Disclosure: We only endorse products that we have personally used, tested/reviewed or come highly recommended by trusted peers. If you grab anything we recommend using the links below, we may get a small commission to support our website at absolutely no cost to you. Receiving a commission will never hinder honest reviews and recommendations.
Bringing a new furry friend into your life is a joyous occasion. However, as a new dog parent, it’s essential to ensure that you’re well-prepared to provide the best care and love for your four-legged companion. Please remember that these are the ‘essentials’ or the ‘must haves’ for a new dog. There are other things such as treats, training material, etc that you will need! More on that will be discussed at a later blog post.
Here are five must-have essentials to kickstart your journey as a responsible and loving dog owner:
Collar and Leash:
One of the first things you’ll need is a sturdy collar and leash.
The collar should have an identification tag with your contact information. You can either purchase identification tags from your local pet store, or you can buy a collar that can be personalized. We chose the latter to avoid many items on Arashi’s neck.
Choose a leash that suits your dog’s size and strength but at the same time meets your needs. Choosing the right gear for your dog is a balance of what works for your dog, and what works for you. A leash is one gear that you need that fits your dogs and your needs. We went through multiple leashes before we landed on the one listed below.
Some of the leashes we tried included a “springback” design. If your dog pulls the leash when walked, I wouldn’t recommend the springback option.
(1) The current springback design leashes have a spring at the end of the leash, meaning the pup can be deceived into thinking they have freedom and pull/run faster which ultimately pulls harder as a result. The bungee springback only works if you have a dog that is properly trained in walking/running
(2) After some use, the springback-ness wears out.
Caution: Never tie a springback leash to a dog’s neck if you fear your dog can be easily distracted with the environment (Squirrels, rabbits, other dogs). Always use springback leashes on a harness.
Recommended Option / Affordable Option / Great Design
KURGO® Quantum 6-in-1 Dog Leash
On the left picture, we were hiking near Sleeping Giant, ON, Canada. When the ground was rocky and i needed to use my hands, I simply tied the leash around my waist.
We literally have 3 of these leashes and have been using it for 1.5 years now. We keep one in the house, in the car, and parents house so we never forget his leash. Unless your dog tries to chew on it and damages it, they are pretty sturdy and durable.
There are 6 uses to this leash:
- 3 ft training leash (you can adjust the leash height as needed)
- Courier style leash (when you wear it cross body)
- Stationary leash (you can tie the pup to a pole or bench using the hooks. We tie Arashi to the restaurant fence when we go out for example)
- Belt Style (like in the picture on the left)
- 2 Dog Leash
- Standard 6ft leash.
Price as of this post $23.24 USD [Amazon Prime Deal)
5$ PUPPY LEASH FOR STARTERS
We used an identical leash when we got Arashi as well. It was a simple leash that was short enough for training, but sturdy.
Price as of this post $4.99 USD
Recommended Option / More Expensive / Great Design
ORVIS® Personalized Reflective Collar
We actually have the previous release of this collar which didn’t have the handle in the picture. It is actually a good idea to have that handle so that the leash is not directly tied on your dogs neck. The addition of that handle will take the pressure off your dog if pulls on the leash. Smart move.
In 2 years, we replaced this leash only once. Highly recommended
Price as of this post $39.95 USD
Recommended Option / Affordable Option
ORVIS® Personalized Martingale No-Choke Collar
We actually have the previous release of this collar which didn’t have the handle in the picture. It is actually a good idea to have that handle so that the leash is not directly tied on your dogs neck. The addition of that handle will take the pressure off your dog if pulls on the leash. Smart move.
In 2 years, we replaced this leash only once. Highly recommended
Price as of this post $24.95 USD
STAINLESS STEEL FOOD & WATER BOWLS
Invest in high-quality, non-toxic food and water bowls. Select the appropriate size based on your dog’s breed and age. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easy to clean and durable.
We purchased stainless steel ones that can go in the dish washer. One thing that many dog parents forget is regularly washing the food/water bowls. Arashi’s food bowl always go into the dishwasher at the end of the day. His water changes every morning as well.
Depending on your dog’s age/height, choose a food/water bowl set. If you have a larger dog, raised feeders are easier and less stressful on their necks while eating. But since this post is about essentials that you must have, the least you should have is water and food bowl.
