The right essentials for your dog

A dog is a loyal companion that enriches people’s lives. In order for a dog to be happy and healthy, its needs must be met. Here we show you what dog essentials are needed for walking, resting and playing. You will also find helpful information on additional dog accessories that are necessary before getting a dog.

8 questions: Am I ready to own a dog?

Getting a dog is a life-changing decision that should not be made lightly or hastily. It doesn’t matter whether you get the dog from a rescue centre or directly from a breeder – the dog is a living creature with its own needs that must be met.

So think about absolute key criteria in advance and consider the decision carefully, without looking at it through rose-tinted glasses. The dog has to fit your lifestyle, just as your lifestyle should allow room for a dog’s needs. Otherwise you are not doing your dog any good.

1. Is the breed of dog suitable for me?

Individual dog breeds have been bred for specific purposes, which significantly influence the character and energy level of the dog. Ask yourself whether you can offer the selected dog breed a breed-appropriate life. If you want a quiet family dog, an Australian cattle dog would not be the right choice. Similarly, a bulldog that does not like to run would not be the best dog for someone who wants a riding companion.

2. How much dog experience do I have?

The amount of dog experience and knowledge not only determines whether you get a dog, but also which breed, which age and whether it should be a dog from a breeder or from a rescue centre. But even if your knowledge is still lacking in one area or another, dog trainers and dog guidebooks will help you to fill in the gaps with your knowledge and experience.

3. Can I afford a dog?

In addition to the purchase, the upkeep of the dog costs money per month – dog insurance, high-quality dog food, grooming products, dog toys, possibly a dog sitter, etc. But unexpected costs due to vet appointments must also be taken into account.

4. Time factor: Do I have enough time for my dog?

Dogs are pack animals that always want to be near their owners. Do you have enough time for training, walks, games, petting and other activities? Especially in the early days, you should plan plenty of time for familiarisation, training and dog school. Even beyond that, the best way to build a close partnership with your dog is time – and lots of it.

5. What happens to the dog when I am at work/on holiday/sick?

In relation to your available time, you should consider what will happen to the dog during your working hours. And who will take the dog out when you are bedridden. In addition to friends, a dog sitter can be the solution. Again, consider the additional costs.

People who travel frequently and do not intend to take their dog everywhere with them should not get a dog.

6. Are there children or are there any planned?

Children can make squeaking sounds that can trigger the dog. When children and dogs live together, misunderstandings in communication can often occur, leading to unwanted incidents. Not all dogs can stay relaxed around children. Furthermore, the time factor also plays a role here, because newborns and small children in particular require a lot of attention, which is missing for the dog.

7. Are my living conditions suitable for dogs?

Keeping a dog that loves to run and/or is too large for a one bedroom flat is rather unsuitable – do you have enough space? Do you have a quiet place in your home for your dog to sleep? Are all poisonous plants, fragile objects and exposed electrical cables out of the dog’s reach? Do you have a garden or green space nearby to accommodate your dog’s need for exercise?

8. Have I bought all the essential items for my first dog?

If you have answered all the questions positively up to this point, you can start thinking more seriously about getting a dog. Now it is time to think about the essential accessories. In the following section you can read all about essential items for a dog.

What are the essentials for a dog?

Your dog is moving in with you. So that your dog not only feels comfortable right from the start, but so that you can also go for a walk with them safely, we have listed all the essentials for your dog here.

Dog transport

For the best start together, a carrier is recommended for large and heavier dogs to get them through a car journey without any serious incidents. Smaller and medium-sized dogs can be secured to the back seat with a dog harness and a seat belt. No collar! A collar would choke the dog if the car brakes hard.

Walking: Lead, collar and/or harness

No matter how short or long the walks are, the lead, collar and harness must fit the dog. The size of the dog, its training goal and its level of obedience influence your choice of the appropriate accessories. In our guide on dog leads and dog harnesses you can find out how to choose the right accessories for your dog.

Furthermore, you should always have a couple of poo bags with you when you go for a walk so that you can pick up your dog’s waste.

It goes without saying: dog food and bowls

Your dog needs two dog bowls: one for eating and one for drinking. While the bowl with fresh drinking water should always be filled and accessible, for many dogs it is sufficient to feed them once a day. Make sure the bowls fit the size of the dog, have enough weight and a non-slip bottom so the dog can eat in peace. For on the go, you can use a foldable bowl or a drinking bottle with an integrated bowl.

To keep your dog healthy, it is essential to feed it high-quality dog food that provides it with all the nutrients it needs and is free from unnecessary additives. You can find more information about dog food and dog treats in the guide „Healthy dog feeding“.

