New Puppy Checklist: What to Prepare Before Your Puppy Comes Home
The owners who prepare least regret it most. Here is everything you need before collection day.
The first 48 hours with a new puppy feel chaotic even when you are prepared — and exhausting when you are not. A thorough checklist completed before collection day means your attention goes entirely to your puppy, not to a last-minute dash for supplies or a frantic Google at midnight.
What to Include
- Feeding: bowls, age-appropriate food (ask breeder what they have been eating), measuring cup
- Sleeping: crate or dog bed, blanket, something with the mother's scent if possible
- Walking: collar, ID tag, lightweight puppy lead, harness for later
- Health: vet appointment booked, vaccination records from breeder, flea/worm treatment
- Safety: puppy gates, cable covers, toxic plants removed, bin with a lid
- Grooming: soft brush, nail clippers, puppy shampoo
- Play: a few toys — rope toy, chew toy, soft plush
- Admin: pet insurance comparison done, microchip registration if not already done
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying too many toys before you know what the puppy likes
- Not having a vet appointment booked for the first week
- Forgetting to puppy-proof the home before arrival
- Not having a plan for the first night (crate nearby, or settle in bedroom?)
- Buying the wrong food and triggering a stomach upset with a sudden diet change
New Puppy Starter Kit
View Template — $19 → 10 templates covering shopping checklist, feeding schedule, potty tracker, daily routine, training tracker, vet record, sitter instructions, emergency contacts and more. Everything for the first weeks.