Puppies
New Puppy Checklist: Everything You Need Before Bringing Your Puppy Home
October 4, 2026
Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but the week before can turn into a blur of shopping lists and half-remembered advice.
This new puppy checklist keeps it simple. Tick off each item as you get it, and your progress saves on this device so you can come back to it.
There’s also a free printable version if you’d rather stick it on the fridge.
New Puppy Checklist
Tick things off as you get them. Your progress saves on this device, so you can come back to it before the big day.
Everything’s ready. Your puppy’s home is set up.
Skip these for now
- Expensive plush beds (they get chewed or soiled in the first few weeks)
- Big bags of rich treats (use their own kibble for training at first)
- Retractable leads
- Automatic feeders
- Pee pads, unless you live in a flat with no outdoor access
Free · Interactive 7-day plan
Get the free First Week Puppy Plan
A day-by-day plan for your puppy’s first seven days at home: the first night, the crate routine and potty breaks. Tick off each day as you go, and get a short email with tips for the tricky bits.
How to Use This Checklist
Each section is marked with when you’ll need it. Most things should be ready before day one, while grooming kit and extra toys can wait a week or two.
Work through the “before day one” sections first. If your budget is tight, those are the items that matter most.
The Things New Owners Forget
The crate and the lead are hard to forget. These are the ones that tend to get missed:
- Enzyme cleaner: Normal sprays hide the smell for us, but your puppy can still smell it and will go in the same spot again.
- The food they already eat: A sudden switch on top of a big move often means an upset stomach. Change slowly over 7 to 10 days if you want to.
- Microchip details: The chip is only useful if it’s registered to you, so update it as soon as your puppy is home.
- Your nearest emergency vet: Save the number now, so you’re not searching for it at 2am.
What to Skip for Now
Pet shops are full of things you don’t need yet. Plush beds and fancy toys usually get chewed or soiled during the first few weeks of teething and potty training.
Wait until your puppy is house trained before buying anything expensive to sleep on. For the full breakdown of what to buy and what to leave, see our Puppy Essentials Guide.
Getting the Crate Size Right
Buy one crate for your puppy’s adult size and use the divider to make it smaller while they grow.
A crate that’s too big leaves room for a toilet corner, which makes house training harder. If you’re not sure how big your puppy will get, try our Puppy Weight Calculator, then read Choosing the Right Size and Type of Crate.
Once Your Puppy Is Home
The checklist gets your house ready. The first few weeks are about routine.
Tick off the last item, take a breath, and enjoy the first few days. You’re ready.
For the bigger picture, from the first night to six months, the next guide is the First-Time Puppy Owner’s Survival Guide.
Free · Interactive 7-day plan
Get the free First Week Puppy Plan
A day-by-day plan for your puppy's first seven days at home: the first night, the crate routine and potty breaks. Tick off each day as you go, and get a short email with tips for the tricky bits.
