Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and joyful experience. To ensure a smooth transition and provide the best care for your new furry friend, it’s essential to be well-prepared. This comprehensive new puppy checklist will help you gather all the necessary items and set you and your puppy up for a successful journey together. From essentials for their health and safety to items for their comfort and happiness, let’s explore the must-haves for your new bundle of joy.

New Puppy Checklist

You can find them separated in four categories – simply click below to jump right into the one that interests you most if you are only looking for a particular area. Otherwise, have a scroll through.

And if you’d like to get shopping right away, then a great place to find ‘all in one place’ is Chewy’s Puppy Shop you can access it here. Please note that some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, and as a Chewy Affiliate, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through those links. Your support helps us keep this blog running and providing valuable information to our readers. Thank you!

Puppy Supplies

Collar, Harness and Leash

Choose a lightweight and adjustable collar (might be a regulation where you live to have a harness on your dog with ID), a comfortable, well-fitting harness and a durable leash for walks and training sessions.

BullyBillows has a whole range of collars for puppies, small dogs and growing dogs, which you can access here. They also offer a range of light weight mesh harnesses.

Related Blog Post: The Perfect Fit: A Comprehensive Guide to Measuring and Choosing the Right Dog Collar

ID tags

Include your puppy’s name, your contact information, and any relevant medical details on their ID tags. After having lost several of the ‘traditional’ ID tags that you clip onto your dogs collar, I highly recommend you get one of these:

• A personalised collar with the name and phone number engraved on it or
• one of these ID tags (pictured) that you can attach to your dogs collar, harness and/or leash. They are double secured and come in different sizes, colours and are the ones we use too. You can also remove these and put them onto another collar in case you use different ones.

Crate or carrier

Provide a safe and comfortable space for your puppy to rest and travel in.

Bedding

Provide a cozy and washable bed or crate pad for your puppy’s comfort.

Puppy food

Select a high-quality, age-appropriate puppy food to support their growth and nutrition needs.

Food and water bowls

Opt for sturdy, non-slip bowls that are easy to clean and the right size for your puppy.

Treats

Have a variety of treats suitable for training and rewarding good behaviour.

Chew toys

Offer appropriate chew toys to satisfy your puppy’s natural chewing instincts, help with mouthing and biting and promote dental health. There are different options you can go for:

• Nylabone has an assortment of different puppy chew toys. Their starter kit for example contains 3 different bones – from soft to harder for when the first adult teeth come through. Kong also have many toys specifically tailored to puppies like their Kong Puppy version with soft Rubber (which can also be filled and function as your dogs first enrichment toy), same with the Kong Puppy Tires. Benebone also offers puppy chews – as do some other brands. Make sure it’s safe for your puppy to chew on it and has no toxics.
  If you’d like to go for a mix of materials, you could go for the KONG – Puppy Goodie Bone with Rope or something like the Nylabone Puppy Teething Chew Toy Freezer Bone with a Soothing Cloth.
• Toys for Teething Puppies: There are some puppy toys available that can also be frozen, so that they also cool down your puppies sore gums when they are teething like this one.
• You can also use Edible Natural Chews. Make sure they are age appropriate and also size appropriate for your puppy. I highly recommend to always supervise and remove small pieces (this is also relevant for all toys! If you spot signs of wear and tear, replace it). You can find on some brands an age indication for which natural chews are soft enough for puppies.

Puppy pads or outdoor potty supplies

For potty training, have puppy pads or supplies for outdoor toilet breaks.

Grooming supplies

Get a brush or comb suitable for your puppy’s coat type, nail clippers, and dog-friendly shampoo.

Poop bags

Ensure you have a steady supply of poop bags for clean and responsible waste disposal.

Health and Safety Essentials

Veterinary care

Schedule an appointment with a trusted veterinarian for a wellness check-up and vaccination schedule.

Vaccinations and preventatives

Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for vaccinations, deworming, and flea/tick preventatives.

Pet insurance

Consider getting pet insurance to help cover unexpected medical expenses. A lot of insurance companies also have lower rates when signing up a healthy and young dog vs signing up an older dog.

First aid kit

Have a pet-specific first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic solution, and a pet thermometer.

Pet gate or playpen

Create safe boundaries to restrict access to certain areas of your home. Depending on your dog’s size these can look very different. With small breeds you will be able to get away with something cute and small, with bigger dogs I highly recommend baby gates.

Pet-friendly cleaning products

Opt for pet-safe cleaning supplies to maintain a clean and safe environment. My must haves are these:

• Dr. Beckmann Pet Stain & Odour Remover, eliminates stains and odours (including urine) caused by pets, incl. applicator brush, 650 ml – I have this always in the house!
• We recently got this (pictured) Vacuum Cleaner by Shark in the pet version and it has been a game changer! It has a ‘lift away’ technology, which means you can carry parts of it around, so it’s light and handy and capture all the dust that also in inconvenient corners (plus I feel like a fancy ghost buster). It has a carpet and hard floor mode and it even removes Chalkies hair from the carpets! And trust me, his hair is a nightmare! It’s everywhere, sticks to anything and is white. So, big thumbs up from my end for this one! And the cleaning of the full vacuum is super easy too.
• To get dog hair off your furniture you can use a squeegee (the ones you’d use to clean windows!) or one of these silicone hair removers.
• If you want to level up your game, then you might want to invest into a Spot and Stain Remover | Cleaner, which you can fill up with specific dog | pet solutions. And a Carpet Cleaner – go for the Doggy | Pet Version to deep clean carpets, rugs and remove bacteria etc. They are pricey (there are often great deals on Amazon though!) but an absolute game changer for a multi-dog household like ours. Dogs do make a mess and houses are more dirty. Not only due to the muddy paws, so this is an investment that can be well worth the money. You can alternatively also rent these things.

Training and Enrichment

Training treats

Use small, tasty treats to reward and reinforce positive behaviour during training sessions.

Clicker or training whistle

These tools can aid in communication and signal desired behaviors.

Puppy training pads or litter box

Set up a designated area for indoor elimination if you’re not immediately starting outdoor training.

Interactive toys

Provide mentally stimulating toys to keep your puppy entertained and prevent boredom.

Puppy classes or professional training

Consider enrolling your puppy in obedience classes or seek professional training for proper socialization and behavior training.

Miscellaneous Items

Travel essentials

Have a travel crate or harness, collapsible food and water bowls, and a comfort item for car rides.

Puppy-proofing supplies

Safely secure electrical cords, remove toxic plants, and block off access to hazardous areas. For more: How to Puppy | Rescue Dog | Street Dog Proof Your House

Comfort items

Include blankets, soft toys, or a heat pad to create a warm and comforting space for your puppy.

A great place to shop and find ‘all in one place’ is chewy, you can access their puppy shop here.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an adventure filled with love, joy, and responsibility. By having the essential items listed in this new puppy checklist, you can ensure your furry companion receives the care, comfort, and training they need to thrive.Remember to shower your puppy with love, patience, and consistency as they adjust to their new surroundings. Regular veterinary check-ups, proper nutrition, and mental stimulation are equally important for their overall well-being. With the right supplies and a whole lot of TLC, you and your new puppy are ready to embark on a beautiful journey together. Enjoy every precious moment and cherish the memories you’ll create with your furry friend!