New Puppy Checklist: The Ultimate Guide to Everything You Need
Have you decided to welcome a new puppy into your family and are looking for a comprehensive New Puppy Checklist? If so, you have come to the right place! Having just gone through this process with Riggie last year, we know what supplies you need and which you can forego. Based on our experiences, we created this list of products to ensure your new pup has a smooth transition into your home, family, and life.
We have categorized the New Puppy Checklist for simple organization. Also, we created a one-page checklist that you can download to make preparations for your new fluffy bundle of joy even easier!
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Travel
Air Travel Carrier
If you are flying your puppy back in the cabin, you need a TSA-compliant travel carrier. This carrier offers all the features necessary to comfortably and securely transport your puppy through the airport and on a flight.
*Please note – we do not recommend flying a puppy in cargo on an airplane due to the many risks involved.
Car Travel Crate
If you are traveling by car to pick up your puppy, a travel crate is the safest way to transport your pup and keep her secure on the journey home. A loose, untrained puppy in a vehicle is a dangerous distraction and could create a stinky mess.
Seatbelt
While a seatbelt is not a good option for a young, active puppy, you may need one as your dog gets larger. A seatbelt is the next best safety option if you have a large or giant breed and cannot fit a travel crate large enough to confine your dog into your vehicle.
We love this crash-tested seatbelt from Kurgo, which features metal buckles, a large, comfortable chest pad, and an optional leash bracket to double as a walking harness.
Travel Water Bottle
Keep your puppy well-hydrated with this dog water bottle, which features a built-in silicone cup for quick and easy drinking on the go.
Travel Food Bowls
2 collapsible bowls with lids will simplify feeding time on the road.
Sleep & Confinement
Crate
A well-constructed metal dog crate is necessary for a new puppy. The crate will keep your puppy safe when no one can monitor him, help with potty training, and act as a secure place where he can rest and relax when needed. We love that this crate is sturdy, easily folds down, and versatile, with door options on 2 sides.
Crate Cover
Covering a dog crate helps it feel more like a dark den, the natural place a dog would sleep in the wild. Blocking out light during the day will help your new pup feel like the crate is a calmer and more peaceful place.
Snap-in Bowl
It is essential to always provide fresh water to your puppy while he is in the crate. This bowl securely snaps on the side of a metal crate to prevent spills.
Dog Bed
Some dogs prefer a soft bed, while others do not. Our double-coated breeds prefer to sleep on hard, cool surfaces and will only sleep on a bed during the coldest of winter nights. It is nice to provide the option so your pup can decide if she would rather sleep on a bed or a hard surface. Remember that if your puppy has a propensity to chew fabric, you cannot leave a dog bed in their crate.
Snuggle Puppy
This is one of the best tools you can buy to help ease your puppy’s transition away from its mother and littermates to your home. The Snuggle Puppy is a plush toy with a small insert mimicking a beating heart. You can also buy heating pads to insert into the toy. Riggie was obsessed with his Snuggle Puppy, and it was the only thing that could calm him down at night during those first few weeks in his new home.
Pet Gates
We use these 3 varieties of pet gates throughout our home to section off rooms and stairs.
For cat owners:
For doorways:
For larger spaces:
Walking
Harnesses & Collars
A secure collar or harness is needed to keep your puppy safe and secure outdoors and to hold an ID tag. While we prefer harnesses over collars due to the risks posed by neck collars, some dog owners prefer collars.
Remember, puppies grow rapidly, and you will likely need to size up at least 1 or 2 times. Therefore, I recommend choosing affordable options until your dog has reached its full adult size. Then, you can purchase a higher-end product that meets your preferences.
Flat-Buckle Collar:
Martingale-style Collar:
Standard Harness:
No-Pull Harness:
High-End Harness:
Leash
We recommend a high-quality 4–6-foot leash for a puppy. Avoid anything longer than 6 feet while you are training your dog. Expandable leashes or long lines can be useful tools, but only after your dog is properly trained, has a rock-solid recall, and understands how to politely walk on a loose leash. We love this leash because it features padded handles and a short handle option to keep your dog close when needed.
Paw Washer
A quick-cleaning paw washer will save your sanity when removing mud from your dog’s paws on rainy days.
Potty Clean-Up
Potty Pads
While we do not advocate training your puppy to go to the bathroom on potty pads, they can be helpful in the first few weeks of potty training with potential accidents.
