A new puppy checklist starts with a crate and washable bedding, food and water bowls, an adjustable collar with an ID tag, a leash, puppy food, chew toys, potty pads or cleanup supplies, and poop bags. Buy those before day one, add a harness and grooming basics in the first month, and leave fancy extras for later.
Most puppy shopping lists are one long scroll of everything a dog could ever use. That's how people end up with three beds the puppy has outgrown by spring. This guide splits the list by timing, flags which items need to grow with your puppy, and finishes with a printable checklist you can take to the store or keep on the fridge.
Before day one: the puppy essentials
These are the things you'll reach for in the first 24 hours. If a puppy is coming home this week, start here.
Sleep and house training
- Crate with a divider. Buy for your dog's adult size and use a divider to shrink the space for now. Banfield's checklist describes a crate sized so the puppy can stand, turn and lie down (Banfield Pet Hospital). Our crate training guide covers setup and the first 14 days.
- Thin, washable bedding. Puppies have accidents and chew fabric, so start with something flat that survives the washing machine, such as the reversible fleece crate mat, which is machine washable with a non-slip back. Save the plush bed for later.
- Potty pads or a cleanup kit. Even if you plan to train outdoors, have absorbent pads for the pen and an enzyme cleaner for accidents. A reusable washable pee pad goes in the washing machine instead of the trash and works under bowls or in a playpen.
- Exercise pen or baby gates. Banfield lists an exercise pen or baby gates alongside the crate, and they're how you safely contain a puppy for longer than crate time allows.
Food and water
- The same food your puppy is eating now. Ask the breeder or shelter what they feed and buy a bag of it. Any change in diet should happen gradually and with your vet's input.
- Two bowls. Banfield recommends stainless steel or ceramic bowls (Banfield). A heavy or non-slip base stops the bowl from sliding across the floor. If your puppy inhales meals, a small slow feeder such as the anti-gulp slow feeder bowl, sized at about 6.7 inches across for puppies and small breeds, uses raised ridges to break up the kibble.
- Small training treats. You'll use dozens a day for crate, potty and name training.
Walks and ID
- Adjustable collar and ID tag. A collar with a quick-release buckle and room to adjust is easy to fit and refit. The reflective nylon collar with double D-rings keeps one ring for the leash and one for the ID tag, and comes in S, M and L. Banfield's list also includes ID tags and a microchip.
- A standard leash. Banfield suggests a 4 to 6 foot nylon or leather leash (Banfield). Skip retractable leads for now; you want close, consistent control while your puppy learns.
- Poop bags with a clip. You'll need them on day one, every day. A pack like our 8-roll poop bags with leash clip (120 bags) keeps a roll attached to the leash.
Chewing and comfort
- Two or three teething toys. AKC separates teething toys from regular adult chews because they're designed to soothe sore gums (AKC). A soft rubber treat ball you can stuff with kibble does double duty in the crate.
- One comfort toy. A small plush toy to carry around and nap with, like the soft squeaky plush toy for small dogs. Supervise plush play and put it away if your puppy starts ripping seams.
You'll find these starter items grouped together in our puppy and small dog supplies collection.
Puppy-proof the house before you bring them home
Puppy-proofing is part of the checklist, not an afterthought. AKC advises removing hazards such as medications, electrical cords, toxic plants, cleaning products and small objects that could be swallowed (AKC). Banfield adds blocking off unsafe areas with gates or pens and securing cabinets that hold cleaning supplies or trash.
Get down at puppy height and walk the rooms your puppy will use:
- Lift or cover cords and phone chargers.
- Move shoes, socks, kids' toys and hair ties off the floor.
- Put trash cans behind a door or use lidded bins.
- Store medications, cleaning products and garden products up high or in latched cabinets.
- Check houseplants against a toxic-plant list before your puppy can reach them.
- Gate off stairs and any room you can't puppy-proof.
- Set up one small "puppy zone" with the crate, a pen, water and a potty pad.
The first month: add these as you go
These items matter, but you don't need them in the first 48 hours, and some are easier to choose once you've seen your puppy's size, coat and chewing style.
- Harness. Once your puppy is comfortable with a collar, add a harness for walks and car rides. AKC lists harnesses and notes reflective versions help in low light. Look for several adjustment points, because puppies grow fast. Our dog harness size chart explains how to measure chest girth and when to size up.
- Grooming basics. Banfield lists puppy-safe shampoo, puppy-sized nail trimmers and a brush or grooming mitt. Handle paws, ears and mouth daily so later grooming isn't a battle. A finger toothbrush is a gentle way to start dental care.
- Enrichment toys. Puzzle feeders, snuffle toys and lick mats make meals last longer and tire a puppy's brain. See our dog enrichment guide for age-appropriate ideas.
- Treat pouch. Once you're training daily, a clip-on pouch keeps rewards at hand.
- Car setup. A way to keep your puppy secured in the back seat for vet visits.