So your dog can sleep soundly: Dog bed and dog cushion

An adult dog needs 12 to 14 hours of rest a day, a puppy as much as 15 to 20 hours. A dog therefore needs a dog bed or a cushion on which it can satisfy its sleep requirements. The shape and size of the dog bed should match the dog’s sleeping habits. You can read about how to find the perfect bed for your dog in our guide to dog beds.

The bed should be in a place where your dog can be part of the family, but has enough peace and quiet. For example, a corner of the living room without draughts is a suitable spot.

For healthy dogs: grooming items for dogs

Regular and appropriate grooming of the dog’s coat, ears, eyes, teeth and paws is necessary to keep it healthy. How intensively the dog’s coat is groomed depends on its hair structure and length. To avoid matting in long-haired dogs, a dog brush is one of the essential items to have. For short-haired dogs, a grooming glove is often sufficient.

If your dog has rolled in something stinky, you should have a moisturising dog shampoo in your cupboard.

Tick tweezers, claw clippers and eye and ear care products should also be part of your dog’s basic grooming kit. Antibacterial and nourishing ointments should also be in your first aid kit to treat wounds.

In our guide to dog grooming & care, we go into more detail about grooming your dog.

For letting off steam: Dog toys

Essentially, every dog has a play instinct, which in turn is more pronounced in some dogs and less so in others. Playing means both physical and mental exercise for the dog, as well as valuable time with the human. Therefore, put a dog toy on your checklist of basic dog items.

To help you find your way through the large selection of dog toys, we have summarised everything you need to know in our guide to dog toys.

For cold and wet days: dog coat and dog jacket

Not every dog needs a waterproof dog jacket or a dog coat with filling. However, depending on the weather, the condition of the coat and the dog’s state of health, a dog coat can be useful. To make walking your dog fun even on rainy and cold days, you can find exactly the right jacket for your dog with the help of our guide to dog coats.

Checklist for a successful start in life with a dog

Essential items for puppies: What do I need to look out for?

As a first-time dog owner, you should consider not only the basic essentials, but also the special qualities of getting a puppy. Puppies have different requirements for their accessories than an adult dog.

A dog harness that grows with the dog

Opinions differ as to whether a collar or a dog harness is generally better. With a puppy, however, you should start with a dog harness to get it used to the lead. This is because a harness distributes the pressure better and thus avoids a localised pull on the neck. Keep in mind that a puppy’s body is still fragile and not very strong. To avoid having to reach for your wallet every month, a dog harness for puppies should be adjustable in size and be able to grow with the dog. Make sure the material is soft so that there are no chafing areas.

The dog lead should not be too long or too heavy, so that the weight does not restrict its wearing comfort and the puppy has negative experiences as a result. Likewise, a lead for puppies should be sturdy enough to withstand pointed teeth. Leads made of leather, rubber and nylon are therefore suitable for puppies.

As far as walking on a lead is concerned, you should get the puppy used to it slowly, in small steps, and work with lots of food and social praise, such as petting and play sessions.

Protect your home furnishings with nibbling toys for young dogs

Hard and soft dog toys not only satisfy the puppy’s play instinct, but also promote its motor skills. Sniffing games satisfy its ability to concentrate and also frustration tolerance. Cuddly toys can provide the puppy with something to lean on if the owner is not around or if the puppy has only recently been separated from its mother.

When your puppy is teething, hard toys and chews, such as dried cowhide, have a special purpose: they reduce the uncomfortable, itchy feeling on the gums when the teeth come through. With appropriate toys, you can prevent your puppy from chewing on furniture, wallpaper and slippers. The toy should be sturdy so that no small parts can come off and be swallowed, but not too hard so that your puppy doesn’t chew his milk teeth off.

Buying a dog bed for the future? Choose a dog bed that is more suited to the dog’s current size

To save money, you might as well buy a large dog bed that the puppy can use when it is fully grown, no? The thought is well-intentioned, but it is rather counterproductive for a puppy. Puppies that are not yet house-trained could turn the unused area of the bed or the cuddly blanket into a toilet, as they prefer soft ground for this.

If the puppy fits its bed, it is less likely to use it as a toilet.

Even the food bowl should grow with the puppy

As with the dog bed, the bowl size should also be adapted to the current size of the puppy. Even if the little one wants to become a big dog, the bowl should only be big enough so that the puppy can eat or drink from it without any problems. A non-slip underside or a mat gives the bowl a stable stand and prevents it from sliding around. A sufficient weight of ceramic or stainless steel, for example, helps to provide additional support. Stainless steel and ceramic dog bowls are also very easy to clean.