As a new puppy owner, you’re excited to buy all the things your new pet needs. Eager to feel prepared but with no idea where to start, I admit that the receipts I racked up at the pet store were embarrassingly long.
“Getting a new puppy is very exciting,” says Dr. Heather Berst, a small animal veterinarian and medical lead with Zoetis based in Asheville, North Carolina. “You are adding a new family member, [so] it is important to prepare and think through how you will make sure your puppy is safe and happy when they arrive.”
To keep excitement from turning to anxiety — or overspending — experts recommend following a list prioritizing top to-dos and puppy essentials. Here, we spoke with veterinarians and dog trainers to devise the new puppy checklist I wish I had before I brought my dog home.
Establish care with a veterinarian
“If this is your first pet ever, talk to friends, and research which local veterinarian you would like to establish care with,” advises Dr. Kelly Hood, a veterinarian at Highlands Veterinary Center in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia and in-house expert at Pet Portraits. “Your veterinarian will be your most trusted source on health care for your growing puppy.”
A puppy is at least a 10- to 12-year commitment, Hood adds. To set yourself up for success, she recommends researching different types of dog breeds so you can be prepared for their adult size, character traits and future financial needs.
Prioritize buying puppy essentials
“It is critical your puppy feels safe and has appropriate nutrition and water from the start,” Berst says. With this in mind, most true “must-have” puppy supplies pertain to these critical needs. This is the puppy essentials list to tackle first, according to experts:
Puppy food
When I brought my dog home from the breeder, they sent us home with a bag of his food, which is common, according to experts. But don’t assume this will be the case. “Talk to the breeder or rescue and see what food your pup is eating,” Berst says. Then be sure to have that same food at home when your puppy arrives, she says, because changing diets at the start can cause stomach upset or eating issues.
Feeding and water bowls
“Have a set feeding area planned with size-appropriate food and water bowls,” Hood says. Both Hood and Berst prefer stainless steel bowls, which are best at preventing bacterial build-up. Along with being prepared to provide your dog with regular meals, it’s also critical to always provide fresh, clean water.
Dog crate
“On day one, you should have a crate in place,” says Sally Grottini, a canine behavior expert for JustAnswer with over three decades of experience based in Danville, Pennsylvania. “This is vital to keep your puppy safe when you cannot watch it.” But not all crates are created equal, and the best one will depend on your puppy.
“Crate size is really important,” Berst says. “You do not want a crate that is too big, but you want one that will be big enough that they can turn around and be comfortable. That is why it is critical to talk to your veterinarian or the breeder or rescue about the best size crate to buy.”
Leash, harness and collar
“If you have to walk the dog for potty reasons, you want the dog leashed at all times,” Grottini says. You’ll also want to invest in waste bags, which usually come with a holder that will attach to your leash for ease of use. Experts recommend using a harness when walking puppies, but a collar is a good investment at the start, too, to get your pup used to wearing one for training purposes, Grottini adds.
Puppy training treats
Just like toddlers, puppies won’t know what is expected of them right away, Hood explains. “That’s why it is essential that a new puppy owner be prepared to train the puppy with clear expectations and positive reinforcement,” she says.
Jamie Popper, a dog trainer and behavior expert with Woof, recommends buying small soft treats, which are ideal for training. “You can start training your pup the day you bring them home,” Popper says. “Use treats, toys and affection to reward your dog anytime they do something you want to see more of.”
Pet-specific cleaners
Be sure to have pet-friendly odor-eliminating cleaning products in case of potty training accidents, Hood advises. To avoid accidents, be prepared to frequently take the puppy outside after eating and remember to praise or treat the puppy for eliminating outside, she says.
Wondering about potty pads? “It is best for a puppy to start learning about potty outside soon after coming home,” Berst says. “You may want to have potty pads inside for accidents but starting them on a regular outside potty routine works best for the long run.”
Gates or a puppy playpen
“Beyond supplies, you will want to puppy-proof your house,” Berst says. “This means thinking about where you keep your puppy at night and [during the] day. You will want to remove any plants that could be toxic or things like electrical wires they can chew.”
