What Do I Need for a New Puppy? The Essential Checklist To Save Your Sanity 🤪
Bringing home a new puppy without proper preparation is a recipe for disaster.
A Level 5 Critical Alert! 🚨🚨
Sleepless nights, chewed-up furniture, and puddles on the floor are just the beginning of an unprepared puppy parent's nightmare.
Don't panic, though.
This checklist will turn you from a frazzled mess into a puppy-raising pro.
Ready to reclaim your sanity?
Here we go!
✨I'm an affiliate for Chewy and if you make a purchase from my links I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.✨
Feeding Essentials 🍗
A proper feeding setup is vital for your puppy's health and development.
Let's take a look at what you need for your feeding essentials:
Food and Water Bowls
Stainless steel bowls reign supreme. There's a reason the shiny metal is the gold standard: they last forever, clean up in a snap, and won't harbor bacteria.
Proper bowls ensure your puppy has easy access to food and water. Skip these, and you'll be mopping up spills and dealing with a hungry, thirsty pup. Look for ones with a non-slip base to prevent tipping.
We like these non-slip bowls:
Puppy Food
Puppies have nutritional needs that differ from adult dogs. High-quality puppy food provides the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals necessary for their growth and development.
Skimping on proper nutrition can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and long-term health problems.
We like a tasty and balanced puppy food that our little puppies are happy to eat:
Treats
I bet you think treats are just for spoiling your pup.
Nope! They're tiny morsels of motivation for training.
They reinforce positive behaviors and make learning new commands enjoyable for your puppy. Without treats, training becomes more challenging, potentially leading to a less focused dog down the line.
Go for small, soft treats your puppy can gobble up quickly.
We like tiny, moist ones that are easy to break into bite-sized pieces:
Treat Pouch
I didn't always have a pocket on my clothing to store my puppy's treats, and you might not either. Instead of carrying around a Tupperware full of their treats and risking spilling them everywhere, use a small treat pouch.
If you don't have a treat pouch and just shove the treats in your pockets, they'll get smeared all over your clothing. It's messy.
A small, simple treat pouch like this is great:
Safety and Comfort Essentials 🦺
Creating a safe, comfortable environment is one of the foundations for your puppy's happiness.
These are our favorites:
Collar and ID Tag
This combo is your puppy's ticket home if they ever get lost. A properly fitted collar allows for safe walks and training. And an ID tag with your contact information is often the fastest way to reunite with a lost pup.
Without these, a lost puppy might never find their way back to you.
For a quick solution that has both, try a personalized collar made to your liking:
Leash
A leash is a necessity for safe outdoor exploration and proper training. It keeps your puppy close, protecting them from traffic, other animals, and potentially dangerous situations.
Leash training is also crucial for developing good walking habits and socialization skills. A 6-foot leash is plenty of length for new puppies to have room to sniff without wandering.
I still use this leash that I got for my pup (love the padded comfort handles and poop bag dispenser attached) :
Harness
A puppy harness is important for safe walks and training. It distributes pressure evenly, reduces strain on your puppy's neck and makes it easier to control them.
If you just use your leash clipped to your puppy's collar, you risk injury to your puppy. You might even struggle to manage their behavior during outings. A harness also prevents escape attempts, so they stay secure while exploring the outdoors.
Look for a harness that is well fitted for your puppy's body style.
We used a harness with a front and back clip that was padded for safety:
Crate
A crate serves multiple purposes. It's a safe space for your puppy when you can't supervise them, aids in housetraining, and provides a den-like environment for sleep.
Without a crate, housetraining can be more challenging, and your puppy might not have a secure space to call their own. Look for a crate with 2 doors so you can have options when placing the crate in your house.
For a crate that grows with your puppy, we like:
Dog Bed
A comfortable bed gives your puppy a designated sleeping area. It promotes better sleep, which is crucial for growth and development. A good bed also protects your puppy from cold floors and provides joint support.
If you don't have a dog bed, your puppy might seek out less appropriate sleeping spots, potentially damaging furniture or even developing poor sleeping habits.
My puppy still loves this bed and it's held up to years of naps:
Cuddly, Soft Snuggle Toy with a Heartbeat (to soothe them to sleep)
A cuddle soft toy with a heartbeat can comfort puppies adjusting to their new home. It mimics the warmth and heartbeat of their mother. It can help reduce anxiety and encourage deeper and better sleep.
