Short answer: Buy her current food, two bowls, a fitted crate, chew toys, and small treats before arrival. Add a collar or harness with an ID tag, a leash, poop bags, an enzyme cleaner and a gate. Old towels, paper towels and a soft brush round it out. Book the vet visit. The rest can wait.
In the first 48 hours, register her microchip with your phone number and confirm the vet visit. Save the poison control number too.
We sell a printable new-puppy kit and a puppy-corner odor eliminator, and we link to them below. We also link two crates on Amazon, the MidWest iCrate and an Amazon Basics crate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Bringing a puppy home Saturday? Your cart keeps growing. Every list you open adds three more things. None of them say which ones matter.
You want her safe. You don’t want a closet of beds she shreds and collars she outgrows. Skip the boring jobs, though, and the costly mistakes come later. A microchip linked to an old phone number can’t bring her home.
A new puppy checklist lists the supplies and first-week jobs that keep a puppy safe and settled. This one splits it in two: what she needs before day one, and what can wait.
Sources include the AKC, behaviorist Sharon Mear (via Chewy), the ASPCA, the FDA and a JAVMA microchip study.
Download the free one-page new puppy checklist
What do you need for a new puppy before she comes home?
Ten groups of puppy supplies, with only a few items in each. The “can wait” column is where the money gets saved.
| Group | Before day one | Can wait |
|---|---|---|
| Food and water | The food she eats now, kept sealed and out of reach, plus two bowls | A new brand, until you’ve asked your vet |
| Sleep and crate | A correctly fitted crate or pen; bedding only if she leaves it intact | A plush bed, until you see how she chews |
| Training | Small, soft training treats | A treat pouch and a puppy class, once she settles in |
| Home safety | A baby gate or playpen for one puppy-safe room | More gates, once you see where she roams |
| Potty and cleanup | Enzyme cleaner, poop bags and paper towels | Pads and gadgets your home may never need |
| Walking and ID | A collar or harness that fits now, a leash, and an ID tag with your phone number | Bigger collars and harnesses for later |
| Ride home | A crate or carrier for the car, old towels and a trash bag | Car gear beyond the crate |
| Grooming | A soft brush and a towel | Nail clippers and a puppy toothbrush in the first weeks. A full grooming kit once her vet or groomer sees her coat. |
| Health and vet | Book the vet; collect records and microchip details; check insurance terms before arrival. | Nonessential health accessories until your vet advises. |
| Toys and chews | A few chew toys made for puppies | A big toy basket |
That’s your new puppy shopping list. Want it on paper? Get the free printable version.
Food and water: what should she eat on day one?
Keep her on the food she already knows. Chewy’s guide says to start with whatever your pup was eating at the breeder or shelter. Then ask your vet for recommendations.
Ask for the exact name of that food before pickup, so you can buy the same bag. The FDA says to store pet food in its original bag or container, somewhere she can’t get into it.
Someone wants to slip her a bite of cheese? Type that food into our free Food Checker. You’ll see if it’s okay, okay in small amounts, or a call-your-vet-now food, with a source.
Sleep and crate: which crate should you buy for a puppy?
Start with the crate. Chewy’s guide calls it one of the most important items to buy. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and a crate keeps her safe when you can’t watch her.
“I’ve always said dogs are not good decision makers.”
Sharon Mear, certified canine behaviorist and trainer in New York City, speaking to Chewy
Mear suggests a crate with a divider panel, so you can adjust its size as your puppy grows. Buy it for her adult size, and one crate can grow with her. Sizing rules live in our crate training guide.
Want a starting point? Both of these wire crates have a double door and a divider panel. Use adult measurements and the crate’s interior dimensions. Weight alone is only a starting point. Our dog crate size calculator helps you check the fit. Try the MidWest iCrate (36 inch) and the Amazon Basics crate (30 inch).
The plush bed can wait. Chewy says the chewing instinct kicks in hard between 4 and 6 months, when adult teeth come in. Use bedding only if she leaves it intact. Remove fabric she shreds or swallows.
Tip: Measure the spot by your bed before you order. A crate that won’t fit there ends up in the hallway.
Training treats: does she need them on day one?
Yes, a small bag. The AKC says to be ready with plenty of tasty rewards when she comes home. Chewy’s list includes treats too. Small, soft ones work best for quick rewards. A treat pouch can wait until you start a class.
