New puppy checklist

Work through the list in order. Hide the notes when you know what to do.

1. Puppy-proof the home like for a toddler

   Cables into trunking or up high; chemicals, meds and small objects off the floor and low shelves. Anything a puppy can reach will end up in its mouth.

2. Two bowls: ceramic or stainless steel

   One for food, one for water. Ceramic and steel don't scratch and wash easily; plastic harbors bacteria and quickly becomes a chew toy.

3. The same food the breeder used

   Feed exactly the same food for the first two weeks — the move is stressful enough for a puppy's stomach. Switch foods gradually, mixing in the new one bit by bit.

4. A bed in a quiet spot

   Not in a walkway or a draft: the puppy needs a spot where it's guaranteed to be left alone. Put an item smelling of its first home there too.

5. Puppy pads — a big stock

   You'll go through more than you expect. Much more.

6. 4–5 different chew toys

   Puppies teethe and WILL chew — the only question is toys or furniture. Vary the textures: rubber, rope, something stuffable.

7. Small training treats

   Fingernail-sized: a session burns through dozens. They beat any persuasion — for learning the name, the potty spot, everything.

8. Collar or harness + leash

   Light and puppy-sized — they'll be outgrown fast, so skip the expensive ones for now. Practice wearing them at home before the first walks.

9. ID tag with your phone number — immediately

   Puppies slip through half-open doors at lightning speed. A tag with your number goes on the collar from day one, not "someday".

10. Carrier or car restraint

    Needed for the ride home and vet visits. A puppy in a passenger's arms isn't transport, it's a hazard for everyone in the car.

11. Vet visit in the first days

    Checkup, vaccination plan, deworming and microchipping — all in one visit. Start a folder: the vaccination record matters for life.

12. Walks only after the vaccine quarantine

    Until the full vaccine course plus quarantine, no ground contact in public places. Your vet sets the dates — meanwhile carry the puppy around to socialize it.

13. Brush, puppy shampoo, nail clippers

    Pick the brush for the coat type (ask the breeder). Get the puppy used to brushing and nail trims early — convincing an adult dog is much harder.

14. Feeding schedule by age

    Young puppies eat 4–5 small meals a day. Confirm the schedule and portions with the breeder or vet and stick it on the fridge — for the whole family.

15. Potty routine: after sleep, meals and play

    Puppies need to go predictably: after sleep, meals and play. Take them to the pad or outside, wait, praise — that's the fastest way to build the habit.

16. First nights: whining is normal

    It's the puppy's first time away from mom and littermates. A bed next to yours and a warm water bottle under a blanket make the first nights much easier — for both of you.

17. Puppy school or a training plan

    Book early: good socialization classes fill up, and the early socialization window is short. Even a basic course makes life with a dog many times easier.

18. Documents from the breeder

    Vaccination record with all marks, pedigree papers or contract. Also note what food and routine the puppy had.

19. One set of family rules — agreed before the puppy

    Allowed on the couch? Fed from the table? Who walks it at 7 am? Agree in advance — the puppy will instantly find whoever permits everything.