Puppy Arrival Checklist: Everything You Need Before Bringing a New Dog Home

You’re excited for your family to welcome home a new puppy but you quickly realize that there is a lot to do to make sure you’re ready! Bringing a puppy home can be a hectic enough time so we’ve developed a guide, so you don’t have to be left wondering if there’s something you’ve missed. 

Key takeaways:

• A checklist keeps you focused on your puppy’s real needs and filters out conflicting “expert” advice

• The true essentials to buy first: food setup, safe treats, leash/harness/ID, a few smart toys, and basic grooming supplies

• How to puppy-proof your home and set up simple, consistent stations for feeding, rest, and containment (crate/pen/gates)

• What to prioritize in the first days and nights: rest, bonding, and lots of potty breaks (training can wait a beat)

• How to build an easy routine and add tiny, fun training sessions like sit, down, and come once your puppy settles in

If you want an easy way to turn this checklist into a simple first-week routine (potty breaks, rest, crate/pen time, and tiny training games), the PawChamp app helps you follow a clear plan without overthinking every step. 

You might wonder – aside from the leashes, collars, and bowls – what does a puppy need, and why do you need a puppy preparation guide? 

The biggest reason I recommend a checklist for new puppy parents is because as soon as you tell your coworker, uncle, or neighbour that you’re welcoming a puppy home – everyone will have some advice or recommendations. 

Take it if you want, but if you find yourself questioning the wisdom of someone who exclaims they have “raised dogs for 30 years”, just rely on your checklist. 

While you might choose to add a few extras, these are the core basics I recommend to every puppy starter kit:

Food, treats, and feeding setup

Start with the basics that will support your puppy growth, training, and healthy eating habits from day one.

• High-quality puppy food (ask your vet or breeder for recommendations)

• Safe treats for puppies (single-ingredient, low-calorie) like beef lung or liver

• High value treats you can break into tiny pieces (freeze-dried cheese works well)

• Treat pouch

• Raised feeder station sized to your puppy (adjustable legs are a bonus)

• Slow feeder bowl or insert for pups who gobble meals

Having these feeding essentials in place makes mealtimes smoother and helps set healthy routines right from the start. When you want extra clarity, the PawChamp feeding quiz can help you confidently match food to your growing puppy.

Leash, collar, ID, and travel basics

These everyday puppy essentials keep your dog safe, secure, and ready for adventures beyond your front door.

• Standard 6-foot (2 metre) puppy leash

• Long line, at least 20 feet (6 metres)

• Flat collar (quick-release preferred)

• ID and registration tags, puppy microchip tag 

• Properly fitted harness with good shoulder room (snug, with two fingers under straps)

• Collapsible food and water dishes for travel

• Safe transportation: crate or buckled-in harness

Best toys for puppies

The right toys help with teething, mental stimulation, and preventing unwanted chewing around the house.

• Puppy-safe chews (biting usually ramps up during teething)

• Snuggle Puppy (heartbeat-style comfort toy for sleep support)

• Easy puzzle feeders (can also slow down eating)

• Thrifted stuffed toys for budget-friendly replacements if your puppy destroys them

Keep your puppy engaged by rotating a small selection of toys. This strategy helps prevent them from chewing on your furniture.

Grooming and hygiene supplies

Introducing grooming tools early makes future vet visits and grooming appointments much easier.

• Brush and/or comb suited to your puppy (ask your groomer or pet store staff)

• Puppy-safe shampoo

• Puppy-safe wipes for small messes

• Puppy toothpaste and toothbrush

• Poop bags

Starting gentle grooming habits early helps your puppy feel comfortable with handling and builds positive lifelong routines.

Now that you’ve got your supplies, let’s talk about puppy proofing house setups. To create a safe and practical environment, work through the following steps:

• Walk through the rooms you use most and put away anything your puppy could chew.

• Store toys in baskets, move remotes out of reach, and put glasses back in their case.

• Close doors or use puppy gates to block off areas you don’t want your puppy in (like kids’ rooms).

• If you have other pets, give them a quiet space where they can decompress.

• Set up your puppy’s food and water station near a water source, usually in the kitchen.

• Choose one consistent spot for food and treats so everyone can easily find them.

• If you’re using a crate or puppy pen, pick a practical location now and keep it consistent.

If you’re unsure whether your home is fully puppy-ready, you can use the Ask Experts feature in PawChamp to get personalized guidance.

You might guess that, as a dog trainer, the first thing I would recommend when bringing a puppy home is training. But it’s not! I simply want you to enjoy the first few days and nights at home with your new puppy. These are important moments to begin forming a lasting bond with your whole family. 

Let your puppy rest as often as they wish and interact with them when they’re awake. Celebrate the first successful potty moments. Figure out a mealtime routine and begin to learn about your puppy’s personality. 

Oh yeah, and try to get some sleep yourself! PawChamp can guide you through predictable routines for your pup.

After the first few days have passed and you have begun to figure out a routine, now you can start to incorporate some very basic training. Some puppy training essentials are potty training, crate training, and body handling (to help with grooming and vet appointments). 

You can spend a few minutes at a time practicing “sit”, “down” and “come”. Make it fun for everyone and turn training into little games. “Come” can actually be a simple game of hide and seek! 

The first week with a puppy is basically a loop of potty breaks, naps, and “what are you chewing now?” PawChamp helps you stay calm and consistent by turning the basics into a simple routine you can follow day by day.

Here’s what you get:

• A clear structure for the first days, including potty timing, rest, and gentle settling routines

• Practical puppy training basics once your puppy is ready, like crate comfort, handling, and simple cues

• Quick, realistic steps that fit into busy days, so you’re not relying on random advice

• Ask a dog expert chat access if you’re stuck on common problems like accidents, biting, whining, or crate struggles