Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Puppies need more than love to grow into healthy, happy adult dogs — they need the right gear, training, and care from day one. This guide gives you a practical new puppy checklist that covers home setup, safety, travel, training, and health—so your furry friend can settle fast and thrive.
What Should You Think Before Getting a Puppy
Time & lifestyle: Puppies need frequent toilet breaks, short training sessions, and sleep. Choose a dog’s breed that matches your routine and space; some bigger dogs need more mental and physical work than others. Before full vaccination, outings should be carried or in safe areas, with socialisation managed carefully.
Budget: Dogs are a long‑term commitment. UK charity PDSA estimates a minimum lifetime cost of £6,200–£18,800 depending on size, plus a typical monthly spend from £69–£116 for basics like dog food, poo bags, flea/worming, and insurance. These are minimums—unexpected vet bills can push costs up fast, which is why many owners choose pet insurance.
Insurance basics: The Association of British Insurers explains that policies help with vet fees for illness/injury and may include extras such as helplines. Know the policy type (lifetime, max‑benefit, time‑limited), excess, and exclusions before you buy.
Ethical sourcing: In England, so‑called third‑party puppy sales are banned (“Lucy’s Law”). Buy direct from a responsible breeder or adopt from a reputable rescue, and always see health records and proof of microchipping.
Before You Bring Your Puppy Home
A week before your puppy arrives, it’s time to prepare their own space and gather the must-have items from your puppy essentials list.
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Meet legal requirements – Book a vet appointment for microchipping if it hasn’t already been done. By UK law, puppies must be microchipped by eight weeks and wear a collar with your name and address when in public.
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Set up a safe zone – Use a crate or pen with a comfortable dog bed and blanket. Place it in a quiet area away from heavy foot traffic so your pup has a calm resting area.
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Prepare for feeding – Buy puppy food made from premium quality ingredients, along with dog bowls and a measuring scoop to help you stick to the right portion sizes.
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Stock cleaning supplies – Have poo bags, enzyme cleaner, and safe cleaning products ready. Accidents will happen.
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Clean your house – Remove chewable hazards, tidy cables, secure bins, and move toxic plants/chemicals.
By getting organised early, you’ll make the transition smoother and help your puppy settle into their new puppy home with less stress.
The Puppy Essentials Kit
When creating your new puppy checklist, think about every part of your pup’s daily routine — feeding, sleeping, playing, training, travelling, and staying healthy. These puppy essentials will give your new friend a great start in life:
Puppy Feeding
Feeding is one of the most important parts of puppy care. Puppies grow quickly, and the right puppy nutrition will support healthy bones, joints, and teeth. Choose a complete puppy food made with premium quality ingredients and matched to size/age. Avoid feeding adult dog food, as it may lack the nutrients that pups need in their first year.
Feed in a quiet area using separate dog bowls for food and fresh water. Puppies usually eat little and often, moving from four meals at 8–12 weeks to fewer meals as they grow.
Avoid giving too many treats — they should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Instead, use small pieces of your puppy’s kibble as rewards during training. And never give foods dangerous to dogs, like chocolate, onions, or grapes.
Puppy Bed
A good puppy bed gives your puppy their own space to rest and feel secure. Choose a size that allows them to stretch out but still feel cosy. In the first few weeks, a raised dog bed can help them feel protected in their sleeping area or crate.
In warmer months, breathable fabrics keep your pup cool, while in winter, fleece or puppy pads options offer extra warmth. Position the bed away from draughts and high-traffic areas so your puppy can relax without disturbance. For bigger dogs, pick a bed with supportive foam to protect developing joints.
Puppy Exercise
Exercise is a key part of keeping your new puppy happy and healthy, but too much too soon can harm their developing joints. Young pups should have short, gentle sessions rather than long walks. The 5-minute rule is a good guide — that’s five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day.
Before vaccinations are complete, stick to safe areas like your puppy home or enclosed garden. Playtime with dog toys and puzzle toys indoors can also provide mental stimulation and prevent boredom.
Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, you can introduce them to new places, other dogs, and varied surfaces. Keep walks short and enjoyable, using nylon leads or harnesses to avoid pressure on your puppy’s neck.
Remember, over-exercising in the first few weeks can cause long-term joint issues in certain dog’s breeds, especially bigger dogs like Labradors or German Shepherds.
Puppy Training
Training should start the moment your new pup arrives. Puppies learn quickly, and using positive reinforcement will build trust and encourage good behaviour. Reward your pup with treats, praise, or play when they follow a command. Keep sessions short and fun — five minutes, a few times a day, works best for young pups.
