New Puppy Checklist: Supplies, Vet Visits and the First 30 Days

Bringing home a puppy is exciting and a little overwhelming. A bit of preparation makes the first weeks smoother for everyone. Use this checklist to get ready, then follow the first-month roadmap to set your puppy up for a healthy, happy life.

Supplies to buy before day one

• Crate sized for your puppy's adult size, with a divider so it can grow with them
• Food and water bowls (stainless steel is easy to clean)
• Puppy food. Start with what the breeder or shelter was feeding to avoid stomach upset, and transition gradually if you switch.
• Collar or harness, ID tag and leash
• Small, soft training treats
• Chew toys in different textures for teething
• Bed or crate pad that can be washed
• Enzymatic cleaner for accidents, which removes the odors that attract repeat marking
• Grooming basics: brush, nail clippers, dog shampoo
• Baby gates to limit access to parts of the house

Puppy-proof your home

Get down to puppy level and look for hazards: electrical cords, shoes, socks, kids' toys, houseplants (many are toxic), medications, cleaning products and trash cans. Secure anything you don't want chewed.

Your first vet visit

Schedule a checkup within the first week. Bring any vaccination and deworming records. Your vet will set a schedule, but a typical plan includes:

• Core vaccines: the combination vaccine for distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus (often with parainfluenza), usually starting around 6 to 8 weeks and repeated every few weeks until about 16 weeks of age.
• Rabies: given according to state law, often around 12 to 16 weeks.
• Lifestyle vaccines such as Bordetella, leptospirosis or Lyme, depending on where you live and your puppy's activities.
• Parasite prevention for intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and heartworm.
• Microchipping, if it isn't already done. Register the chip with your contact information.

Until your puppy's vaccine series is complete, avoid high-traffic dog areas such as dog parks, where diseases like parvovirus can spread.

Socialization: the critical window

Puppies are most open to new experiences in their first few months, roughly from 3 to 14 weeks of age. Safely introduce your puppy to different people, gentle vaccinated dogs, sounds, surfaces, car rides and handling. Keep every experience positive and short. Well-run puppy classes that require vaccinations are a great option.

House training basics

• Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, naps and play, and before bed.
• Use the same spot and a cue word, and reward with a treat and praise immediately after they go.
• Young puppies can't hold it long, so expect overnight trips outside at first.
• Never punish accidents. Clean them with an enzymatic cleaner and supervise more closely.

Crate training

A crate should be a cozy den, never a punishment. Feed meals in the crate, toss treats inside and start with short sessions while you're home. Gradually build up the time.

The first 30 days at a glance

1. Week 1: vet visit, establish routines for meals, potty breaks and sleep.
2. Week 2: start short training sessions (name, sit, come) and gentle handling.
3. Week 3: expand socialization and begin leash practice indoors and in the yard.
4. Week 4: enroll in a puppy class and keep up with vaccine boosters.

Patience and consistency are everything. Your puppy is learning how to live in a human world, one day at a time.