Expert buying guide: all the essentials for new dog owners

Written by Hayley Hoggarth, with the help of Doggy Adventures director Danielle Taylor

Welcoming a new puppy or rescue dog to your family is a very exciting time, but with that joy comes the overwhelming question of what you need to buy for your new family member. 

Whether you’re choosing between a lead or a harness for your new pup, or making sure you have all the right food to give it the best start in life - it’s a lot to think about!

We have spoken to Danielle Taylor, founder and director of Doggy Adventures pet care services, who has helped us collate the ultimate buying guide for new dog owners.

Questions from the community

With the anticipation around owning a dog for the first time, it is expected to see many people searching the internet for answers. This data from Ahrefs shows what people are searching for:

And, additional data from AlsoAsked shows exactly what questions people are asking for help on when faced with a new dog or puppy, with not only generic checklist questions but also asking for specific advice:

There are approximately 13.5 million dogs as pets in the UK, and with a lot of these being puppies, or newly rescued, it is no surprise that owners are asking the questions as seen above.

The following article will serve as a useful guide for any new dog owner.

The ultimate buying guide for new dog owners

Sleeping

That first night with a new puppy, or newly rescued dog, can be difficult. The dog is getting used to a new environment and may have trouble sleeping on the first couple of nights.

Some sleeping essentials include:

• Dog bed
• Crate 
• Old towels
• Enzymatic cleaner (for accidents during the night)

Danielle notes that it is very common for puppies to cry on their first night in a new home, but that this should subside over time, and advises the following: “Create a safe space for your puppy (or any dog) to go to rest and relax throughout the day and at night (most people opt for a crate), and work on building a positive association with that area. When bringing a puppy home, place an item in their bed that smells of their previous place for added reassurance.”

There is also the matter of night-time accidents with a puppy, so for this Danielle recommends old towels: “For puppies, I suggest people use old towels whilst they’re getting toilet trained and generally being quite messy. They can be thrown in the washing machine and disinfected easily. Once more established, I recommend vet bedding. This is a thick fleece mat which can be ordered online (to the size of your crate). It’s easy to clean, fast drying, warm and soft.”

Top tip: Use an enzymatic cleaner for cleaning up any accidents in the home to prevent reoffending.

Walking

Walking your dog is not only important for getting exercise, but also crucial for them to learn socialisation skills around other people and other dogs. Here are some of the essentials recommended for new dog owners:

• Harness/collar
• Leads
• An identification tag to attach to their collar/harness - this is a legal requirement

There are a variety of things dogs can wear when out for a walk, such as slip collars, head collars and harnesses and then you can opt for different leads such as retractable leads or chain leads (particularly useful if your dog likes to chew theirs). 

Here at TopDog, we have both harnesses and collars to suit any pup, with most of them being adjustable to support them as they grow. 

Danielle recommends a harness for ultimate support: “Once your dog is fully grown, invest in a good quality harness that fits well and has a front and back loop for attaching a lead (especially for larger/strong breeds). I love using double ended leads (clips on both ends) as these provide more control and come with options in lead length and can help with loose lead walking.”

It is also important to note that you cannot walk a new puppy outside straight away as it firstly needs to have two sets of vaccinations and be microchipped, and you must wait at least one week after the second jab before venturing outdoors.

Once able to walk on the ground in public places, Danielle advises following the “golden rule” for exercising which is five minutes of  exercise per month of age. For example, three months would equate to 15 minutes walking. She says: “This is meant to give owners some guidance for exercising on hard ground surfaces and protect the dog’s growing bodies which develop rapidly.

“For rescue dogs, the time in which they feel comfortable to explore outside will vary greatly. This will have to be taken on a case-by-case basis, but just start slow and make it as positive as possible.”

Hygiene

Dogs can get mucky, we all know that, so here are some of the essentials you will need as a first-time dog owner:

• Toothbrushes
• Dog-friendly toothpaste
• Natural chews such as rabbit ears and chicken feet
• Metal tooth comb
• Dog brush (as recommended by groomer)
• PH balanced dog shampoo
• Dog drying robe

It is best to introduce teeth brushing as early as you can with a new puppy, and there are a variety of toothbrushes and pastes available which aim to make the experience as pleasant as possible. There are also natural ways you can keep your dog’s dental hygiene in great condition: “[You can] provide dog-safe cooked bones, natural chews (such as rabbit ears and chicken feet) to their diet. I personally do not recommend ‘Dental Sticks’, as they are much too soft to break down plaque and are often very high in calories.”

When grooming your dog, it is important to note that all dog breeds will have different coats and therefore different needs, and Danielle advises that it is best to contact a professional groomer for recommendations on the type of brushes needed for your dog.

“It is best to ask a groomer for the specific brushes you would need for your dog's coat type, but staples include a metal tooth comb and dog-specific shampoo (PH balanced for dogs skin).”

She also recommends introducing grooming early on: “Preventing matting is crucial, so regular grooming is needed. Introduce your puppy early on to the handling involved and the equipment used to prevent any phobias forming - grooming salons offer puppy grooms which is a great way to get started. 

“For anxious dogs, seek an experienced groomer who will be able to work with your dog for the most stress-free experience as possible.”

She also recommends dog-drying robes for post-bathtimes. These are also great for use after swims or mud-laden walks.

Entertainment

It’s not only walking that will provide entertainment for your dog, there are also plenty of toys designed for enrichment, joint play and ones that encourage independence. 

Danielle advises that “mental wellbeing is just as important as physical” and recommends the following toys:

• Tug toys 
• Snufflemats
• Lickimats
• Puzzle feeders
• Treatballs
• Rubber balls
• Chew toys 

A top tip from Danielle is also to avoid tennis balls, they wear down dogs’ teeth rapidly so it’s best to switch to a rubber version. 

Eating

Not only is it important to ensure your new dog gets the right nutrients in its diet, and make sure the right food is eaten depending on its age, but it is also wise to make sure you have the right bowl.

There are different options available when it comes to picking your dog’s food bowl, here are some recommendations from Danielle:

• Heavy-based water bowl - this prevents dogs from tipping them over and creating a lot of mess, which is especially handy for new puppies who are still learning
• Slow feeder bowls - these are great a slowing down dogs who eat fast, preventing bloating

She also advises to clean your dog's bowl regularly to prevent bacteria build up - if it is dishwasher safe then that is a bonus. 

Read our other blog post on what dogs can and can’t eat for extra guidance on making sure you are feeding your dog the right things.

More dog owner essentials

Other essentials to consider as a new dog owner include:

• Car seat belts for safe travelling
• Eco-friendly dog poo bags that are compostable, not just biodegradable
• Dog poo bag holder
• Treat pouch - prevents your pocket from getting smelly and full of crumbs! 
• Bibs and jackets with wording such as ‘I NEED SPACE’ are great for nervous dogs that need extra space and time when out on a walk

You’re all set!

Now you’ve got all the essentials a dog needs, you are ready to go and pick up your new family member!

Remember to shop our range of harnesses, collars and leads for some quirky designs to match your new pup's personality, and give a little back to charity at the same time.