Your Essential Pooch Starter Kit

If you are thinking of getting a dog for your family for the first time, then you are probably wondering what you are going to need to have in order to be truly ready to look after that pooch. This is something that a lot of people find themselves thinking about early on, and it can be tricky to ensure that you can get it right. But it can actually be quite simple too. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the essential things that you are going to want to have in your starter kit, before you actually buy your first dog.

PHOTO BY VALERIA BOLTNEVA FROM PEXELS

Food

Of course, it should really go without saying that you are going to need to stock up on food for your dog. There are a few main considerations that you need to bear in mind here, the main one being that you have to look at what breed the dog is that you are thinking of getting, and work out what kind of food they tend to prefer or need. You also need to consider their weight and likely adult weight, and adjust the amount you feed them accordingly. Finally, make sure you stock up on both wet and dry food.

Leash

Next up, you are also going to need a dog leash. Your dog will need walking every day and, depending on the breed and activity level of the dog in particular, perhaps even more than once a day. For that, you will need a leash, and it needs to be a high-quality one that you can trust enough for your dog to pull against you and not break. You can check out a variety of styles and colors and ensure that you find one that suits your tastes, as well as your dog’s.

Bedding

Just like you, your pooch needs somewhere comfy to sleep, so you will need to look for some bedding for them before you bring them home too. This is simple enough - you just need to find a dog bed that seems comfortable, and you’ll probably want to make sure it is bigger than them so they can grow into it. Of course, you can also replace it at a later stage when they get older, and Freecycle the old one for a new dog owner. As well as the bed itself, get blankets and so on that are specifically for the dog.

Space

Before you even think of getting a dog, you need to ask yourself whether you have enough space to accommodate them. A dog needs to be able to roam around, and while a garden is not essential, it is preferred. With enough space, your dog should be a much happier pooch, so you should definitely think about this. Ultimately, you need your lifestyle to fit the dog, not the other way around, so if you just don’t have enough space you should consider a different kind of pet, or change your lifestyle to suit a dog.

Have you tried our FREE course Focused Fido? If not and you find you could use your dog’s attention in high stress situations like walks, dog parks, vet visits, then take our free, quick and easy training course on gaining your puppy or dog’s focus today!

Please contact us if you have any questions on these tips, [email protected] or by visiting www.newmansdogtraining.com.

Also, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @newmansdogtraining. You can also follow us and our dog Barry on our training and outdoor adventures on Instagram @adventuredogbarry.