Products curated from the most popular purchases on Amazon.
Tap a group to open its picks.
A crate sized for the adult dog3 options
You buy one crate, not four. The trick is to buy for the size the dog will be and use a divider to shrink it now - a crate that is too big is why house training takes twice as long, because a puppy will use one end and sleep in the other.
- Look up the adult size for the breed and buy to that, then check the crate includes a divider panel
- A double door gives you more choice about where it goes in a room
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Midwest 36-Inch Double Door iCrate, for Medium-Large Breeds, 41-70 lbsCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
FDW Dog Crate for Large Dogs 42 Inch Folding Metal WirePet Cage Double Door W/Divider Panel Indoor Outdoor Kennel Leak-Pro...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Midwest 30-Inch Double Door iCrate, for Medium Breeds, 21-40 lbsCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
A crate pad you can wash3 options
Everything that goes in a crate in the first month comes out needing a wash. A pad that survives a hot cycle is the difference between a clean crate and a smell you cannot get rid of.
- Check it is machine washable and dryer safe, and measure it to the crate rather than to the dog
- A waterproof backing stops anything reaching the crate tray
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
KSIIA Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large Dogs with Waterproof Lining, Grey, 35x22 | Deluxe Soft Plush Dog Crate Bed, Washable Pe...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Outdoor Dog Crate Pad Bed, Reversible Waterproof Wipeable Kennel Mat, 35x22 | Wipeable Kennel Mat Pet Sleeping for Medium ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paw Inspired Washable Padded Crate Mats for Dogs, Gray, 29x18 Inch | Fits 30-inch Kennels, Leakproof, Waterproof Bottom, P...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Bowls that stay where you put them3 options
A puppy pushes a light bowl around a kitchen until the water is on the floor. Stainless steel with a non-slip base is the version that stays put and does not hold bacteria the way plastic does.
- Look for a weighted or rubber-rimmed base
- Check the bowl size against the adult dog, not the puppy, and pick something dishwasher safe because it needs washing daily
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
PEGGY11 Nonslip Stainless Steel Dog Bowls, 7.6 US Cup Each, 2 Pack | No slide silicone bottom, Dishwasher safe, Easy to cl...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
GORILLA GRIP Dog Bowls, Food Grade Stainless Steel, Set of 2, 4 Cup, Black | 304 Stainless Steel Pet Feeding Bowls Hold 32...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
URBUDDIES 2 Pack Hammered Stainless Steel Dog Bowls, 4 Cup, Gray Bottom | Premium Metal Dog Bowls with Non Slip Rubber Bot...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A collar, a lead and an ID tag3 options
The tag is the part people put off, and it is the one that matters on day one, because the highest-risk time in a puppy's life is the first week in a house it does not know its way out of.
- Check the collar adjusts well below the puppy's current neck size, since they arrive smaller than photos suggest
- Get the tag engraved with a phone number, not a name
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Didog PU Leather Dog Collar for Small Dogs Puppy, Soft Lining, Green S | All-day Comfort for Daily Walks and Backyard Play, Quick Release Metal Buckle for Easy On & Off, D-Ring for Leash, Easy CleanCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
GGSTDDUP 36 Pcs Puppy Collar and Leash Set, Adjustable Dog Collar and Leash | Quick Release Buckle Puppy Collars Whelping ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Xihmley Puppy Collar and Leash Set, with ID Ring(Black,Small) | 500D HD Nylon,Alloy Buckle,Soft Padded Handle,Adjustable L...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A harness for the walks that come later3 options
A lead clipped to a collar puts all the pulling force on a puppy's throat, and puppies pull. A harness moves that load to the chest, which is why most trainers start there.
- Check the chest measurement rather than a weight range, and look for one that adjusts in several places so it lasts more than a month
- A front clip discourages pulling more than a back clip
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
rabbitgoo Step-in Small Dog Harness, Puppy Vest for Small Sized Pet | Easy Put on and off, Lightweight, Soft, Breathable Quick-Dry Air Mesh for Comfortable Secure Walking, Navy Blue SCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Dog Harness with Leash Set, Step-in Adjustable Puppy Pet Vest, Pink S | Lightweight Breathable Air Mesh, Night Safety Refl...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
rabbitgoo Step-in Small Dog Harness, Puppy Vest for Small Sized Pet | Easy Put on and off, Lightweight, Soft, Breathable Quick-Dry Air Mesh for Comfortable Secure Walking, Rose Red SCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Enzyme cleaner, and more of it than you expect3 options
This is the most important item on the page. Ordinary cleaner removes the stain but leaves the scent markers, and a puppy returns to the exact spot it can still smell. Enzyme cleaner breaks those down, which is what actually stops the repeat.
