DogHQ Picks

Best Puppy Essentials

New puppies need less gear than the internet suggests. This is the shortlist we would buy again, and the things worth waiting on until you know your puppy.

A young puppy sitting beside a crate, bowl and soft toy

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Puppy Essentials

Adjustable wire crate with divider

Buy the adult size once and move the divider as your puppy grows, keeping the space cosy enough to support toilet training.

Best for: The first six months

  • Growth divider panel
  • Two doors
  • Slide-out tray for accidents

A crate is a den, never a punishment — build the association slowly.

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Puppy Essentials

Puppy playpen

A safe, bigger-than-a-crate space for the hours you cannot supervise directly, which prevents most household chewing disasters.

  • Panels reconfigure to fit the room
  • Folds flat
  • Pairs with a crate as a den

Check panel height against your breed's expected adult size.

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Puppy Essentials

Soft teething toy

A softer rubber chew made for milk teeth, giving sore gums something legal to work on instead of your table legs.

  • Puppy-soft rubber
  • Freezer friendly
  • Small enough for a puppy mouth

Swap to an adult-strength toy once the adult teeth are through.

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Puppy Essentials

Enzymatic stain and odour cleaner

Breaks down the odour a puppy can still smell after an accident, which is what stops them returning to the same spot.

  • Enzyme-based formula
  • Safe on most carpets
  • No ammonia

Avoid ammonia-based cleaners — they smell like urine to a dog.

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Free download

New Dog Parent Starter Checklist

A one-page checklist covering the first week home: the gear you genuinely need, the routine that prevents most problems, the vet admin, and the training to start on day one. Printable, no fluff.

One email to send the checklist, plus occasional updates. Unsubscribe any time.

This information is general and educational. It is not veterinary advice and cannot diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a licensed veterinarian about your dog's health.