Puppies with these toys often settle into crates more easily and experience less stress during the night. Without such a toy, your puppy might struggle with loneliness, leading to excessive whining, difficulty sleeping, and a harder transition to their new environment.
This is our go-to soft cuddle toy with a heartbeat:
Puppy-Safe Gate
These nifty gates limit access to certain areas where you don't want your pup to wander uninvited. Use them to block off stairs or rooms you want to keep puppy-free.
Without proper boundaries, your curious pup might get into trouble or dangerous situations.
Choose a puppy-safe gate that isn't easily knocked out of place, such as this one:
Puppy Playpen
A puppy playpen provides a safe area for play and rest. The playpen keeps your puppy away from dangers and allows for supervision without constant attention.
It also aids in housetraining by offering a specific spot for potty training and helps your puppy adjust to being alone. The playpen is easily portable for travel. Benefits of using a playpen for your new puppy include more space for movement and play. It can be used with crates or on its own and adapts as your puppy grows.
If you decide to not get a playpen, you may face constant supervision and a higher risk of accidents.
Look for a playpen that's tall enough for your puppy not to try to climb over, but that gives them enough room to enjoy a little play session.
We enjoyed this soft playpen with our puppy:
Car Harness
Just like you need to wear your seatbelt in the car, so does your new puppy. These specially designed harnesses keep your pup safe during car rides to the vet, social outings, and whenever you've got to get your puppy from point A to point B.
Choose one that's crash-tested for maximum safety. Unrestrained puppies in cars can be a dangerous distraction and are at risk in case of an accident.
We love having this car harness for our pup:
Dog First Aid Kit
At some time or another, your pup will run into a minor emergency. You'll need to be prepared for it with a small first aid kit on hand.
These dog-specific kits include items like gauze, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers. Without a first aid kit, minor issues might escalate before you can get to a vet.
A simple kit with all the supplies already packed inside is easiest.
We like this kit because it's all put together for us:
Longline Leash
A longline leash is perfect for puppies because it allows them lots of freedom while still keeping them under control. We have a 20-foot longline and it's a length that works great when working on recalls outdoors.
If you don't have a longline leash, you won't be able to give your puppy enough freedom to enjoy running, sniffing, and romping around at their own pleasure because they'll either be on their short leash or you'll not have enough safety over them.
Try a 20-foot longline leash to start, like this one:
Grooming and Hygiene Essentials 🧴
Proper grooming keeps your puppy in top shape. Plus, grooming keeps them comfortable and can alert you to health issues.
Let's take a look at what grooming essentials you need:
Puppy Shampoo
Puppy-specific shampoo is gentler on your pup's sensitive skin and eyes. Regular bathing keeps your puppy clean, reduces odors, and allows you to check for any skin issues or parasites.
Don't neglect bathing because an ungroomed puppy can lead to skin problems and unpleasant odors. Be sure to select a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner to save yourself time grooming and keep your puppy's coat and skin moisturized. Oh, and look for tearless to avoid any eye stinging for your new pup.
Our favorite is:
Brush and Comb
Regular brushing removes loose fur, prevents matting, and distributes natural oils throughout the coat.
But did you know it can also be a great bonding activity?
Without regular brushing, your puppy's coat may become tangled or matted, leading to skin irritation and excessive shedding.
For puppies, we love a simple steel comb and a combo dog brush to cover most coat types:
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Unfortunately, dental care is often overlooked by new pet parents. But you must stay on top of your puppy's oral hygiene!
Starting early prevents dental diseases that can affect overall health. Dog-specific toothpaste is safe if swallowed and appealing to puppies.
Not taking good dental care can lead to painful tooth decay, gum disease, and even organ damage as your puppy grows.
An easy dental system for puppies is:
Nail Maintenance Kit
Keeping nails trimmed prevents discomfort, scratches, and potential paw deformities. Long nails can change how a puppy walks, leading to joint issues over time.
Regular nail maintenance also gets your puppy used to paw handling, making future grooming and vet visits easier. I much prefer and use only a nail grinder to trim my puppy's nails. It's easier and you're less likely to nick their quick, which causes pain and bleeding.
I use this Dremel tool for puppies:
Heartworm, Flea, and Tick Medications
I always suggest getting your puppy checked over by your vet as soon as possible. During the visit, ask what specific flea, tick, and heartworm medications your pup needs.
While there are many over-the-counter flea and tick products you can buy, it's generally safest to use what your vet suggests.