Gates and playpens: how do you keep her safe when you can’t watch?
Pick one puppy-safe room and block it off. The AKC suggests dog gates or exercise pens to keep your puppy confined to safe areas. A playpen gives her room to play safely while you’re busy, per the AKC. That means a shower, a work call, or dinner on the stove.
Walking and ID: what does she need to get home safely?
A collar or harness that fits her now, a leash, and an ID tag with your phone number. She’ll outgrow the first collar, so buy a cheap one.
Then ask the breeder or shelter if she’s microchipped, and get the number. In a study of 53 shelters, chipped stray dogs went home far more often.
How often stray dogs got back home
Return-to-owner rate for stray dogs across 53 animal shelters, 2007 to 2008.
A chip only helps if the registry can reach you. When shelters in that study called a registry, only 58.1% of the chips were registered. The top reason owners couldn’t be found was a wrong or disconnected phone number, at 35.4%.
The ride home: what do you bring in the car?
A crate or carrier, old towels, a trash bag and, if you can, a second person. The AKC’s Reunite site says motion sickness is possible on that first ride. It also suggests sitting in the back seat near the crate to comfort her. When you get home, give her a chance to potty and stretch her legs first.
Grooming: what do you need right away?
A soft brush and a towel cover the first weeks. Ask the vet what her coat will need, then buy the rest. Start handling her feet and mouth early, though. The AKC suggests starting nail trims while she’s young, gently and cheerfully. VCA says to start tooth brushing while she’s young, and never with human toothpaste.
Health and vet: what should be booked before she arrives?
Book the first vet visit before pickup. The AKC says the best vets have busy schedules, so call in advance to get a convenient appointment.
Breeders generally put a vet exam in their contracts, usually within three days, the AKC adds. From a shelter or rescue, an immediate exam matters even more.
Your vet will set her shot schedule. The AKC’s puppy vaccine guide lists core shots at about 6, 12 and 16 weeks old.
Check insurance terms before arrival. Waiting periods and exclusions vary by policy. Our puppy insurance guide walks through what plans cost.
Toys and chews: how many does a puppy need?
A few, made for puppies, in different textures. Chewy warns puppies can gulp down everything from socks to underwear to tiny toys. Take a toy away once pieces start coming off, and rotate a few instead of buying a basket.
What should you do in the first 48 hours with a new puppy?
Three quick jobs, one sweep of the floor, and a quiet house.
- Confirm the vet visit. Bring her records from the breeder or shelter, plus a stool sample. The AKC says the vet checks it for worms, and most pups have roundworms.
- Register the microchip and check her tag. Put the chip in your name, with your current phone number and email.
- Save two numbers in your phone. Your vet’s after-hours line, and ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. It answers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and a consultation fee may apply.
Then puppy-proof. Chewy suggests you get down on your hands and knees for a pet’s-eye view. Lift whatever she could swallow or chew. If she gets into something anyway, call the poison line or your vet.
Keep the first couple of weeks quiet, if you can. Mear told Chewy that helps a puppy learn the rhythms of daily life in your home.
Tip: The AKC notes that puppy emergencies rarely pop up from 9 to 5. Ask your clinic how after-hours care works, and how you’d get there at night.
Where should she sleep the first night?
In her crate, in your bedroom. That’s the AKC’s advice in its first-day guide. If she cries, don’t put her in your bed, unless that’s where you want her to sleep. If she needs to go, quietly carry her out for a quick, boring potty break. Then it’s back to the crate. Our crate guide covers night crying in more detail.
Not sure what to focus on first? Our free Puppy Week Check-In asks three quick questions before she arrives, or six once she’s home. You get one practical next step, and no email is needed.
What does the first week with a new puppy look like?
Mostly sleep, potty trips, short crate practice, and getting to know each other. Our crate guide has the step-by-step plan.
Socialization starts now, gently and at home. The AKC says the first three months of life shape how she reacts as an adult. Ask your vet when she can go out in public. A puppy class helps too, and our puppy training cost guide lays out class prices.
Expect some biting. The ASPCA says playful mouthing is normal for a puppy. When she nips, swap in a toy or chew.
Feeling overwhelmed? Plenty of new owners do, and some wonder if they made a mistake. The AKC calls the puppy blues common and temporary, and they don’t last forever. Its advice is to keep life as simple as possible for now. If the low mood hangs on, talk to your doctor.
