The best gifts for a new puppy
A new puppy gift lands best when it solves a real problem in those first chaotic weeks rather than just looking good in a basket. The short list that gets used every day is a comfortable bed, something safe to chew, a slow way to eat, and a collar with an ID tag — everything else is a nice extra on top of that.
What actually gets used in week one
A new puppy chews constantly, partly through teething and partly because everything is new and interesting, so a tough chew toy is one of the few gifts that gets picked up daily rather than sitting in a drawer. A soft, washable bed matters just as much — a puppy who has just left their litter is sleeping in an unfamiliar place for the first time, and something that holds a bit of warmth helps more than owners expect.
A slow feeder or puzzle bowl is a quietly useful gift too, since plenty of puppies eat far too fast in a new home and a slower pace helps settle both the meal and the stomach that follows it.
Something with their name on it
A collar and ID tag is a genuinely practical gift rather than a token one — a puppy who slips a lead or bolts through an open door in an unfamiliar garden is a real, common event in the first few months, and a properly fitted collar with a tag showing a phone number is the fastest way a stranger can get them home.
It is worth checking the puppy's rough size before buying, since a collar bought too early often needs replacing within weeks as they grow — an adjustable one gives a bit of room either way.
Treats that double as training
Small, soft training treats are one of the most-used gifts in the first month, because a new puppy is learning their name, their house rules and basic manners all at once, and a pot of treats sized for tiny mouths makes that easier for whoever is doing the training.
Look for treats described as small or bite-sized rather than a big biscuit — the point is a fast reward the puppy can eat in one go and get straight back to learning, not a chew that takes a few minutes.
What tends to sit unused
Elaborate outfits, novelty toys with a lot of noisy plastic, and anything sized for an adult dog tend to be the gifts that end up in a cupboard. A new owner is usually more grateful for something they would have bought themselves in week one than for something decorative.
If you are not sure what the household already has, a gift card or a simple, well-made basic — a second bed for downstairs, a spare lead — is rarely wasted on a puppy who is going through everything twice as fast as an adult dog would.
The gifts themselves
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Real-Time GPS Pet Tracker
A compact GPS tracker that clips to most collars for real-time location, geofence alerts and find-me sound.
£29.99
L-Shaped Bolster Sofa Dog Bed
A supportive L-shaped sofa bed with a raised bolster back and side for your dog to rest their head. The thick padded base cushions joints, and the soft rose-velvet cover is removable and washable for easy care.
From£44.99
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
Four-Sided Washable Dog Bed
A cosy bolstered dog bed with raised sides for a sense of security and a fully removable, machine-washable cover. The layered cushion and mattress lift out for easy cleaning, ideal for autumn and winter.
From£46.99
Dog Collar Classic Dark Blue
The Dog Collar Classic Dark Blue brings Red Dingo’s signature quality and design to everyday walks. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£10.99
Dog Collar Classic Purple
The Dog Collar Classic Purple brings Red Dingo’s signature quality and design to everyday walks. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£10.99
Dog Collar Classic Orange
The Dog Collar Classic Orange brings Red Dingo’s signature quality and design to everyday walks. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£10.99
Dog Collar Design Camouflage Hot Pink
The Dog Collar Design Camouflage Hot Pink brings Red Dingo’s signature quality and design to everyday walks. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£11.49
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Dog Collar Classic Yellow
The Dog Collar Classic Yellow brings Red Dingo’s signature quality and design to everyday walks. Hard-wearing, comfortable and finished with solid hardware — and, like all Red Dingo gear, covered by their 5-year guarantee.
From£10.99
Padded Pet Crate Mat with Corner Ties
A padded crate mat with corner ties that stays put inside a cage or carrier.
From£8.99
Common questions
- What is the most useful gift for a new puppy?
- A comfortable, washable bed and a few tough chew toys are the two things almost every new puppy uses from day one. Both address real needs — somewhere to settle in an unfamiliar home, and something safe to chew through the teething months — rather than sitting unused.
- Should I buy a collar as a gift, or let the owner choose it?
- An adjustable collar is a safe gift because it can be resized as the puppy grows, but check roughly what size the puppy is first. If you are unsure, a gift card towards one, or a lead instead, avoids buying something that needs replacing within a fortnight.
- Are toys or training treats a better puppy gift?
- Both get genuine use, but small training treats are arguably the more practical choice in the first month, since basic training starts immediately and a new owner will go through a lot of them. A durable chew toy alongside it covers the teething side as well.
- Is it worth buying a second puppy bed for downstairs?
- Yes, if the household spends time on more than one floor. A lot of new owners only buy one bed at first and find themselves without anywhere settled for the puppy to nap during the day, so a second one is a genuinely useful and rarely duplicated gift.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.