Top 10 Must-Have Products for New Dog Owners
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Top 10 Must-Have Products for New Dog Owners
Bringing a dog home for the first time is one of the best experiences in the world — and also one of the most overwhelming. Between the vet visits, the training questions, and the sheer amount of stuff available for dogs, it's easy to either overbuy things you don't need or forget something critical.
This is the practical checklist I wish someone had handed me when I got my first dog. No fluff, no unnecessary gadgets — just the 10 categories of products that actually matter in those first weeks and months. Whether you're bringing home a puppy or adopting an adult dog, this list has you covered.
1. A Quality Food and Water Station
Your dog needs to eat and drink every single day, so this is day-one priority. Skip the cheap plastic bowls — they scratch, harbor bacteria, and can cause skin irritation around the chin and mouth.
What to get: Stainless steel or ceramic bowls with a non-slip base. Elevated feeders work well for larger breeds and older dogs, while floor-level is fine for smaller dogs and puppies.
For busy households, an automatic pet feeder takes the guesswork out of portions and schedules. Pair it with a pet water fountain and your dog's basic needs are handled even on your craziest days.
2. The Right Leash and Collar (or Harness)
You'll use a leash every single day, multiple times a day. This is not the place to go cheap.
For puppies and small dogs: A lightweight, 6-foot nylon leash with a standard clip. Skip retractable leashes — they teach dogs that pulling creates more slack.
For medium to large dogs: A sturdy leash paired with a front-clip harness that distributes pressure across the chest instead of the throat.
Don't forget: An ID tag with your phone number. Even if your dog is microchipped, a visible tag is the fastest way to get a lost dog returned.
Check out our leash and collar collection for options that balance durability with comfort.
3. A Comfortable Bed
Dogs sleep a lot — puppies especially. A good bed gives them a designated spot that's theirs, which helps with crate training and general settling in.
For puppies: Get something washable and inexpensive. Puppies chew. They'll destroy a luxury bed in a week. Save the fancy orthopedic bed for when they're past the chewing phase.
For adult dogs: Look for supportive foam or bolster beds sized appropriately. Dogs like to curl up against edges, so bolster-style beds are popular for a reason.
Browse our pet bed collection to find the right size and style.
4. A Crate That Fits
A crate is not a cage — it's a den. Dogs are natural den animals, and most dogs come to love their crate as their safe, quiet space. Crate training is also one of the most effective housebreaking tools available.
Sizing matters: The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Too big and a puppy will use one end as a bathroom. Many crates come with dividers so you can adjust the space as your puppy grows.
5. Grooming Basics
Grooming isn't just about looking good — it's health maintenance. At minimum, you need:
- A brush appropriate for your dog's coat type. Slicker brushes work for most coats, but double-coated breeds need an undercoat rake.
- Nail clippers or a nail grinder. Overgrown nails cause pain and change how your dog walks.
- Dog-specific shampoo. Human shampoo is too harsh for a dog's skin pH.
- Ear cleaning solution. Especially important for floppy-eared breeds prone to infections.
Our grooming essentials kit has everything you need in one package, so you're not hunting for individual items.
6. Chew Toys and Teething Solutions
Dogs chew. Puppies chew a lot. If you don't provide appropriate chew outlets, your shoes, furniture, and baseboards will volunteer for the job.
For puppies: Rubber teething toys you can freeze provide relief for sore gums. Rope toys are good for interactive play but should be put away when unsupervised since dogs can swallow the threads.
For adult dogs: Durable rubber toys, nylon bones, and treat-dispensing toys keep dogs occupied and mentally stimulated. Match the toy's toughness to your dog's chewing intensity — what works for a Chihuahua won't survive five minutes with a pit bull.
Shop our toy collection for options rated by chew strength.
7. Training Treats
You'll go through a surprising amount of treats in the first few months of training. The key is using small, soft treats your dog can eat quickly without breaking focus.
What to look for: Treats that break into tiny pieces, have a strong smell (dogs train better for smelly food), and are low-calorie enough that you can use dozens per training session without overfeeding.
Avoid anything that takes your dog more than two seconds to eat. If they have to sit and chew, you've lost the training moment.
Check our treat selection for training-specific options.
8. A GPS Tracker
This one might surprise new owners, but a GPS tracker provides genuine peace of mind — especially during the first few months when your dog is still learning recall and adjusting to a new home.
Dogs slip out of open doors, pull leashes out of hands, and find gaps in fences you didn't know existed. A GPS tracker on the collar lets you locate your dog in real time from your phone. Look for real-time tracking (not just Bluetooth range), long battery life, and waterproof construction.
Our GPS pet tracker clips right onto any collar and provides live location tracking with multi-day battery life.
9. A Car Seat Cover
You might not think about this until the first time you look at your back seat after a trip to the park. Dog hair, muddy paws, drool, and the occasional accident will destroy your upholstery faster than you'd believe.
A good car seat cover protects your seats, gives your dog a non-slip surface to ride on, and makes cleanup a matter of tossing the cover in the wash.
Look for: Waterproof backing, hammock-style design (prevents your dog from sliding into the footwell during stops), and side flaps that protect the doors.
Our waterproof car seat cover fits most vehicles and installs in under a minute.
10. Poop Bags (Yes, Really)
It's not glamorous, but you'll use more poop bags than you ever imagined. Buy in bulk and keep them everywhere — by the door, in the car, in every jacket pocket, attached to the leash.
Biodegradable bags are the move if you want to be environmentally conscious. Bag dispensers that clip to the leash handle mean you'll never be caught without one on a walk.
Get Everything You Need in One Place
Setting up for a new dog doesn't have to mean running to five different stores. We've put together everything on this list — and then some — in our curated collections for new pet owners.
Shop the New Dog Owner Collection and get your home dog-ready with free shipping on orders over $50.
Not sure where to start? Browse all pet essentials and build your own starter kit.