FULL-TIME DOG MOM CHECKLIST
I am taking the role of full-time dog mom very seriously. Since you can’t hear my sarcasm, just know the title full-time dog mom is a joke. So we became “pawrents” back in June and let’s just say it’s been a whirlwind! If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw the escalation of our decision to adopt Luka. It was extremely impulsive but it was the best decision. We couldn’t be happier. However, we weren’t really ready for this big responsibility of a pup. When we brought Luka home we had nothing and we bought a couple of things that weren’t really necessary. Like a nice bed which he sh*t in a couple of weeks later. Dogs are a lot of work but they are so worth it! In addition to the 5 things below, obviously getting them toys, leash, etc. are a must. The items I listed are things you may not think about. Also, you can shop my Amazon storefront for other items I’ve bought!
Here are 6 things that are a must-have when you get a pup:
Crate - This is if you want to crate train. Which, I highly recommend. I definitely love cuddling with Luka, but I also like having my own space and I think he does too. We’ve associated his crate with joy so it’s not like we’re locking him up. We call it his home and he runs into it once it's bedtime.
Playpen - Luka is extremely energetic so we found it helpful to put him in a playpen so we didn’t have to have our eyes on him 24/7. Especially the first 3 months with him. Definitely keep in mind that a playpen isn’t meant for an all-day situation. We would only keep him in there for 30 minutes max if he wasn’t napping. Eventually, we had to get a cover for the playpen because he started climbing out of it.
Durable chew toys - Luka is a dog that likes to have his mind stimulated and needs to be entertained. He’s also an aggressive chewer so we had to find something that would last. We like this toy or giving him bones. We typically only give it to him for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Slow feeder - Puppies love food. Forcing them to eat slower will only benefit them. It helps with digestion, prevents vomiting, and gastrointestinal comfort. We have this one.
Bitter Apple Spray - We use this spray all the time! There are a ton of other brands, but this is THE ONE. Highly highly recommend it. We’ve had to spray it in the trash because Luka likes to pick out the paper towel and chew it. Something we are still working on and we have to remind him from time to time.
What are your must-have dog items?