If you have a puppy, you need one lower to the ground, and perhaps a slow feeder.
Recommended Option / Affordable Option / Great Design / Dish Washer Safe
Gorilla Grip 100% Stainless Steel, Non-Slip Bowls – BPA FREE
This is a great option for non-raised bowls and it comes in multiple sizes depending on your dog’s size & feeding instructions. Gorilla Grip also provides individual bowls as well that are BPA free.
I bought this when Arashi was a puppy and now use it as a back up when needed. They are easy to pack when we travel and are compact too.
The matt also stops the dog from tipping the water and food bowls over. The grip is durable and holds everything still.
The option with the matt can take up to 1 cup of food.
The individual bowl option can take up to 2 cups of food.
Price as of this post $16.44 USD (Bowls With Matt)
Price as of this post $16.49 USD (Bowls Only)
Recommended Option / Excellent Design / Good Looking / Dish Washer Safe
ORVIS® Black Steel Raised Feeder
This is the ‘raised feeder’ we opted in and have been testing for over a year now. Its a bit pricey but it was an investment we made. We bought the Large size for Arashi.
This raised feeder is great because Arashi doesn’t have to bend his neck so far down to eat or drink. It also looks nicer at home.
You can also replace one of the bowls with the slow feeder (reviewed below) and it fits perfectly (as long as you buy a large raised feeder)
Price as of this post $98 – $159
Recommended Option / Excellent Design / Good Looking / Dish Washer Safe
ORVIS®Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Bowl(only one bowl)
This is the slow feeder that replaced one. ofthe bowls that came with the raised double feeder above. As long as you buy a large feeder, it will fit perfectly.
Price as of this post $25
Recommended Option / Affordable Option / Great Design / Dish Washer Safe
PUPPY/FAST EATER OPTION: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl
This option is especially great for puppies as its lower to the ground and they take their good old time to eat. We had about 2-3 different kinds of this to make food exciting. Top rack dishwasher safe.
Price as of this post $6.35 USD (Usual price $16.49)
QUALITY DOG FOOD
Consult with your veterinarian to choose the right type of dog food for your pet’s age, size, and dietary needs. Quality dog food is extremely important as it directly impacts your dog’s health, well-being, and overall quality of life.
Choosing the right food for your dawg provides
- Gives nutritional balance
- Protects and enhances digestive health
- Encourages energy and vitality
- Nurtures coat and skin health
- Develops strong bones and joints
- Reduces allergies and sensitivities
Our breeder recommended TLC Pet Food and we have been happy with it. More to come on that later!
CRATE
Crate training is one of the best decisions you will ever make when you get a puppy. It provides a safe and secure space for your dog, aids in housebreaking, and helps prevent destructive behavior. If you are getting a puppy, i highly recommend getting an adjustable crate and begin crate training immediately. Do not feel bad for putting your dog in a crate. It will be their den!
Recommended Option / Heavy Duty / Great Design / Made in USA
MidWest Homes for Pets Ultima Pro Series 42′ Dog Crate
This is an investment that will last a while so i recommend you don’t opt in to cheap crates. Remember that this is where your dog will sleep, it must be safe, and durable. You should feel confident leaving your dog in it when run errands or can not supervise him. For this reason, i will only recommend the one we still use and are happy with it.
Arashi is considered a larger dog (even though he still looks like a puppy to me!) so we bought him the 42′ option; however, they have various sizes depending on your dog’s size. We actually bought 2 of these, one for our home, and one for parents’ home for puppy sleep overs. Both of them are still being used and are excellent quality. If I were to buy again, i would go with the 49′ option for Arashi as he really likes to stretch in the morning. As of 09/23, they are out of stock.
MidWest Homes also has a very responsive customer service and are always ready to help out if you have any questions. Highly recommend it.
We bought ours from Amazon, and it looks like they are on sale as of 10/23.
Price as of this post $49.99 USD (usually it is $140.99)
Welcoming a dog to your home is a wonderful experience. They are our dawgs, our best friends. We want to make sure we give them a comfortable and safe life.
Please remember, these are essentials and there are so many other things a dog would need and appreciate.
Subscribe/Follow to begin your journey with us.
ARASHI APPROVEDᵀᴹ 
Leave a comment