New puppy checklist | 11 puppy essentials
Preparing your home with plenty of time before you pick up your puppy will help you to make sure the transition is smooth for both you and your new friend. Remember, it’s important to create a stress-free environment for your puppy to adjust to at their own pace, so it is best to avoid rushing around at the last minute.
1. Puppy food
Begin by making sure you have plenty of suitable food for your new puppy.. A raw diet for puppies can be beneficial in supporting optimum growth and development and you can learn more about this in our Raw feeding guide for puppies.
Top tip: Speak to the breeder to understand the food that your puppy has become used to. Get some of this food as a back-up in case you need to gradually transition your puppy onto a new food.
Get our raw dog food switching guide.
2. Puppy pads / old towels for toilet training
Puppy pads or old towels can be useful for those living in flats as your puppy gets used to toilet training. If you have a garden or outside space, take your pup out hourly, as well as after waking and eating.
You should then encourage your puppy to wee or poo in the place that you would like them to, using a specific word that they will become used to when you need them to perform.
When your puppy has finished going to the toilet, give warm gentle praise and sometimes even give a little puppy treat.
3. Comfort blanket
A comfort blanket is the perfect way to help your puppy adjust to their new surroundings.
Top tip: Leave a blanket with the breeder so the puppy can sleep on it with their littermates and mother. When you collect your puppy, bring it with them and put it in your puppy’s bed as the familiar scents will help them to feel comfortable as they get used to their new home.
4. Puppy bed or covered crate
Puppies need a space where they can feel safe without being disturbed. Different types of spaces will work well for different puppies, however these beds can be in many forms:
- Covered bed
- Covered crate with their familiar bedding as well as new bedding
- A bed placed under a table
- One in each room where your puppy will be with you
Find out more about crate training a puppy.
5. Puppy bowls or plates
As well as delicious and nutritious food, you will need something to serve it on. Ideally, their food will be on a non-slip flat feeding board and water bowls will be made from ceramic or metal.
Your puppy will need:
- A water bowl
- A feeding board, food bowl or china plate to eat from
- A travel water bowl
Discover 5 reasons to feed from a flat surface rather than a bowl.
6. Safe puppy toys
Puppies love a toy that they can gnaw on as they explore the world with their mouth, making it vital that these are non-toxic and safe for them.
Toys with no stuffing are safest, as puppies are great at ripping toys apart and the stuffing of toys can be hazardous for puppies.
Natural chew toys can be a great way to keep your puppy occupied while keeping their teeth clean. This could include dog-safe roots, or a soaked antler for teething. Try soaking an antler in water for 24 hours before giving it to your puppy to soften it slightly.
Discover 5 of the safest dog toys.
7. Car essentials
You wouldn’t get in the car without a seatbelt, so make sure you consider your dog’s safety when travelling too!
Bring everything for the journey, as well as for any stop-offs along the way, including: .
- Metal car crate secured in the back seat or boot
- Travel water bowl and bottle
- Dog poo bags
- Spare lead and harness
- Toys to hide and find on your walks
8. Home essentials
It’s important to discourage young puppies from putting strain on their immature bones, growth plates, ligaments, and muscles. This means they should be stopped from jumping down from great heights or putting continuous impact on their joints while they are growing.
Things you need to stop your puppy from falling includes:
- Baby gate for stairs: It’s a good idea to discourage young pups continually walking up and down stairs, so a baby gate can keep them away from that area easily
- Pop a stool near any furniture that your dog is able to sit on, to prevent them jumping down. This works to give them a safe stepping stone, or alternatively, you can lift them down
9. Check your home from your puppy’s level
The easiest way to do this is to crawl about on hands and knees, or even better still, army crawl about your home.
Here’s what you need to check for to puppy-proof your home:
- Use wire covers to protect any loose wires from mischievous puppy paws and teeth
- Find a safe box to store childrens’ small toys in, such as LEGO
- Keep any valuables or prized possessions out of reach, such as glasses and TV remotes
10. Chews for teething puppies
Chews are a great way to offer teething relief for puppies, as well as offering endless entertainment and enrichment. Here are some of the chews for teething puppies:
- Split antlers and other natural chews and treats
- Large knuckle bone. The puppy will chew the meat and cartilage off before chewing the bone. Remove when this is done.
- Pizzles
11. Puppy leads, harnesses, and tags
These puppy essentials are needed to keep your new friend safe in the great outdoors making sure they are comfortable and safe on walks:
- Collar with an ID tag. Just pop on your number, name and postcode and make sure they wear this on walks. Do not leave a collar on your puppy when unattended
- A lovely, soft mesh harness. Put the harness on for short periods of time when your puppy is calm, as they adjust to wearing it, playing ‘follow me’ at home off the lead for a short and fun game
- A short lead
- A long line for recall work, when out in the big wide world
There is no need to take your puppy out too soon. The time spent at home getting used to the routine in the home, their surroundings and the people they will see regularly is important in helping puppies to feel safe and happy