We used potty pads in the airline carrier, in the travel crate, and in other situations where we wanted to protect the environment from an accident while Riggie was still learning.
Poop Bags & Holder
As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to be a good citizen and always pick up after your dog. Make sure to carry poop bags with you wherever you take your dog.
Pooper Scooper
Investing in a good pooper scooper will make yard clean-up a breeze. We love this one with a snap-on rake and hooks to attach a plastic bag easily.
Pet Wipes
Dogs are messy creatures and love to get dirty! Pet-safe wipes will go a long way between bath time for quick clean-up of muddy paws, drooly faces, and dirty butts.
Safety
ID Tag & Microchip
A simple ID tag with your address, phone number, and dog’s name can go a long way toward reconnecting a lost puppy with its owner. A microchip will guarantee that your dog has identification even if it slips out of its collar or harness, which is the most important thing you can do for your new dog. Your veterinarian implants microchips.
GPS Tracking
Since we can track almost anyone and anything, we should use this technology with our dogs for the peace of mind it can provide. There are various options depending on your willingness to pay a monthly fee, the precision of the location services, whether or not you want to recharge a battery regularly, and which phone operating system you use.
Indoor Camera
Nothing buys peace of mind like being able to monitor your new puppy’s activity when you are not home. We highly recommend investing in a hard-wired camera to keep watch over your puppy easily.
Pet Alert Kit
These pet alert door stickers let fire and rescue crews know that pets are inside your home. This kit also comes with keychain tags and wallet cards. If you are ever in an accident or have a medical emergency, paramedics will know you have pets who are home alone and can contact a friend or family member.
Food & Storage
Food & Water Bowls
A high-quality set of stainless steel bowls should last a lifetime.
Slow Feeders & Food Puzzles
Slow feeders help keep your dog from scarfing down his food too quickly, which can cause bloat and other stomach problems. Food puzzles come in different levels of increasing difficulty. Start with an easy level 1, and once your puppy has mastered that, move them up to level 2.
Food
You should feed a high-quality puppy formula specific to your breed’s size that your breeder or veterinarian recommends. Your breeder should tell you beforehand what food she is feeding the puppies. You will want to continue to feed that during the transition to your home to avoid gastrointestinal issues from a food change. We like the Diamond Naturals brand because of its quality and affordability.
For large breed puppies:
For small & medium breed puppies:
Food Container
It is recommended to keep dog food in the original bag so you can quickly access the lot number and expiration date. Unfortunately, dog food recalls and warnings are very common in the pet food industry. We like this container because we can slide an entire 40-pound bag of food into it, and it is airtight
Measuring Cup
Always measure your dog’s meals to avoid overfeeding and weight issues.
Training & Treats
Treats
A wide variety of treats will help maintain your dog’s interest in training. We recommend the following enticing, small, and easy-to-break-up treats.
Training Pouch Fanny Pack
Spend the first few months of having your new puppy training them at every opportune moment. I wore a training pouch every day, so I was always prepared to reward good behavior, redirect bad behavior, and teach new skills.
Training Books
If you are unfamiliar with the fundamentals of dog training, I recommend the books below to lay a solid foundation of training concepts and principles.
Clicker
Clicker training is the gold standard in dog training today. Learning to “load a clicker” and teaching your puppy what the clicker means will set you up for long-term training success.
Grooming & Health
Shampoo
A gentle puppy shampoo will help your dog learn what bath time is all about without stinging its eyes or irritating its skin.
Ear Cleaner
Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears helps keep them free of debris and buildup, reducing their risk of ear infections. Always clean and dry ear canals thoroughly after a bath.
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Good dental hygiene is essential to your new puppy, and getting them used to having their teeth brushed at a young age will help this become a lifelong habit.
Brush
Regularly brushing your dog’s coat will help minimize the amount of fur in your home and reduce the mess during bathtime. The best type of brush will depend on your dog’s coat type, whether or not they are shedding their undercoat, and personal preference. Here are three types of brushes we use on Riggie, who has a double-coat and long feathering.
A standard pin and bristle brush is versatile for use on all coats.
A grooming rake is excellent for double-coated breeds.
A slicker brush works well for longer-haired breeds.
Pet Grooming Vacuum System
If you have a heavy-shedding dog, you may want to consider a pet grooming vacuum system. This system combines different brush attachments and clippers with a quiet vacuum that sucks the hair directly out of the brush at the touch of a button. Check out our product review here.
