How to Prepare Your Home for a New Puppy (Must-Have Essentials)

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This month marks one year since we got our puppy, and I still remember the feeling driving down to pick him up. We could choose from three puppies in the same litter. We met their mom, a brown Frenchie, and their dad, a black Frenchie; both strong, playful, and full of personality.

The puppies were impossibly cute, little fur balls of love and joy, ready to share it with whoever took them home. It was so hard to choose — all three were beautiful.

One of them, with cream fur, was the shyest. He stayed behind my legs, hiding from his brothers — a tiny potato looking for protection. I knew straight away it was him. He stole my heart.

My husband felt the same way, and from that moment on, he was ours: our little Nico.

Everything happened so fast that we didn’t actually have everything ready for him. On the way home — after a three-hour drive in heavy rain (which I do not recommend) — we had to stop to buy some essentials.

So I put together this list of must-haves to help you prepare before your own fur ball arrives.

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🛏 Bedding essentials

A cozy blanket and a comfortable bed are a must. Make sure the bed you choose can go in the washing machine — because trust me, you’ll be washing it a lot.

We chose a washable puppy bed similar to this one because accidents happen a lot in the first weeks and a spare blanket like this fleece one also helped during crate training.

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🍽 Food

We researched endlessly to find the best food for Nico — and there are infinite options out there. Always check the ingredients, because there’s a lot of artificial stuff around.
We tried a few brands before settling on Purina Pro Plan for Puppy Sensitive Skin, which worked best for him.

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🧸 Toys

A good chewing toy is essential while their teeth are growing — they will want to satisfy that itch. Something like this set is a great start.
That said… they’ll probably still go for your flip-flops and the edges of your furniture, so try not to leave anything precious on the floor and consider silicone furniture protectors.

In this category I’d also recommend a toy basket like this one. When you get a puppy, you’ll want to buy all the toys — and everyone you meet will gift them toys too. A basket helps keep at least some sense of organization in the house.

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🦴 Treats

You’ll need small, puppy-friendly treats for basic training — just be careful not to overdo it. You can also train using their regular kibble, or even blueberries as an occasional reward.

I would also recommend a small bag to carry the treats around to train your puppy how to stop and wait at traffic lights, for example. This option also has a clicker in it which puppies respond really well to during training.

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🚶 Walking essentials

A good leash and harness are must-haves for when your puppy is finally allowed outside — usually after their main vaccines at around three months.

Our leash is retractable similar to this one, so Nico can run ahead where it’s safe without me losing control.
We’ve tried several harnesses, and the one he has now is by far the best. He pulls a lot, and this one has padding everywhere, doesn’t hurt him when we need to guide him back, and clips easily on both sides.

For colder months, a warm jacket is also essential. We have one I love — double-layered, easy to clean, and reversible.

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🚽 Toilet training supplies

Stock up on poo bags, and invest in a crate, washable puppy pads and an enzyme cleaner – you’ll need it!

Nico absolutely hates it, but a crate can be really helpful during toilet training, since dogs naturally avoid going where they sleep.

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Here’s the thing about bringing home a puppy: you’ll never feel perfectly ready — and that’s okay.

There will be last-minute shop runs, chewed table legs, muddy paws, and moments where you wonder what on earth you’ve gotten yourself into. But there will also be sleepy cuddles, tiny snorts, wagging tails, and a new little presence that suddenly makes your house feel even more like home.

If you prepare the basics in advance, those first few days will feel calmer — and you’ll have more time to focus on what really matters: bonding with your new best friend.

And honestly? I wouldn’t change that rainy three-hour drive for anything 🤍

Emily xx