Puppy Essentials Guide

1. Check in on your pup when you’re not home with the Furbo 360° Dog Camera! The rotating camera allows for a 360° field of vision, and the Furbo smartphone app lets you not only see what your puppy is up to, but also hear and speak to them. You can even use the app to dispense a treat. Good boy! (from $110, furbo.com)
   
2. Keep your puppy busy with the Shroom Lick Mat from BigMouth Pets! Made from food-safe silicone materials, this easy-to-clean textured lick mat has a suction cup backing to keep it in place. Simply spread your pup’s favourite snack onto the mat and let them get to work! Bonus: it’s also a great distraction tool while grooming. ($13, bigmouthinc.com)
3. Challenge that busy puppy brain with the SmartyPaws Puzzler Panel Sliders. This engaging dog puzzle toy teaches your pup problem solving skills as they work out how to get their treats or kibble. The non-slip base prevents any puppy frustration. (from $25, zippypaws.com)
   
4. Aptly named Snuggle Puppy, this stuffy with a heartbeat is especially ideal for puppies transitioning from their mom and littermates to a new home, but all dogs can benefit. It recreates the intimacy and physical warmth with a “real feel” heartbeat designed to comfort and reduce loneliness and separation anxiety. (from $40, snugglepuppy.com)
5. Teething puppies need to chew! Encourage appropriate chewing behaviour (i.e., not the shoes!) and provide teething relief with the Jumbo Bully Stick from Barking Buddha Pet! These delicious, single-ingredient grass-fed beef chews are long lasting and made without additives or preservatives. And pups LOVE them! ($7, barkingbuddhapet.com)
   
6. The Beethoven NeoFlex Soft Harness from DOOG is the perfect harness for puppies! With water-friendly, flexible neoprene and breathable mesh padding for comfort, this harness is soft, comfy, and designed for activity. Plus, it’s adjustable in two places and available in a variety of sizes so you can get the perfect fit for your growing pup! (from $26, doogusa.com)
7. Sleepypod’s innovative, durable Locking Martingale Collar cinches to provide the gentle security and control of a martingale collar yet can be securely fastened for off-leash use—no need to swap for an everyday collar. Martingale mode prevents pups from backing out of the collar! (from $25, sleepypod.com)
8. Easily deal with puppy potty training mess! Like a Diaper Genie but for dogs, Pet Genie Dog Waste Disposal System makes disposal of puppy pads and other dog waste an (odourless) breeze! Features a sliding lever that seals in smell and a top handle to secure and prevent the lid from opening, it can be used indoors or out in your yard. (from $60, petwastegenie.com)

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!