Nail Trimmer & Grinder
Getting your puppy accustomed to nail trimming and grinding while he is young will save you a lot of frustration or money later. We recommend the scissor-style trimmers over the guillotine-style.
If you are unfamiliar with how to trim a dog’s nails, you can watch this video. Dogs have a vein running through their nails called the quick, which can bleed profusely if cut. It is crucial to exercise extreme caution to avoid cutting the quick.
Styptic Powder
In case you accidentally cut the quick, keep this powder close during nail trims. The powder will help quickly clot the vein and stop the bleeding
Lick Mats
Save your sanity by using a lick mat with frozen treats like apple sauce, peanut butter, pumpkin, and banana to keep your puppy occupied while grooming.
Dog DNA Test Kit
Whether you have a purebred or mixed-breed puppy, DNA testing can provide invaluable information about your dog’s predisposition to genetic health risks. Check out our full review of Embark’s Dog DNA Test here.
Toys
Puppy Chew Toys
Puppies are notorious for being land sharks from when they get their baby teeth to when they transition to adult teeth and sometimes even long after that. Finding chews that are soft enough to satisfy their need to chew but durable enough to be safe can be challenging. Every dog will have a different chewing strength and drive. Constantly monitor your puppy when chewing a toy and ensure fresh water is available.
Good for Young Puppies with Baby Teeth
These fit perfectly into the Kong Goodie Bone below.
Slide various chews into the openings at each end.
Good for Older Puppies
Use with the Bow Wow Labs Bully Stick Holder below.
Treat-Dispensing Toys
Provide mental and physical stimulation while encouraging play.
Other Puppy Toys
Puppies are all about playtime! She wants to play all day, every day, between puppy naps, of course! Ensuring she has enough toys and a wide variety of toys is essential to keeping her mentally and physically stimulated.
Cleaning
Carpet Spot Cleaner
We highly recommend keeping carpet stain remover on hand for quick clean-up of potty messes, vomit, or muddy paw prints.
Carpet Steamer & Solution
Having animals and carpets or rugs is a recipe for either needing regular steam cleaning treatments or investing in a carpet steamer once and doing it yourself. We found having a steamer on hand for inopportune projectile vomiting or the occasional 6-foot butt scoot to be well worth the investment. We love the 2-in-1 upright plus portable spot cleaner for its versatility and ease of use on stairs, couches, and tight spaces.
Vacuums & Mops
Investing in a high-quality vacuum cleaner (or two) will pay off over your dog’s lifetime. We love Dyson and iRobot for their superior performance and product longevity.
Professional Services
Pet Insurance
The cost of veterinary care continues to rise along with everything else. A pet insurance policy may be necessary if you are not prepared to spend thousands on a potential emergency. No one expects emergencies, but they happen every day. Be prepared, and don’t let finances be a decision factor in your pet’s medical care.
Regular Veterinarian
We recommend getting established with a veterinarian before bringing your puppy home. Some breeder contracts require a veterinary visit within a certain period to honor health guarantees.
Emergency Veterinarian
Knowing where the closest emergency vet clinic is and its operating hours, as well as entering its contact information into your phone, can save you precious, life-saving time in an emergency.
Puppy Training
You should enroll your puppy in an AKC STAR puppy class as soon as your veterinarian says it is safe after sufficient vaccinations.
Pet Sitter
Interviewing potential pet sitters and dog walkers before your puppy arrives will put your mind at ease, as you will know you have professional help ready when you cannot be at home.
Groomer
If you choose to use a professional groomer instead of grooming your dog yourself, ask for local recommendations from friends, family, and online groups early in the process. Many groomers are booked out for months or are not accepting new clients. It can take time to get established with one.
We hope this comprehensive New Puppy Checklist has provided you with all the supplies you will need to welcome home your new addition and made the planning process a little easier. Don’t forget to download the 1-page checklist and visit our Amazon store below where you can find the entire New Puppy Checklist in one convenient place!
Katie Vincent is a dog lover, world traveler, and passionate creative who left a successful career in medical device sales to become a digital marketer, content creator, and writer. She has owned large-breed dogs for over 30 years, traveled to 42 countries, and taken 57 online courses. She now writes about all three at Riggie the Berner, Travel Planner Katie, and Creator Katie.
