My Must-Have Puppy Essentials for New Pup Parents (And Why I’m Chewy’s #1 Fan)

Ah, puppies. The endless cuteness, the slobbery kisses, and let’s not forget—the unrelenting demands. It’s been 16 years since I raised a puppy (Hi, Nitro, I miss you.). And while adopting Chloe was amazing, she was already a well-trained 13-month-old when we got her. She came with less a less  “puppy” and more “adult dog” vibe. So when I found myself with an 8-week-old puppy (who does have a name, but I’ll reveal that in a future post), I had to face the cold, hard truth: I forgot just how much time and attention a tiny furball needs.

And boy, does it take a lot of energy.

But there’s one thing that’s kept me sane—and no, it’s not the puppy snuggles (though those help…a lot). It’s Chewy. Yes, Chewy. Let me tell you, I’m pretty sure I’m basically their best customer right now.

I’m not usually one to wax poetic about a company, but Chewy really does deserve some love for the amazing job they do and the products they offer for animals. From fast shipping to top-notch customer service, they really have been helping to keep my puppy parenting journey a little less chaotic.

The Puppy Items That Are Currently Saving My Sanity

Let’s talk about the stuff that’s actually helping keep me afloat while I juggle puppy life, mom life, and work. While these may not be considered “puppy essentials”, they’ve worked wonders for us, and I figured I’d share in case anyone else is (or soon will be) in the trenches of puppy chaos.

Puppy Toys That Burn Off Energy

Spring in Chattanooga? More like endless rain. And my little guy? Well, he’s not fully vaccinated yet, so outdoor excursions are limited. So, we’ve turned to toys—lots and lots of toys.

And I have to admit, I may have gone overboard (but who can blame me?). Sure, he has several squeaky toys and chew toys, but I wanted to touch on a few lifesavers that a dog trainer friend of mine turned me on to that have been so helpful!

First, the Kong Wobbler. This isn’t just a toy; it’s a game changer. It’s food-dispensing, so the puppy works for his meals and expends some energy in the process. It’s been amazing for keeping him entertained.

Then, the Snuffle Mat. It’s like a food treasure hunt. I hide his food in the mat, and he has to sniff it out. It’s perfect for when the rain keeps us inside, and it also helps tire him out a little.

Another toy in the lineup is the Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball. It’s a treat puzzle, and I love it. The puppy has to work for his food, and let’s be honest, I love watching him figure it out.

Side note on this toy: If you want to use this for meal time instead of treats only, make sure to get the large size even if your puppy is smaller. Our puppy was 10 pounds when he arrived, and he eats his meals from that ball.

And then there’s the Outward Hound Puppy Lickin’ Layers. It’s a slow feeder and puzzle toy all in one. Outward Hound Puppy Lickin’ Layers. He is 13 weeks old now, and I think he is just about outgrown this one, and he’s ready to move up to the next level of puzzle.

To keep things interesting for him, I’ve been switching up his meal times with one of these toys each time he eats. By giving him a different option each meal, he not only stays engaged but also gets to work for his food, which is a perfect way to burn off that puppy energy. It also means I don’t have to keep things boring or repetitive. It’s all about variety and giving him something new to look forward to, at least when it comes to mealtime.

The Right Food & Hydration Help

Of course, what goes in is just as important as what goes out. We’re feeding him Purina ProPlan Puppy Food Lamb and Rice, and so far, so good. It works great because Chloe has some food allergies, and once he’s on regular food I won’t have to panic if she eats a bite of his food.

But the real kicker? Hydration.

Surprisingly, our little guy doesn’t really love water which resulted in him not drinking enough and developing a UTI.

But…he’s a huge fan of ice cubes. So, we started making him frozen treats for snack time. We have been freezing a Toppls with a few blueberries, a little bit of pumpkin, or a couple of Vital Essentials Rabbit Bites or Beef Nibs. He licks the frozen water to get to the treats, which has helped him stay hydrated while also aiding with his UTI and sore teeth from teething. Bonus!

Crates: Not What I Expected, But a Game Changer

I’ll be honest—I wasn’t a huge fan of crates until I had Chloe. She came to us already crate trained, and given her size and slightly nervous nature around new people, having her crate was a lifesaver. It’s so comforting to know that when someone unfamiliar is in the house, I can tell her to go into her crate, and she’s happy and safe. After about 10 minutes of seeing me interacting with this person, she’s more than ready to meet them.

I will never not have a crate-trained dog again. I only use Chloe’s crate once a week or so, but it’s always in the living room, open for her when she needs some quiet time. And when the puppy gets to be a little too much for her, she does the sensible thing—removes herself to her crate. Such a good big sister.

As for the new puppy, I’ve got him set up with two crates.

The Single Door Crate is for his nighttime sleeping (it’s a great help with potty training). And, the Double Door Crate. The Double Door Crate has been an amazing addition to my office. My office was our former dining room, so it has an oversized entrance on one side. The crate fits perfectly in that spot, and the side door opens into my office. It blocks the door, but he can still see everything and interact but can’t run around the house and get into mischief while I work. It’s been so useful for crate training while I’m in the office.

Of course, crate training isn’t always a walk in the park. The first few nights or weeks with a new puppy can be rough, especially when they’re adjusting to being away from their littermates. To help with the transition, we used the Snuggle Puppy. This little wonder mimics the heartbeat of a mother dog and provides soothing warmth, which helps calm the puppy down during those first nights of crate training. It’s like having a cuddle buddy in the crate. Now that he’s a little older, he likes to drag Snuggle Puppy out of his crate and snuggle him wherever he decides to snooze for a while

My Go-To for Puppy Essentials

I wish I could say my love for Chewy stops at the products, but nope, it’s more than that. I have found their customer service to be top notch – which is saying a lot in this day and age where customer service is usually an afterthought by most companies.

I ordered an elevated feeding/water bowl for Chloe, and when it arrived with only one piece instead of three, I called Chewy. They shipped an entire replacement item (all parts included) overnight, no questions asked. That’s what I call top-notch customer service.

I also use Chewy’s autoship for both Chloe’s and the puppy’s treats and food. Honestly, it’s a huge relief knowing I never have to worry about running out. If you’re a busy person (like me), you know how easy it is to forget to order food or treats or to remember to stop and pick them up on your way home. Autoship takes that stress off the table.

Raising a puppy is full of surprises, and I’m learning something new every day. To be honest, I probably knew it 16 years ago when Nitro was a puppy but it’s quite possible I blocked it out because he was a holy terror until he was 3 years old (more on that another day). But thanks these puppy essentials, we are surviving. And dare I say it—enjoying the journey.

So, thank you for coming along on my puppyhood adventure. As a pet photographer, it only makes sense to share what’s happening in my life with my own pets, especially since they’re part of the bigger picture. I hope these products help you in your puppy journey!