Disclaimer: Some of the following products were sent for the purpose of testing them out for review. These products are highlighted by the use of an asterisk (*) beside them. This post also contains affiliate links which are indicated by the use of a dagger (†). All review words and opinions are my own. All photos are copyright property of Me Becoming Mum.

In May we welcomed the newest member of our already rather large family… Jessie the bulldog cross! She is an absolute gem and has settled in so well to our chaotic household… and I’m so glad that we made the decision to adopt her. Here I’ll share some new puppy must haves that I highly recommend all new puppy owners get when they welcome their furbaby home.

The basics

Whatever else you decide to purchase there are a few basics you'll need the day you bring your puppy home, including:

Collar and tag
Lead
Bedding
Water and food bowls
Good quality food
Poo bags
Treats for training
Toys

While I don't need to share each of these in detail because they're pretty self explanatory (and who really wants to read about poo bags!) read on to discover everything that we’d never go without for our beautiful girl.

In the home

Bed

All new puppy owners start out with good intentions, right? As much as we love our new puppies, it’s good for them to have their own bed rather than live on ours. I’ll be honest, John would probably boot the poor thing out the way he rolls in his sleep, so having a bed for Jessie from Bed Kingdom* just makes sense. They have different colour options to suit your style and different size options to suit your pup’s breed. The best part for me is the removable cover, which is machine washable. Trust me when I say that will be perfect in those early days of toilet training!

Crate

Crate training can still be quite a controversial subject when it comes to dog owners, and there are plenty of opinions about using them. For me, it was a non-negotiable. Crate training overs several benefits for you as an owner, and for your new puppy to. Not only does it offer a safe, secure space for your dog to retreat to if they need some quiet time, but it also allows you peace of mind if you have to leave the puppy alone for short periods of time and want to avoid destructive behaviour. Jessie loves her crate†, and although she will always prefer to snuggle up for sleepy cuddles, she sleeps through the night in her crate as well as going in there when I go on the school run. Don’t forget to choose the right size for your pup. If you do choose to get one for them to grow into, use a crate divider† to minimise the space and prevent them using the excess space as a toilet area.

Dog rocks

Worried about urine burn marks? Dog Rocks from Podium Pets* are the product for you. They may look like normal, outdoor rocks, but these are a 100% safe and natural way to help prevent urine burns on your perfect garden lawn. Simply wash them off then pop the pack of dog rocks into 2 litres of water, leave them for 10 hours, and use the water to fill up their water bowl. The best part? They don’t cost the earth, and only need replacing every 2 months!

Out and about

Collar and tag

Did you know that by law your dog must have a collar and tag on when you take them out the house? To avoid a £5000 fine, be sure to pick up a collar and tag for your new pup. The tag must be engraved with your name and address as a minimum. For extra security I recommend including your telephone number, too.

Harness

Harnesses are one of those things that you should start training your puppy to wear straight away, especially for larger breeds or breeds that are prone to pulling. Although they will always need a collar and tag by law, harnesses offer pressure distribution which can help reduce the risk of neck and spine injuries. Additionally they increase control for you as the owner, while being more comfortable for your dog, too. The new Dinky Dog range from Doodlebone* has the cutest snappy harnesses for your puppy or smaller dog. Step-in style these are super easy to use. Don’t forget to measure your pup and keep up with them as they grow! Sadly Jessie has already outgrown hers but we had a good run with it and loved it.

Lead

Whether you plan to allow your puppy off the lead in the future or not, you will always start with them on a lead. Some places require them to remain on leads, and in those that don’t you will want to ensure that your puppy has been trained with a decent recall before letting them off. Whether you opt for a matching lead to your collar and harness like the Dinky Dog range from Doodlebone* or you opt for one with a specific function such as an extendable lead, or one with a swivel clip there are plenty of options available to choose from and suit your budget.

Treat pouch

So, in my opinion, training your puppy starts in your home… but what do you do when they have had their vacinnations and can start getting out and about for outside walks? You still need to ensure you're training them. For example we've worked on heel, loose lead walking, no jumping at strangers, and not reacting to ducks, swans, and other dogs in the park. We are using clicker training as the perferred, consitant method, and that requires treats. Don't fancy washing out your jeans pockets to get rid of treat dust? A treat pouch from Doodlebone* will save you from that! It's cute, it has a draw string, and it matches the rest of their Dinky Dog range… what could be sweeter?

Enrichment and play

Chew toys

Puppies aren't called baby sharks for nothing. Their baby teeth are super sharp and you'll quickly discover they love to chew… On everything. To redirect the chewing from furniture, clothing, and even the occasional skin, investing in good quality chew toys is a must. I highly recommend Nylabone bacon puppy keys* which Jessie loves and have so far proved indestructible (unlike some other items like tennis balls!) They also come in different sizes to suit your puppy, so whatever breed you bring home you'll find keys to suit their nippy teeth.

Squeaky toys

Jessie loves to chase, pounce on, drag around, shake, chew, and squeak her Petface Luis Lion*. It's super cute, super soft, and best of all is made from 100% recycled polyester. The brand even won the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) sustainability award for using recycled plastic bottles to create their products.

Snuffle mat

Snuffle mats are a great way to not only offer enrichment for your new puppy but they are also ideal for slow feeding if your puppy has a tendency to wolf down their food like Jessie. We chose a sunflower snuffle mat from Amazon† but there are plenty of different sizes, colours, and designs to choose from to suit all different budgets.

Snacks

Jessie’s favourite sneaky treat? Peanut butter! Better than peanut butter on a lick mat? It's the Dogs peanut butter balls*… she literally cannot get enough! High in protein and fibre, low in carbs, and gluten free, these natural dog treats are going to be a staple in our household for the foreseeable future. They’re gut friendly, too, with pumpkin and chia seeds which offer bonus nutrients and support healthy skin, a shiny coat, and good digestion.

Grooming

Brush and grooming kit

Every pup needs their fur washed, brushed, and cared for, not just the fluffy breeds! The Mikki puppy grooming kit* is the perfect choice (even if Jessie thinks the brush is a chew toys!) It has everything you need to get started, including a slicker brush, comb, and the all-important flea comb.

Towel

Having a white dog is certainly interesting… from muddy puddles to dry dusty woodland walks, it feels like she constantly needs a bath! A super soft Dinky Dog towel from Doodlebone* is perfect for post-bath snuggles to dry off and warm up. The highly absorbent polyester microfiber fabric of the towel is perfect for drying your puppy off after wet walks or bath time and of course can be popped in your washing machine for easy cleaning.

Training

Treats

There is one thing that is always going to work when it comes to puppies and that is positive reinforcement. Getting your puppy some tasty natural dog training treats is the perfect way to reward good behaviour, and help your puppy associate the desired behaviour with something positive.

P.S. Don't forget to include training treats in your puppy's daily food allowance when weighing out their meals!

So, there you go! All that is left for me to say is, “Good luck!” Adding a puppy to your family is so rewarding, and I cannot recommend it enough... I hope that this guide can help you pick out all the essentials to ensure you’re ready for bringing your new baby home with you.

New Puppy Must Haves