Get ready to welcome home your brand new puppy! While a new puppy is loads of fun for the family, a smooth transition for your furry friend requires lots of care and preparation. Make sure you think in advance and pick up all the supplies you need to make your dog happy. Read through our new puppy checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Table of Contents

Bringing Your Puppy Home
Puppy Mealtime
Keeping Your Puppy Safe
Making Your Puppy Cozy
Keeping Your Home Clean

New Puppy Checklist

Essentials

Dog Crate
Dog Bowl or Feeder
Dog Food Storage
Dog Fence
Pet Gates
Dog Bed
Dog Blanket
Pet-Friendly Slipcovers
Coat Racks (for Leashes)
Storage Baskets

Non-Essentials

Dog Carrier
Dog Stroller
Dog Ramp or Stairs
Grooming Tables & Tubs

Bringing Your Puppy Home

Dog Crate

The first thing you need to think about is how you’re going to get your puppy home from the shelter. When you buy a crate, make sure you think about the size your puppy will be when he or she is fully grown. You don’t want to buy a crate that will be too small for your dog as an adult – invest in a good dog crate that you can use to take your dog on trips long after adoption. Crates range in size based on the dogs’ weight, giving you a wide variety to choose from. Don’t forget to look into dog crate accessories, such as a pan for the bottom that can be easily cleaned in case of a doggy accident, or a cover for a crate that will be used outside. When you take your puppy home, place a blanket in the bottom of the crate for your puppy to snuggle with or hide under if he or she gets nervous.

Tip!

You can use a simple wire crate for easy transportation, or you can buy a furniture-style crate to match the decor in your home. Some of these crates even double as end tables for multifunctional use.

Dog Carrier

For small dogs, you may want a dog carrier for easy travel. Dog carriers are usually purse-like fabric bags or small plastic crates, making them much lighter and easier to carry around than a full-size crate. Dog carriers can also expand your travel options – some planes or buses will allow you to transport a dog in a small carrier. You should use a dog carrier when you or a passenger can hold the carrier and pay attention to the dog. For long trips where you cannot monitor your dog, place them in a crate so they have space to stretch their legs.

Dog Stroller

Dog strollers are a fun and functional way to travel with your puppy in crowded settings. If you’re nervous about bringing your puppy to a veterinarian appointment in the city, put your puppy in a stroller to give him or her a view of your walk while remaining secure. Strollers can be a great option for the elderly or physically impaired, because they can lean on the stroller for extra support while they walk. If your dog is sick or injured, you can give him or her some fresh air while he or she is unable to walk.

Puppy Mealtime

Dog Bowls & Feeders

If you’re adopting a puppy, don’t forget a bowl for mealtime! You should get one bowl for food and another for water to keep your pup well-fed and hydrated throughout the day. If you’d like to keep your dog from knocking over his or her food and water, consider a feeder. A feeder is an elevated structure with compartments for bowls to keep them from moving around.

Dog Food Storage

Get rid of plastic bags that are leaky and hard to use and store dog food and treats in containers. You can keep storage containers in your pantry or right next to your dog bowls for easy use. These containers keep food fresh longer, keep out pests, and prevent your puppy from breaking into his or her treat supply.

Keeping Your Puppy Safe

Dog Fences & Containment

If you are looking to give your dog more outdoor playtime in your backyard, you may need to consider fencing options to keep your dog safe. You can border your yard with a wire fence, or you can try a pet barrier (a short fence that rests partially underground) to prevent your dog from digging holes under an existing fence. If putting up a physical structure is not an option, you can also look into an electric fence. Electric fences are wires that are placed underground around the border of your property that will send a shock to your dog’s collar if they get too close to the edge. Make sure you consider possible stress to your dog before deciding upon an electric fence.

Pet Gates

Inside the house, you might want to keep your puppy out of rooms with carpet or breakable items until they are properly house-trained. Try out a pet gate that you can easily swing open and closed but will keep your puppy contained. You can use a freestanding gate for temporary use while the puppy is small or a pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted gate if you plan to keep it up for years. Pressure-mounted gates are wedged into place in a doorway, while wall-mounted gates are drilled into place. Pressure-mounted gates are fine for dividing rooms, but you’ll want to opt for a wall-mounted gate above staircases.

Tip!

If your puppy will grow to be a large dog that can hop over pet gates, get a gate when they are young and train them to respect the gate. When they are fully grown, they will continue to avoid the gate even if they are able to jump over it.

Dog Kennel

If you don’t want to invest in a fencing system but would like to give your dog outdoor time, consider a dog kennel. Dog kennels are fenced structures that range from a small, doghouse-like enclosure to a wide and spacious play area for your dog. You can let your dog get some fresh air while you’re cooking or working from home, and you can keep an eye on him or her from the window.

Making Your Puppy Cozy

Dog Bed

Give your new puppy a place to rest with his or her very own dog bed. There is a wide variety of beds available, whether you’d like a simple cushion or a luxurious sofa for your dog. If your puppy is shy and likes to hide under blankets or couches, consider a hooded dog bed to give them an extra layer of security. If your pup is outgoing and likes to keep an eye on the household, consider a simple pillow bed that gives him or her full range of sight. For more information on dog beds, read our guide Dog Bed Sizes: Choosing the Right Bed Size for Your Dog.

Doghouse

Give your pup a backyard hangout spot with a doghouse. When your dog is playing in the backyard, they can head into the doghouse for shade during the summer or insulation from cold during the winter. If you plan on keeping your dog outdoors for long portions of time, a doghouse is a necessity to provide protection from the elements.

Tip!

If your dog will be outside during cold months, consider a dog door, heater, and mat for the doghouse. These items will help keep your dog nice and toasty when he or she wants a quick break from outdoor play.

Dog Blanket

Dogs love to cuddle with blankets for warmth and security. Dogs instinctively prefer to sleep in small and enclosed spaces for protection, and a personal blanket will help them feel warm and safe – it will also stop them from getting dog hair all over your own blankets.

Tip!

Get car-compatible blankets to protect your seats while driving with your dog.

Dog Ramps & Stairs

If you have a little dog who loves to sit next to you, consider a dog ramp or staircase to help him or her climb up to join you. These stairs are great for puppies too small to jump onto your bed or couch or an elderly dog who is no longer steady on his or her feet. If you are getting a dog ramp or stairs for a large dog, make sure to check the weight capacity before purchasing.

Keeping Your Home Clean

Pet-Friendly Slipcover

If you have a puppy that sheds (or pees when he or she is excited), you should consider investing in slipcovers for your furniture. These slipcovers will let you hang out with your pet on the couch without worrying about damage or marks. You can find slipcovers for many different furniture pieces, including couches, recliners, sectionals, ottomans, and more. You can choose slipcovers that stretch over an entire piece of furniture for a seamless look or covers that drape over your furniture and can be easily removed when company is over.

Grooming Tables & Tubs

Keep your pet well-trimmed and tidy by investing in at-home grooming tables and tubs. Grooming tables are equipped with a leash or harness to control your dog’s movement while you give him or her a trim, and tubs are great for outdoor use and are a more pleasant experience for the dog than being hosed down.

Entryway Organization

Organize your entryway with your pup in mind – hang up and keep track of their leashes with a coat rack, and store dog toys, sweaters, treats, and plastic waste bags in storage baskets. Having an organized system will make it easy and quick to take your dog out for a walk.

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