I recently got a sweet puppy that we named Zuzu. He is a Maltese and he’s 11 weeks old. It has been so much fun being a dog mom so far! I’ve made a list of some of the things I got before we brought him home.
1. Crate: It is important to crate train your puppy for their own safety when they are young. At some point everyone has to sleep and it’s the best way to keep them and your home safe.

2. Different Types of Toys: This is important because as puppies they are big chewers, a lot of the time because they are teething. Having different textured toys is really helpful in teaching them to not chew on things they find in your home. This is one of Zuzu’s favorite toys!
3. The Food they were Eating before you Got Them: Many puppies will have a better appetite and easier time digesting like this.

4. Pet Odor Removing Spray: Face the facts, your puppy will have accidents in your home. Having a spray that removes the odor where they won’t go right back to the same spot really helps (and trust me, Lysol just doesn’t work).
5. Leash: The leash I got was 6 foot. It was very inexpensive. It’s important to train them to walk on the leash if you ever want to take them anywhere.

6. A Brush: This is the brush we got. It was really important for us because Zuzu is a Maltese. Their hair can become matted if they aren’t brushed daily.
7. Shampoo and Conditioner: For obvious reasons you will need shampoo but conditioner is especially good for dogs with longer hair.

8. A Low Calorie Training Treat: It’s important for the treat to be low calorie because they should be getting a lot of them. You can get the treats we got here!
9. A Collar and Tag: This is essential. If your pup were to wander off from you you’re going to want them to have a collar and a tag on.

10. Information: This is by far the best thing to have before you get a puppy. You should do your research on different breeds. You should ask yourself what you are wanting in a dog. If you plan to be really active, go for an outgoing breed like a lab or golden retriever. On the other hand if you are wanting a dog that’s more of a couch potato, go for something like a French bulldog or Maltese (like Zuzu) because they can get most of their exercise running around the house. Once you find your perfect breed, research other things. There will always be things to catch you off guard but there shouldn’t be too many things.
Thanks for taking the time to read my list. If there is anything you want to add, feel free to do so in the comments!