Pupster Pack - Must-Haves for Your New Puppy
Introduction
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting adventure and the start of a new life! It comes with lots of joy and responsibility. You already know the date when the puppy will arrive at his forever home, and now it is a good time to prepare everything he will need. Whether you’re preparing for a Cairn Terrier or another breed, having the right essentials makes all the difference. We called this set of things a Pupster Pack - all you need when buying a puppy.
I brought Barry, my Cairn Terrier, home in August 2022. He was not my first puppy, but I faced some challenges settling him into the new environment. Let’s dive in and see what issues I had and how I solved them. From potty training to playtime, this guide covers everything you need, including eating and sleeping places, a portable water bottle, and more. We hope you’ll find it useful.
Two-month old Barry enjoys the front garden space in his new home
Section 1: Comfort and Calming Tools
The puppy needs a cosy and safe environment in his new home. He or she used to spend a lot of time with Mum and siblings, so moving to the new home without them can be stressful. Usually, puppies adapt fast, as they are curious, playful and like making new connections and exploring places. However, you might want to make this transition as comfortable as possible.
Make sure the puppy has a comfortable place in your house reserved for him. It shouldn't be in a walk-through area like hallways, or out of reach, like the stairs landing. The place should be quiet, accessible at all times, well ventilated, and not too close to the heating. In this place, you would want to put the puppy’s new bed or a crate, toys, bowls, and potty training pads nearby. I do not use crates or cages for my dogs, so I organised the sleeping space with vet bedding and the bed.
Traditional Vet bedding (foux sheep skin)
I use Traditional Grey High-Grade Vet Bedding (30mm) - a synthetic sheepskin that’s hygienic, machine-washable, and chew-resistant (The Kennel Club). You can order online any size you need to have the best sleeping place for your puppy.
When Barry was little we used one of these beds in a Small size. They are washable anti-anxiety soft plush bed that reminded him of his Mum. he was sleeping nicely in a bed like this.
Another tip for your puppy is to have a calming home diffuser in your house. Barry wasn’t anxious in his new home, but I used it for a couple of days to make sure he was feeling alright. You can buy them on Amazon and plug into a socket on the same floor where the puppy lives. The diffuser supplies a scent that a dog’s mum would produce. It can’t be smelled by humans, but it calms down a puppy or a young dog.
Of course, the above are just examples of what you can buy for your puppy. We recommend buying essentials similar to the above that suit your taste, the budget and your dog’s needs.
Section 2: Cleanliness and Potty Training Essentials
Puppies need a clean start, especially during potty training. Most likely, you will pick up a puppy when he is 8 weeks old, and after bringing him home, you will do the second round of vaccinations at your vet’s, who will tell you that you must not walk your puppy or meet other dogs for another 3-4 weeks. During this time, you can train your puppy to use a toilet in the garden (if you have one) or use training pads. They often have scents to encourage puppies to use them, reducing mess on your floors. I used pads when Barry was a pup, moving them closer to the door to transition him outside. It is also a good idea to remove carpets, as the puppy can start using them as pads (this is what Barry did when he moved in). How to train your dog to use a toilet is explained in the Kennel Club article.
For indoor/outdoor/car use they are suitable for puppy training, or as an alternative when outdoor is not an option. I bought giant (40x40cm) pads and placed several of them on the floor, near Barry’s sleeping place and all around.
The Pupster Pack includes poop bags to ensure you’re prepared for walks - picking up after your pup is a must, and it’s the law in public spaces (Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005). I always carry a roll when walking Barry, whether in the UK or abroad.
Cleanliness sets the foundation for a healthy pup, so stock up on these basics. Most likely even when you will start walking your pup at 3-4 months old, he will still use training pads at home for emergency.
Section 3: Make Your Home Dog-friendly
Living in a traditional 2-storey English home, I decided to organise a space for a dog on the ground floor. The dogs are social animals and need a company. As we spent the majority of the time on the ground floor, the dog should stay there too. As mentioned above, we removed all carpets so the pup will not confuse them with training pads. We removed all unnecessary things from the reach, including shoes, otherwise they will be chewed in no time. Next were stairs. Cairn Terriers are a small breed, and it was challenging for Barry to jump up the stairs when he was 2-3 months old. Hence, for his safety we protected the stairs with a child lock to prevent him from uncontrollably climbing up.
A metal gate with a lock can prevent the dog from going to places in the house where you don’t want them to be. For example, if you’d like your puppy to stay on the ground floor, a metal gate on the stairs will prevent him from going to the first floor.
Puppies are teething - changing their teeth from pup to adult when they are 3-6 months old. During this time, your pup will chew anything (your shoes included) both out of interest and to exercise his new teeth. Apart from having chewing toys, we recommend buying Bitter Apple Taste Deterrent. It saved my legs from wooden stools in my house!
Bitter Apple Taste Deterrent for Dogs to discourage chewing on off-limits items like table legs - I sprayed this around the house when Barry was teething.
