New puppy checklist

What is on this checklist

What to have ready, and what to do in the first weeks.

Before you bring them home

• Crate or pen sized for the adult dog, with a divider
• Food and water bowls
• The food the breeder or shelter used, to switch slowly
• Collar, ID tag with your phone number, leash
• Harness for walks
• Puppy pads or a spot outside for potty breaks
• Chew toys of different textures
• Enzyme cleaner for accidents
• Baby gates for rooms that are off limits
• Soft bed or blanket

Puppy-proof the house

• Cords and chargers off the floor
• Trash cans with lids
• Medicines, gum and chocolate out of reach
• Houseplants checked or moved up high
• Shoes, socks and small toys picked up
• Cleaning products in a closed cupboard

First weeks

• Book a vet checkup and ask about vaccines and parasite control
• Ask the vet about microchipping and register the chip
• Set a feeding, potty and sleep routine
• Short, upbeat training sessions every day
• Meet calm people, sounds and surfaces, at the vet's pace
• Look into a puppy class
• Save the vet and poison control numbers in your phone