New Puppy Checklist: Everything You Need

Before Your Puppy Comes Home

Bringing a new puppy home is one of the most exciting days of your life - and one of the most overwhelming for your new pup. Having everything ready before arrival day makes the transition smoother for both of you.

Here’s your complete checklist, organized by category.

Essential Supplies

Food & Water

• High-quality puppy food - choose an AAFCO-approved formula for your breed size
• Food and water bowls - stainless steel or ceramic (avoid plastic, which harbors bacteria)
• Food storage container - airtight to keep kibble fresh
• Puppy treats - small, soft training treats for positive reinforcement
• Slow feeder bowl - helpful if your puppy tends to eat too fast

If you’re not sure where to start with food, we put together a puppy food roundup that breaks down the top options. For what it’s worth, this is the one we keep coming back to:

Sleep & Comfort

• Crate - sized for your puppy’s adult size with a divider panel
• Crate mat or bed - washable and chew-resistant
• Puppy blanket - something soft and comforting for the first nights
• Playpen/exercise pen - for safe containment when you can’t supervise

A wire crate with a divider panel is the way to go — you buy one that fits their adult size and adjust the divider as they grow. Saves you from buying multiple crates. Check out our full crate guide for more options, but this is the go-to:

Leash & Collar

• Adjustable collar - with ID tag including your phone number
• 6-foot leash - nylon or leather for walks and training
• Harness - especially for small breeds or pullers
• Long training lead (15-30 ft) - for recall practice in safe areas

Grooming

• Puppy shampoo - gentle, tearless formula
• Brush or comb - appropriate for your puppy’s coat type
• Nail clippers or grinder - start handling paws early
• Toothbrush and dog toothpaste - dental care should start young
• Towels - dedicated dog towels for baths and muddy paws

Toys & Enrichment

• Chew toys - essential for teething (rubber, nylon, or rope)
• Plush toy - for comfort and gentle play
• Interactive puzzle toy - mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise
• Tug toy - great for bonding and play
• Ball - appropriately sized (too small = choking hazard)

For teething puppies especially, a stuffable rubber toy is a lifesaver — fill it with peanut butter, freeze it, and you’ve got 20 minutes of quiet. We compared a bunch of options in our best puppy toys roundup, but the classic choice holds up for a reason:

Cleanup & Safety

• Enzymatic cleaner - for inevitable accidents (Nature’s Miracle, Rocco & Roxie)
• Poop bags - biodegradable preferred
• Baby gates - to limit access to certain rooms
• Bitter apple spray - to discourage chewing on furniture and cords
• Pet stain-resistant rug or washable pads - for the training zone

On the enzymatic cleaner — don’t skip this one. Regular cleaners mask the smell to your nose but your puppy can still detect it, which tells them “this is a bathroom spot.” An enzyme-based formula actually breaks down the proteins. You can read more about our recommended puppy supplies, but this one gets the job done:

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Before your puppy arrives, get on your hands and knees and look at your home from puppy level. You’ll be surprised what becomes interesting (and dangerous) from down there.

Common Hazards to Address

• Electrical cords: Bundle, hide, or cover with cord protectors
• Toxic plants: Remove lilies, aloe vera, sago palms, pothos, and other toxic houseplants
• Small objects: Pick up anything a puppy could swallow - coins, hair ties, socks, children’s toys
• Chemicals: Move cleaning supplies, medications, and pesticides to high shelves or locked cabinets
• Trash cans: Use lidded cans or put them behind cabinet doors
• Toilet lids: Keep them closed (cleaning chemicals and drowning risk)
• Stairs: Gate off until your puppy is old enough and coordinated enough to navigate safely

First Vet Visit Checklist

Schedule your puppy’s first vet appointment within the first week of bringing them home. Bring:

• Adoption or breeder paperwork - vaccination records, health certificate
• Stool sample - for parasite testing
• List of questions - write them down so you don’t forget in the moment
• Current food brand - your vet may want to discuss nutrition

Vaccination Schedule

Your vet will set up a vaccination schedule, but here’s a typical timeline:

Age	Vaccines
6-8 weeks	Distemper, Parvovirus (first dose)
10-12 weeks	DHPP booster, Bordetella
14-16 weeks	DHPP booster, Rabies
12-16 months	Boosters for all core vaccines

Additional vaccines (Lyme, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza) may be recommended depending on your area and lifestyle.

First Week Survival Guide

Day 1: Keep It Calm

• Let your puppy explore one room at a time
• Show them where their water, food, and crate are
• Take them to the potty spot every 30 minutes
• Keep visitors to a minimum - your puppy needs time to decompress

Days 2-3: Start the Routine

• Establish a feeding schedule (same times each day)
• Begin crate training with positive associations
• Start potty training with consistent outdoor trips
• Let your puppy nap - puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep!

Days 4-7: Begin Gentle Training

• Start with “sit” using treats (5-minute sessions max)
• Practice handling: touch paws, ears, mouth gently with treats
• Introduce the collar and leash indoors
• Begin socialization: new sounds, surfaces, gentle handling

Training Essentials to Start Immediately

Even at 8 weeks, your puppy is ready to learn:

1. Name recognition - say their name and reward when they look at you
2. Sit - lure with a treat over their nose
3. Come - call enthusiastically and reward when they approach
4. Crate training - toss treats in, feed meals inside, close door gradually
5. Potty training - consistent schedule + positive reinforcement
6. Bite inhibition - yelp and redirect to a toy when they nip

Costs to Budget For

Being prepared financially prevents stress. Here’s a rough first-year estimate:

Expense	Estimated Cost
Supplies (initial)	$200-400
Vet visits + vaccines	$300-500
Spay/neuter	$200-500
Food (first year)	$300-600
Training class	$100-300
Unexpected vet visits	$200-500
Total first year	$1,300-2,800

The Most Important Thing

Above all, be patient with your new puppy - and with yourself. The first few weeks can be exhausting, but they’re also laying the foundation for years of companionship. Celebrate small victories, clean up accidents without frustration, and remember that every great dog was once a confused little puppy figuring out the world.