Puppy Essentials List

Petmate Sky Kennel
My preferred crate style

This is the crate I recommend to every new puppy client. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and comes in different sizes so you can get the right fit for where your pup is right now. The fully enclosed design helps them feel safe and contained, which supports housebreaking and teaches them how to settle. It’s a solid choice for building routine and structure right from the start.

For the perfect fit, your pup should be able to comfortably Stand Up, Lay Down and Turn Around.

MidWest Metal Crate
Foldable and easy to set up.

This is a good crate option if you need something collapsible. It sets up quickly, packs flat when needed, and comes with a divider panel so you can adjust the size as your puppy grows. It doesn’t create the same den-like feeling as a plastic crate, but it works well for puppies who are already starting to settle and don’t need as much containment support

Baby Gate
Keeps the chaos contained without drilling holes in your walls.

This pressure-mounted gate is easy to install, adjustable to different doorway widths, and tall enough to keep your puppy from casually hopping over like it’s a minor inconvenience. It’s sturdy but simple, and gives you a way to block off rooms or set up safe zones while your puppy learns the rules of the house. Containment isn’t punishment. It’s peace of mind.

Folding Metal Pen (X-Pen)
Because your eyes can’t be on them all the time.

This pen is a great middle ground between a crate and free roam. It sets up quickly, folds flat for storage, and gives your puppy a defined space to play, nap, or chew in peace. You can use it indoors or outdoors, and it’s easy to move around as your needs change. Great for creating a “puppy zone” when you need to take a shower, make a meal, or just breathe without worrying what they’re chewing.

Nature’s Miracle
Because vinegar isn’t going to cut it.

This cleaner breaks down pet messes on a molecular level so your puppy doesn’t keep sniffing out old accident spots like a crime scene investigator. Regular household cleaners might look like they’ve done the job, but they often leave behind residue your puppy can still smell. That lingering scent tells them it’s okay to go there again. This cleaner shuts that down.

Simple Solution
For the stains that make you question your life choices.

This enzymatic cleaner handles the messes that feel personal. It breaks down odors at the source and neutralizes them so your puppy doesn’t get invited back to the scene of the crime. Works well on carpets, crates, bedding, and any surface you forgot wasn’t puppy-proof. Just as good as Nature’s Miracle, and a great option to keep on hand.

Hyhug Martingale Collar
No slipping, no backing out.

Martingales are my collar of choice for puppies learning how to walk politely on leash. When it’s fit properly, they can’t squirm out or back out of it. The design distributes pressure evenly around the neck, which helps protect delicate puppy throats while still giving you the control you need.

Hyhug Flat Collar
A simple collar for daily wear.

This is a reliable flat collar that fits well, holds up over time, and comes in a bunch of color options. It’s a good everyday choice for holding ID tags or giving your puppy something comfortable to wear once they’re settled into a routine. Easy to adjust, easy to clip on and off, and just the right amount of sturdy.

Puppy Leash
Soft, simple, and lightweight.

This leash is a great starter option for young puppies. It’s lightweight enough that it won’t overwhelm them, but sturdy enough to keep you connected. The material is soft in the hand, which matters when you’re handling sharp, sudden landshark zoomies. It isn’t about fancy hardware. It’s about giving your puppy a leash they can actually learn on.

Stainless Steel Bowl
Simple, sturdy and easy to clean.

This is the kind of bowl that just works. No weird coatings, no fancy gimmicks. Just solid stainless steel that’s safer than plastic and easier to clean than ceramic. It’s a great everyday option for food or water, especially for puppies who don’t need all the extras. Tough, lightweight, and less likely to trap bacteria

Ceramic Bowls
Heavy enough to stay put. Pretty enough to leave out.

These ceramic bowls are a solid choice if you want something functional and good-looking. They’re heavier than stainless steel, so puppies are less likely to tip or scoot them across the floor. Easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and won’t hold onto smells. Great for food, water, or upgrading your kitchen’s aesthetic one bowl at a time.

Nylabone Dino
For teething puppies who chew like it’s their full time job.

This chicken-flavored chew is a lifesaver during the landshark stage. The texture helps soothe sore gums, and the shape gives puppies something satisfying to hold while they go to town on it. It’s durable enough to last, but gentle enough for growing teeth. A good chew toy makes all the difference. This one earns its keep. Perfect for little mouths

Benebone Wishbone
Hard, durable, and shaped for serious chewing.

This chew is built for puppies who already think your table legs are fair game. It’s made from nylon and infused with flavor, which keeps their interest without falling apart in five minutes. The wishbone shape makes it easy for little paws to hold in place while they go to town on it.

Nylabone Chew Toy Bundle
Because your puppy deserves cheese they can gnaw on guilt-free.

This trio of toys is made for serious chewers. They’re hard, durable, and shaped to keep things interesting with a lobster, pretzel, and cheese. The firm texture helps redirect intense chewing in a safe way, and the novelty keeps your puppy from getting bored. These aren’t soft teething toys. They’re built to last through the kind of chewing that turns lesser toys into crumbs.

Outward Hound Nook
Part fetch toy, part puzzle, all chaos.

This rubber ball has lots of hollow nooks where you can stuff treats or kibble, turning a basic game of fetch into a brain workout. It bounces, it rolls, and it keeps puppies busy while they try to shake, bite, and nudge the food out. It’s tough enough to hold up to chewing, but soft enough for indoor play. Great for teething pups who need both movement and a mental challenge.

Nylabone Flavor Frenzy
Cold, chewy, and ridiculously satisfying for sore puppy mouths.

This one’s designed to go in the freezer, which makes it perfect for teething relief. The rubber gets firmer when chilled, giving your puppy something cool and squishy to gnaw on while their gums are doing the full drama performance. It’s flavored, textured, and shaped so they can hold it still with their paws while going to town on it. A staple in any landshark survival kit.

Nylabone Kong Puppy
Soothes teeth, works the brain, and buys you a break

This toy pulls double duty. The soft rubber is perfect for teething pups, and the hollow center gives you a way to turn food into a calming activity. Stuff it with a little kibble, wet food, or canned pumpkin, and pop it in the freezer for an extra challenge. It’s durable, safe, and one of the best tools for keeping busy puppies from chewing on everything else you own.

Snuffle Mat
Turns mealtime into mental exercise without the mess.

This mat encourages natural foraging behavior by hiding kibble or treats in the folds of fabric, giving your puppy a chance to sniff, search, and slow down. It’s especially helpful for high-energy pups who need more than a walk to burn off steam. Lay it down, sprinkle food in, and let them work for their meal instead of inhaling it in five seconds flat.

Bob-A-Lot
Wobbly, snack-dispensing chaos in a very good way.

The Bob-a-Lot lets you load up your puppy’s kibble and makes them work to get it out by batting, rolling, and chasing it across the floor. It slows down fast eaters and keeps busy brains engaged without you having to do a thing. Adjustable openings let you control how easy or hard it is. Great for puppies who finish meals too fast or need a puzzle that keeps them moving.

WestPaw Toppl
Stuff it. Freeze it. Let it work its magic

The Toppl is one of my favorite enrichment tools for puppies. It’s made from flexible, food-safe rubber that’s soft enough for young mouths but still durable. You can smear something simple inside or fill it with kibble and wet food for a full frozen meal. It wobbles a bit, which adds a little challenge, but doesn’t roll away like a ball. Easy to clean, endlessly reusable, and perfect for crate time or quiet moments.