New puppy checklist
Everything to sort before and after your puppy comes home. Tap items to tick them off on your phone, or print it.
Before day one
- Food: the same food the puppy eats now, to switch slowly later
- Food and water bowls
- Collar or harness that fits, and a lead
- ID tag with your phone number
- A bed or crate in a quiet corner
- A few safe chew toys
- Poo bags and an enzyme cleaner for accidents
- A soft brush and puppy-safe shampoo
Puppy-proof the house
- Cables and chargers out of reach
- Cleaning products and medicines locked away
- Bins with lids
- Shoes, socks and small objects off the floor
- Check which house and garden plants are toxic to dogs
- Gates on stairs and balconies if needed
- Garden fence: no gaps
The first days
- Toilet trips after waking, eating and playing
- Same feeding times every day
- Lots of sleep: puppies need far more than adults
- Short, calm introductions to people and pets
- Reward the good stuff right away
- Start a simple routine for the night
Vet and paperwork
- Book a first vet check soon after arrival
- Ask about the vaccination schedule
- Ask about worming and flea or tick prevention
- Microchip registered in your name
- Ask when to neuter or spay
- Look into pet insurance
- Save your vet's number and the nearest emergency clinic
Habits to start early
- Name, sit and come, with treats and praise
- Short handling sessions: paws, ears, mouth
- Getting used to the brush and the nail trim
- Calm time alone for a few minutes at a time
- Safe new sights and sounds, once your vet says it's OK to go out
- A puppy class with a reward-based trainer
dogsexplained.com/tools/new-puppy-checklist/ ยท General checklist. Your vet's advice comes first.
A general checklist for a typical healthy puppy. Your vet's advice comes first, especially for vaccinations, food and when it's safe to go out.
A new explainer every day
Follow Dogs Explained for short Reels on dog behaviour, breeds and quizzes.