- Check the label says enzymatic and is meant for pet urine specifically
- Buy the large bottle - a small one runs out in the first week and this is the item you cannot be without
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Urine B-Gone Enzyme Cleaner for Human, Cat & Dog Urine, Original, 1 Gallon | Enzyme cleaner for human, cat and dog urine on laundry, carpets and more; original scent, 1-gallon size.Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Eliminator, Severe Mess, 1 gal | Enzymatic Cleaner Eliminates the Toughest Dog ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Stain & Odor Eliminator, 1 Gallon | Bio-enzymatic urine destroyer; CRI Certified Safe; made in USA; f...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Training pads for the first fortnight3 options
Before the vaccination course is finished, a puppy often cannot go outside, and it still has to go somewhere. Pads give the accident a designated place instead of a random one.
- Look for an absorbent core with a leak-proof backing, and check the size against the space you are giving over to it
- Some have an attractant built in, which speeds up the association
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
50-Pack Extra Large Pee Pads - 34" x 28" Puppy Pads for Dogs with 6-Layer Leakproof Protection, Disposable and Quick-Dry D...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
COCOYO Best Value 22"x22" Dog Training Pads 50 Count | Dog Pee Pads | Super Absorbent Puppy Pads,WhiteCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Amazon Basics X-Large Heavy Duty Absorbent Puppy Potty Pads, Leak-Proof, Quick-Dry, Super Absorbent Gel Technology for Dog...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Poop bags and something to carry them in3 options
You will need these more times a day than seems possible, and the first time you are caught without one you will remember it. A dispenser that clips to the lead means you never leave without them.
- Look for thicker bags rather than the cheapest count - thin ones tear at the worst time
- A clip-on dispenser attaches to the lead so it is never left at home
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
240 Count Lavender Scented 13” x 9” Dog Poop Bags Rolls | Leakproof Strong & Sturdy Waste Bags for Doggie Cat PetCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
480 Count Lavender Scented 13” x 9” Dog Poop Bags Rolls | Leakproof Strong & Sturdy Waste Bags for Doggie Cat PetCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
720 Count Lavender Scented 13” x 9” Dog Poop Bags Rolls | Leakproof Strong & Sturdy Waste Bags for Doggie Cat PetCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
A gate for the doorway you care about3 options
House training and chewing are both far easier when the puppy has a smaller world. A gate across one doorway does more for the first fortnight than any amount of correction.
- Pressure-mounted gates suit a rented home and do not mark the frame; measure the opening at the height the gate will sit, since door frames are rarely square
- Check the walk-through gate opens the way your hallway allows
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Cumbor 30-40.6 in Baby Gate for Stairs and Doorways, Dog Gate Indoor Black | Mom's Choice Awards Winner, Pressure Mounted, Auto-Close, Easy Walk Thru Door, For Dogs IndoorCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Cumbor 29.7-51.5 in Extra Wide Baby Gate for Stairs, Dog Gate Indoor Black | Mom's Choice Awards Winner, Auto Close with Double Lock for Doorways, Child Gate for Toddlers & Pets, Pressure MountedCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Cumbor 36.6-59" Extra Wide Baby Gate for Stairs, Auto Close Dog Gate White | Double Lock Safety for Doorways, One-Hand Open with 2-Way Swing, Child Gate for Toddler & Pets, Pressure or Hardware MountedCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
A playpen for when you cannot watch3 options
You cannot supervise every minute, and the alternative to a pen is either a crate for too long or a puppy loose in a room. A pen is the middle option that makes an ordinary working day possible.
- Check the panel height against how the breed grows, and whether the panels can be reshaped to fit a corner
- A pen with a door saves lifting a puppy in and out
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
XVISHX 42x42 Inches Puppy Playpen with Gate, Dog Playpen for Puppies or Small Dogs, DogFence Pet Playpen for Indoor & Outd...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Dog Playpen - Foldable Metal Exercise Puppy Play Pen with 8 24x30in Panels - Indoor/Outdoor Pen with Door for Dogs, Cats o...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Puppy Playpen Indoor for Dog Small Pets, Dog Playpen 42x42x25 Inch, Dog Play Pen with Gate for Outdoor and Indoor, Oxford ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Chew toys for the teething weeks3 options
A teething puppy will chew. The only question is whether it chews the things you provided or the ones you did not, and that is decided by what is within reach when the urge hits.
- Look for a variety of textures, because puppies have strong preferences and you cannot guess them
- Check the size is too big to swallow, and avoid anything harder than you can dent with a thumbnail
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Beiker Dog Teething Chew Toys - 15 Pack Small Medium Breed Puppy Toy, Variety Dogs Rope Chew Toys Bundle for Boredom, Pet Interactive Squeaky Treat Dispensing Ball for PuppiesCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Beiker 20 Pack Puppy Chew Toys, Dog Teething Toys for Puppies Small Dogs | Blue Puppy Teething Rings and Ropes, Rubber Toy Bundle for Puppy Busy, Cute Interactive Pet Balls Bulk for Small BreedCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Zeaxuie 25 Pack Luxury Dog Chew Toys for Puppy, Dog Toys with Ropes, Treat Ball and Squeaky Puppy Toys for Teething Small ...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A toy that can hold food3 options
A puppy that has something to work at is a puppy that is not crying in a crate. A stuffable toy turns ten minutes of food into forty minutes of quiet, which is the single most useful trick in the first month.
