The Puppy Checklist for new dog owners

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and heartwarming experience, but it also comes with great responsibility. To ensure a smooth transition into your home, you’ll need to be prepared.

Here at Pooch Parents, we’ve bought every puppy product under the sun. Below you’ll find a comprehensive puppy checklist covering everything you need as a new dog owner.

Puppy Supplies

Food and Water Bowls: Choose sturdy, non-tip bowls that are easy to clean.
Puppy Food: Opt for high-quality puppy food appropriate for your puppy's breed and size.
Treats: Reward-based training is essential, so have some puppy treats on hand. Make sure these are also high quality.
Lead and Collar/Harness: Ensure they're the right size for your puppy. It’s worth getting a longer lead too, for when you want to practise recall.
ID Tag: Include your contact information on your pup's tag in case they get lost.
Crate: A crate provides a safe and secure space for your pup. It shouldn’t be used for punishment, but as a safe place for them to sleep.
Bed or Blanket: A comfortable bed or blanket will make your puppy feel at home. Anti-anxiety beds have been perfect for Mitzi. She was not a fan of the crate, but the bed was perfect for settling her at night time.
Toys: Provide a variety of toys to keep your pup mentally and physically stimulated. A mixture of harder and softer toys for play and teething will work really nicely.

Grooming Supplies

Brush: Get a suitable brush for your puppy's coat type. This might be a deshedding brush or a brush to stop the dog from matting if they don’t shed their fur.
Shampoo: Choose a mild, puppy-friendly shampoo for baths.
Nail Clippers: Invest in quality clippers for regular nail maintenance.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Start good dental hygiene early.

Health and Safety

Vet Appointments: Schedule a vet visit for vaccinations, deworming, and a general health check.
Flea and Tick Prevention: Consult your vet for the right product. You can often get these directly from the vet on a monthly plan.
Pet Insurance: Consider getting insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses. There are loads available to choose from, depending on your needs.
Puppy-Proof Your Home: Remove hazards and secure cords and small objects.
Poison Control Numbers: Have emergency numbers handy.
Puppy Gate: Use gates to restrict access to certain areas in your home. You can use a baby gate for the stairs if you have one of these.

Training and Socialisation

Training Treats: Use these for positive reinforcement during training. It’s important that these are good quality to reward your dog.
Puppy Training Pads: Helpful for potty training. These are good for inside the doggy pen or by the door so that the dog gradually learns to pee outside.
Puppy Training Classes: Consider enrolling in a local puppy class. These are also available online. The K9 Training Institute offers a free doggy workshop to get some starter tips and tricks for dog training. Plus they have a bunch of super useful online courses to train your pooch.
Socialisation Opportunities: Introduce your puppy to various people, animals, and environments.

Cleanup and Hygeine

Stain and Odour Remover: Essential for accidents.
Poop Bags: Keep your neighbourhood clean during walks. You can bulk-buy these on Amazon: https://amzn.to/48P6Bor

Entertainment and Comfort

Comfort Items: Provide toys, a cosy bed, and a stuffed animal for comfort.
Puzzle Toys: Keep your pup mentally engaged. Things like licky mats and knot toys where the puppy has to find different treats.
Puppy Playpen: Create a safe play area indoors or outdoors. This gives your pooch more room to roam around safely while you are busy around the house. This also stops you finding unwanted accidents around the house!

Travel and Transport

Travel Carrier or Crate: Ensure safe and comfortable transport.
Car Seat or Seat Belt Harness: Secure your pup while driving.

At Pooch Parents, we're well-versed in the world of puppy products. A few of our favourite products, treats and toys can be found below to get you started.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also requires careful planning and preparation. By following this comprehensive puppy checklist, you'll be well-equipped to provide your furry friend with the love, care, and security they need as they start their journey with you.

Here's to a long and happy life with your new four-legged family member!