12 Things I Actually Bought for My Puppy That Were Worth the Money

Bringing home a new puppy is overwhelming, and the pet industry wants you to buy everything. Here are the 12 things I actually bought for Dodo that were 100% worth the money.

12 Things I Actually Bought for My Puppy That Were Worth the Money

When we brought Dodo home in early 2026, I thought I had this whole puppy thing figured out. After all, I already have Alice, my Chow Shepherd who was born back in September 2016. I’ve been through the teething, the potty training, and the endless energy phases before. But getting a new puppy—especially a mini Chowdoodle—reminded me just how much stuff you actually need, and more importantly, how much stuff is a complete waste of money.

The pet industry is massive, and they want you to buy everything. You’ll see ads for fancy gadgets, aesthetic toys that look great in your living room but get destroyed in five minutes, and beds that cost more than my own mattress. I bought my fair share of useless things this time around, but I also found some absolute staples that I would buy again without hesitation.

If you’re bringing home a new puppy and feeling overwhelmed by the shopping list, here are the 12 things I actually bought for Dodo that were 100% worth the money.

Quick Comparison

1. MidWest iCrate 30-Inch

Crate training is non-negotiable in our house. It keeps the puppy safe when I can't supervise, and it gives them a secure place to decompress. I didn't want to spend a fortune on a heavy, furniture-style crate right away because puppies have accidents and they chew on things. The MidWest iCrate is simple, durable, and gets the job done. I got the 30-inch size with the divider panel, which meant I could make the space smaller when Dodo was tiny and expand it as she grew. It folds flat if we need to travel, and the plastic pan at the bottom is incredibly easy to slide out and clean when accidents happen.

2. KONG Classic Medium

You probably already know about the KONG, but I have to include it because it is the single most used item in our house. I actually bought three of these so I always have one ready in the freezer. When Dodo is being a menace and biting my ankles, I pull out a frozen KONG stuffed with plain yogurt, a little peanut butter, and some of her kibble. It buys me at least 30 minutes of peace and quiet. The medium size is perfect for her current chewing habits, and the rubber is tough enough to withstand those razor-sharp puppy teeth.

3. MADE TO ROAM Martingale Collar

Finding a good collar for a fluffy dog is surprisingly hard. Regular buckle collars either slip off over their heads or mat their fur. I bought the MADE TO ROAM Martingale Collar, and it’s been fantastic. A martingale collar tightens just enough when the dog pulls so they can't back out of it, but it stays loose and comfortable when they're walking nicely. It gives me peace of mind knowing Dodo can't slip her collar if she gets spooked by a loud noise on our walks. Plus, the material is sturdy and the hardware feels really secure.

4. A Basic 6-Foot Leather Leash

I know retractable leashes are popular, but I absolutely hate them for puppies. They teach the dog that pulling gets them more freedom, and they offer zero control if you need to pull your dog away from something dangerous. I skipped the fancy bungee leashes and just bought a standard 6-foot leather leash. Leather is soft on your hands, it doesn't give you rope burn if the puppy suddenly lunges, and it lasts forever. Alice has had her leather leash for years, and Dodo’s is already breaking in beautifully.

5. PEGGY11 Stainless Steel Bowls

I initially bought cute ceramic bowls for Dodo, but she managed to chip one within the first week. I immediately switched to the PEGGY11 Stainless Steel Bowls. They aren't the most aesthetic option, but they are practical. They have a silicone bottom so they don't slide all over the kitchen floor while she's eating, and they are dishwasher safe. Stainless steel is also much more sanitary than plastic, which can harbor bacteria and cause dog acne.

6. COCOYO Training Pads 50ct

Potty training a puppy in the middle of winter is rough. While the ultimate goal is for Dodo to do all her business outside, having pee pads during the first few weeks saved my sanity (and my rugs). The COCOYO Training Pads are super absorbent and actually trap the liquid so the puppy doesn't step in it and track it across the floor. I kept a stack of these near the back door for those moments when we just couldn't make it outside fast enough.

7. WanpeeGoo Washable Pee Pads

Once Dodo got a little older and the accidents became less frequent, I felt guilty about throwing away so many disposable pads. I switched to the WanpeeGoo Washable Pee Pads. I use these to line the bottom of her playpen and the back seat of my car. They are thick, they don't leak through to the floor, and you just throw them in the washing machine. In the long run, these have saved me a lot of money compared to constantly buying the disposable ones.

8. Open Farm Puppy Food

Nutrition is a big deal to me. Alice has a sensitive stomach, so I’m very careful about what I feed my dogs. I chose Open Farm Puppy Food for Dodo because I like their transparency. You can trace every ingredient back to the source, and they use humanely raised meat. Dodo absolutely loves it, her coat is incredibly soft, and her poops are solid—which is honestly the best indicator of a good dog food. It’s a bit pricey, but the quality is worth it.

9. Nylabone Puppy Chews

Puppy teething is no joke. Dodo wanted to chew on the baseboards, the furniture, and my hands. I bought a pack of Nylabone Puppy Chews, and they were a lifesaver. These are softer than the adult Nylabones, so they won't damage puppy teeth, but they are tough enough to satisfy the urge to chew. I keep one in every room of the house so I can easily redirect her when she starts mouthing something she shouldn't.

10. Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel XL

I thought this toy was a gimmick, but it is Dodo’s absolute favorite thing in the world. It’s a plush tree trunk stuffed with squeaky squirrels. She spends ages pulling the squirrels out one by one, carrying them around the house, and then waiting for me to stuff them back in. It’s great mental stimulation for her, and it’s hilarious to watch. Even Alice, who usually ignores toys, will occasionally steal a squirrel.

11. Furbo Mini 360 Pet Camera

Leaving a new puppy home alone for the first time is stressful. I bought the Furbo Mini 360 so I could check on Dodo while I was running errands. The 360-degree rotation means I can see the whole room, and the app alerts me if she starts barking or crying. It gave me the confidence to actually leave the house without worrying that she was destroying something or panicking in her crate.

12. Farmland Traditions Tiny Loves Trainer

When you are training a puppy, you go through a ridiculous amount of treats. You need something small, low-calorie, and high-value. The Farmland Traditions Tiny Loves Trainers are perfect. They are tiny little meat treats that don't crumble in your pocket. Dodo will do just about anything for one of these, making our training sessions so much more productive.

The Bottom Line

Having a puppy is expensive, and it’s easy to get caught up in buying things you don't actually need. Stick to the basics: a safe place to sleep, durable chew toys, good food, and practical training tools. Everything else is just noise. These 12 items have survived the chaos of raising Dodo, and I’d buy every single one of them again.

Bonus: The Woof Pupsicle

I picked this up after a friend recommended it and it's become one of Dodo's most-used toys. The Woof Pupsicle is a rubber ball that unscrews in half so you can stuff treats, peanut butter, or bone broth inside and freeze it. What makes it better than a Kong for me is how easy it is to clean — you literally open it flat and rinse. No more digging crusty peanut butter out of a narrow hole with a bottle brush. Dodo gets one of these every morning while I have my coffee and it keeps her occupied for a solid half hour. Worth every penny. Use code DODO for 15% off.

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