Bringing a new dog into your home can be a nervous experience for both you and your canine. But you can help ease this nervousness with some fun new toys and dog supplies. Here’s a list of some great suggestions:

Food. The food that you feed your dog should be age appropriate, healthy, and flavorful. For the best choice, consult your vet. He may recommend that you avoid dog food that uses a corn filler since it has been shown to irritate dog’s skin.

Bowls. Be careful to select bowls that are small enough for a puppy to dig into, yet won’t tip over if they’re bumped. And try to avoid plastic creations at all costs. Plastic can release toxins into both water and food. Opt for stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.

Toys. Again, avoid the cheap plastic toys that you’ll find in dollar stores and buy the ones made with natural textiles. You can bring out the fun natured canine in your pup with balls, chew bones, and tug-o-war ropes.

Grooming Utilities. Here, you’ll need a stiff but flexible brush, a thin-toothed comb, shampoo, nail clippers, hair clippers, blow dryer, and a doggie toothbrush and tube of toothpaste. Believe it or not, dogs need a good tooth-brushing every once in a while to remove artery clogging plaque. Just don’t make the mistake of using toothpaste that’s manufactured for humans. That stuff will kill dogs!

A Crate with a Soft Padded Floor. Provided that your dog is small enough to travel, your dog’s crate should be tall enough so that it can comfortably stand inside of it, and it should be wide enough that it can comfortably lie inside of it. It should not however, be too big or wide since bumpy or swerving travel can make for one rough ride.

Bedding. Although not necessary, your dog may appreciate having her own bed to sleep in. It’s a great alternative to a cold kitchen floor, but then it’s nothing compared to a soft comfy couch or the spot right next to you on your own warm mattress.

4-6 Foot Leash and a Comfortable, Adjustable Collar. These are very important dog supplies that no dog owner should be without. The best collars are made of nylon and the best leashes are made of leather since both materials are stretchable without breaking. Be sure that you can easily fit two fingers between your dog’s collar and its neck. If it’s a tight fit, the collar is too small or too tightly secured.

ID Tag. This is another very important supply that you shouldn’t be without since it tells other people who your dog belongs to. At the very least, the tag should include your name and your number. Large tags provide space for additional information including your dog’s name and your home address.

Treats. Keep a stock of healthy treats available to aid with training. Again, consult your veterinarian for help in choosing the ones most appropriate for your particular dog.

Gates and Fencing. If your yard isn’t already fenced in, consider hiring a contractor to build a security fence. With such a fence, your dog can freely trot about the yard without you having to tie him to a stake. Inside the house, you can use a baby gate to keep him in or out of certain rooms.

Clothing. There are a lot of specialty shops that provide doggie sweaters, scarves, hair ribbons, and other doggie attire. Mostly appropriate for thin-coated, small dogs that live in cold environments, a canine wardrobe should not be restrictive, and allow for easy relief without dirtying any fabric.