What to Buy Before You Bring Home Your Dog

You are about to bring a new dog into your home. Maybe your puppy is almost old enough to leave the breeder or your adoption application for the perfect rescue dog has been approved. Before you go pick up your dog, you want to make sure you have the right equipment on hand. This will help your dog get comfortable being part of your family more quickly and reduce your stress in the first few days.

A New Dog Checklist

There will be some slight differences whether you are bringing home a puppy or an adult dog. You will also want to choose items based on your dog’s size, breed, and activity level, so knowing these details before your shopping trip will help. With puppies, some items like crates can be adjusted to fit the dog as he grows. Other items, such as collars, need to be matched to the dogs current size.

The basic items you will need include:

Dog Bed
Crate
Food and Water Bowls
Collar
ID Tag with Identification Information
Leash
Brush
Nail Clippers
Dog Shampoo
Plastic Poop Bags
Toys
Treats
Dog First-Aid Kit

You will also need food for your dog. Feeding your dog the same food or a similar food to what he ate with his breeder or at the shelter is the best way to limit an upset stomach and make the change easier, so speak with those managing the dog’s care. This is a good way to find out about any dietary concerns as well. Many breeders or rescues will give you a small sample of food to mix in with the food you buy for a slower transition.

A breeder or rescue may provide toys and belongings the dog has already been using. These are important in making your dog feel more comfortable in her new environment, but they can also mean you don’t need to purchase everything yourself. Discussing what your new dog might bring home with them will help you tailor your shopping list to find the items that are best for your new family member.

Finally, remember that the best way to adjust to a new dog in the home is with training. If you're interested in learning from Marc Goldberg and Patrick Farrell, we have in-person puppy and adult dog training available in the Greater Chicago area, and Zoom training for dogs outside of our service area. Contact us today to get started.

Calvin and Colleen Sheehan (Assoc. Producer - The Oprha Winfrey Show)

Marc Goldberg with Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"

Our Philosophy & Goals

Our philosophy is simple. Improve the life of both dog and family. All too often, unruly dogs do not fully enjoy life because their families constantly become upset and frustrated with them. This is difficult for both family and dog.

Our mission is simple. Make both dog and family happy.

What does is take to make your dog happy? He will thrive when you give him leadership and attention.

Making the family happy is a bit more complex.

Families typically want their dog to:

Come when called, every time, on or off leash
Walk nicely on a loose leash without pulling
Sit until released
Down until released

Families also want their dogs:

Not to jump on people
Not to charge through doors
Not to dig in the garden
Not to bark and chew inappropriately
Not to climb on furniture you prefer they avoid
Not to sniff and eat off the table and counters.
Not to be wild and uncontrollable
Not to ignore you when you want their attention