Having a puppy around is nice, but he must be properly outfitted! You don’t need to go so far as to get him a pair of shoes (although my wife did, with the predicted result – hilarity for her, annoyance for the dog, and lots of photos taken as he tried to remove them). You do need to get him the basics: leash, collar, food and water bowls, jet ski…ok, maybe not that last one.
Fortunately, many pet stores will allow you to bring your dog, so you can properly outfit him. (Such stores will also have towels available in case your puppy has an accident). Look for a collar that’s large enough so as not to choke the dog; you should be able to get a couple of fingers under the collar without difficulty. At the same time, be sure that it’s not loose enough for him to pull it off – and believe me, he will try!
Choosing the correct amount to carry is important for humans, and for dogs as well; outfit your animal with an appropriate collar! For puppies, this means a nice light one until he’s strong enough for something bigger. Avoid chains or thick leather until he grows up a bit.
Keeping your equipment up-to-date is essential, and this is true for your puppy as well. As he grows, make sure he stays equipped with appropriately-sized collars; as his body changes, his collar should grow with him. Continuing to wear a too-small dog collar is a definite safety issue!
A harness can also be a useful piece of equipment, to let the dog’s leash apply pressure to his entire upper body rather than his neck. This is better for the puppy’s neck and for his back as well, as it prevents him from popping his back if the leash brings him to a sudden halt.