New puppy checklist
Everything to buy and do before the puppy arrives: a safe home, a starter kit, a vaccination plan and the first house rules. So week one goes without panic.

[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] Puppy pads — a big stock
    You'll go through more than you expect. Much more.
[ ] 4–5 different chew toys
    Puppies teethe and WILL chew — the only question is toys or furniture. Vary the textures: rubber, rope, something stuffable.
[ ] Small training treats
    Fingernail-sized: a session burns through dozens. They beat any persuasion — for learning the name, the potty spot, everything.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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".
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] 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.
[ ] Documents from the breeder
    Vaccination record with all marks, pedigree papers or contract. Also note what food and routine the puppy had.
[ ] 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.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/new-puppy