Puppy Must Haves Shopping List

Bringing home a puppy is equal parts adorable and exhausting. You're excited, you're tired, and suddenly you're googling "is this normal" at 2 a.m. while someone chews a table leg.

We brought home our golden retriever, Coconut, at 9 weeks old. I grew up with dogs, but raising a puppy as an adult hits different. You're the one buying the supplies, setting the routines, cleaning up accidents, and trying to teach "leave it" before they swallow something questionable.

This post is the handy puppy checklist I wish I had before bringing our new best friend home. It's the stuff we actually used, the things we bought and didn't need, and the items that made the puppy phase feel more manageable!

How we raised our golden retriever puppy

Before Coconut came home, Tom did what Tom does: he researched everything. He grabbed a Golden Retriever book recommended by a friend, and it became our reference guide for the first few weeks.

That book helped us stay consistent, especially with crate training and potty training. It also kept us from spiraling every time Coconut did a very normal puppy thing. Consistency is a great option if you're trying to be the best pet parent you can be, especially in those first few weeks with a new furry friend.

Then we bought all the things. Truly, we went overboard.

A few weeks in, it was obvious what mattered and what didn't. So I pulled together this list by category, with quick notes on why each item earned its spot in our house.

I'll also share what we did for pet insurance at the end, because that decision saved us a lot of stress.

Must have list for new puppies

Crating and safe spaces

Crate

If you're crate training, this is non-negotiable. Coconut sleeps in her crate at night, and the door stays open during the day as an option.

Two tips that helped us:

• Feed meals in the crate. It builds a positive association fast and helps your puppy's crate feel like a calm place.
• Use the divider. Puppies should not have enough space to potty on one side and sleep on the other. Start small, then expand as they grow.

Crate cover or blanket

Covering the crate sides creates a darker, calmer space. We cover everything except the front door, and it's been a great option for helping Coconut settle.

Crate bed or mat

Inside the crate, we use a simple, basic crate-sized bed. Keep it easy to wash and not overly plush. This also helps with pet safety if accidents happen early on.

Dog bed for the house

All puppies need a spot to land outside the crate. Finding the right dog bed matters more than you'd think. We started with this bed, and Coconut loved burrowing toys into the edges.

Play pen

This was one of our most-used items. We used a playpen when we were cooking, working out, or needed to move through different areas of the house without watching her every second.

What worked for us: a small bed inside, a few toys, and rotating chews.

Food, enrichment, and "keep them busy" items

Kongs

If you only buy one enrichment toy, make it Kongs. We batch-prepped a mix of yogurt, pumpkin, and peanut butter, stuffed them, and froze them.

Stuffing idea:

• Add a layer of the mixture
• Add some kibble
• Top with more mixture
• Freeze

These are a simple way to keep a playful puppy busy, and they help a lot when you need quiet time.

Lick mats

Same concept, different format. Lickimats are great for slowing them down, especially when frozen. Another great option for enrichment.

Food and water bowls

These bowls were perfect for puppy meals and water. We keep them on a bone-shaped waterproof mat to help with spills and cleanup for busy pet owners.

Slow-feeder bowl

If your puppy inhales meals, a slow feeding bowl helps a lot. Coconut went from finishing in about 25 seconds to taking 8 to 12 minutes. It's a small change that supports a healthy life, especially if your pup tends to gulp.

Dog food storage container

An airtight food storage container keeps your dog's food fresh and makes feeding easier. We pair it with this scoop for the food, so portions stay consistent.

Walking and safety basics

Leash

We tried a few styles and kept coming back to this leash. We also love Big Ben Leash Co. for a small business option.

Collar

A basic, comfortable collar is perfect for everyday wear.

Harness

This harness worked well for us, but sizing runs small, so check the size chart closely.

Chews and treats

Bully sticks

Bully sticks were a staple for us. These are the bully sticks Coconut liked.

Bully stick holder

Please also buy a bully stick holder. Coconut once swallowed a whole bully stick, and it was a scary situation. A holder keeps the last chunk from becoming a choking risk, which matters for pet safety.

Training treats

We used treats for training, plus whatever small treats we had on hand.

