Dog kit by life stage: puppy, adult and older dog

Short answer: think about your dog’s kit in three stages. A puppy needs a safe area such as a playpen, absorbent pads while toilet habits form, and chew toys for the teething weeks. An adult dog needs a harness that fits its grown frame, a long line for recall practice and puzzle toys that use its nose and brain. An older dog often appreciates steps up to the sofa or car and a bowl lifted to a comfortable height. At every age, British law expects a microchip and an ID tag.

Most kit lists treat every dog alike. In reality, what earns its place in the hallway cupboard shifts a great deal between the first weeks at home and the grey-muzzled years. This guide follows that arc and points you to the parts of our dog range that matter most at each point.

Two rules that apply at every age

Every dog in England, Scotland and Wales needs a microchip by eight weeks of age, and the keeper’s details on the chip database must be updated whenever you move or change number. Separately, the Control of Dogs Order 1992 says that a dog out in public has to wear a collar carrying the owner’s name and address. A tag with your postcode and house number does the job; a phone number is a sensible extra. You will find personalised options among our dog name tags and collar charms.

The puppy months: a safe base and a toilet routine

A puppy arriving at eight to ten weeks has a great deal to learn, and the right set-up makes those weeks calmer for everyone. A playpen gives a young dog more room than a crate while keeping it away from cables, stairs and table legs. Set it up around the bed and water bowl so the puppy has one settled base. Compare panel height with the size your puppy will reach as an adult, since lively breeds learn to climb early. Our dog playpens section also carries the connectors, covers and wall anchors that keep a pen secure.

Toilet training is mostly about routine: out first thing, after meals, after naps and after play. Absorbent pads are a useful back-up overnight or in a flat where the garden is a lift ride away, and a pad holder stops them sliding. Phase them out gradually as your puppy learns to ask to go outside. See our puppy pads and toilet trays, including washable grass-style trays.

Between roughly three and six months, adult teeth come through and puppies chew everything within reach. Offering a choice of textures, such as firm nylon, flexible rubber and soft plush, gives them something better to do than gnawing the skirting boards. Size up rather than down, so a toy cannot be swallowed whole, and take away anything that has started to break into pieces. Our dog chew toys include tough options from Nylabone and KONG.

Adult life: fit, freedom and a busy mind

Once your dog has stopped growing, it is worth measuring again and buying walking kit that fits the adult shape rather than the puppy one. Wrap the tape round the ribcage just behind the elbows for the chest, and the neck where a collar rests. A padded vest harness takes the load across the breastbone rather than the throat, which makes it a good match for small breeds and short-nosed dogs. Size by the chart, not by the breed name. Look through our padded vest harnesses, which include soft over-the-head designs from Puppia.

Reliable recall is the key that unlocks off-lead walks, and a long line lets you practise it safely in open spaces before you trust your dog fully. Lines of 5 to 15 metres are a common choice; wear gloves, never wrap the line round your hand, and let it trail on the ground rather than reeling it in. Slip leads and double-handled leads are handy alongside it for the walk to and from the park. Browse long lines and training leads.

Adult dogs, especially working and gundog breeds, need mental work as much as miles. Snuffle mats, treat balls and lift-the-flap puzzles turn part of a daily meal into a search, which tires a dog out in a satisfying way on wet days. Start with an easy puzzle so your dog wins quickly, then make it harder. See our dog puzzle and treat toys.

The later years: comfort and easier access

Many dogs slow down gradually from around eight years old, a little earlier in large breeds. Jumping on and off the sofa, the bed or the car boot can become harder, and a set of steps lets your dog keep its favourite spots without the leap. Measure the height of the surface it wants to reach, then choose steps that are wide and deep enough for your dog’s paws, with a non-slip base on laminate or wooden floors. Compare our dog steps and stairs, which range from two-step foam units to taller wooden designs.

A bowl raised to roughly the height of your dog’s lower chest can make mealtimes more comfortable for tall dogs and for older dogs that find stooping awkward. Adjustable stands let you fine-tune the height. Browse our raised dog bowls. If your older dog’s appetite, weight, mobility or behaviour changes, book a check-up with your vet rather than adjusting kit alone.

How to choose: before you order

• Check the microchip details are current and the tag shows your name and address.
• Set up a playpen around the bed and water before a puppy comes home.
• Pick chew toys a size up and replace any that start to split.
• Re-measure chest and neck once your dog is fully grown.
• Use a long line for recall practice before letting your dog off lead.
• For an older dog, measure surface heights before buying steps, and the chest height before choosing a raised bowl.

Frequently asked questions

When should I switch from puppy kit to adult kit?

Most dogs reach their adult size between about nine months for small breeds and eighteen months or more for giant breeds. Re-measure chest and neck every few weeks while your dog grows, and move to adult harnesses and collars once the measurements stop changing.

Does my dog need a tag if it is microchipped?

Yes. The microchip and the tag are separate legal requirements in Great Britain. Whenever the dog is out in public, the law requires a collar or tag carrying the owner’s name and address, chip or no chip, and harness or no harness.

How long should a recall line be?

Many owners start with a line of around 5 metres in a quiet field and move up to 10 or 15 metres as recall improves. Longer lines need more care, so wear gloves and let the line trail rather than winding it round your hand.

Are steps or a ramp better for an older dog?

Steps take up less floor space and suit most small and medium dogs. A ramp gives a smoother incline and can suit larger dogs or those that hesitate on stairs. Measure the height you need to bridge and check the product dimensions in centimetres.

Where to go next

Everything mentioned here sits within our dog department, and the shop by pet page brings together every animal we stock for. If your dog feels the cold, our guide on measuring your dog for a coat or jumper takes you through the tape-measure part. ArdentPets delivers free to UK addresses, and if something is not right you can send it back free of charge within 30 days; the details are on our delivery and returns page.