Here’s our checklist for puppy coming home. Do you have your first puppy checklist ready?

Providing a comfortable space at home for your new puppy can be challenging. Sometimes it can even be a hassle. It takes a lot of time for a puppy to adjust to your home and think of it as theirs. Being a dog mom or a dog dad is an exciting journey and it starts even before you bring your puppy home!

Our mini checklist for puppy supplies.

• Puppy food: Learn what dog food is best for your pup with our nutrition guide.
• Bowls for your puppy’s food and water
• Toys and bones for your pup to chew on!
• A collar (with ID tag) and a leash for regular walks
• Grooming supplies, depending on your dog’s breed, as some dogs need more grooming care than others.
• A crate for crate training and vet checkups! Don’t forget to bring your crate to the adoption center to pick up your dog!
• Potty training pee pads! Your little pup will want to go every few hours and these pads will be crucial for getting them potty trained.
• Cleaning supplies to clean up after your dog!

Create a safe space for your puppy.

• Make sure your puppy cannot access any human foods while exploring their new home. Are there any easy to open cupboards in the kitchen with human treats?
• Make sure your shoes are kept out of your puppy’s reach! Keep them in a closet, because they could easily become your pup’s next chew toy
• Dogs are nesting animals in the wild and like to find caves to nest. Create a safe nest of soft blankets for your puppy to sleep on. It’s best to create their nest within a crate because this helps with crate training!
• Hide all rugs and furniture pieces that are important to you. It is likely that your pup will chew on some of the furniture or soil some rugs as they explore their new home.

Limit space initially as you get into a routine with your pup

• Introduce your puppy to new areas of your home gradually. You might want to purchase a baby gate to restrict access to certain parts of your home.
• Note down times for when your puppy has to eat or poop each day. Stick to a regular feeding schedule and keep up with your pup’s bowel movements to get them potty trained!
• Consult your vet before changing your puppy’s food, if it is different from what they ate at the animal shelter. Gradually change puppy brands to avoid digestion issues.
• Start introducing your pup to some basic obedience tricks (e.g., sit, stay) and reward them with treats and pets whenever they do something good.
• Visit your vet within 1–2 weeks of adopting your pup to ensure that they are up to date on their vaccinations. Consult your vet about spaying or neutering your pup, as well as when to socialize your pup.
• Meet up with other dog moms and dog dads for puppy social hour! Learn from other dog parents and dog groups about how to raise a happy, healthy dog. Let your puppy play with other pups and let them find that puppy love at first sight.

Gradually introduce your pup to new people, new experiences, and new places.

• Introduce your pup to all members of your home when they arrive.
• As they feel more comfortable in their new home, introduce them to new spaces within the house.
• Start slowly introducing to friends and family and other visitors you might bring home!
• Remember, your puppy grows and learns from new sights, smells, and experiences!

Want to learn more about dog training, dog behavior and dog nutrition?

Check out Pawsitive app to actually put theory into practice and start applying all this knowledge. The Pawsitive app helps dog parents raise happy, healthy dogs by providing community and professional support. We connect you to other dog parents and professionals. We are building a supportive dog parent community and we are better than dog social media! Stay accountable for completing wellness milestones with your dog and other dog parents, dog moms, and dog dads.