- Check it is dishwasher safe, because it needs washing after every use
- Look for a size rated for a puppy rather than an adult, since an adult-sized opening is too hard for small jaws
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
MENGJINGO Dog Treat Toy and Silicone Treat Tray for Dogs 25-75 lbs | Long-Lasting Toy for Chewers, Safe for Medium/Large Dogs, 6-Cavity Silicone Tray for Homemade Frozen Treats, Easy to UseCheck price on Amazon (paid link)MENGJINGO 2-Pack Dog Treat Toy and Silicone Treat Tray for Dogs 25-75 lbs | Long-Lasting Toy for Chewers, Safe for Medium/Large Dogs, 12-Cavity Silicone Tray for Homemade Frozen Treats, Easy to UseCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
KONG Puppy, Natural Rubber Teething Chew Toy, for XS Puppies, Pink | Gentle Natural Teething Rubber Toy, Stuffable for Tre...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A snuggle toy for the first nights3 options
The first three nights are the hardest, because the puppy has just left its litter and is alone for the first time in its life. A soft toy with a heat pack or a heartbeat gives it something to settle against.
- Check the heat pack is removable and washable
- Look for secure stitching without small plastic parts, because this one is going in the crate unsupervised
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Snuggle Puppy Replacement Heat Packs for Dogs (12 Count) - Disposable Pet Comfort Warmers for Puppy Anxiety Relief - Odorl...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Pet Prime 12-Pack Disposable Heat Packs,24-Hour Odorless Warmth for Heartbeat Plush Toys,Soothing Comfort for Anxious PetsCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
BEVERLYSHARK Beverly Shark Puppy Heartbeat Toy Dog Anxiety Relief Calming Aid Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Animal Behavioral Tr...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Training treats small enough to use constantly3 options
Training happens fifty times a day in short bursts, so the treat has to be tiny. A full-size biscuit fills the puppy up after six repetitions and the session ends there.
- Look for soft, pea-sized treats - soft ones are eaten fast, which keeps a session moving
- Check the ingredient list is short, and that they are labelled for puppies rather than adults
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Pupford Soft & Chewy Training Treats for Dogs & Puppies (Chicken, 5 oz) | 250+ treats per bag, <2 kcals each, Only 7 ingredients, All breed sizes, Mess free and bite sized, Trainer recommendedCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Dog Training Treats, Natural, Grain Free, Lamb and Salmon Recipe, 8 oz BagCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Wellness CORE Brainiac Soft Puppy Training Treats, Natural, Grain Free, Beef and Turkey Recipe, 6 oz BagCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
An airtight food container3 options
Kibble left in its bag goes stale and attracts everything from ants to mice, and a puppy fed stale food eats less than it should during the fastest growth of its life.
- Check the capacity in pounds against the bag size you buy, and look for a seal with a gasket rather than a loose lid
- Wheels are worth it above about thirty pounds
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Komzon Rice Storage Container, Collapsible Airtight 10-40 Lb Rice Storage Container, 25lb Pet Dog Food Storage Container, Rice Dispenser Bin with Cup and Scoop for Flour Cereal Pasta Grain, Cat BirdCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Rice Storage Container, Collapsible Airtight Food Storage Containers 20-30lbs with Clear Lid and Wheels, Rice Dispenser with Scoop for Flour Cereal Pasta Grain, Cat Pet Bird Dog Food Storage ContainerCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
IRIS USA Airtight Pet Food Storage Rolling Container, 30 lb Capacity, Black | Airtight seal keeps kibble, bird seed, and p...Check price on Amazon (paid link)
A brush and nail clippers3 options
Grooming is a habit you build before it is needed. A puppy that has had its paws handled every day is one that will let a vet or a groomer near them, and that is worth far more later than it costs now.
- Match the brush to the coat - a slicker for a longer coat, a rubber curry for a short one
- For clippers, a guard that stops you cutting too far is worth having while you are learning
3 options — pick the one that fits, then tap through for the current price on Amazon.
gonicc Professional Dog & Cat, Small Animals Nail Clippers & Trimmers | With Safety Guard to Avoid Overcutting, Free Nail File, Razor Sharp Blade - Ideal Grooming Tool for Dog & Cat, Small AnimalsCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
Gonicc PDT- 1001 Professional Pet De Shedding comb Tool BlueCheck price on Amazon (paid link)
oneisall Dog Grooming Vacuum, Pet Grooming Vacuum with Clipper Nail Grinder, 1.5L Dust Cup Dog deshedding Brush with 7 Too...Check price on Amazon (paid link)