A new puppy checklist covers a crate or pen, bed, bowls, the puppy's current food, a collar with an ID tag, lead and harness, toys, treats, poo bags and an enzyme cleaner. Before the puppy arrives, puppy-proof your home, register with a vet, check the microchip details and plan a calm first few days.
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting, exhausting and a little chaotic, especially if you're also juggling work and family. The first few weeks go far more smoothly when everything is ready before the puppy arrives. This new puppy checklist covers what to buy, how to puppy-proof your home, the vet and admin jobs, and what the first days and weeks look like. It's practical guidance for new owners; your vet is the person to ask about your puppy's health, vaccinations and diet.
New puppy checklist: the essentials
| Item | Why you need it | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Crate or pen | A safe den for sleep and rest | Size it so the puppy can stand, turn and lie down, with a divider to grow into |
| Bed and blankets | Comfort and a place of their own | Choose washable; accidents happen |
| Food and water bowls | Daily meals and fresh water | Heavy or non-tip bowls are easier |
| Puppy food | The food the breeder or rescue was using | Change gradually, if at all, and ask your vet |
| Collar, ID tag and lead | Walks and identification | Check local rules on ID tags and microchipping |
| Harness | Comfortable walking and training | Fit it snugly and check it as they grow |
| Toys | Play, chewing and calm time alone | Mix chew toys, soft toys and puzzle toys |
| Training treats | Rewards for good behaviour | Small, soft and easy to break |
| Poo bags and cleaning spray | House training and walks | Use an enzyme cleaner so accidents don't leave a smell |
| Grooming kit | Brushing, nails and getting used to handling | Start gently from the first week |
| Car crate or harness | Safe travel | Practise short trips early |
Puppy-proof your home
Puppies explore with their mouths, so get down to their height and look around before they arrive.
- Tidy cables away or cover them.
- Move shoes, children's toys, socks and anything small enough to swallow.
- Keep cleaning products, medicines and bins out of reach or behind closed doors.
- Check the garden fence and gate for gaps, and remove plants that are toxic to dogs.
- Use stair gates to keep the puppy in safe areas.
- Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions and products containing xylitol well away, as they're dangerous for dogs.
- Decide which rooms and furniture are off limits, and make sure everyone sticks to it.
Vet, microchip and admin
- Register with a vet before you bring the puppy home, and book a health check in the first few days.
- Ask your vet about vaccinations, worming and flea treatment, and keep a record of every visit.
- Check the puppy is microchipped and update the details to your name and address. In the UK, microchipping is a legal requirement for dogs.
- Look into pet insurance early, before any health issues appear. My guide on whether pet insurance is worth it explains what to check.
- Ask the breeder or rescue for any paperwork, health records and a note of the food and routine the puppy is used to.
The first day and night
Collect your puppy when you can spend a few days at home with them. Keep the first day calm: show them their bed, water and the place outside where they can toilet, then let them explore. Limit visitors for the first few days, however tempting it'll be to show them off. The first night can be hard for a puppy away from their littermates. Many owners put the crate in their bedroom for the first nights, so the puppy feels close, and then move it gradually. A blanket that smells of their litter can help them settle.
House training
- Take them outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after play and last thing at night.
- Use the same spot and a cue word.
- Praise and reward straight away when they go outside.
- Never punish accidents. Clean them up quietly with an enzyme cleaner.
- Expect setbacks. Every puppy learns at their own pace.
Socialisation and training
The early weeks are an important window for your puppy to get used to the world. Gently introduce them to different people, sounds, surfaces, vehicles and calm, vaccinated dogs, following your vet's advice on when they can go out and meet other dogs. Keep experiences short and positive. Start simple training at home: name, sit, settle and coming back when called, using treats and praise. A puppy class run by a qualified trainer is a great way to learn together.
Leaving your puppy alone
If you work from home, it's tempting to keep your puppy with you every minute, but they need to learn that being alone for short spells is normal. Start with a few minutes in another room or their pen, build up gradually, and give them something to do. Puzzle feeders are brilliant for this, and my guides to puzzle toys for dogs while you work from home and what to look for in a dog puzzle toy help you choose. Young puppies shouldn't be left for long, so plan for a dog walker, a friend or family to help if you need to be out.
Feeding and routine
- Feed the same food the puppy has been eating at first, and ask your vet before changing it.
- Split food into several small meals a day for young puppies, as your vet or the food packaging advises.
- Keep fresh water available at all times.
- Build a routine: meals, toilet trips, play, naps and bedtime at similar times every day.
- Puppies need lots of sleep. Protect nap time, especially if you have young children.
Puppies and children
Puppies and children can be the best of friends, with some ground rules. Teach children to let a sleeping or eating puppy be, to stroke gently, and not to pick the puppy up without an adult. Always supervise them together, and give the puppy somewhere to retreat to. Involving children in feeding and training gives them responsibility and helps the puppy learn to listen to everyone.
A checklist for the week before
- Buy the essentials and set up the crate or pen.
- Puppy-proof the house and garden.
- Register with a vet and book the first check.
- Agree house rules with everyone at home.
- Clear your diary for the first few days.
- Stock up on the puppy's current food.
- Plan who will help when you have to be out.
If you're a trainer, groomer or experienced dog owner with practical advice for new owners, see writing for dog lovers on this site.
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Frequently asked questions
What do I need before bringing a puppy home?
A crate or pen, bed, bowls, the puppy's current food, a collar with an ID tag, lead and harness, toys, training treats, poo bags, an enzyme cleaner and a grooming kit.
Where should a puppy sleep on the first night?
Many owners put the crate in or near their bedroom for the first nights so the puppy feels close, then move it gradually.
When should I take my new puppy to the vet?
Register before you collect the puppy and book a health check in the first few days. Your vet will advise on vaccinations and worming.
How do I puppy-proof my house?
Tidy away cables, shoes and small objects, lock away cleaning products and medicines, check fences, remove toxic plants and use stair gates.
How long can a puppy be left alone?
Only for short periods at first. Build up gradually and plan for a dog walker or helper if you need to be out for longer.