Grottini suggests gates or a puppy playpen to keep the dog contained in a safe area at all times. A safe outdoor space, such as a fenced area, is also key, Grottini adds. She also recommends asking your vet about getting an ID tracker or microchip.
A few safe puppy toys
Grottini recommends avoiding dog toys that can be easily chewed and swallowed to prevent a health hazard for puppies. Since it’s easy to go overboard on toys at the start, Popper narrows down her top essential puppy toy picks:
- An interactive soft toy for games of tug-of-war.
- An enrichment-based food dispensing toy that will entertain your pup when you can’t.
- An interactive toy you can throw for a game of chase, such as a soft squeaky toy or ball.
Address immediate needs at your first vet visit
“It is a good idea to make a vet appointment before you bring the puppy home,” Grottini says. “Since COVID, vets are extremely limited on quick appointments and you will want to get that health check within three to seven days of getting the puppy.” Here are the top things to address at your puppy’s first vet visit, according to experts:
Vaccinations
First and foremost, puppies need a series of booster shots to protect them against common diseases, Hood explains. “A puppy is not fully vaccinated until it has completed the distemper adenovirus parvovirus series, bordetella (or kennel cough) vaccine and rabies vaccine,” she says. “Most puppies complete their shots by four months.”
Nutrition and dental care
“At the first vet visit, ask the vet about which diet they recommend,” Berst says. “Then you can do a slow seven- to ten-day transition to their new food.”
Grottini also recommends asking your vet about healthy treats and dental chews for your dog.
Socialization and training
After four months, vaccinated puppies can safely go out in public, according to Hood. “When interacting with other dogs, supervision is important and keeping the puppy current on monthly ectoparasite and intestinal parasite control is important to protect the puppy from exposure.”
Berst recommends finding a reputable dog trainer and starting your puppy in puppy training classes as soon as your vet says it is safe. “Getting a good training foundation early and socialization will help ensure your dog is a good citizen as an adult,” she says.
Grooming
Once fully vaccinated, puppies that need grooming should have their first appointment scheduled, even if they are not ready for a full haircut, Hood says. This will help them get used to the sounds and smells of a grooming salon. Investing in your own grooming supplies can come around that time, too, according to Grottini. Grooming essentials include shampoos, conditioners, brushes and nail clippers, which are all good to start using when your pup is young so they get used to them.
Tips to make your puppy comfortable in their new home
“A new place can be very scary to a pup,” Grottini says. “There are noises, smells and sights that it may never have experienced before.” To help make your new puppy more comfortable, she offers the following tips:
- Before you get the puppy, send an old T-shirt with your smell to their current home so that it mixes with the smell of their litter and mother. Then have a crate set up with the shirt inside when they arrive at your home so it will associate it as its “den.”
- Keep your dog’s crate by the side of your bed so you can comfort the pup if they wake in the middle of the night.
- Run a floor fan to create white noise, which can soothe a puppy while they’re in their crate. Do not aim it at the pup — just let it run in the background.
Even though you may want to show off your puppy as soon as possible, be sure to give the pup time to adjust before having too many people over, Berst adds. “Too much stimulation may be overwhelming,” she says. “You want their first days at their new house to be happy and stress-free.”
The bottom line
When bringing home a new puppy, establishing veterinarian care and setting up an appointment for your new puppy within the first three to seven days of being home is the top priority. Your vet will advise on things like diet, vaccinations and flea and heartworm treatments.
As far as new puppy supplies to prioritize at the pet store, health and safety are key. “The must-have items on day one are food and water bowls and food,” Berst says. “You also need a crate, a place for them to sleep and a harness, collar and leash to keep them safe.” Experts recommend saving the purchase of fancy collars, specialty toys and breed-specific gear for later.
“The most important things to remember is to do your research about the breed before bringing the puppy home, establish firm, positive training, be vigilant to avoid the puppy getting into trouble and speak to your veterinarian about any health concerns,” Hood says. “And take lots of pictures — puppies are adorable and grow up so fast.”
