Recommended Items

Things we use and recommend for new puppy owners. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Dog Crate -- 18" x 24"

Dog Crate -- 18" x 24"

Probably the most important puppy item in my house. Midwest is my favorite brand. The 18" x 24" crate size will fit your puppy as they grow into an adult. No need to get a bigger crate. I love that the black tray slides out to be washed. It has a handy extra panel to make the inside of the crate smaller. This works GREAT for potty training. By keeping the area for the puppy small, they are less likely to go potty in their crate.

Puppy Harness

Puppy Harness

To prevent pressure on a puppy's neck that could damage their trachea, small dog owners use a harness. The Coastal Lil Pals harness is one of my favorite brands and comes in the small sizes. The 3/8" x 8"-10" size will likely be the best size for an 8 or 10 week old puppy.

Dog Leash

Dog Leash

Be sure to choose a 6 foot leash is ideal, 4 foot is too short. The 3/4" wide option is good. The PetSafe brand is a quality item and there are 6 colors to choose from.

Stainless Steel Food & Water Dishes

Stainless steel dishes for food and water work well -- puppies cannot chew this material and the dishes wash up nicely. By clipping them to the crate, you avoid them being tipped over. The bowls can also be used individually without the hardware. There is a 2 pack or a 1 pack. I recommend the 2 pack, its a better deal and you will definitely use both. I use the Large size, but they are not huge. Its an ideal size.

Dog Food -- Diamond Naturals Small & Medium Breed Puppy

Customers often ask what food we recommend for our puppies. We feed Diamond Naturals Small & Medium Breed Puppy Food because it’s packed with protein and includes probiotics and antioxidants to support healthy growth and development. The small kibble size is perfect for little mouths and helps reduce the risk of choking. It comes in 6 lb., 18 lb., and 40 lb. bags, and an 18 lb. bag lasts quite a while — averaging only about 12 cents per 1/4 cup serving.

Squeaky Toys

Your puppy will need a few FUN toys to help keep them happy and entertained! I’m always on the lookout for toys that are durable, fun, and reasonably priced, and Sharlovy offers a great 6-pack of soft plush squeaky toys featuring the ever-popular crinkle paper dogs love. These toys are made WITHOUT fiberfill stuffing, helping reduce the risk of choking, and at just $3.27 per toy in the 6-pack, they’re a fantastic value for playful pups.

Brush for Grooming POMS

FOR POMS — The Coastal wire pin brush is a wonderful grooming tool for maintaining your Pomeranian’s beautiful, luxurious coat. The gentle wire pins help work through tangles while keeping the coat fluffy, soft, and looking freshly groomed. Regular brushing also helps reduce mats and keeps loose hair from ending up all over your house — which every Pom owner quickly learns is half the battle!

Comb for Grooming POMS

FOR POMS — Along with a good brush, you’ll also want a quality comb for proper coat care. The Poodle brand detangling comb features both long and short teeth, making it especially helpful for working through small tangles and minor knots in your Pom’s thick double coat. Regular combing helps keep the coat fluffy, healthy, and free of mats.

Dog Deoderant

The Bohdi Dog/Pet Cologne is a great product to spray on after bathing your puppy or when you just want them to smell extra fresh -- like when grandma visits (Lol). It keeps your pup smelling fresh for days and the Bohdi spray comes in 10 different fragrances.

Toe Nail Clipper

Ideally, you’ll learn to trim your dog’s nails yourself — it’s easier and less stressful than many people expect. The SunGrow nail clipper is a quality tool at a very reasonable price and works well for routine nail maintenance. Most dogs will need their nails trimmed about every 3 weeks to keep their feet healthy and comfortable. And don’t forget those front dew claws — they can grow surprisingly fast and are easy to overlook!

Styptic Powder

If you plan to trim your dog’s nails yourself, chances are you’ll eventually clip a nail little too short and see some bleeding. Don’t panic — it’s very common and happens to even experienced dog owners and breeders. That’s why it’s smart to keep Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder on hand to quickly help stop the bleeding. The 4 oz. container will last a LONG time, so one purchase will likely take care of you for years.

