If you're a first-time puppy owner, the excitement can be hard to contain. Puppies are such a joy to have around the house. Their joyful spirit is contagious and their endless energy is enviable. You may have high hopes of going for long walks in the woods, playing fetch and tug-o-war. Before you can go any further, you need to arm yourself with a host of puppy supplies. Of course, you will need the typical essentials like a leash, a sturdy collar, and plenty of puppy treats. But before you consider these items, the following are puppy essentials that you can't live without.

Perhaps the most important of all the puppy supplies you can buy is a dog crate. Crating dogs has long been a controversial topic, but when used correctly they can be an essential tool in providing your puppy with a safe, warm and relaxing place to stay. The key to purchasing a dog crate is to buy one that will fit your full-grown pup. This is crucial when you are getting a large breed dog because the crate will be much larger than what the puppy needs. If you are using the crate as a housebreaking tool, a crate with a physical divider is a key element in creating a positive housebreaking routine.

Because dogs instinctively do not relieve themselves where they eat or sleep, an important part of crate training is giving the dog enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down. If you've got sophisticated puppy supplies, then your crate comes with a built-in, adjustable divider. You can give your dog more room as he or she grows. Limiting the amount of space a dog has deters the dog from peeing at one side of the crate and sleeping on the other. A sturdy piece of cardboard can serve as a temporary divider if your particular crate did not come with one.

Of course, even with crate training, a certain amount of accidents will happen. If they do happen on your new rug, however, you will want to make sure you purchased that odor removing solution on your puppy supply list. Investing in this supply will ensure that your house remains odor-free even after an accident. The final essential puppy supply you'll need is something for the dog to chew on Leaving your dog with nothing to chew on can leave the puppy feeling bored, lonely and frustrated. He may just find something more suitable, like the kitchen table, to satisfy his chewing urge.