Note: Some things in your house you can spray to avoid chewing, but the rest you need to hide away from the puppy: shoes, brooms, pens, and anything else that looks like a new chewing toy :-)
I was giving Barry 1-2 cubes a day when he was teething. He loves it! Ice cubes reduce the inflammation and calm him down. And generally speaking, it is good to keep some ice cubes in the freezer.
Section 4: Playtime and Training Essentials
For playtime comfort, I bought a lot of different toys, knowing none of them will last long. Puppies are teething, so they destroy any new toy very quickly. They also need mental stimulation and training to grow into well-behaved dogs. You can buy 10-15 toys at once and give a new toy every other day so your pup will be entertained.
Just a standard set of toys that you can purchase on Amazon. You should look to buy only pet-specific toys, whether online or at the pet shop.
Note: Toys that were designed for humans may not be suitable for pets, especially small puppies. They can contain parts that the puppy can swallow and get ill.
You would want to buy long-lasting chew toys that your puppy can enjoy. The indestructible stick dog chew toy satisfies chewing instincts, preventing damage to your furniture.
Note: some owners still think it is a good idea to give your dog a cow bone from butcher. Unless it is thoroughly cooked in the oven, this is usually not safe to give it raw to your dog
For a minor puppy, you probably would like to buy a lightweight collar that will not bother him too much while he is adjusting to the new ways of walking on the lead.
Standard long-lasting pet lead with soft padded handle. I personally prefer those, as Barry tends to pull on the walk. They are also a bit stretchy when the dog pulls, it doesn't hurt his neck or my hands too much. Choose a thinner version for a minor puppy and make sure it is as lightweight as possible.
We used one of these to train recall on walks. How to use them in a correct way can be taught on one of puppy classes at your local dog school.
A portable dog water bottle is essential for hydration on the go, especially during hot weather. During summer I used to carry one with me for longer walks, so Barry can stay hydrated. It’s lightweight and leak-free.
Having a small ball with you on the walk helps to have fun playtime on the walk and build a bond between you and the pup. It redirects the puppy’s attention back to you among other distractions and helps with training recall.
Section 5: Feeding Must-Haves
Food is one of the most important aspects of a dog’s health and well-being. It is important for a dog’s energy level, mood and overall health and development. You would like to be careful when choosing a puppy food. The food should be balanced and contain all vitamins and minerals, and as little garbage as possible. Online, you can get many perspectives, pros and cons of choosing the right food for your dog. The choice of yours, but in this article, I provide my perspective on the topic Read more
Even if you had puppies before, we recommend refreshing your knowledge about the dosage and feeding routine.
We use 2 simple bowls that sit on non-slip mats. One for water and one for food. We bought these ones from Amazon and happy with the quality as they last since Barry was a puppy, so almost 3 years now.
Note: Don’t forget to wash the bowls regularly and pour fresh water daily.
Section 6: Grooming must-haves
Grooming is key to a puppy’s health. In Pupster Pack we advise including a regular pin brush and anti-static porcupine brush to keep your pup’s coat tangle-free. I brush Barry daily to prevent matting, especially after muddy walks. We recommend purchasing a nail clipper, and the shampoo that suits your dog’s coat (soft or coarse). These items best to order before you will bring a new puppy to your home. The full grooming list for the Cairn Terrier can be found here.
If you are thinking of buying Cairn Terrier, then you will need to hand-strip him twice a month - a technique I teach in my online hand-stripping class that is translated worldwide (book here).
Ergonomically designed brush that you can use to brush your dog daily. Convenient handle
An anti-static brush with soft pins that brushes Cairn Coat without breaking the hair. Ergonomically designed for less stress to the dog and the groomer
When it comes to washing your Cairn Terrier, it’s important to note that these dogs should not be bathed frequently, as excessive washing can strip the natural oils that gives their coats weather-resistant qualities. Regular bathing can also provoke skin allergies.
For owners who show their Cairn Terriers, it's generally best to avoid using shampoo at all, as it can alter the texture and appearance of the coat, which is critical in competitions. However, life with a Cairn Terrier sometimes leads to unexpected adventures - if your dog happens to roll in something unpleasant, a gentle and high-quality shampoo can be a lifesaver.
The pack of 100 soft but strong latex finger cots in Medium size. Perfect for hand stripping Cairn Terrier coat.
The Finger cots are used in handstripping because they allow a better grip of the dog’s coat, hence easier hand stripping.
Comes in a convenient High Borosilicate Jar with Acacia Wood lid. The jar’s capacity is 230ml.
Last but not least, if you have a new Cairn Terrier puppy, you might want to learn grooming and hand stripping techniques to keep its double coat in the best condition. You are most welcome to join our online class where we will tell and show you how a Cairn Terrier coat should be looked after.
Conclusion
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is a joyful journey filled with love, learning, and a bit of chaos! Prepare your Pupster Pack in advance to make sure your furry friend has everything he needs to feel safe, comfortable, and happy as they adjust to their new life. From cozy bedding and calming diffusers to potty training pads, durable toys, and grooming essentials, each item plays a vital role in your puppy’s well-being and development. My experience with Barry, my Cairn Terrier, taught me that being proactive and thoughtful in preparing for a puppy’s arrival makes all the difference.
Enjoy every moment with your new best friend!