The new puppy starter checklist
Here is everything we'd want ready before bringing a puppy home, grouped so you can tick it off one room at a time. Don't panic if you don't have it all on day one. Your puppy mostly needs you, a safe space, food and patience.
Before the first night
- Crate sized for adult size, with a divider so it fits your puppy now
- Soft washable crate pad or old towels (easy to wash after accidents)
- A worn T-shirt of yours, so the crate smells like you
- Baby gates or an exercise pen to puppy-proof one safe room
- Night light and a phone alarm for middle-of-the-night potty trips
Feeding
- The same puppy food the breeder or shelter used (switch slowly over about a week if you change)
- Stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls
- Slow-feeder bowl if your puppy gulps
- Small, soft training treats
- Airtight food storage container
Potty training
- Poop bags and a leash dispenser
- Pee pads or a grass patch for apartments
- Enzyme cleaner for accidents (it removes the smell that invites repeats)
- Paper towels. Lots of paper towels.
Walks and safety
- Lightweight collar with an ID tag (your phone number)
- Adjustable puppy harness
- 4 to 6 foot standard leash (skip retractable leashes for training)
- Microchip registration: confirm your contact details are in the registry
- Car crate or a crash-tested car harness
Chewing and teething
- A few different chew textures: rubber, nylon, soft plush
- Freezable teething toy for sore gums
- Puzzle toy or snuffle mat for brain work
- Bitter apple spray for furniture legs
Grooming and care
- Soft brush suited to your puppy's coat
- Puppy shampoo
- Nail clippers or grinder, plus styptic powder
- Puppy toothbrush and dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste)
- Paw balm for hot pavement and winter salt
Health and paperwork
- Book a vet visit in the first week
- Vaccine and deworming records from the breeder or shelter
- Ask your vet about flea, tick and heartworm prevention
- Look into pet insurance quotes while your puppy is young and has no pre-existing conditions
- Pet poison helpline numbers saved in your phone
Shop the basics
Crate with divider
Enzyme cleaner
Puppy harness
Teething toys
Printable version
Use your browser's print button (Ctrl/Cmd + P) to print this page as a checklist for the fridge.
How we put this together: we read manufacturer product pages, ingredient labels and veterinary-organization guidance. We have not lab-tested these products and we don't give star ratings. Formulas change, so always read the current label. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.