Creative Commons Photo by Jessie Draper
New pug owners are often baffled by the never-ending sea of dog related products available for purchase. This is to be expected in a market offering everything from dog strollers to dog boots. In spite of the overwhelming market there are surprisingly few necessities new dog owners must purchase, some of which are under marketed. Remember it is best to purchase the following items before you bring your new dog home. Without further ado, here are 15 things (in no particular order) that every pug owner should have:
1. Food and Water Bowl: Your new pet needs to eat and drink. Generic water bowls and food bowls can be found in almost any pet store and grocery store. Just be sure the bowl(s) will not harm the surface you plan to put it on. If possible, avoid carpet: it makes cleaning up spills and crumbs a whole lot easier. At $5, I would highly recommend a skid stop bowl, which forces pugs to eat a little slower. Before using this bowl, Benji would vomit his food every now and then because he would seldom come up for air when he was eating and would literally inhale his food. This bowl slows him down a bit and vomiting hasn’t been an issue since. He didn’t vomit very often, thus I thought it was normal. But this simple $5 product saved me from cleaning a lot of messes in the future. Highly recommended.
2. Food and Water: Tap water (depending on your location) or bottled water will work. Food is a bit tricky. Keep your newly adopted pet on the same food for a few days, then wean him or her onto your preferred food (if necessary). Look for a high-quality dog food that contains little to no fillers. Hard food (kibbles) are preferred by most dog owners. Checkout our post on the best dog food for pugs.
3. Steam Cleaner: Don’t even think about owning a pug until you own a functional steam cleaner! No matter how fast you can train your new pug, accidents (including vomit) are inevitable. Pugs are ranked 57th on the working/obedience intelligence scale, giving them a “fair” rating for training. Potty training might take a little longer for the average pug. And it’s not just puppies, even the adult trained pug has accidents.
Don’t place yourself at the mercy of rentals: Walmart, Home Depot, etc. each have models you can rent for $30+, but for $98 shipped to your door you can have a Bissell PowerBrush. Just use it a mere 3 times and you’re at break-even. Stay away from hand-held models, unless if you are looking for a backup. Nothing beats the full size steam cleaners.
4. Floor Cleaner: Although dogs usually prefer carpet (don’t ask why), accidents can happen in any area of the house. Best be prepared with a way to clean any floor surface in your home. Consider a hardwood or tile floor cleaner if you don’t already have one. Alternatively, the above can be cleaned with soap and water.
5. Bed/Crate: Even if you plan on having your new dog sleep in the same bed as you, your dog will greatly appreciate having his or her own place. Most dogs enjoy being able to nap throughout the day. Remember, just because you have a crate does not mean you have to close the door every time your dog walks in or walks out. Your pet may simply view it as his or her space in the house. Some people are opposed to crate training and I digress, dogs are related to wolves, whom live in small caves or dens. A crate trained dog is also invaluable for travel, whether it’s a road trip or if you’re flying. If you choose a crate, be sure to keep a soft dog bed inside for your pet. This one is the cheapest and highest rated on Amazon, and virtually any small bed of your choice can fit inside.
6. Collar and/or Harness: Either are good for holding your dog’s I.D. and are essential for walking. Make sure your dog’s collar is thick enough and loose enough for comfort. You can also customize your dog’s collar by having his or her I.D. info stitched on. This is perfect for dogs that always get their tag stuck in places such as air conditioning vents and shrubs. Because it is possible for a pugs eyes to pop out, soft harnesses are recommend (among other reasons). Puppia harnesses are very popular in the pug community.
7. Baby/Dog Gate: This is a necessity for dog owners who want to keep their new pet out of a certain area of their house (usually the kitchen, hint hint). They are also useful for keeping young puppies off stairways, as puppies are prone to falling down the steps. Here’s another best selling baby/dog gate on Amazon, which comes with a pet door.
8. I.D. Tag: You need a way to ensure that if your dog gets lost no one mistakes him or her for a stray. You can custom engrave your dog’s tag at some pet stores like Petco or Petsmart, or online. Be sure to include your dog’s name and your number, and perhaps your address if you could fit it. Choose a good design. You should have this tag for years to come! At less than $10, this is an obvious purchase if your pug happens to get out. A lot of careful people assume that never happens, but it does. An ID Tag is a no brainer.
9. Walking Leash: Owning a walking leash is a good idea even if your new dog is trained. Some public places require all animals to be on a leash. Additionally, your dog may or may not like to chase small critters. A leash ensures that you do not lose your new pet. While any ol leash should be just fine, Benji prefers the retractable leash as he can roam free. Just be sure don’t get a cheap one, I’ve seen the retractable part break – which could be very dangerous if you’re near busy streets.
10. Outdoor Leash: This is ideal for pet owners that want to keep their dog outside every now and then on nice days. An outdoor leash is usually more reliable than fences that dogs can jump or burrow through, and not as harsh as electric fences that can make dogs more aggressive and be broken through. Just be sure to fix the leash to a sturdy stake or tree.
11. Dog House: Pugs are indoor dogs, but for dogs that are regularly kept outside for a fair amount of time a dog house provides shelter from the elements and a place for your pug to nap peacefully. Make sure the dog house is more than big enough for your pet with a food and water bowl inside. Watch and refill your dog’s outdoor bowls as needed.
12. The Pug T-Shirt: My wife and I have a collection of pug t-shirts, now that you own a pug you’ll start seeing them around, normally at Forever 21 and H&M. You can also get the official Notorious PUG shirt here.
13. Deshedding Brush: As the Animal Planet video below on Pugs will attest to, Pugs will shed every day of their life. I own the highly touted FurMaster deshedding brush and have zero complaints… and neither does Benji – he enjoys getting brushed!
14. Toys: Dogs love to play and exercise! Have fun and pick out a few toys for your dog. Try getting a ball, a stuffed toy, rope, and a squeaky toy. Your dog knows what his or her favorite toy is. You just have to find it. Benji prefers the rope FWIW.
15. Treats: What pet does not like to be rewarded? Treats can help with training your new dog to walk properly, to sit, to stay, etc. They can also be used to cheer your pet up! Be sure to go easy, however, as too many treats may encourage obesity and begging habits. Much like toys, experiment with treats and see which one your pug will like the most. I’ve been around a lot of dogs and have never seen a dog turn down a Milk Bone.
Did I miss anything? What’s your pugs favorite thing? Let me know in the comments below!