Stuffable carrot dog toy

This carrot toy was a fun alternative to Kongs and worked great with stuffable treats. It's an easy dog toy to keep in your rotation.

Puppy training essentials and puppy-proofing

Potty bells

We bell trained Coconut with these bells for potty training.

How we did it:

• Tap the bells with their nose or paw before every potty trip.
• Reward immediately after potty outside.
• Stay consistent, especially in the first few weeks.

A quick note on puppy pads. We bought 50, and Coconut never used them. She just shredded them!

Baby gates

We used gates to block off stairs and limit roaming. Gates help you create safe zones in different areas of your house, especially during potty training.

Bitter apple spray

This bitter apple spray helped stop chewing on furniture and random household items. We used it on table legs, cabinet corners, and anything tempting.

Other puppy essentials

Toys

Start with a variety, then buy more of what your puppy actually loves. We grabbed a big set of toys, plus extra squeaky tennis balls. Rotate toys weekly so your puppy stays interested without your living room becoming a toy store.

Dog poop bags

You'll use poop bags constantly. Keep extras in the car, by the door, and in your jacket pocket. Seriously.

Poop bag holder

A poop bag holder clipped to the leash saves you from the "we're out" moment.

Poop bucket

If you have a yard, a poop bucket makes cleanup easier and less gross.

Turf mat

If you're in a city, a turf mat can be helpful for some puppies. Coconut used it occasionally, but not daily.

Shampoo

A gentle dog shampoo is a must, especially during the muddy paw phase.

Nail clippers

We used these nail clippers for quick trims between vet or groomer visits.

Deer antlers

We used deer antlers for teething, but check with your vet first. They can be too hard for young teeth, depending on the dog.

Brush and deshedding tool

We started with this brush, and for Goldens, the Furminator is worth it.

Lint rollers

If you have a shedding breed, stash lint rollers everywhere you actually get dressed.

Toy holder

A simple toy holder makes cleanup quick and keeps toys from taking over the house.

Pet insurance for puppies

We decided early that we wanted pet insurance. A lot can happen in the puppy stage, especially because puppies explore with their mouths and have zero sense of self-preservation.

We ended up choosing Lemonade pet insurance with a plan that covered accidents and illnesses, plus add-ons for things like vaccines. Coconut had multiple vet visits in the first nine weeks, including emergency trips, and we were genuinely relieved to have coverage.

Insurance is personal, and plans vary a lot. If you're shopping, look at:

• what counts as an accident vs. an illness
• coverage caps
• deductible options
• what is excluded as "pre-existing"
• whether wellness add-ons are worth it for your situation

WHAT ARE THE MOST ESSENTIAL PUPPY SUPPLIES FOR A NEW DOG HOME?

Start with a crate, a play pen or gated area, food and water bowls, dog food, training treats, a leash, a collar or harness, dog poop bags, a few toys, and a safe chew. Add a slow feeder if your puppy eats fast.

WHAT SIZE CRATE SHOULD I BUY FOR A PUPPY?

Buy a crate that will fit their adult size and use the divider to make it puppy-appropriate. Too much space early on can make potty training harder, especially in the puppy's crate overnight.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG BED?

Look for a bed that's easy to clean and supportive, with bolsters if your puppy likes to curl up. If your puppy chews beds, start with something simpler and upgrade later.

HOW MANY TOYS SHOULD I BUY AT FIRST?

A small variety is enough. Start with a handful, then rotate. Once you see what your puppy loves, you can buy more of that style of dog toy.

ARE BULLY STICKS SAFE FOR PUPPIES?

Ask your vet, especially for young puppies and strong chewers. If you use them, use a bully stick holder to reduce the risk of swallowing the last chunk.

DO POTTY BELLS REALLY WORK?

They can. The key is consistency and only using the bells as part of going outside. Some dogs also learn to ring them for play, which Coconut definitely tried.

HOW DO I KEEP MY PUPPY SAFE IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF YOUR HOUSE?

Use gates and a play pen to limit access and prevent accidents. It helps with training and makes it easier to supervise, which supports pet safety.

DO I NEED PET INSURANCE RIGHT AWAY?

If you want insurance, it's usually best to start early. Many companies consider conditions "pre-existing" once they're documented by a vet, so waiting can limit what's covered.