The Top Ten Dog Essentials for You Need for Your Home
Often, bringing home a new pup is a little like preparing for a baby. There's plenty of things other dog-owners love and believe is a must-have, and pet stores contain a staggering number of canine accessories that will blow your mind and your budget simultaneously. Leather dog leashes or nylon? Luxury dog collar or not? Chew toys or rawhides? The questions can be endless!
But what do you truly need to keep your furry friend happy, healthy, and playful?
Ten Things Every Dog Owner Needs
You may feel overwhelmed if you’re on the brink of bringing home your first puppy. Take a deep breath! We’re here to help you stock up on the essentials you need to make your house a home fit for a puppy! If this is your first time or if you’re just a little rusty, have no fear! We’ve done the hard work for you, narrowing down the list to ten essentials every dog owner needs. Some of the things you might have already thought of, but if not, you’re in good company! Check out our list below:
- Food and water bowls
- Leather dog leashes
- Dog bed
- Luxury dog collar
- Nutritious dog food
- Dog toys
- Crate
- Grooming essentials (or a good groomer on call!)
- Nutritious treats
- Harness
1. Food and Water Dog Bowls
This might seem like a no-brainer, but picking out the right food and water bowls for your pup is essential because they'll be using them every single day (depending on their diet, maybe more than once a day!).
Do yourself and your pup a favor and pick out dishes that are easy to clean and dishwasher safe. You don't want moldy food or water bowls!
Another tip: take a look at your puppy's posture as they eat. Ideally, you want your dog to have its head and neck above their stomach while eating. If they have to stoop to eat from their bowls, that's just asking for health issues like joint pain and indigestion. There are many elevated dog bowls on the market today, so choosing the right one for your dog should be simple, and your pup will thank you!
2. Leather Dog Leashes
Outfitting your pups with high-quality leather dog leashes is vital to make sure that they stay near you during walks and outings to the park or pet store. While a leash is essential, that doesn't mean it has to be bland or boring!
There are plenty of leather dog leashes on the market today that allow you and your pup to highlight your fun personalities, like these!
Minimalist Leather Dog Leashes
No matter your style, these minimalist leather dog leashes work with any luxury dog collar, accessory, or outfit. Available in white, pink, blue, and red, you’re sure to find the perfect minimalist leather dog leashes for the no-fuss pups in your life!
Martini Bowtie Leather Dog Leash
If you’ve got a dapper dog on your hands, then you might need to go with a little more sophistication when picking out the right leather dog leashes. Introducing the Martini Bowtie leather dog leash! This classic black and white number is perfect for a night on the town, a puppy photo shoot, or everyday wear.
3. Dog Bed
Just as crucial as your bed is to you, a dog needs a comfy spot to call their own in your home. Whether they prefer to sleep on their bed in their crate or at the foot of your bed, picking out the right bed for your pup can be as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Measure your dog from nose to tail and then add about 12 inches to find the perfect sized bed for your pup.
Check out the washing instructions before making a purchase.
Being able to throw a dog bed cover in the wash is a feature you’ll sorely miss if your pup gets sick or has an accident in the middle of the night. Hand-wash only beds need not apply!
Think about what features you’re looking for in a bed.
Does your small dog get cold easily? You might want to think about a heated bed. Does your senior dog have arthritis or painful joints? A memory foam bed might do the trick.
4. Luxury Dog Collar
If you’re in the market for a luxury dog collar, you're in luck because there are many options! From a classy bowtie collar to a fancy Rosalicious luxury dog collar with a little bit more glitz and glam, the possibilities are as unique as your pup!
Why Does My Dog Need a Luxury Dog Collar?
Unlike cheaper, novelty collars you might find at the pet store, a luxury dog collar comes from high-quality leather, meant to stand up to everyday life, looking and feeling good for years. Therefore, not only does a luxury dog collar look nice, helping your pooch stand out from the pack, it’s also durable and long-lasting, a truly great investment!
Pairing Your Luxury Dog Collar with High-Quality Leather Dog Leashes
Like any great outfit, you’ll want to pair your pup’s luxury dog collar with a leash that compliments it. If you think your dog’s personality is perfect for a luxury dog collar in renegade red, why not look at the bowtie leather dog leashes to find one that complements it perfectly?
5. Nutritious Dog Food
Did you know that cats are strictly carnivores, but dogs derive nutrients not just from meat, but vegetables, fruits, and grains, too?
That's why it's crucial to find the right dog food with the right mix of nutrients for your pup. Whether you have a new puppy who needs wet food or a senior dog that needs a low-fat, high-fiber diet, reading the labels and talking with your veterinarian is essential for setting your pup up for a long, healthy life!
