🐶 Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Everything you need to prepare for your new furry family member
🛒 Essential Supplies
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Food & water bowls (stainless steel or ceramic)
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Puppy food (same brand as breeder/rescue for transition)
Ask what they've been eating to avoid upset tummies
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Crate (sized for adult, with divider)
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Soft bedding or blanket
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Collar with ID tag
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Leash (6 ft standard)
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Poop bags
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Puppy pads (for training)
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Enzymatic cleaner (for accidents)
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Chew toys (Kong, Nylabone, etc.)
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Training treats (small, soft)
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Brush/grooming supplies
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Nail clippers or grinder
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Puppy shampoo
🏠 Puppy-Proofing Your Home
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Secure electrical cords (tape down or hide behind furniture)
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Move toxic plants out of reach
Lilies, azaleas, tulips, and many more are toxic to dogs
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Store chemicals, medications, and cleaning supplies in locked
cabinets
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Put away small objects (coins, rubber bands, hair ties)
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Secure trash cans with lids or store in cabinets
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Block access to stairs (baby gates)
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Check fencing for gaps or escape routes
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Remove or protect valuable shoes and clothing
⚠️ Toxic Foods to Keep Away
Chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (sugar-free gum), alcohol, caffeine, macadamia nuts,
avocado
👨👩👧👦 Preparing Children
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Teach gentle touch (no pulling ears, tail, or fur)
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Explain that puppies need sleep — don't wake them
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Practice calm, quiet voices around the puppy
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Show how to offer treats with a flat palm
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Set rules: no chasing, no teasing, no hand in food bowl
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Assign age-appropriate responsibilities (feeding time, etc.)
💡 Pro Tip
Always supervise interactions between young children and puppies. Even the sweetest puppy can nip, and
kids can accidentally hurt a puppy.
🩺 Vet & Health
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Schedule first vet visit (within 48-72 hours of arrival)
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Gather vaccination records from breeder/rescue
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Discuss spay/neuter timeline
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Ask about microchipping
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Discuss flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
🎓 Training Basics
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Establish a potty schedule (every 2 hours + after
meals/naps/play)
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Choose a potty spot and use it consistently
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Start crate training on day one
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Practice their name with treats
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Begin "sit" command within first week
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Research puppy socialization classes
📝 First Week Schedule
🏠 The 3-3-3 Rule
3 days to decompress • 3 weeks to learn your routine • 3 months to feel at home
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Day 1: Keep it calm and quiet. Let them explore at their own
pace.
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Days 2-3: Establish feeding, potty, and sleep routines.
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Days 4-7: Begin short training sessions. Introduce family
slowly.
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Schedule: Introduce to other pets gradually and supervised.