The catch: Old stain? Soak it at bedtime and let it work overnight.
The maker states: Enzyme formulaThe maker states: it uses enzymes, which break down the pee or vomit itself, so the smell goes with it.
The maker states: Made in USAThe maker states: it is made in the USA, with no qualifier. Under FTC rules, that claim has to mean all or virtually all of it is made here.
Every puppy list online runs 40 items because someone is selling most of them. On day one, a puppy needs to eat, drink, sleep somewhere safe, chew something that isn't your shoe, and pee somewhere you can clean.
Buy for that. Buy the rest once you've met the puppy.
Before the puppy comes home
Eat and drink
The same food the breeder or shelter used. Switch later, slowly, with your vet's input.
Two bowls. Stainless steel is easy to clean and hard to chew.
Small, soft training treats. You'll be handing out a lot of them.
Sleep
A crate sized for the adult dog, with a divider to make it puppy-sized for now.
A washable crate pad. It will get chewed, and it will get peed on.
A towel or blanket that smells like the litter, if the breeder or shelter will give you one.
Stay safe
Collar or harness and a regular leash.
An ID tag with your phone number. Today, not when the cute custom one arrives.
Baby gates for stairs and off-limits rooms.
Accidents (they will happen)
An enzyme cleaner. Regular sprays leave the smell your puppy uses as a "go here" sign. Rocco & Roxie is made for pee, poop and vomit. The catch: it's slow on old spots, so leave those overnight.
Poop bags. Earth Rated's unscented bags are thick and leak-proof, if you'd rather not walk around smelling of lavender. The catch: nothing masks the smell, so tie it off fast.
Puppy pads, only if you plan to use them. Some trainers go straight to outside.
Chew and play
Two or three puppy-safe chew toys, plus one tug toy.
Book it
A vet visit in the first week. Bring the breeder or shelter records.
The first week
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A treat pouch that clips on. A magnetic one like the heouvo opens with one hand, so the reward lands while the good behavior is still happening. The catch: it gets grubby inside, and the magnet weakens over time.
Puppy shampoo, puppy nail clippers and a basic brush.
A long training line for recall practice in a safe, open space.
The first month
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Puzzle and food toys, once you see how fast your puppy gets bored.
A nicer bed, after the worst of the chewing.
A car harness or crate for rides.
A puppy class. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready to join one.
Common shopping mistakes
Skip these
Puppy perfume. That nose is the most sensitive thing in your house.
A pile of toys. Three or four, rotated, beats a basket of ignored ones.
A designer bed. Right now it's a chew toy.
Supplements you didn't ask your vet about.
Bark collars. Not on a puppy.
A retractable leash. It teaches pulling and gives you no control near a road.
The first night
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There will be crying. Your puppy just left everyone they've ever known. It isn't a sign you did something wrong.
Put the crate next to your bed, so they can hear and smell you.
Add the litter-scented towel.
Run a fan or white noise to soften the silence.
Plan on at least one middle-of-the-night potty trip. Small puppy, small bladder.
Open the crate in a quiet moment, not mid-cry, so crying doesn't become the key.
Puppy-proof at floor level first
Cords hidden or covered.
Shoes, socks and small things off the floor.
Houseplants up high until you've checked they're safe for dogs.
Food, water, a crate, something to chew, a leash with a tag, an enzyme cleaner and bags. That's day one. The puppy will tell you what they need next. First car ride or vet visit? See our dog carriers and travel picks.
