Sunny the Golden

10 Must-Haves for a New Puppy

July 31, 2022

Today marks two months since I brought Sunny, my golden retriever puppy, home. She’s become an integral part of my life in such a short amount of time. Since dog items have become staples in my everyday life and are at the forefront of my mind, today I’m sharing 10 must-have items for a new puppy.

ONE | TurboClean DualPro Pet Carpet Cleaner

If there’s one thing that’s certain when it comes to puppies, it’s that they will have accidents. For the sake of your rugs, get a Bissell. I have the TurboClean DualPro Pet Carpet Cleaner, which is designed with pets in mind. It shampoos rugs and carpet, quickly cleaning pet messes. It also has an attachable Tough Stain Tool, which is great for cleaning upholstery. If you want something smaller and more portable than the 17-pound DualPro Pet Carpet Cleaner, I recommend the Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner.

TWO | Harness

If you’ve ever had a dog, you know they tend to tug before they’re fully leash-trained. With this in mind, I wanted to get a harness for Sunny so as not to hurt her neck while she’s still training. I found Sunny’s Nautica harness (pictured) at HomeGoods, but I love this gingham harness from Chewy, too.

THREE | Hydrapeak Dog Bowls

Food and water bowls may be among the first things that cross your mind when you think of gear for a new puppy. There are endless options to choose from, but I opted for the Hydrapeak dog bowls. They’re non-slip, stainless steel, and dishwasher friendly (such a plus!). The bowls come in 14 color options, and I’ll admit that I chose two shades of blue because they matched the colors in my living room rug.

FOUR | Long Handle Pooper Scooper

A pooper scooper is a necessity. To make your life easier, get the 33″ Imingila Long Handle Portable Pet Pooper Scooper. The long handle is nice so that you don’t have to bend over to clean up after your dog.

FIVE | Playpen

The play pen was hands down one of the best purchases I made for my new puppy. I wanted something in between having her crated and running free throughout the house. The Foldable Metal Dog Playpen was the perfect solution because it contains Sunny but also gives her room to stretch out and play. During the day, she spends most of her time in her playpen next to me while I work. The playpen comes in a variety of sizes, but I went with the 36″ high option— in gold for aesthetic reasons, of course.

SIX | Crate & Crate Divider

I am a big believer in crate training dogs. Sunny sleeps in the Frisco Fold & Carry Collapsible Dog Crate at night and also naps there when I’m not home. You want your new puppy to have just enough room in the crate to stand up, turn around, and lie down. To save yourself from having to buy multiple crates as your dog grows, I recommend buying a crate based on their anticipated full-grown size, plus a crate divider. This crate divider from Amazon has worked well for us.

SEVEN | Lassie Dog Car Seat Cover

When I first got Sunny, I transported her to her vet appointments in a box in the back seat. Needless to say, she did not like it. Once I got the Lassie Dog Car Seat Cover, her tune changed completely. She likes that she can see me in the front seat through the mesh panel. I like that my leather seats are protected, as are my doors, thanks to the side flaps. Even better, the cover is completely waterproof.

EIGHT | PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Zipline

Coupled with the Lassie Dog Car Seat Cover, the PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Zipline has made Sunny love car rides. She gets to move around freely in the back seat and I can rest assured that she’s secure with the zipline if I had to slam on my breaks. If you do purchase a car zipline, be sure to attach it to your dog’s harness, not their collar.

NINE | The Art of Raising a Puppy

Having a new puppy can be overwhelming at first. If you’re like me, you want a guide that tells you the proper steps you should take to set your puppy up for success. Enter The Art of Raising a Puppy. Written by monks who fund their monastery by breeding german shepherds, the book is a trove of wisdom on dog training, canine behavior, and the bond between animals and their humans. I can’t speak highly enough of this book. It helped me get Sunny on a routine that let us both sleep through the night within a week of bringing her home, which is pretty incredible!

TEN | Collar & Leash

A collar and leash are obvious needs for a new puppy, but I included them in this list because I love the Green Market Collar and Leash from Mark & Graham. They’re handmade in Rhode Island from bamboo. They’re quick-drying and odor resistant, and come in a range of bright colors with personalized embroidery (which you know I love!). I ordered a size large collar in the navy/aqua, so once she’s full-grown, Sunny can sport her adorable personalized collar. In the meantime, we’re loving the leash and how it’s holding up to all the wear and tear that comes with puppyhood.

If you have a dog, I’d love to hear the items you consider must-haves! Bonus points for any items that help you travel with your pet. I’m already thinking ahead to holiday travel with Sunny girl.