Puppy Checklist

The essentials you need to bring your new puppy home.

Congratulations on your decision to welcome a new puppy into your life! It’s an exciting and fulfilling experience with many responsibilities, but we’re here to help you get started.

Before your puppy arrives, you must ensure you have everything you need. We’ve created this handy puppy checklist to ensure you’re prepared for their arrival. In the early days, your new furry friend will require plenty of attention and care, and it’s normal to feel a little sleep deprived as you adjust to their needs.

Teaching your puppy important skills like toilet training and socialization can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it does require time and patience. Remember, your puppy is just like a newborn baby, and they need your guidance and support to learn and grow.

As your puppy grows, they’ll go through different stages, including teething and biting. Don’t worry if they start to chew on everything in sight during their teething phase – it’s completely normal. Just make sure to provide them with appropriate toys and chews to help soothe their gums. The biting phase can be challenging, but with consistent training and positive reinforcement, they’ll learn what behavior is appropriate.

Overall, welcoming a new puppy into your life and home is an exciting journey filled with love, laughter, and lots of cuddles. With our puppy checklist and your commitment to providing the best possible care, you’ll be able to enjoy a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted furry companion for years to come.

Puppy Checklist

Bringing your new puppy home.

Car Safety

Bringing your puppy home safely.

Travelling in the car requires restraint whether with a

• Dog crate
• Puppy Carrier
• Dog Seatbelts
• Harnesses
• Boot Guards

Puppies can be distracting whilst you drive so it is important they are secure.

Puppy Proofing

Just like a child, you can’t take your eyes off puppies for a second or they tend to get into mischief. Like chewing furniture or having accidents by toileting somewhere you prefer them not to.

Keep you puppy safe from dangers but also protect your home.

Dog Crate

Dog crates are controversial and some people love them while others hate them. They offer dogs a sense of security, a safe place to rest and sleep for short periods of time.

There own space just for them

What are dog crates?

Dog Bed

Comfortable bed to relax on.

Appropriate size for your puppy. Making sure it is big enough to stretch out and snooze.

Look with dog beds that come with removable washable covers as they can start to smell and accidents do happen with house training.

Puppy Toys

Toys are an essential for puppies and their development.

Toys you can play together with

• Chew Toys
• Squeaky Toys
• Teddy to cuddle up to

Take care and supervise puppy play sessions as most toys are not 100% puppy proof, and parts might break off and cause a choking hazard.

Puppy Foods & Treats

Puppy food there are many on the market and each pet will have different needs.

Treats should be tasty and healthy as they are growing and developing.

Dog Bowl

Two non-slip dog bowls, one for food and the other for water.

Make sure they are easy to cleanIf eat too fast consider puzzle bowl

Toilet Training

Toilet training will inevitably have accidents

• Puppy training pads
• Poo Bags

Disinfectant and cleaning products to clean up after any accidents.

Collar & Lead

After vaccinations it’s time to explore so get them use to a collar and lead.

Size is important it must not be too tight to be uncomfortable but also not to lose which will enable them to escape. A simple way to gauge the correct fit is you should be able to fit 2 fingers under the collar.

Another option is a harness.

All dogs in a public place must wear a collar by law.

Remember to get a personalised engraved dog tag with the dog’s name, address and telephone number. They will help your puppy find its way home but also a legal requirement.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992

Tip: Puppies exercise should be limited to approximately five minutes per month of their age until they are fully grown dogs. Example Three-month-old puppy should get 15 minutes.

Local Vet

Know who and where your local vet is and register.

You will need vaccinations and to get your puppy chipped.

Your puppy must be fitted with a microchip by the time it’s 8 weeks old.

Puppy Life

Understanding dog years is an essential part of owning a dog. Dogs age differently from humans, and it’s important to understand their lifespan and the various stages they go through as they grow and develop.

Dogs, like humans, go through different life stages as they age. However, dogs have shorter lifespans than humans, so their life stages happen more quickly.

One commonly used metric for comparing a dog’s age to a human’s age is “dog years.” The idea is to take a dog’s age in human years and multiply it by a factor to get an equivalent age in dog years. The factor typically used is 7, but this is not entirely accurate as it doesn’t account for the differences in aging rates between different dog breeds and sizes.

The first year of a dog’s life is equivalent to roughly 15 human years. This means that during their first year, dogs go through many changes, including teething, house training, and socialization. They require constant attention and care during this time, just like a human baby.

The next stage is the adolescent stage, which lasts from around 1 year to 2 years of age. This is a stage where dogs are still growing and developing, but they are also learning and testing boundaries. Adolescence can be a challenging time for both the dog and its owner, as dogs may become more independent and prone to misbehaving.

After the adolescent stage, dogs enter the adult stage, which lasts from around 2 years to 7 years of age. During this time, dogs are fully mature and physically developed. However, their mental and behavioural development may continue throughout their lifetime.

As dogs age past 7 years, they enter the senior stage. This stage can vary in length depending on the breed and size of the dog, but it generally lasts from around 7 years to 10 or 12 years of age. Senior dogs may experience age-related health issues and may require special care and attention, including regular vet check-ups and modified exercise routines.

Overall, understanding the different life stages of dogs can help owners provide appropriate care and attention at each stage of their pet’s life.

Dog Ownership

Welcoming a new furry friend into your life can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences you’ll ever have. During the last few years and the pandemic, having a loyal companion by your side can bring immense comfort and joy. Puppies purchased during these times have become affectionately known as “pandemic puppies.”

However, it’s important to remember that owning a dog is a big responsibility that requires careful consideration and preparation. That’s why our puppy checklist is designed to help you get started and ensure you have everything you need to provide the best care for your new furry companion.

As you prepare to welcome your new friend into your home, remember that every dog is unique, with their own personality and individual needs. Building a strong and loving bond with your dog requires patience, commitment, and plenty of love and affection.

But don’t worry, the rewards of dog ownership are immeasurable. Dogs provide us with unconditional love, companionship, and endless entertainment. They uniquely lift our spirits and bring joy and happiness into our lives, even during challenging times.

So, take the time to do your research and be prepared for the adventure ahead. Our puppy checklist and resources are here to help you navigate the exciting world of dog ownership with confidence and joy.

A Dog is For Life

We all love the idea of having a furry companion by our side, but it’s important to remember that owning a dog is a big responsibility. That’s why we want to remind you that a dog is for life, not just for a moment.

Before committing to a new dog, it’s essential to do your research and find the right breed that will fit your family and lifestyle. Every breed has different needs, so it’s crucial to consider how it will work within your daily routine.

If you’re looking for a dog, consider rehoming one from a rescue shelter. Many dogs are out there looking for loving homes, and giving one a second chance can be incredibly rewarding.

As animal lovers, we understand that owning any pet is a lifelong commitment. The iconic slogan, ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas,’ launched by the National Canine Defence League back in 1978, now known as the Dog’s Trust, still holds true today. Owning a dog is a long-term commitment, and preparing for the many years of happiness and companionship is important.

We hope our puppy checklist has helped prepare you for your new best friend. If there’s anything we’ve missed, please don’t hesitate to message us. We’re always looking for ways to improve and help others in the future.

So, enjoy the many happy years you have ahead with your new furry companion!

We have a couple of other dog checklists that might be helpful for your new friend. Dehydration in Dogs Checklist and Keeping Dogs Cool Checklist