Puppy Essentials Checklist

Bringing a new puppy home is one of the most exciting moments there is. Welcoming a furry friend into your life means preparing for their arrival and making sure your home is ready for them. Seeing how their huge eyes and tiny paws take in their new home is a feeling like any other. And while it’s an incredibly happy time, it’s also completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed by everything you suddenly need to think about. It’s why having a solid puppy essentials plan will help.

From setting up your home to figuring out what your puppy actually needs in those first few weeks, having a clear new puppy checklist can take a lot of the stress out of the experience. Trust us, we’ve been there too when we first bought our own fur babies home. Bringing a puppy into your household means they quickly become a part of the family, and it’s important to understand the responsibilities involved in caring for them within a family setting. We know how easy it is to get carried away buying everything cute but not really knowing if you’ve remembered everything that’s important,

This guide is here to help you feel confident and prepared as you get ready to welcome your new best friend. We’ll walk you through what to do before your puppy comes home, how to create a dog-friendly space and exactly what you’ll need during that all-important first month together.

Before the cuddles and playtime can begin, there are a few important things worth putting in place first. Raising a puppy comes with significant responsibilities, and being well-prepared helps ensure you can meet their needs and nurture them through this important stage. It’s a good idea to take a little bit of time to prepare ahead of your puppy’s arrival so you’re all set and ready to go when they do finally arrive. That way, you can focus entirely on that adorable ball of fluff and less on the more boring parts of owning a dog.

Here are some tips for new puppy owners: consider reaching out to local trainers or experienced dog owners for advice on settling your puppy in and starting their training journey. This extra guidance can make raising your puppy a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

One of the most important things that should be on your puppy essentials checklist is registering with a local vet practice. Having a vet lined up before your puppy comes home means you're not scrambling if you have questions or concerns in those early days. Plus, you'll need one for when those essential vaccinations, microchipping and possible neutering occurs.

Your vet will be able to guide you through all of that plus flea and worming schedules and general puppy health. Many practices also offer puppy plans that bundle treatments together which can be more cost-effective long term.

Pet insurance is one of those puppy essentials you hope you'll never need, but you'll be incredibly glad to have if you do. Puppies are more prone to accidents, tummy upsets and unexpected illnesses as they explore the world so taking insurance out before your puppy arrives ensures you're covered from day one.

Since most policies won't insure pre-existing conditions, it helps give you that peace of mind should any unexpected conditions arise. You can choose from lifetime or time-limited cover, but either way, it'll remove the financial stress from making health decisions and instead allow you to focus entirely on your puppy's wellbeing.

Parasite prevention is another essential part of your new puppy checklist and for keeping your puppy healthy. These tiny fleas, ticks and worms can be really harmful if left untreated, causing skin and stomach irritation, illness and in some cases long-term health issues.

Many companies, including some veterinary practices, now offer subscription plans that automatically provide treatments on a regular schedule which is ideal when you're already a busy human, and soon-to-be a busy puppy parent. It removes all the guesswork on your part and helps keep the treatment consistent.

You don't need to worry too much about this on your puppy essentials checklist so long as you've got your new puppy registered with a vet, as they'll be able to tell you exactly what they need and when. That said, it's still important to make sure your pup is fully vaccinated so they can stay free from any serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Your vet will usually begin vaccinations at around eight weeks old, with follow-up doses a few weeks later. Until the full course is complete, your puppy's exposure to public spaces and unfamiliar dogs should be limited. This can feel frustrating, especially when you're so excited to show them the world and meet their future puppy besties, but it's a temporary and important step.

It’s easy to underestimate how helpful a simple training plan can be before your puppy arrives. Early training is an important part of building trust with your puppy and helps prevent behavior problems later on. Think about what you want to focus on first, such as toilet training, crate training, calm behaviour indoors and basic commands like sit and recall.

When it comes to puppy training, consistency is the best way forward, especially if more than one person is involved in your puppy’s care. Teaching your puppy new things and commands, such as heel, walk manners, and boundaries, is an important part of their development. Consistent routines and practices help lessons stick with your puppy over time. We also suggest stocking up on plenty of puppy training treats, just make sure they are small and healthy for positive reinforcement. Also grab some enrichment toys and other rewards to help support their positive learning.

