Puppies are always so much fun to have around the house! But preparing for a puppy is a lot like preparing for a newborn baby. So I’m told at least.
There are a few important must-haves before you bring your new fur baby home.
Food
Getting the right food for your puppy is so important. But the right food isn’t always the most expensive option out there.
Puppies will need a food that can fill all their nutritional needs and support their growing bodies. But they don’t need so much that it’s overkill. In a pack in the wilds, young dogs get the scraps and leftovers after the pack has finished eating.
Puppy foods are generally not the way to go when looking for foods for your fur child. Look for something that is slightly lower in protein and fat. And if all else fails, speak with the breeder, they will be able to help you choose a suitable food for your pup.
Collar
Getting a collar is honestly one of my favorite things to do for a new dog. I just ordered Olaf’s grown-up collar from a seller on Etsy and am incredibly pleased with how it turned out!
I highly recommend getting a martingale collar over a standard flat buckle collar. Up until I started using martingales, dogs would always find a way to wiggle out of their collar while I hung onto them. It was like it was a game.
Martingales are designed to get tight much like a choker chain, but as soon as the pressure is released, the collars release and go back to being like a flat buckle collar. Unlike chokers, they are perfect for everyday wear.
ID Tag
ID tags are a must. But why go to Walmart and use the dog tag machine when you can scroll through Etsy and find a really unique one.
It’s no secret that my little (big?) turd’s name is Olaf. Originally he wasn’t going to be named after that snowman in Frozen, but it just kind of happened. Sorry, Mom!
You better believe I bought Olaf a tag with the snowman on it.
But even if the talking snowman doesn’t do it for you, Etsy has a ton off super cute options for a name tag.
Leash
Having a good leash is a must. And this goes for any dog, not just Newfies.
I have a six-foot leather leash that is my go-to for going out and about. It’s super easy to hang onto and doesn’t slip and cause rope burn if they tug a bit too hard trying to chase after that squirrel.
I also have a Flexi leash for road trips and other times when it’s okay for them to venture beyond the six-foot radius.
Food Bowl
I mean, you can put their food in a pile on the floor for them to eat but who wants to eat off the floor when you can eat out of a bowl. Okay, okay, a lot of dogs prefer eating from a pile on the floor than from the bowl. I’ve had dogs that dump their bowl as soon as you fill it and happily eat it off the floor.
But for those of you that want to have your puppy eat from a bowl, I recommend one with a non-slip bottom. Or this super cute customizable food bowl from Etsy.
A must-have item for larger breed dogs is a raised food bowl. This helps to prevent bloat, a potentially life-threatening condition, while they are eating. The Neater Feeder also helps with those messy eaters by keeping the food contained.
Water Bowl/Bucket
Ideally, you have a water bowl for your new puppy. But I can promise you with absolute certainty that your Newfie will not be happy with just a bowl of water. They are water dogs. It doesn’t matter if they’re in your kitchen or in your yard, they will try to swim or lay in any water you give them. A bucket is the only way to go.
I use the standard farm buckets. They come in a variety of colors, but blue is always a solid choice.
And even if you aren’t getting a Newf or another large breed dog, little dogs love buckets too. I have a Havanese and she wouldn’t dream of drinking water from a bowl.
But, if you absolutely must have a bowl for your dog to drink water from, this stainless steel bowl is an excellent option. It even has a rubber non-slip grip coating on the bottom.
Plastic Tub
Remember how I just said that Newfs will swim in any amount of water you give them regardless if they’re in your house or not? Even if you give them a bucket over a bowl.
The best way to keep the water contained during and after their exciting indoor swimming adventure is to put the water bucket inside a plastic storage container. It’s not going to be perfect at keeping the water contained, but it will go a long way towards helping!
Grooming Tools
Let’s be really real, I could (and will) write a whole post on the grooming tools you need for your Newfoundland. And we could (and will) go down the many avenues of grooming, from day to day life to a show groom for the conformation ring.
But starting off, you don’t need all the fancy stuff right away.
The most important thing is a pin brush. I LOVE this brush so much I even have a few that are human-specific. Some of the dogs, on the other hand, would tell you that I’m nuts for loving that brush or any brush.
Another thing you’ll need is a slicker brush.
Nail clippers are a must! Believe me, you do not want those claws turning into talons.
Crate
Crates are necessary for crate training or if you want to leave your pup home for a couple of hours without having to worry about what they destroyed in the house while you were away. They give your puppy a safe space that they see as a den.
If you are getting a large breed puppy like a Newf, or really any dog that grows to a size larger than a cat, make sure you are getting a crate that accommodates their full-grown adult size. While it will be too big for them to start, you can purchase divider panels to adjust it to the size you need when they are young.
Bed
Every dog needs a comfy bed and a corner in the home to call his own. Some dogs are happy with just a blanket and will stir it into a pile. Other dogs prefer something raised off the ground or a fluffy foam bed.
Toys
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget the most important part.
Puppies and any dog needs toys.
I can’t specifically recommend any particular toy that you must get. Every dog is a unique individual and their toy preferences will vary. So start off with a few and get a storage box or chest to keep all the toys in.
What are some things you think are absolute must-haves for a new puppy? Share in the comments below!
Don’t forget to pin this to your pet board and share it with anyone you know getting a new puppy!
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