Cleanup🧹
Of course you know the old saying that accidents will happen. And with a new puppy, it's more of a guarantee. Try as you might, you can't always prevent 100% of them from happening.
That's where you'll find these cleaning and maintenance products as your service.
I love to keep these products at the ready for cleanups and little misshaps:
Puppy Pads
These are invaluable during housetraining, especially for apartment dwellers or those who work long hours. They provide a designated spot for accidents, making cleanup easier and reinforcing the idea of appropriate elimination areas.
When your puppy doesn't have them, housetraining can be more challenging and messy if you're unable to get them outside in time.
We used these because they were a reasonable price for the size:
Poop Bags
A must for responsible dog owners! Always have some on hand for walks. Not cleaning up after your pup is not only inconsiderate but often illegal in most parts of the country.
You're going to need a lot, but also want them to hold up so they don't tear while you carry them.
Or WORSE, they tear while you're picking up the waste.
I used these for my puppy walks and they held up to some big, and I mean B.I.G. messes:
Enzymatic Cleaner
This trusty solution tackles accidents at their root. Look for cleaners specifically designed for pet messes.
Regular cleaners might not fully eliminate odors, encouraging your pup to "re-mark" the same spot.
This brand never let me down:
Vacuum Cleaner
You might already have a vacuum. For those of you who don't opt for a model with pet hair attachments.
Without regular vacuuming, you might find yourself swimming in puppy fluff. And think of all that dirt and pet dander (dead skin cells) you'll be breathing in. Gross. 🤢
I found this model to powerfully lift out even embedded hair from my carpet and rugs:
Training and Entertainment 🎉
You'll have plenty of time to play with your puppy as they explore their new world with you. Be prepared with proper puppf-safe entertainment to keep them happy.
Here's the essentials we were thankful to have on hand with our own puppy:
Chew Toys
Puppies need to chew, especially when teething. The right chew toys satisfy this urge while protecting your belongings.
They also promote dental health and provide mental stimulation. When puppies don't have proper chew toys, they may turn to furniture, shoes, or other inappropriate items.
This leads to destruction and some serious health hazards.
My top 3 favorite chew toys are:
Nylabone Puppy Teething and Soothing Chew Toy
Kong Puppy Chew Toy (great filled with soft puppy food and frozen)
Puzzle Toys
These toys challenge your puppy mentally, prevent boredom, and are fun for growing minds!
They also help deter the destructive behaviors that often result from a lack of mental stimulation. Not to mention, they provide a positive outlet for energy.
Without mental stimulation, puppies may become bored, develop problematic behaviors, and even suffer from anxiety. Yikes!
My puppies still love to play with these toys and they've held up for years:
Trixie Activity Flip Board (great for beginners to start puzzles)
Nina Ottosson Hide and Slide (perfect for the next level for smart puppies)
Clicker
This small device is a great training tool! It makes a distinct clicking sound to mark desired behaviors instantly.
When paired with treats, it helps your puppy understand exactly what they did right. A clicker allows for precise timing in training. And that means that using a clicker can lead to faster learning and a stronger bond between you and your pup.
While you don't necessarily need a clicker (you can just say "yes" when your puppy does a good behavior) it helps. A simple clicker that has a soft sound is best.
I've got a few and prefer this style of clicker:
Snuffle Mat
This textured mat mimics foraging behavior. Your puppy get's to engage in their natural instincts, and this helps keep them calmer and uses their brain energy. Hide treats or kibble in the mat's folds and let your pup sniff them out.
It provides mental stimulation, slows down eating, and can help reduce anxiety. Using a snuffle mat can keep your puppy occupied for extended periods, giving you some much-needed downtime. It's not essential to have a fancy snuffle mat or an expensive one.
I've still got the same snuffle mat my puppy has enjoyed for years.
It's this one, and it's easily washable after their playtime:
Forager Snuffle Mat and Slow Feeder (easy to clean after puppy uses it)
The Bottom Line 👈🏻
Getting supplies ready before bringing home a new puppy helps give you a smooth start. Having everything prepared helps your puppy feel secure in their new space.
Key items like food, water bowls, a bed, and toys support their essential needs and can even encourage positive behavior. Being organized lowers stress for both you and your puppy. This allows you to focus on bonding.
A well-prepared environment lays the groundwork for a joyful and healthy relationship.
Know what else?
It can even help keep you from losing your mind the first few weeks with your new puppy!
Check twice you've got what you need before you bring your puppy home.
Then, check again... just in case. 🙂