6. Dog Toys
Your dog is going to need lots of stimulation and activity, especially if it’s a young puppy. Stocking up on a few kinds of toys will ensure that your pup chews on their toys, not your furniture or shoes!
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Exercise toys
To ensure you keep your puppy happy and active, you’ll want to stock up on the toys that are sure to wear them out during their outside playtime. From tennis balls to frisbees and ropes for doggy tug-of-war, these fun, open-ended toys will provide hours of entertainment for both you and your pup!
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Chew toys
Puppies are known for their sharp teeth and constant desire to chew on anything and everything! To make sure your dog chews on approved things only, take your pup to the local pet store and pick out a few chew toys that your pet loves!
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Edible chews
Fact: puppies and older dogs love having something to chew on, and it's excellent for you, as it'll occupy your pup while you're busy with something else, but not all edible chews are not made equal.
Read up on ingredients before buying and always make sure to supervise your pup while they are using them, so they don't choke on a large fragment. If you're worried about leaving them unattended with them during the day, err on the side of caution and pick a treat puzzle instead and leave the edible chews for when you are at home.
7. Crate
Veterinarians, breeders, and trainers all agree that one of the best things you can do for a young puppy is giving them a shelter of their own within your home where they feel comfortable and secure, like a crate. While some think this may be a cruel punishment, it doesn’t have to be if used in the right way!
The benefits of crate training your dog from the beginning vary, but some of the most common reasons you should attempt to incorporate a crate are:
- Crate training is a useful tool for housebreaking young puppies.
- It provides a haven or escape for senior dogs who might be scared of weather, fireworks, and other loud noises.
- Crate training can be essential in an emergency, such as a weather-related evacuation.
However, like anything, there are things you should not do when crate training your puppy. To make it a positive experience and make the crate a place of refuge, not a punishment, you need to keep in mind a few handy tips from the American Kennel Club (AKC):
- Never make the crate a punishment
Instead, make it a positive experience when you put your puppy into it. Giving treats or meals in the crate can sweeten the experience!
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Do not leave a puppy in the crate all-day
Puppies simply don’t have the bladder control for that, and it will lead to discouragement and a lack of progress on the housetraining front.
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Do your research
Before you begin crate training or perhaps, before you even get a puppy, do extensive research. That way, once you bring your dog home, you’re set up for crate training success!
8. Grooming Essentials (or a Good Groomer on Call!)
Whether you plan to groom and bathe your pup yourself or leave it to an experienced dog groomer, there are still a few essentials you’ll need to stock up on once you bring your pup home!
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers
- Towels
- Treats
- Flea/tick medication (if topical)
If you think you’ll be leaving the heavy lifting to a groomer, that’s no problem! However, looking for the right groomer for your beloved pup can sometimes be complicated, not from lack of options, but the desire to find the right place. There are a few tips that you can use to make sure you and your pup are comfortable with the groomer that you choose!
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Research, research, and research some more
Not only does this mean looking at Facebook and online reviews, but also ask around! Whether you're at the dog park or hanging out with fellow dog lovers, ask for their recommendations. Chances are, they wouldn't take their pups somewhere they don't feel comfortable.
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Call the groomers
Feel free to call them or drop by in-person to ask them about their policies, certifications, and how much experience they have with grooming your dog's breed. Use your intuition, and you'll know if you feel good or bad about a place. No worries if you do have some bad vibes, move on to the next one!
9. Nutritious Treats
Whether you’re using them as an occasional treat after a long week for your senior dog or as a tool in positive reinforcement training with your puppy, high-quality treats, fed in small quantities, is a definite must-have for any dog owner.
If you’re adopting a young puppy, treats can play an integral role in positive reinforcement training, helping you to train your puppy to perform plenty of tricks and behaviors that you’ll be thankful for later!
What is Positive Reinforcement Training?
Whether used in humans or dogs (or any other animal), positive reinforcement means that you reinforce or praise a behavior — in this case, with dog treats — following a favorable behavior that you want repeated. Over time with puppies, the more you give positive reinforcement for good behavior, the more you can wean off the treats and start using pets or praise as your main form of “treat.”
10. Dog Harness
If you’re planning to take your dogs on frequent walks or jogs around the neighborhood or on walking trails, which we recommend you do, you should invest in good-quality harnesses that attach to your leather dog leashes. Not only will it be more comfortable for your pup during the walk, but it'll also keep you from putting a lot of unnecessary strain on their neck. If you have puppies that are just learning how to walk on a leash, this is especially important, as you don't want them to be pulling against you, causing them pain.
Here at LuxeMutt, we’re dog lovers just like you, and that’s why we take pride in designing high-quality leather dog leashes and a luxury dog collar to go with them. We hope we can help you find the perfect gift on our website for the furry friends in your life!