The puppy stage is short, chaotic, and absolutely wonderful. Puppies grow shockingly fast.
Puppy Essentials
- Crate: Buy the adult size with a divider. It's their safe space.
- Bed: Something washable. Don't buy anything expensive until the chewing phase is over.
- Food and water bowls: Stainless steel or ceramic. Avoid plastic.
- Lead and collar: A simple flat collar and lightweight lead to start.
- Toys: A mix of chew toys, soft toys, and interactive toys.
Puppy Keepsakes
- Paw print at 8 weeks: Tiny paw prints from their first days with you.
- Weekly photos: Same position, same background, every week for 6 months.
- First collar: Keep it — it will be impossibly small within months.
- Nose print: A dog's nose print is unique, like a fingerprint.
The Comparison Photo
On day one, photograph your puppy held in your hands. Retake the same photo at 6 months and 1 year. The contrast is astonishing.