New Puppy Checklist: First-Week Essentials and Vet Tips

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, and a little overwhelming. A simple new puppy checklist helps you buy only what you need and plan a calm first week. Many families welcome a new dog before the holidays, so now is a good time to get ready.

This guide walks through the basics: a safe space at home, mealtime, gentle grooming, first walks and play. It also covers the first vet visit, because a healthy start matters more than any product.

Your New Puppy Checklist: Set Up Before Day One

Puppies explore with their mouths. Before your puppy arrives, walk through your home at puppy height. Tuck away cords, shoes, small objects, cleaning products, medicines and houseplants that may be toxic to dogs.

Choose one quiet corner for a bed or crate, water and a few toys. Young puppies sleep a lot, so a calm, draft-free spot helps them rest and settle in. Here is a short list to start with:

A bed or crate in a quiet spot
Food and water bowls, plus a mat to catch spills
The same food your puppy ate before, at least for the first days
A collar with an ID tag, a harness and a leash
A soft towel and a gentle brush
Two or three safe toys, including one for sniffing games
Enzyme cleaner and paper towels for potty accidents

Mealtime: Keep It Simple and Consistent

Ask the breeder or shelter what your puppy has been eating, and keep that food at first. If you want to switch, do it slowly over about a week. Feed at the same times each day, which also makes potty training easier.

The Puppy Starter Set gathers the everyday basics in one box. It includes a Pudding Pet Bowl (Small) in porcelain with a non-slip silicone ring, and an Oreo Pet Mat in FDA-approved silicone with raised edges to catch spills. You choose the bowl color (White or Pink) and the mat color (Off White, Gray, Pink or Black).

Gentle Grooming From the Start

Short, happy grooming sessions teach your puppy that being handled is normal. Touch paws, ears and the mouth for a few seconds, then reward. This makes nail trims, vet exams and baths easier later.

The Puppy Starter Set also includes a Hooded Microfiber Dog & Cat Dry Towel (Cream, Lavender or Charcoal) and the Gentle Silicone Dog & Cat Soft Brush with 172 soft silicone bristles. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready for a first bath, and keep the room warm so your puppy does not get chilled.

First Walks: Collar, Harness and Leash

Let your puppy wear a collar with an ID tag from the first day, and add a microchip if your vet recommends one. The Macaron Collar in Pink uses sturdy nylon webbing and a silicone buckle, and comes in S, M and L. You should be able to fit two fingers under the collar.

For leash walks, a harness is a gentler choice for dogs that pull. The Macaron No Pull Dog Harness in Pink has a front clip that gently discourages pulling, with soft, lightweight materials. It comes in S, M and L. Puppies grow fast, so check the fit every week or two.

Until your vet says your puppy’s vaccines are complete, skip dog parks and busy dog areas. Short walks in clean, quiet places and calm meetings with healthy, vaccinated dogs are a safer way to start.

Play, Sniffing and Rest

Puppies need play, but they also need lots of sleep. Keep play sessions short and end before your puppy gets overtired. Sniffing games are a gentle way to use energy and build confidence indoors.

The Ramen Nose Work Toy has soft cotton noodles and hidden pockets for treats. Start by hiding a few treats near the top, then make it a little harder over time. Always supervise your puppy with toys. The Puppy Starter Set adds a Flying Duck Nosework Toy, too.

The First Vet Visit

Book a checkup within the first few days. Bring any records from the breeder or shelter. Your vet will check overall health and set a plan for vaccines, deworming and parasite prevention. Puppy vaccines are usually given as a series a few weeks apart, so ask for your puppy’s schedule.

Call your vet right away if your puppy has vomiting or diarrhea, will not eat, seems unusually tired, coughs, or has trouble breathing. Young puppies can get sick quickly, so it is always better to ask early.