The New Dog Checklist

Are you welcoming a new fur friend into your life? Whether you’re looking forward to the arrival of a rescue or your new puppy, it’s a super exciting time. But there are lots of things you’ll need to prepare before their arrival, which can be a little overwhelming. Which is why we’ve created this new dog checklist.

This is a list of new dog items needed to make a safe, happy home for your new companion. Our shopping checklist is printable too, so you can stick this list of new puppy essentials up in your home and tick them off as you go!

Let’s start with what you’ll need for the pick-up day, with some travel essentials for a new puppy or dog.

Travel

• Carrier
  • While you might not need one for an adult dog, these can come in very handy for safely transporting puppies on public transport and to the vets - especially before their shots.
• Car Restraint
  • The safest way for your new arrival to travel in a car is with a restraint of some kind. This keeps them safely in one place while you focus on driving, as well as providing security in the event of an accident. You can find our full range of car safety wear here.
• Travel Bowls
  • If you’ve got a long journey a travel bowl is ideal for helping your new dog or puppy stay hydrated en route. Plus, they’ll come in handy during long walks to come!
• Collar
  • A collar is essential for holding those all-important ID tags. We have a range of collars to suit every breed and every owner. Stylish, secure or adventure-bound - you decide!
  • We also have a range of lightweight small collars that are perfectly suited to new puppies, or toy breeds.
• ID Tags
  • Identification tags are essential for the safe return of your dog should they escape. Make sure to include your name and address. Your telephone number is optional (but recommended!)
  • If you’d like to really show off some style, why not add a charm to your dog’s ID tags!
• Blankets
  • If you are transporting a young puppy, it’s a good idea to keep them warm and cosy so they sleep on the journey. Ideally, the breeder will let you take one that smells of mum!
• Clothing
  • Shorter coated breeds, or very young puppies, might need a little help staying warm in the colder months. So a coat and a jumper are great investments.
• Poo Bags & Holder
  • Always remember to be stocked up on poop bags as a responsible owner. A holder that clips to your leash is a great way to never forget them when leaving the house.

Homeware

• Food
  • Be sure to get your dog off to a great start by choosing a high-quality food for them and having plenty in stock. Just make sure to transition them to any new food slowly, in order to avoid any tummy upsets.
• Bowls
  • Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are great for cleanliness and durability.
  • If you find your new dog has a habit of eating too quickly, try a slow feeder bowl.
• Puzzle Feeders
  • As well as regular bowls, it’s great to have a few puzzle feeders to keep your dog enriched and stimulated (and your puppy busy while you do the laundry!)
• Toys
  • All dogs love toys! Not only do they enrich your bond and provide important stimulation, but they also provide a healthy outlet for a dog’s natural urges.
  • We have a wide range of toys for every type of dog. From puppy safe options to plush softies, to tough water sport fetchers.
• Bedding
  • For puppies, it’s worth investing in something they can grow into, but keep an eye out for chewing! You can always swap it out for old towels until they are over their teething phase.
  • Vetbed is a great option - a synthetic simulated sheepskin, which is hygienic, machine washable, non-allergenic and relatively resistant to chewing.
• Towels
  • A good dog towel is a really underrated piece of kit! Helping to keep your car cleaner and your floors free of excess sand and dirt, a micro-fibre travel towel is ideal for both bath time and outdoor adventures.
• Baby Gates/Pen
  • Having some way to keep your new dog away from areas that aren’t fully puppy-proofed, or safely confined while you leave the house, will come in really handy.
• Proofing
  • If you are welcoming a young puppy, you might want to invest in some secure shoe storage (it’s worth it!), wire covers and cupboard locks if needed. Prevention is the best cure to unwanted behaviour!

Health Care

• Brushes
  • For puppies, you might want to start with a grooming mitt, to get them used to the concept of brushing.
  • For older and longer haired dogs, we have a range of fantastic, high-quality brushes for all coat types.
• Nail Clippers
  • Nail clippers are a key part of your pet’s wellbeing. Whilst you can ask your vet or groomer to help, it’s always good to have a pair on hand.
• Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Whether they are a puppy or an adult addition to your home, we recommend our range of bathing products that are gently formulated and derived from natural ingredients. Leaving hair healthy and shiny without drying out your dog’s skin.
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Sadly, dental disease is far too prevalent in middle-aged dogs, so get proactive from day one and invest in a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Seaweed Powder
  • An essential addition to any dog’s health regime that keeps your pet’s teeth clean and naturally reduces bad breath. Our seaweed powder is organically produced with no additives, preservatives or colouring.

Training

• Treats
  • To get your training off to a great start you’ll need some healthy, tasty and alluring treats.
  • Here at Pitta Patta, we stock a range of lean, natural and irresistible treats that we love for training our own dogs!
• Treat Bag
  • A treat bag is an amazing investment. Not only can you fill it full of all your walking essentials, but it makes accessing rewards a breeze. Timing is a hugely underrated part of dog training, and a treat bag makes it possible.
• Harness
  • Harnesses are an excellent choice for helping to distribute lead pressure safely, whilst also offering training enhancement options.
  • After years of trying to find the perfect all-around harness…we created our own! 4Pooch Control Harness is the culmination of years of testing and perfecting - ideal for puppies and adult dogs alike. 
  • Also, check out our 2Hounds range, which has excellent options for all sizes, with multifunction attachment options for training too.
• Multifunction Lead
  • Investing in a multifunction lead is not only a fantastic addition to your training arsenal, but it saves you space too! Allowing options that both enhance your leash training and offer different lengths to suit different environments.
  • The 4Pooch multi-function lead has been specifically designed after years of testing market comparisons to offer the best possible walking experience.
  • Our next top pick is the 2Hounds lead, which is robust, durable and functional.
• Long Line
  • While your recall is a work in progress, a long line is a dependable way to offer your dog more freedom safely and responsibly.

There you have it, our complete new dog owner checklist. While it may seem long, this checklist for new puppy owners & rescue owners is designed to offer you options you can keep for your dog’s lifetime. Make sure to invest in quality pieces, training aids & healthcare accessories (that your puppy can grow into where you can) offering them the best start for your journey together.

If you want to know more about where to begin with using your new equipment, check out our popular training guides for new owners:

• What to Train First - Dog Training for First Time Owners
• Introducing Your New Dog to the Family (+ Your Other Dogs!)
• How to Start Leash Training a Puppy - A Step by Step Guide

Enjoy those magical first few weeks together & happy training!