I have always had on hand a bottle of Nature's Miracle for cleaning up accidents!! Stuff works wonders!! I've always had things like, a crate, toys, dishes (I feed mine in the crate so I bought the ones that hook on), a few teething bones, a disposable camera (for the cute shots..LOL) good quality dog food, baby gates (too keep the pup from going where he/she doesn't need to go), leash, collar or harness and for me I hae a tie out stake for the front yard when I'm out there puttering around.....

As for crate training, it takes patience, understanding a few nights of interupted sleep....LOL... I usually put the crate beside the bed (I use mine for a night table, I have 2 squares of pine cut to about 3 inches around bigger then the crate, stained to match my bedroom furniture one on either side) then I am there and the pup knows it, I get whimpering and a little crying but usually with a Nylabone, a blanket, a wind up clock and a warmed up hot water bottle it isn't as bad as I thought it woudl have been...