What can wait (or skip entirely)
| Item | Why it can wait | When to revisit |
|---|---|---|
| Large plush or orthopedic bed | Likely to be chewed or soiled in the first weeks | When your puppy is reliably house-trained and past heavy chewing |
| Clothing and sweaters | Fit changes every few weeks | When growth slows, or sooner for tiny or thin-coated breeds in cold weather |
| Retractable leash | Teaches pulling and gives less control | Many owners never need one |
| Bulk toy bundles | You don't yet know if your puppy is a chewer, a shredder or a fetcher | After a couple of weeks of watching how they play |
| Fixed-size harness | Outgrown quickly | Buy adjustable now, a better-fitting one when growth slows |
| Bulk bag of food | Your vet may suggest a change at the first visit | After the first vet visit |
Sizing for a fast-growing puppy
AKC puts it bluntly: your puppy will grow, and for some breeds the change is fast (AKC). Buy items that adjust or that you'll use at every stage.
| Item | Buy for | How to handle growth |
|---|---|---|
| Crate | Adult size | Use a divider; move it back when your puppy can't stretch out |
| Collar | Current neck, middle of the adjustment range | Check fit weekly; you should fit two fingers under it |
| Harness | Current chest girth, with adjustment room | Re-measure every couple of weeks during growth spurts |
| Crate bedding | Current divider space | Thin, washable mats now; a full-size pad once growth and chewing settle |
| Bowls | Adult portion size | A small slow feeder for now if your puppy gulps |
The first week: vet visit and routine
Banfield recommends scheduling the first vet visit within 3 to 5 days of bringing your puppy home, and notes that core vaccinations typically begin around 6 to 8 weeks of age (Banfield Pet Hospital). Bring any paperwork from the breeder or shelter, a stool sample if your clinic asks for one, and a list of questions about food, parasite prevention and when it's safe to visit public places.
For the rest of the week, keep life small and predictable: the same potty spot, the same meal times, short training sessions, lots of naps in the crate, and a quiet household. Many shelters describe adjustment with the "3-3-3 rule" (more on that in the FAQ), and the first three days really are about decompression, not field trips.
Bringing home a puppy for the holidays
December puppies are common, and the holidays add their own risks: wrapping ribbon, ornaments, string lights, food left on low tables and a house full of guests. If a puppy is coming home around a holiday, set up the crate and puppy zone a few days early, keep the puppy zone away from the tree and the gift pile, and plan for quiet. If a puppy is meant as a gift, consider giving the supplies and a photo, and bringing the puppy home a few days later when the household calms down.
Printable new puppy checklist
| Done | Item | When | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] | Crate with divider | Before day one | Adult size |
| [ ] | Washable crate mat | Before day one | Thin, non-slip |
| [ ] | Exercise pen or baby gates | Before day one | For a safe puppy zone |
| [ ] | Potty pads and enzyme cleaner | Before day one | Reusable pads save money |
| [ ] | Current puppy food | Before day one | Ask the breeder or shelter |
| [ ] | Food and water bowls | Before day one | Slow feeder if your puppy gulps |
| [ ] | Small training treats | Before day one | Tiny and soft |
| [ ] | Adjustable collar and ID tag | Before day one | Two-finger fit |
| [ ] | Leash | Before day one | Standard, not retractable |
| [ ] | Poop bags | Before day one | Clip a roll to the leash |
| [ ] | Teething toys and a comfort toy | Before day one | Supervise plush |
| [ ] | Vet appointment booked | First week | Within 3 to 5 days |
| [ ] | Adjustable harness | First month | Measure chest girth |
| [ ] | Brush, nail trimmers, puppy shampoo, toothbrush | First month | Start handling early |
| [ ] | Puzzle or lick-mat enrichment | First month | Use for meals |
| [ ] | Treat pouch | First month | Daily training |
| [ ] | Back-seat car restraint | First month | For vet trips |
| [ ] | Full-size bed, clothing, extra toys | Later | After growth and chewing settle |
Use our dog crate size chart to pick the adult crate size and the right pad and cover to go with it.
If your puppy finishes meals in seconds, read why some dogs eat so fast and how slow feeders help.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a new puppy sleep the first night?
In a crate beside your bed. Ohio State's Indoor Pet Initiative suggests keeping the crate in your bedroom where possible, so you can hear when your puppy is restless and needs to go out. Take your puppy to the potty spot right before bed, give a chew in the crate, and keep night trips calm and boring.
What is the 3-3-3 rule with puppies?
The 3-3-3 rule is a shelter guideline for any newly adopted dog, explained here by the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the household routine, and three months to build confidence and habits. It isn't a strict timeline, but it's a useful reminder to keep the first days quiet and the first weeks consistent.
What do you need for a new puppy?
At minimum: a crate with a divider, washable bedding, food and water bowls, the puppy's current food, small treats, an adjustable collar with an ID tag, a standard leash, poop bags, teething toys and cleanup supplies. Add a harness, grooming tools and enrichment toys in the first month as your puppy settles in.
When should a new puppy go to the vet?
Banfield recommends booking the first visit within three to five days of bringing your puppy home. Your vet will review vaccinations, which typically begin around six to eight weeks of age, discuss parasite prevention and food, and tell you when your puppy can safely visit parks and other public places. Call sooner if your puppy seems unwell.
Getting ready for your new arrival? Pick up the before-day-one basics, from washable crate mats and pee pads to collars and chew toys, in our puppy and small dog supplies collection. Use this new puppy checklist as your shopping list: orders over $79 ship free, and every order ships within 3 to 5 days with tracking.