Are you bringing home a new puppy? Congratulations on bringing home a cute, cuddly and furry tornado to your home! If you are a pet parent searching for a new puppy checklist or asking the question- “What do I need for a new puppy?” Don't worry, we got you.

Bringing home a new pet can be fun and exciting, however it also comes with the responsibility of making sure your little furball has everything it needs to be comfortable and trust its surroundings. A little preparation before their arrival can go a long way. 

Here’s a new puppy checklist that will walk you through everything, from preparing your home to stocking up on the puppy essentials.

Your Week-by-Week Puppy Prep Timeline

Two Weeks Before: Start Getting Your Home Ready 
This is the perfect time to gather all things your puppy might need, and save yourself from the last minute panic. Start building your puppy starter kit with basics like-

• Food and water bowls
• A comfortable, correctly sized bed (more on puppy bed size guide below!)
• Collar and ID tag
• Puppy harness for safe walks
• A lead
• Puppy-safe toys, especially puppy toys for teething
• Grooming brush
• Waste bags
• Puppy treats for their delicate teeth and smaller body.
• Safety gate and crate
• Flea and tick protection supplies

Also puppy proof your home, and schedule a visit with the vet.

◈ One Week Before: Puppy-Proof Your House

Dogs, especially puppies who are curious about everything in their surroundings. They like to investigate everything through their noses, paws and especially teeth. It stimulates their senses in the best possible way.

So that’s why puppy proofing the house is absolutely necessary. Walk through your home, each room and try to think like a four legged furry toddler for a second. 

Ask questions like-

• Can they chew it?
• Can they swallow it?
• Can they climb on it?
• Can they knock it over?

If the answer to any of those is yes, then it needs to be moved, secured, placed at a higher ground or blocked. Secure loose electrical cables, move house plants or glass pieces to a higher ground, use baby gates to limit access to certain areas of the house and place your shoes somewhere safe (trust us on this one!)

◈ One Day Before: Set Up Their Space

The first day of your puppy in its new home can be a little overwhelming. So, setting up a cosy, warm space in a quiet corner of the house which is also easily accessible to the rest of the house can become their safe zone.

Set up their bed, lay out their bowls and place a few toys nearby. A familiar-smelling blanket from their breeder, can do wonders in helping them feel safe and at home in the beginning.

◈ The First Week with puppy: Focus on Bonding

The first week of your puppy is about helping them adjust. Everything is new to them, including you. The first week is all about patience and observing the sort of personality your puppy has. Despite being born in the same litter, puppies can have entirely different personalities. Their personalities affect how they view the world and how easily they adjust to their surroundings.  

As it is their first night away from the litter and their mother, the puppy might whimper a lot. You can give or prepare for them a snuggly toy for comfort.

Keep things calm and quiet. Slowly expose them to different sounds, people, and surfaces. This is the beginning of puppy socialisation, which is one of the most important things you can do for their long-term confidence and wellbeing. Focus on-

• Building trust
• Establishing feeding times
• Gentle play sessions
• Toilet training
• Plenty of naps

Room-by-Room New Puppy Checklist

Not every room needs to be puppy ready, as some can be puppy proofed with the help of a baby gate limiting access to those certain rooms. However, other rooms which are accessible to the puppy like the kitchen, living room and bedroom need to be ready.

◈ Living Room

Since this is where the puppy will be spending most of the time, and probably where their bed is, the things you need to remove-

• Loose electrical wires
• Small or sharp objects on the floor
• Remote controls (a surprisingly popular chew toy!)
• Houseplants that may be unsafe

Things you can add-

• Baby gate to block hazardous areas
• Cleaning supplies for inevitable accidents
• A basket of toys nearby so your puppy always has something appropriate to chew.

◈ Kitchen

Kitchens are full of tempting smells, and foods but also can have potential hazards. Keep the puppy away from-

• Cleaning products
• Human food (should be out of reach)
• Sharp utensils

Keep in the kitchen-

• Non-slip food and water bowls
• Puppy-safe bin with a lid

◈ Bedroom / Sleeping Area 

This has to be a safe space for the puppy. Even though many puppies feel more secure sleeping close to their family during the first few nights. You can keep-

• Cosy puppy bed in the right size (see the puppy bed size guide below)
• Soft blanket
• Nightlight if they're anxious in the dark

◈ Garden or Balcony 

Outdoor spaces need adequate attention as well. Keep in check-

• Gaps in the fences, puppies are escape artists
• Remove toxic plants
• Set up a dedicated toilet spot

Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have: Puppy Essentials Breakdown

You can start with the must-haves, then slowly build up your collection according to the needs and requirements of your puppy. From the items listed down below you can create a puppy starter kit.

Puppy Essentials

◈ Puppy Bed and a Crate

A chew-proof dog bed (insert link), and a cosy bed that is according to the size of your pup is essential. It is also important when you're starting to build that all-important puppy sleep routine.

Pairing the bed with a crate can create a safe den and resting place for the puppy.

◈ Food and Water Bowls

Choose a stainless steel bowl for the puppy. They are hygienic, rust free and safe for use, and also hard enough for the puppy to not chew the bowl. Ceramic bowls can also be used. Go for anti-skid bowls so excited pups don’t topple them over.

◈ Chew Toys for Teething

Chew toys are quite enjoyable for the puppies, especially when they start to teeth. Also if you like to keep your furniture, shoes and carpet intact, stock up on puppy toys for teething. Our chew-safe toys ( insert link) comes in different texturesa and types to satisfy even the most determined little chompers. 

◈ A Carrier Bag

A puppy carrier bag can be very useful when you take your puppy out before he has been vaccinated. It will help your puppy enjoy his surroundings safely. It can also be very useful when taking your puppy to the vet.

◈ Puppy Treats for Training

Bonding over treats and training them is important for a pup. Treats serve as a reward for them when they do something “right” or the way we want them too. They can help your dog understand how to inculcate good manners. Small healthy treats that are low on calories can be beneficial.

◈ Adjustable Harness 

At petbuds, we have all kinds of adjustable harnesses. Puppies are delicate and any additional pressure on their neck can be harmful for them. A well-fitted puppy harness provides better control during walks while reducing pressure on your puppy's neck.
Look for adjustable designs that can grow with your puppy over the first few months.

A Few Final Thoughts

Bringing home a puppy can be both exciting and exhilarating. However, it can also be chaotic, if one is not prepared well. There will be zoomies around the living room, sleepy cuddles after playtime, and probably a few chewed slippers along the way. That's all part of the adventure.

The good news is that you just need to be prepared and not  be perfect. By following the new puppy checklist provided above, gathering the right puppy essentials, and creating a safe environment, will help with the best possible start.
And when in doubt? PetBuds has got you covered.