Begin with basics: sit, stay, come, and leave it. Use small training treats or a portion of their puppy food. Avoid harsh corrections — instead, redirect unwanted behaviour, like chewing on furniture, towards safe chew toys.
Socialisation is also vital in the first few weeks. Introduce your puppy to other pets, children, different sounds, and environments. This helps prevent fear or aggression later in life. Enrol in a local training class with an accredited instructor for guidance tailored to your dog’s breed and personality.
Puppy Health
Caring for your puppy’s health starts the moment you bring them home. Book a vet visit in the first week to check their overall condition, confirm vaccinations, and set up a worming and flea treatment plan. Puppies usually need two rounds of core vaccinations, starting at eight weeks, with a booster 2–4 weeks later.
A good puppy checklist for health includes grooming tools like nail clippers, a soft brush, dog shampoo, and a toothbrush for early dental care. Brushing your puppy’s teeth from a young age helps prevent gum disease in adult dogs.
Pet insurance is worth considering early on. It can cover unexpected vet bills and give your puppy access to the best possible treatment.
Also, learn basic first aid — keeping a small kit with saline, non-adhesive dressings, and a tick remover can make a difference in an emergency.
Puppy Grooming
Grooming is more than keeping your new pup looking neat — it’s about health, comfort, and building good habits early. Puppies benefit from short, positive grooming sessions to get used to being handled. Start with a soft brush to remove loose hair and dirt. This also helps you check for lumps, bumps, or skin issues.
Bathing should only be done when needed, using a gentle dog shampoo made for puppies. Always dry your furry friend thoroughly, especially in cooler months, to prevent chills.
Nail care is important, too. Use nail clippers designed for dogs and trim little and often to avoid overgrowth. Don’t forget the ears — gently wipe them with a vet-approved solution to prevent wax build-up and infection.
Regular tooth brushing is one of the best ways to protect your puppy’s teeth and gums. Introduce a dog-safe toothbrush and toothpaste early, making it part of their weekly routine.
By starting grooming early, you make it a normal part of your puppy’s life, making future sessions easier and stress-free for both of you.
Puppy Traveling
If you plan to travel with your puppy, you must follow UK rules for transporting dogs safely. Under the Highway Code Rule 57, dogs must be secured with a car harness, puppy crates, pet carrier, or guard so they can’t distract the driver or be hurt in an accident.
For longer journeys, a travel crate with a comfortable dog bed and water bowl is a good option. Always stop for breaks so your pup can stretch, drink, and relieve themselves — keep poo bags and cleaning products handy.
When travelling on public transport, check the rules in advance. Most UK rail and bus operators allow dogs if they’re well-behaved and kept on a collar and lead.
Puppy Toys
Toys are more than just fun — they’re essential for your puppy’s mental and physical health. Safe chew toys help protect your puppy’s teeth and stop destructive chewing around the house. Choose durable toys suited to your puppy’s breed and size to avoid choking hazards.
Interactive toys, like puzzle toys or treat-dispensers, keep your furry friend engaged when you’re busy. They also encourage problem-solving and burn energy. Soft plush toys can be comforting, especially in the first few weeks in a new home.
ID Tags and Microchipping
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old. This means that if you’re getting a new puppy from a breeder, the microchipping should already be done. Always ask for the paperwork and make sure the chip details are registered in your name.
Your puppy must also wear a collar with an ID tag whenever they’re in public. The tag must include your name and address. Adding your phone number is recommended so you can be contacted quickly if your furry friend is lost. Avoid putting your puppy’s name on the tag to help prevent theft.
FAQs
What do you absolutely need for a puppy?
At a minimum, your puppy essentials list should include: a collar and ID tag, microchip, puppy food, food and water bowls, dog bed, puppy crates, toys, poo bags, car harness, and grooming tools like nail clippers and dog shampoo.
What is the 10 10 10 rule for puppies?
This is a routine tip: 10 minutes of training, 10 minutes of play, and 10 minutes of rest — repeated throughout the day to balance activity and downtime.
What is the 5 minute rule for puppies?
This rule suggests five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day.
What is the puppy 1/2 rule?
It’s a feeding guideline: by around six months, your puppy moves from three or four meals to ½ the daily meals — usually two per day — similar to an adult dog feeding schedule.
Conclusion
Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting time, but it’s also a big responsibility. By following this puppy essentials list, you can be confident that your puppy’s home is safe, welcoming, and ready for growth.
