Choosing a puppy marks the start of a rewarding journey into pet ownership – one that will hopefully bring many happy years together. But once you’ve found the puppy for you, the next step is making sure you’re ready for the day they come home.
Help your new pet settle in quickly by following our ultimate new puppy checklist.
Before you start researching breeds or rehoming centres, consider whether you’ll be able to fully meet a dog’s needs.
You must be able to offer:
There are eight important things you should do before you collect your new puppy.
This is a new puppy essential and one of the most important parts of responsible pet ownership. Research local vet surgeries before registering your puppy with your chosen practice.
During the first few months, your puppy will need regular vet appointments, so conducting mock examinations at home can help them to feel calm, confident and less anxious when visiting the vet.
Next on the new puppy checklist is getting your new companion vaccinated. Vaccinations will protect your puppy from a range of common diseases. Check which vaccinations your puppy has already had with the breeder or rescue centre, and when they’ll be due next before booking in with your vet.
It’s worth asking your vet if they run puppy clinics. These are specialised services where young dogs gather for early health checks and/or behavioural socialisation and training.
Another new puppy essential is microchipping – in fact, it’s a legal requirement. Though you don’t need to worry too much, because all puppies should be microchipped before sale by the breeder or rescue centre.
However, you’ll need to update your puppy’s chip with your name and address online or by post – this increases the chance of your dog being returned to you if they ever go missing. You may need to wait until after you’ve collected your puppy before you can complete these details, but you should do it as soon as possible.
While it’s not nice to think about, puppies can accidentally injure themselves or contract an illness. Dog, and specifically puppy insurance can provide peace of mind that you can afford veterinary treatment for your pet at any age, should they need it.
When choosing pet insurance, be aware that cover can vary greatly between policies.
Cheap pet insurance can end up costing more in the long run, so look for a policy that will give you comprehensive cover and support the health of your animal through their life, rather than a short-term deal.
A well-socialised puppy is a happy puppy. But socialisation is about more than just meeting other dogs: your puppy needs to get comfortable with the world they are in, from woodland walks to cars and people.
You’ll need to wait until your puppy has had their vaccinations before you attend any classes, but it’s a good idea to book early.
Puppy-proofing the house and garden is crucial to ensure your new companion can explore safely – it’ll prevent injury to your dog and also give you peace of mind. See more on this below.
There’s no shortage of pet products available, but knowing exactly what’s needed for new puppies isn’t always obvious. Take a look at our new puppy shopping list below to find out exactly what you need.
The arrival of a new puppy is inevitably an exciting time, but if you have a family or live with others, making sure everyone knows what to expect is an important point on the new puppy checklist. If you have children, talk to them in advance about settling in a new puppy and any house rules.
It’s also important to plan how you will introduce your puppy to other pets in your household and create a harmonious living environment for all your family.
Puppies need a lot of equipment, so make sure you’re fully prepared with new puppy essentials before you collect them.
While it may be tempting to spoil your new companion, start with the basics on our new puppy shopping list:
If you’re a first-time dog owner, you’ll need to remove any hazards in your home and garden before your new puppy arrives.
You can puppy-proof the house by doing the following:
If you’re a first-time dog owner, you’ll need to remove any hazards in your home and garden before your new puppy arrives.
You can puppy-proof the house by doing the following:
While it might be tempting to let your puppy sleep in your bed for the first few nights, it’s generally not a good idea. Doing this at the start makes training your puppy to sleep in a crate or their own bed a lot harder later on.
Instead, follow these tips to give you – and your new puppy – the best night’s sleep.
Crate training your puppy from the start will ensure they have a safe space to sleep at night when unsupervised.
You can make the crate more enticing by turning it into a den – place a comfy bed inside and a blanket loosely over the top to give your puppy a safe place to retreat to.
Similarly, adding a pet-safe hot water bottle or heat pad to your puppy’s bed can help them feelcalm and reassured.
While puppies have plenty of energy, they also tire easily. As they’ll need to take naps throughout the day, make sure they have a quiet space where they can remain uninterrupted as they recharge their batteries.
For the first few nights, you may want to set an alarm every few hours to check on your puppy and let them out to relieve themselves overnight. It’s also a good idea to buy some puppy pads, in case of any accidents.
Dogs thrive on routine, so having a rough schedule planned will help your new puppy settle in as quickly as possible.
Assign one primary caregiver/feeder ahead of time to avoid several people accidentally overfeeding your puppy with multiple breakfasts (which puppies will happily eat!). It’s also a good idea to write out a feeding chart and tick off each meal.
Involving children in the feeding process can help them learn about dog responsibilities – but always do this under the supervision of an adult.
Prepare some training techniques in advance as part of your new puppy checklist. Clicker training, for example, is a gentle and effective way to train your dog while they’re young.
If there are multiple people in your household, you can allocate one member to attend puppy training classes; they can then relay what they’ve learned to the others. Consistency is key for puppies, so multiple family members trying to teach different tricks could cause confusion.
Training also means toilet training – take a look at our dedicated guide on this.
Make plenty of time for playing with your new puppy to keep them entertained and stimulated. This will also help to build the bond between you.
Exercise is essential for a new puppy, but remember that puppies tire easily and their growing bodies need time to rest and recover.
Start with short, gentle walks (after they’ve had their vaccinations) and indoor play sessions, gradually increasing their exercise as they grow.
If you’re bringing a puppy home and you already have other pets, follow our tips for how to successfully introduce them. Again, having a plan for how to approach this will make things much easier.
Puppies, and the adult dogs they grow into, are a long-term commitment – on average, dogs live 10-13 years. So, deciding whether one is right for you and your family requires some thought.
Don’t forget, if you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also use our Pet Expert Chat feature to speak with trained professionals about any concerns you may have.
But with the right preparation and care, you can help your new puppy settle in quickly and enjoy many happy years together.
Generally, we don’t recommend leaving puppies for more than two hours, as it can cause distress. Being left alone can be emotionally and physically difficult for puppies 12 weeks or under – and they will need to go to the toilet. Puppies older than three months can usually hold their bladders for around this length of time, but leaving them for this long shouldn’t be done often.
Introduce your new puppy to their designated toilet spot as soon as you arrive home, as this sets clear boundaries from the start. Similarly, make sure they can see and access their food and water bowls, bed, crate and toys.
The most challenging time for owners of new puppies is usually from when they are brought home up until they’re about 18 months old. This is when they’re adjusting to their surroundings and getting used to toilet training. Owners are also likely to experience sleep disruption during this time as they help to settle their puppy and let them out to relieve themselves throughout the night.
Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England and Wales with company number 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England and Wales with company number 84638).
Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services reference number 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, reference number 121849. Registered address: 15 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 3AR.