Be patient and consistent; most puppies take several weeks to become fully house-trained.

You might have heard of baby-proofing, but puppy-proofing is a thing too, and a must as part of your new puppy checklist. As you’ll soon find out, puppies tend to explore the world with their mouths and have no understanding of danger.

So before pick-up day, secure loose wires, remove any toxic houseplants, lock away cleaning products and clear floors of small objects they could easily swallow. You might want to consider blocking off stairs or certain rooms too so you can help reduce accidents. It's also important to restrict your puppy's access to certain areas of the home or garden for safety and training purposes, setting clear boundaries from the start.

It’s easy to get lost in the adorable soft toys and colourful leads, but it’s important to have all the puppy essentials, including essential puppy supplies and a variety of puppy supplies, ready before your new arrival comes home. Essential items for a new puppy include a crate, high-quality puppy food, stainless steel bowls, a leash, a collar with ID tags, enzymatic cleaner, and various toys. This also includes food, treats, food and water bowls, a bed, blankets, toys, a collar, harness and lead.

When it comes to feeding, choosing the right food and feeding supplies is crucial for your puppy’s nutrition and healthy growth. Selecting the right puppy food ensures your puppy receives the balanced nutrition needed for proper development. A comfortable, washable bed or crate pad that can withstand chewing and is easy to clean is also important for your puppy’s comfort. Additionally, using an enzymatic cleaner is necessary to fully remove stains and odors from any accidents.

Having some items that are familiar to your puppy, like a blanket that smells like their mum and food they ate with their breeder can help make the transition into their new home much easier. Preparing these in advance also means you can focus on bonding rather than rushing out for supplies.

Even if you're taking time off initially, it's important to plan ahead for when you'll need to leave your puppy alone. Puppies need to learn independence gradually to prevent separation anxiety later on. A helpful rule of thumb is around one hour alone per month of age, but this will always vary depending on your puppy and how confident they feel.

Very young puppies need constant supervision and reassurance, while older puppies can gradually manage longer stretches. For example, puppies under 10 weeks should only be left for very short periods (up to an hour at most) and by 5 to 6 months, some puppies can manage closer to four hours, but it's important to build up slowly.

The Blue Cross advises that dogs should never be left alone for more than four hours, even as adults, as they need regular toilet breaks, food, movement and mental stimulation. As a puppy, your aim should be to gently work up to that maximum over time.

Before those adorable puppy paws even cross the threshold of your home, it’s worth taking a good look around from their point of view. As we mentioned, puppies explore the world pretty much entirely with their mouth, and during the teething stage especially, very little is off limits. Creating a warm, cozy, and secure sleeping area will help your puppy feel secure and reduce anxiety as they adjust to their new environment.

Anything you don’t want chewed, swallowed or broken is best moved out of reach for now. That includes shoes, cushions, cables, children’s toys and anything delicate sitting at nose height. Don’t worry – it’s not forever, but it will save a lot of stress (and replacement costs) while they’re still a baby.

Baby gates can be a real lifesaver in those early weeks. Use them to block off rooms you don’t want your puppy accessing just yet, like stairs, home offices or rooms with lots of tempting hazards.

You should also make sure you have all your puppy essentials  in reach in a dedicated space so you know where they are when you need them. Store your puppy supplies in a specific, accessible area to keep everything organized and safe.

Part of that needs to include a comfortable spot they can call their own, whether that’s a bed or a crate with a few safe toys, a nice blanket and their bowls for food and water. A soft, washable bed, blankets, and towels can help provide comfort during the transition. Designate a specific area where your puppy should eat to establish a consistent feeding routine and promote comfort.

And finally, don’t forget about hidden dangers. There are things you might not have considered yet, but things like poisonous plants and cleaning products can be harmful if chewed or ingested. If you’re unsure on what plants are safe for dogs, we’ve already created a blog covering which plants are poisonous to dogs to help.

It’s also important to create a safe outdoor space for your puppy to play, making sure there are no escape routes or poisonous plants in the area.

Early socialisation is extremely important for puppies to help them interact positively with new people and animals.