Whilst a new puppy is fun for all the family, a smooth transition for your furry friend requires lots of care and preparation. Make sure you prepare in advance and pick up all the supplies you'll need to make your dog happy. Read through our checklist to make sure you have everything you need to welcome home your brand new puppy.

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Jump to:

Bringing Your Puppy Home
Puppy Mealtime
Keeping Your Puppy Safe
Making Your Puppy Cozy
Keeping Your Home Clean

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New Puppy Checklist

The Essentials

• Dog Crate
• Dog Bowl or Feeder
• Dog Food Storage
• Dog Fence
• Pet Gates
• Dog Bed
• Dog Blanket
• Pet-Friendly Slipcovers
• Coat Racks (for Leashes)
• Storage Baskets

The Non-Essentials

• Dog Carrier
• Dog Stroller
• Dog Ramp or Stairs
• Grooming Tables & Tubs

Bringing Your Puppy Home

Dog Crate

The first thing you need to think about is how you’re going to get your puppy home from wherever you're collecting them from. When you buy a dog crate, make sure you think about the size your puppy will be when they're fully grown. You want to avoid buying a crate that will be too small for your dog as an adult. Crates range in size based on a dogs’ weight, giving you a wide variety to choose from. Don’t forget to look into dog crate accessories, such as a pan for the bottom that can be easily cleaned in case of any accidents or a cover for a crate that can be used outside. When you take your puppy home, place a blanket in the bottom of the crate for your puppy to snuggle into.

Tip: You can use a simple wire crate for easy transportation or you can buy a furniture-style crate to match the decor in your home.

Dog Carrier

For small dogs, you may want a dog carrier for easy travel. Dog carriers are usually synthetic-like fabric bags or small plastic crates, making them much lighter and easier to carry around than a full-size crate. Dog carriers can also expand your travel options – some planes or coaches will allow you to transport a dog in a small carrier. You should use a dog carrier when you or a passenger can hold the carrier and pay attention to your dog. For long trips where you cannot monitor your dog, place them in a crate so they have space to stretch their legs.

Dog Stroller

Dog strollers are a fun and functional way to travel with your puppy in crowded settings. If you’re nervous about bringing your puppy to a vet's appointment in the city, simply place your puppy in a stroller to give them a view of your walk while remaining secure. If your dog is sick or injured, you can give them some fresh air while they're unable to walk.

Puppy Mealtime

Dog Bowls & Feeders

If you’re bringing a puppy home then don’t forget the dog bowl. You should get one bowl for food and another for water to keep your puppy well-fed and hydrated throughout the day. If you’d like to keep your dog from knocking over their food and water, consider a feeder. A feeder is an elevated structure with compartments for bowls to keep them from moving around.

Dog Food Storage

Get rid of plastic bags that are leaky and hard to use and store dog food in secure containers. You can keep storage containers in your cupboards or right next to your dog bowls for easy use. These containers keep food fresh longer, keep out pests and prevent your puppy from breaking into their supply of treats.

Keeping Your Puppy Safe

Dog Fences & Containment

If you're looking to give your dog more outdoor playtime in your garden, you might want to consider fencing options to keep your dog safe. You can border your garden with a wire fence or try out a pet barrier (a short fence that rests partially underground) to prevent your dog from digging holes under an existing fence. If putting up a physical structure isn't an option, you could also look into an electric fence.

Pet Gates

Inside the house, you might want to keep your puppy out of rooms with carpet or breakable items until they're properly house trained. Try out a pet gate that you can easily swing open and closed but will keep your puppy contained. You can use a freestanding gate for temporary use while the puppy is small or a pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted gate if you plan to keep it up for years. Pressure-mounted gates are wedged into place in a doorway, while wall-mounted gates are drilled into place. Pressure-mounted gates are fine for dividing rooms, but you’ll want to opt for a wall-mounted gate above staircases.

Tip: If your puppy will grow to be a large dog that can potentially hop over pet gates, invest in a gate when they're young and train them to respect it. When they're fully grown, they'll continue to avoid the gate even if they're able to jump over.

Dog Kennel

If you don’t want to invest in a fencing system but would like to give your dog outdoor time, consider a dog kennel. Dog kennels are fenced structures that range from a small, doghouse-like enclosure to a wide and spacious play area for your dog. You can let your dog get some fresh air while you’re cooking or working from home, and you can keep an eye on him or her from the window.

Making Your Puppy Comfortable

Dog Bed

Give your new puppy a place to rest with their own dog bed. There are a wide variety of beds available, whether you’d like a simple cushion or a luxurious sofa for your dog. If your puppy is shy and likes to hide under blankets or couches, consider a hooded dog bed to give them an extra layer of security. If your pup is outgoing and likes to keep an eye on the household, consider a simple pillow bed that gives him or her full range of sight.

Doghouse

Give your pup a back garden hangout spot with a doghouse. When your dog is playing in the garden, they can head into the doghouse for shade during the summer or insulation from cold during the winter. If you plan on keeping your dog outdoors for long periods of time, a doghouse is a necessity to provide protection from the elements.

Tip: If your dog will be outside during cold months, consider a dog door, heater and mat for the doghouse. These items will help keep your dog nice and toasty whenever they want a quick break from outdoor play.

Dog Blanket

Dogs love to cuddle with blankets for warmth and security. Dogs instinctively prefer to sleep in small and enclosed spaces for protection, and a personal blanket will help them feel warm and safe – it will also stop them from getting dog hair all over your own blankets.

Tip: Get car-compatible blankets to protect your seats while driving with your dog.

Keeping Your Home Clean

Pet-Friendly Slipcover

If you have a puppy that sheds (or pees when they're excited), you should consider investing in slipcovers for your furniture. These slipcovers will let you hang out with your pet on the sofa without worrying about damage or marks. You can find slipcovers for many different furniture pieces, including couches, armchairs, ottomans and more. You can choose slipcovers that stretch over an entire piece of furniture for a seamless look or covers that drape over your furniture and can be easily removed.

Grooming Tables & Tubs

Keep your pet well-trimmed and tidy by investing in at-home grooming tables and tubs. Grooming tables are equipped with a leash or harness to control your dog’s movement while you give him or her a trim, and tubs are great for outdoor use and are a more pleasant experience for the dog than being hosed down.

Hallway Organisation

Organise your hallway with your pup in mind – hang up and keep track of their leashes with a coat rack and store dog toys, sweaters, treats and plastic waste bags in storage baskets. Having an organised system will make it easy and quick to take your dog out for a walk.