a raised dog feeder or DIY a feeder. Grab at least two; one for water and one for food.

Dog Crate // this dog crate is great for training a puppy as it includes the movable divider. A puppy should always have a safe place to go to when left alone and at night-time although it may take some training to get them used to it.

Cozy Dog Bed // When puppy isn’t being crated, they can take naps and get cozy on their own dog bed.

Waterproof Pet Blanket // this blanket is not only soft, but deters wetness and comes in a variety of colors to go along with your home decor.

Dog Collar + Leash // every puppy should have a collar and/or harness and leash for going on walks and training purposes. BOBS by Sketcher has the most adorable prints/patterns. We love them!

Poop Bags // your puppy will be going on lots of walks to burn off all that energy. Your neighbors will appreciate you bringing along these poop bags 😉

Pooper Scooper or Yard Waste Scooper // this handy little claw will help keep your yard free of land mines 😉 very easy to operate and collapses when not in use.

Puppy Toys // puppies need toys to play and for redirection when they start to get chompy on your furniture.

Dog Treats // our puppy loves these grain free treats. They’re also small enough to use when training your puppy.