Research: have you looked into your breeder and their history? this is critical as a reputable breeder will play a critical role in the health of your puppy. Are you adopting? Make sure that you have a few visits with your new dog and get your local SPCA to fill you in on everything they've learned about him or her while he's been there.
Training Classes: It's never too early to start! You should have already looked into local trainers, and made a decision on who you are going to use for your formal training classes. Once registered, your trainer will fill you in on what to expect, and when your ideal start date is. Two local trainers I would recommend (that I have used, and loved) are: Dave McMahon and Tee Creek Farms.
Food and Water Dishes: Be sure to buy ceramic or stainless steel dog bowls. My favorite of the two? Stainless Steel. They stand the test of time, and are easy to wash, which means less bacteria. The plastic from pet bowls can hold harmful bacteria, and cause acne around your dogs mouth (yes, it exists). Additionally, the chemicals used to create plastic pet bowls often contain harmful chemicals (BPA) that may leach into your dogs food and cause harmful side effects.
Flat Collar and ID Tag: There is debate about whether or not your dog should always be wearing a flat collar. If your puppy is at risk of escaping the house at any time, he should be wearing one, with an ID tag. Both of these items are fairly inexpensive and can save you a lot of time and heartache.
Leash: I always tend to recommend staying away from retractable leashes. They promote your dog walking ahead of you, and you never know how strong they really can get when they decide to run after something. It's always better to play it safe and go with a strong and durable leash. A Canadian brand I love is JacTrac.
Toys: Puppies love to chew, so it is important that you provide them with proper chew toys so that they don't come after your favorite...anything! Kong's are a great option to start with and come in mini sizes. I like them because they are durable and can be stuffed with your dogs favorite treat, which means the toy will always be appealing to him. If you are going to get stuffed toys for your dog, plastic toys, or tug ropes be sure to limit their exposure. You don't want your dog destroying the toy and ingesting it's parts.
Food: Do your research and find out what should, or shouldn't be in your dogs food. A great brand I use, and recommend is Champion Pet Foods. They make two lines of quality food. Acana, the more affordable option is still a great food choice for your dog, but Orijen seems to stand out in every way for me.
Treats: Rollover offers premium treats and they have become my favorite. Even picky dogs love them. The large roll is great to cut up, lasts a long time, and keeps fresh in the refrigerator.
Nature's Miracle: It's an all natural life saver. Your dog will have accidents in the house until you have properly trained him. Nature's Miracle gets rid of the odor, even for your dog. It is the only product, in my mind, that works. Surely you can find this product at any of your local pet stores.
A Vet: It might seem strange that I would put this on the list but sometimes you never know. Once again, do your research and find out who you like and why. I choose to move with my vet because she is so wonderful. She used to be 5 minutes away, and now she is 15, but we love her. She is always there to answer my questions, and always explains all of my options to me so that I can make informed decisions. Consider what your expectations are and the type of relationship you want to have with your vet.
The rest is up to you. You may choose to crate your dog, have a bed for your dog, or keep your dog constricted to different areas in your house. Just be a responsible owner and enjoy your new pet, because surely, if you treat him right, he will enjoy you!
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