By day seven, aim for four things: vet visit done, chip registered, tag on, and naps in her crate. Forgot something on the list? Most of it is a same-day store run. The tag and the chip are the two to fix today.
Write down the vet’s number and her feeding times where everyone can see them.
What potty supplies do you need on day one?
An enzyme cleaner, poop bags and paper towels. Pads only if your home needs them.
Have the cleaner on the counter before the first puddle. Our puppy potty training supplies list covers which pads, gates and cleaners are worth it, and what to skip.
Work long days? The AKC says a puppy can hold it for about as many hours as her age in months. If you’ll be gone longer, arrange help. Our potty training guide has the full routine.
How much should you buy before she comes home?
Buy safety items now and comfort items later. That works for most homes.
Chewy’s guide says puppies need a lot of stuff, and the choices can feel overwhelming. Some owners on Reddit push back. One wrote that two bowls, a leash and harness, and a few toys are the bare minimum.
The AKC says to book a vet check-up in her first few days home.
Our rule: buy anything that keeps her safe, fed or found before day one. Buy comfort and fun once you know how she chews. Bought too much already? Return what’s still sealed, if the store allows it.
Is a puppy starter kit worth buying?
Only if it matches your “before day one” column, in sizes that fit her now. A bundle saves a store run, but it can pack in things from the “can wait” column. Check each item against the table first.
One owner on Reddit’s r/puppy101 told a new owner not to splurge on collars they’ll outgrow. Wondering about our First 14 Days Kit? It holds printable schedules and logs, so it won’t replace anything on this list. Thinking about an app instead? Our best puppy training app guide ranks six.
When should you call the vet in the first weeks?
Vomiting and diarrhea together, a puppy who won’t eat, or one who seems flat and distant.
The AKC says to call the vet immediately if she’s throwing up and has diarrhea at the same time. It could mean she swallowed poison or a foreign object.
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea also make the AKC’s list. So do refusing food, oozing eyes, and dribbling small amounts of pee. A happy puppy who turns irritable may be in pain.
Mear adds two more. A puppy shouldn’t avoid eye contact with everyone in the family. Nor should she be lethargic or sleep more than 20 hours a day. Chewy says either one calls for a checkup with a vet or veterinary behaviorist.
New puppy checklist FAQ
What is the 3-3-3 rule for puppies?
The Humane Society of North Texas uses it for how a newly adopted dog settles in. Expect about 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines, and 3 months to settle into her new life. Even house-trained dogs can have accidents while adjusting, it notes. So keep potty breaks regular in those first days.
What is the 10-10-10 rule for puppies?
It’s a memory jog that circulates online, not a rule from vets or shelters. It usually means a potty break about 10 minutes after waking, eating and playing. Use it as a reminder, and adjust it to her age.
Where should a new puppy sleep the first night?
In her crate, in your bedroom, the AKC says, so she feels secure with you nearby. Our crate guide covers where the crate goes at night and whether to cover it.
Is there a printable new puppy checklist PDF?
Yes. Download our free one-page printable. It has the “before day one” list with boxes, the “can wait” column and the first 48 hours jobs.
Research basis: the linked sources below. Product recommendations are based on published information, not hands-on testing.
Sources
- American Kennel Club (AKC): What to Expect at Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit, by Mara Bovsun
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Puppy Socialization: Why, When, and How to Do It Right, by AKC Staff
- Chewy: Bringing a Puppy Home? Here’s Everything You Need to Know, by Linda Rodgers, with Sharon Mear
- ASPCA: Animal Poison Control
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association: Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters, Lord and colleagues, 2009
- AVMA JAVMA News: Pet owners, shelters, and clinics: Check the chip (2017)
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Time to Get a New Puppy? Here’s What You Need to Do, by Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Choosing the Right Playpen for Your Dog, by Jan Reisen
- AKC Reunite: Bringing Your New Puppy Home, by Hilarie Erb
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Your First Day at Home With a New Puppy, by Harriet Meyers
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Can Dog Owners Experience the Puppy Blues?, by Sassafras Patterdale, CPDT-KA, CTDI
- ASPCA: Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Your Complete Guide to First-Year Puppy Vaccinations
- American Kennel Club (AKC): How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Owners, by Mara Bovsun
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Proper Storage of Pet Food and Treats
- Humane Society of North Texas: The 3-3-3 Rule for Adopted Dogs