Welcoming a new puppy into your life can be both exciting and daunting! Being prepared with the proper items can alleviate some stress on new pet owners.

Essential Items for Your New Puppy:

  • Food:

    • Why: Quality nutrition is vital for your puppy's growth and development. Choose high-quality food suitable for their age, breed, and size.

    • Brand Choices: Fromm Family Pet Foods, Annamaet Pet Foods, Farmina Pet Food

    • Braxton’s Tip: Unsure about the best food for your new puppy? Braxton’s offers consultations with a certified Canine Nutrition coach. Get a detailed guide to quality feeding that fits your budget.

  • Collar and Leash:

    • Why: Essential for walks and outdoor activities, ensuring your puppy's safety and providing control during training. 

    • Brand Choices: Up Country, RC Pets

    • Braxton’s Tip: Retractable leashes are not recommended for leash training, opt for a standard leash instead.

  • ID Tag with Contact Information:

    • Why: Crucial for identification in case your puppy gets lost. Ensure your contact details are easily visible.

    • Braxton’s Tip: Visit us to shop for your new puppy, and we'll create a custom ID Tag for you instantly, offering a variety of sizes and colors for you to choose from.

  • Training Treats:

    • Why: High-quality treats are effective rewards during training sessions, reinforcing positive behavior and strengthening the bond between you and your puppy. 

    • Brand Choices: Wellness, Zuke’s, Bocce’s Bakery, Cloud Star

    • Braxton’s Tip: Using a variety of treat flavors can keep training sessions fun and engaging. Small, soft treats are great for training because they are flavorful, low calorie, and can be eaten quickly. 

  • Variety of Toys for Mental Stimulation:

    • Why: Toys keep your puppy mentally stimulated, preventing boredom and encouraging healthy play and exploration.

    • Brand Choices: Fluff and Tuff plush toys, Benebone nylon chews, Kong rubber stuffable toys

    • Braxton’s Tip: Each puppy exhibits a unique level of chewing intensity, and in the pet industry, there is no product that can be deemed completely indestructible.

  • Grooming Supplies (Brush, Nail Clippers):

    • Why: Regular grooming promotes a healthy coat and nails, and it helps your puppy get used to being handled and cared for.

    • Brand Choices: slicker brushes for shedding, pin brushes for detangling, boar bristle brushes for a shiny coat

    • Braxton’s Tip: Our Self-service Dog Wash offers brushes, shampoo, and towels to make grooming easy!

  • Puppy-Friendly Shampoo:

    • Why: A gentle shampoo formulated for puppies maintains their skin health and ensures a positive bathing experience.

    • Brand Choices: Skout’s Honor, Earth Bath

  • Food and Water Bowls:

    • Why: Durable and easily cleaned bowls are essential for serving meals and maintaining your puppy's health and hygiene.

    • Brand Choices: stainless steel bowls 

    • Braxton’s Tip: Select bowls based on your puppy's adult size rather than purchasing "puppy" size bowls that will quickly become too small.

  • Crate for Safe Sleeping and Travel:

    • Why: Creates a secure den for your puppy, aiding in house training and providing a safe space for them during travel or rest.

    • Brand Choices: Midwest Crate with Adjustable Sizing Divider

    • Braxton’s Tip: It is advisable to select a crate size based on your pup's expected adult size. This approach helps you avoid the need to purchase multiple crates that may be outgrown.

  • Comfortable Bed:

    • Why: Provides a dedicated and cozy space for your puppy to rest and feel secure, promoting a sense of comfort.

    • Brand Choices: crate mats for inside the crate, comfy bolster beds for around the house

    • Braxton’s Tip: Begin by selecting a budget-friendly bed for your new puppy to safeguard against potential destructive behavior. This way, if they happen to damage it, you won't have invested a substantial amount.

Additional Items for Future Needs:

  • Puppy Training Pads:

    • Why: Useful during the housebreaking phase, helping your puppy learn appropriate bathroom habits. Training pads help make housebreaking (and clean up) easy!

    • Brand Choices: Four Paws

  • Puppy Toothbrush and Toothpaste:

    • Why: Dental care is crucial for your puppy's oral health. Introduce toothbrushing as part of their grooming routine.

    • Brand Choices: Tropiclean dental products

    • Braxton’s Tip: Starting a good oral hygiene regimen early will help your new puppy be comfortable with the process. Starting early can also help prevent dental issues when your dog is older. 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease by three years old. 

  • Tick and Flea Prevention:

    • Why: Protect your puppy from external parasites as they explore the world around them. Fleas and ticks also spread secondary diseases that could be harmful to your pet, so prevention is key. 

    • Brand Choices: Firstect Plus $$, Frontline Plus $$$

    • Braxton’s Tip: Make sure to review the packaging for the recommended age. Most flea and tick preventative products are not recommended for puppies under eight weeks old. 

  • Poop Bags and Dispenser:

    • Why: Essential for responsible waste disposal during walks and outings (leaving behind dog waste is considered illegal in Pennsylvania).

    • Brand Choices: Earth Rated eco-friendly waste pick up bags 

Next time you are in Braxton's ask our staff about the New Pet Parent Program, to get you started with your new pet!