You’ve researched the right dog breed for you, puppy-proofed your home, and adopted a puppy through Pawrade! As you wait eagerly, it’s time to have some fun while preparing for a new puppy. You’ll need your clipboard, a piece of paper, and a marker to make big checks next to items on a new puppy checklist.
When considering a new puppy, a checklist for new puppies helps you to be completely ready the first time your puppy sees its new home. Here are our recommendations for steps to follow and essential new puppy gear to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Pawrade’s Recommendations for New Puppy Supplies & Preparation
Spending time to prepare your home for a new puppy may seem daunting, but a puppy checklist will help you think about what you need as your puppy joins its place as a beloved family member.
1. Take care of medical needs first
Before bringing your puppy home, you want to find a trusted licensed veterinarian for your puppy as a partner in keeping them healthy. Start on the right paw by interviewing practices as you search for puppies for sale. Find a location near you with hours that fit your schedule so it’s convenient for you to go in when needed. Your veterinarian will recommend a core puppy vaccination schedule to complete and let you know about wellness visits and what to do in an emergency. Take your puppy to their first vet visit according to your contract for optimum health, and come ready with a list of questions! You may opt to get pet insurance – remember, each Pawrade puppy comes with 30 days of MetLife insurance!
2. Keep your puppy’s identity secure
You never want to experience the panic and heartbreak of a lost puppy, so one of the first things you should do is protect your puppy’s identity by taking a few easy steps. First, get your puppy microchipped if the breeder has not done it already, and keep the paperwork current by updating any changes in your contact information throughout your puppy’s life. Next, provide a dog collar with tags containing plenty of information to help someone return your puppy to you. Lastly, keep all your puppy papers in one centrally located place in case you have to prove ownership.
Taglory Personalized Reflective Dog Collars
GoTags Stainless Steel Pet ID Tags
3. Select the right leash and harness
Choosing the right leash and harness for your puppy is another way to keep your puppy secure and next to you. Leashes and harnesses are important dog training tools and equipment you will need when you take your puppy out on adventures. You will probably change the type of leash and may even drop the harness idea as your puppy grows, but always be sure to select leashes and harnesses that work for your puppy during each stage.
PetSafe EasySport Nylon Reflective Back Clip Dog Harness
Canny Recall Extra Long Dog Training Leash
3 in 1 Pet Dog Car Seatbelt Leash
4. It’s potty time
The sooner you can choose a method to housetrain your puppy, the better! Whether you live in a high-rise condo in an urban setting or have access to a huge backyard in the suburbs, you’ll need to choose a puppy potty training method that makes the most sense for your living environment. Depending on your choice, you’ll need some supplies to keep things sanitary and on track. In addition to a leash for outings and biodegradable waste bags, be on the lookout for disposable “piddle pads,” an astroturf indoor mat, a pheromone stake, a grass saver product, and plenty of paper towels, disposable gloves, and non-toxic, pet-safe enzyme cleaner. You may want to keep an upholstery cleaning machine nearby!
Indoor Fake Grass Potty Pad
My Pet Peed - Pet Stain & Odor Remover
GoGo Stik Catch-N-Go! Portable Poop Catcher/Scooper with Waste Bag Holder & Roll Bag Dispenser
5. A safe place to rest and play
Puppies are boisterous and full of energy! They’ll need a secure place to play and rest for their safety. Provide a soft, comfortable, and washable puppy bed. We advocate crate training your puppy to serve as a cozy den for resting, or at least a spot away from the hubbub of a busy household. You can even choose a crate with an adjustable partition for those growing bodies. A puppy playpen or a gate will help keep your puppy contained by allowing some freedom during playtime – and hopefully away from your furniture legs as the next victim of their velociraptor phase!
With all those toys can come lots of clutter! A puppy can move toys around at a rapid speed, leaving them everywhere. Having a sturdy basket accessible to your puppy will help contain the toys. Being organized can help your home stay as tidy as possible, a tall order with a puppy romping around!
Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed for Medium Dogs
Sweetcrispy Small Dog Crate with Divider Panel
Puppy PlayPen with Gate
Bone Dry Pet Storage Collection Striped Paw Patch Bin
6. Nutritious food, fresh water, and delectable treats
Your breeder or vet will recommend a puppy food formula to meet your puppy’s dietary needs based on age, weight, and breed. Providing access to fresh water will prevent puppy dehydration, but be prepared for your puppy to play in the bowl! Most puppies are food-motivated, so choosing nutritious, enticing training treats for puppies will help so much when training your puppy.
3-Piece WeatherPro Airtight Stackable Dog Food Storage Container Combo with Scoop & Treat Box
Colorful Geometric Melamine Bowl By Frisco
Bocce's Bakery Puppy Bac'n Nutty Training Bites
Crazy Dog Train-Me! Minis Bacon Flavor Dog Treats
7. A variety of durable, fun toys
As we mentioned, puppies quickly become little velociraptors as they look for items to chew to help their sore gums during puppy teething. Redirect that need to chew everything in sight while encouraging brain development with a variety of durable puppy toys made of quality materials. Start with a variety of toys to see what your puppy likes: Kongs, balls, soft plushies, comfort toys with heartbeats, knotted ropes, interactive toys, and more. It will be fun to see how your puppy reacts to different toys and which ones they ignore. Will she adopt a stuffie as a lovey, or will it last 23 seconds before stuffing is everywhere?
KONG Puppy Goodie Bone with Rope Dog Toy
Brightkins DJ Doggo Puzzle Feeder Dog Toy
Original Snuggle Puppy Plush Dog
Interactive Ball Thrower Fetch it Machine by Greenvine
8. Grooming supplies
Even if your puppy is a low-shedding breed, all puppies will need brushes to keep their coat looking amazing and healthy. Introducing nail trimmers in that first week at home will get them used to the sensation and sounds of nail-cutting sessions, something necessary for the rest of their lives. Bathing your puppy can be a spa-like experience or a frustrating one if they get into something nasty. Either way, be prepared with towels, dog-safe shampoo, conditioner, and other products recommended for your breed’s coat. Make sure to select a toothbrush and toothpaste to keep those chompers clean. You might even want to purchase an at-home dog grooming full kit for trims and blow-drying sessions at home.
6-Piece Afloia Dog Grooming Kit
Vet's Best Dog Toothbrush & Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit
Arm & Hammer for Pets Gentle Puppy Bath Wipes
New Puppy Pals Await at Pawrade
Pawrade offers quality puppies for adoption. How can we confirm that? We are fortunate to partner with the best reputable breeders in the business. Our breeder partners are hand-selected and pre-screened before they join our program. Each puppy comes with a 3-year health guarantee, a health certificate, 30 days of MetLife insurance, and more, all through a secure, fraud-free transaction management platform. Our breeders and Puppy Concierge Team support new puppy pawrents and are here to answer all your questions regarding new puppy ownership. We can’t wait to work with you, so check out our puppies for sale and get your puppy preparation checklist ready!
