Table of Contents
A Complete guide for everything you will need
Getting a new puppy is an exciting adventure for the whole family. There will be lots of fun in the future. Before all the fun starts let’s go over what you will need for your new puppy. Below are 20 Essentials For Your New Puppy!
Puppy Food
It’s best to give your puppy the food the breeder was feeding them and gradually switch them over to the food of your choice. When your ready to transition them over pick a high quality puppy food that is for large breeds. You vet can also give your some insight on this, but here or the top 3 vet recommend foods.
See Our Top Puppy Food List
Food Storage
This airtight storage container is great for keeping your puppy’s food fresh. Remember, your pup will grow into a large eating machine so make sure the storage container you choose is big enough for the food you will need to buy. Also, many dog food brands recommend keeping the dog food inside the bag then in a container. If you are planning on buying large bags of dog food at one, you will want to go with a 69QT storage container. Don’t forget your measuring scoop!
Bowls
When choosing food and water bowls, you will want to get some that have non-skid and non-spill. Golden retriever puppies are notorious for playing in the water bowl. These bowls will keep you from cleaning up water ten times a day!
Puzzle Bowl
These are great for fast eaters. We noticed our puppy eating super fast, which would often lead to vomiting, so we purchased this puzzle bowl and solved the problem. You won’t have to use it forever my golden eats out of a regular bowl without chowing it down.
Machine Washable Dog Bed
When choosing a bed for your new puppy, there are two things to consider; is it machine washable & dryable. We have been through a ton of beds and wish we would have found this one sooner! Consider buying a bigger back from the start your pup will grow into it quickly.
Crate
We recommend going with a 42in crate that has a divider. Use the divider to keep your puppy on one half of the crate. This will keep your puppy from peeing in the crate
Chew Toys
Get your puppy a high quality chew toy that will last. We use the Kong Brand due to their durability. You will be surprised how fast a puppy will shred and new toy.
Leash
There are a lot of different leashes out there; regular leash and the retractable leash. We like this regular leash with a paddle handle that also has a waste bag holder.
Collar
For now, your puppy will need an xsmall. Introducing you puppy to a collar and leash younger will help get them comfortable with wearing one.
Harness
Having a Harness for your puppy while riding in the car is the safest way to travel. At first, you may think you don’t need this. Your puppy sleeps in your lap, but in a few weeks, that sleeping puppy will be in your dashboard while you are driving, so for everyone’s safety its best to use a car seat harness.
Tear Free Puppy Shampoo
When picking a shampoo for you new puppy look for one that is tear free.
Brush
Introducing your puppy to the brush is a must. Golden retrievers need to be brushed quite often, so it is best to get puppy comfortable with a brushing session.
Grooming Kit
Your Golden Retriever will need routine paw trimming with trimmer and shaping up with trimming scissors. Introducing the trimmers early will help your puppy get use to the sound.
Treats
One of our favorite treats is Zukes Minis. They are small, low in calories, perfect for training.
Puppy Gates & Playpens
Using a baby gate or playpen will help keep your puppy safe and give them the room they need to exercise and play.
Artificial Grass Puppy Pads
These are great for training your puppy indoors. The artificial grass helps your puppy make the association with pottying outdoors.
Poop Bags
These bags have a convenient dispenser that makes them easy to pack on walks.
Paw Wipes
Goldens have hair that grows between the pads on their paws. This is responsible for dragging in the dirt. We use these with our puppy to get him use to having his paws cleaned.
Pee Cleaner
Unfortunately, you will need this a time or two. Goldens are great with potty training, but your puppy will have some accidents. We used this to eliminate the pee smell left behind.
We hoped you enjoyed our puppy supply checklist. Golden Retriever puppies can’t leave their mother until 8 weeks, so take that time to have your puppies supply ready and waiting on your new pup.
Bonus: Bringing Home A Puppy Checklist
- Have all items ready for your puppy when you return home from the breeder. This will ensure you are bringing puppy into a safe environment. It will be a new area and lots of cursorily going on.
- Picking a puppy safe area in your home to set up crate or playpen. Your puppy will need this safe space not only to keep them safe but to keep your home safe! Choose an area that has durable flooring to set up their area. Think about potty accidents, food, and water spillage in their area. If you plan on crate training your puppy at night also think about the proximity to your bedrooms. There will be crying and barking at night while your puppy is training. This behavior isn’t forever, but something to consider when bringing home a new puppy.
- Decide on a veterinarian. Call a couple of local vets and get prices for your puppy shots. When choosing a vet keep in mind the cost of visits, location to your home, and hours. Are they available after hours for emergencies? Also, choosing a vet that offers dog boarding may be something to consider for the future. Already having a relationship established will help when you need to leave your fur baby. It nice to know you are leaving them in good hands!
- Making sure your home and yard are puppy proofed. Puppies are curious and have a need for chewing. So make sure you pick up your home and yard before bringing home your new puppy. Things to remove: Electrical cords your puppy can reach or install cord protectors. Also, pick up and poison or traps you may have out in your house, garage or shed. The puppy will be sure to find them.
- Find a basic obedience training class. This will help your puppy learn basic skills like sit, stay, leave-it, lie down, while having distractions. This will also give your puppy some social interaction with other puppies.
- Find local dog parks. If you live in an apartment or have a small yard, it will be essential to find your dog a park to have some space to run and play. Remember to wait until your puppy is 16 weeks of age and has received all vaccines before bringing them to a dog park.
Below you find a puppy potty schedule to start your puppy off on the right track with potty training.
Golden retriever puppy schedule
- 7:00 A.M Remove puppy from the crate and immediately take him outside to the potty area.
- 7:15 A.M. Feed your puppy and offer him some water
- 7:30 A.M. Return your puppy to the potty area. Use your commands of “go pee” or “hurry up” remember to give your puppy some praise. Tank pup for a little exercise by walking or playing with him.
- 8: A.M. Put puppy in a crate or the confined area designated for your puppy.
- Remember if you only leave young puppies in the crate for periods of no longer than 4 hours.
- At Home:
- 10:00 A.M. Get puppy out of his crate or sleeping area and take him outside to the potty area
- 10:15 A.M. Walk and Play with the puppy
- 10:30 A.M. Puppy playtime in a safe area
- Noon: Feed puppy second meal
- 12:15 P.M Potty time
- 12:30 P.M. Have a play session and something stimulating mentally for a puppy also does an obedience session
- 1:00 P.M. Put your pup back in the crate for a nap
- 3:00 P.M. Potty time
- 4:00 P.M. Socialize puppy
- 5:00 P.M. Feed puppy last meal
- 5:15 Potty time
- 6:30 P.M. Thank puppy outside for playtime
- 8:00 P.M. Last call for water then potty
- 10:00 P.M. Potty time then crate of his puppy safe place for the night
Let’s go over some tips to help when your puppy has an accident.
- Too much freedom to quickly will lead to puppy having an accident
- Having a crate that is too big
- Change in diet
- Even a potty trained dog can have an accident
- Recognizing Territorial Marking
- Bladder Infection
- Separation Anxiety