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This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has a health problem or a sudden change in behavior, talk to your vet.
The first few days with a puppy are chaotic enough without a midnight run to the store. Here's what to have ready before your puppy walks through the door.
Sleeping and safe space
- A crate with a divider. Buy one sized for your puppy's adult size and use the divider to shrink it for now. Puppies avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a snug crate helps house training. The MidWest iCrate is a common choice because it includes a divider panel.
- A washable bed or blankets. Expect accidents and chewing; don't buy the expensive bed yet.
- Baby gates or a playpen to limit access to the rest of the house.
Feeding
- The same food the breeder or shelter was feeding. Switch gradually over a week if you want to change it.
- Stainless steel food and water bowls (easy to clean, hard to chew).
- A slow-feeder bowl if your puppy inhales meals.
Walking and ID
- A lightweight collar with an ID tag showing your phone number
- A harness that fits (you'll replace it as they grow; see our harness guide)
- A standard 6-foot leash. Skip retractable leashes for training.
- Poop bags
Toys and chewing
Puppies chew because they're teething and exploring. Give them legal options so they leave your shoes alone.
- A KONG Classic (the puppy version is softer). Stuff it with food and freeze it for a long-lasting distraction.
- A mix of textures: rubber, rope, plush.
House training and cleanup
- Enzyme cleaner. Regular cleaners leave a smell only your puppy can detect, which invites repeat accidents. Nature's Miracle is widely used.
- Puppy pads, if you live in an apartment or can't get outside quickly. Aim to phase them out.
- Small, soft training treats
Things first-time owners forget
- A vet appointment in the first week, and your puppy's vaccination records from the breeder or shelter
- Puppy-proofing: electrical cords, shoes, houseplants (many are toxic), and anything on low shelves
- A plan for socialization: gentle exposure to people, sounds and surfaces during the first months matters a lot
- Pet insurance quotes. It's cheapest to enroll while they're young and healthy.