Washable Pee Pads

I use Medline washable bed pads as pee pads for my puppies and have had great luck with them. They wash up well and are extremely durable. Personally, I prefer the pink version, although that color is often out of stock — the blue pads work just as well, even if they’re not quite as pretty! The 34 inch x 36 inch size is my favorite, and they typically come in packs of four, which makes it easy to swap out a soiled pad for a clean one while the others are being washed. One important tip: I strongly recommend avoiding disposable pee pads. Puppies love to shred them, and if pieces are swallowed, it can lead to a very expensive — and scary — emergency vet visit.

3-Way Tunnel

All of our puppies are exposed to tunnels, and they LOVE THEM! They are great for desensitizing and confidence building. The Bigladious brand is a quality item at a great price! There is a little red yarn ball on one end, do yourself a favor and clip that off and throw it out, as its a choking hazard. Puppies continue to play in the tunnels into adulthood. It you don't want the 3-way tunnel, you could go with a straight cat tunnel.

Baby Gate

When potty training your puppy, you will want to limit the rooms that they have access to. A baby gate will do the trick!

Rawhide Chewies

100% Made in the USA. Pet Factory makes chewies that are 8 inches long (rolled up like a newspaper) and come in a 10 pack. Each chewy will last a LONG TIME! These are great for teething, keeping your puppy busy, and you can also use as a reward. When the chewy gets down to about 4 inches, throw it away, so your puppy/dog cannot choke. The 10 pack will last a long time.

Stuffed Bones

The stuffed bones from Cadet are great for teething puppies! After the puppy cleans the filling is out of the bone, they continue to chew on them. I like to put a little peanut butter in them before the dogs go in their crate. I have even filled them with kibble mixed with canned wet food and put them in the freezer the night before. Its a fun way for the dogs to get their breakfast. The bones are safe and I have not had any that splinter.

Kong Toy

The medium-sized Kong is an excellent choice for both puppies and adult dogs. It’s especially helpful during the teething stage and is perfect for dogs that love to chew and stay busy. For an extra special treat, try stuffing the Kong with a small amount of peanut butter (that does not contain xylitol). Freezing it can make it last even longer and keep your puppy entertained.

Cord Protector

Help protect your curious puppy from dangerous electrical cords with CritterCord. The flexible tubing features a convenient slit design that easily slips over lamp cords, laptop chargers, and other household wires. It’s a simple way to reduce chewing hazards while also protecting your cords from sharp little puppy teeth.

Hide & Slide Puzzle

Outward Hound from Nina Ottoson has some great puzzle toys for dogs. This one is my favorite! The puzzle engages your dog's senses and its great for mental exercise,

Portable Dog Steps (light weight)

These pet steps are a great way to help your puppy safely get on and off the couch without all the jumping (or falling). The stairs help reduce strain on the legs, knees, and back, which is especially important for small breeds like Pomeranians and Dachshunds. I highly recommend teaching puppies to use steps early, because once they learn, they’ll use them naturally for years to come.

Dog Ramp

A dog ramp is a wonderful way to help your puppy or adult dog safely get on and off the bed. I especially like ramps with side railings to help prevent slipping, jumping, or accidental falls. Using a ramp can greatly reduces stress on the legs and back, helping protect against injuries over time — especially in small breeds like Pomeranians and Dachshunds. The ramp is adjustable for height and it has a rubber ramp pad, which for us was better than ramp carpet that could get dirty and be difficult to wash.

X-Pen (aka exercise pen or playpen)

An X-pen (aka exercise pen or playpen) is a great addition to your new puppy equipment. 8 panels is enough to make a nice, fenced in area. I use the 24 inch tall panels. You can use the "playpen" for your puppy while you are in the house, on the back patio, in the backyard, or even take it with you on a family camp trip. An x-pen also helps with potty training and gives your puppy a secure place to relax while still being part of the family activity.