If you are going to crate-train your puppy: 1 or 2 crates – one for bedroom.  Talk to someone where you are buying the crate and make sure the crate is not too big for the puppy but big enough to accommodate the puppy’s growth.  Crate training is highly recommended for quick house training and also the safety of your pup.

Inexpensive bath towels for bottom of crate.  They are easier to keep clean than a crate pad.  A crate pad is for when puppy is potty trained.

Water bottle for the crate.  Puppy should always have access to fresh water.

Cuddle blanket, bed.

Two bowls – one for food, one for water.

Leash and collar –  collars that clip, rather than buckle.  They are easier to get off if puppy gets caught on something.  Don’t leave  the collar on puppy when he is in the crate or home alone. - if it gets caught it can strangle it.

Puppy shampoo – non tear formula.

Bitter Apple spray -  Just spray this on anything you don’t want puppy to chew – including your hands and feet!

Rope tug toy.  Great for puppy to chew on and safe to put in crate with puppy.

Kong brand toy.  These are great!  You can hide snacks in them and they are virtually indestructible! 

Other toys as you choose - but be careful to not let small parts, stuffing, etc come loose that it can choke on - and pups should always be supervised while playing with things. Don't give rawhide chews or similar chew toys to young pups - they need to grow a little bit first.

Chilly Bone – You wet this, put it in the freezer for 30 minutes and the puppy has something nice and cold to chew. They love it!  Remember getting new teeth hurts. Also, when it is very hot out, give the puppy an ice cube to chew on or put a few in his water bowl.  They will play with the ice cube until it melts. Or, tie a white terry cloth wash cloth into a knot.  Wet it and throw it in the freezer.  Works the same as the Chilly Bone. 

Puppy food – get the same brand the puppy is currently eating.  Changing a puppy’s food may cause intestinal distress (diarrhea).   

Pooper scooper, and/or stuff to clean up in public when you are walking your pet. Actually though the easiest and cheapest are just plastic sandwich bags - place the bag over your hand, then pick up. Have a plastic grocery bag along also and just toss the whole "package" in there - dispose of properly once you are home.

Brush.  Get your puppy used to brushing early and they will look forward to it.  Ditto for nail trimming.

Simple Solution, or Nature's Miracle – This stuff is great for removing urine and feces spots and smells from carpeting.  Puppy will have accidents.

Shaker Can – Put a few pennies in an empty pop can and tape it closed.  When puppy is doing something he shouldn’t (like digging), walk up behind the puppy and shake the can once.  It is very startling.  Do this each time the puppy digs and he will eventually associate the loud noise with the digging and will stop digging.  The trick is to not let him see the can.  A referee whistle is another good training tool. Works on same principal.

Baby gates to keep puppy where you want him.

( please note - this list has been ciruclating on the web for while - who originally compiled it has been lost in the shuffle - but it still is a good comprehensive starting point and we share it with you here - the NACR does not take original credit for pulling it together)