Bringing Home a Puppy? Here’s What You Need!
Congratulations on bringing home your new puppy! 🐶 Bringing a puppy into your home is exciting, but it’s also a big transition for them. A little preparation goes a long way in making sure your new furry friend feels safe, comfortable, and happy from day one.
To make things easier, we’ve put together a simple checklist of essentials you’ll want to have before your puppy arrives. If you have any last-minute questions, feel free to contact us here!
🐾 Puppy Checklist – Must-Haves Before Your Puppy Arrives
Food & Water Bowls
Your puppy needs their own food and water bowls—stainless steel or ceramic are best since they’re sturdy and easy to clean. Avoid plastic bowls, as they can hold bacteria and may cause allergic reactions in some puppies. Buy this set you see below from amazon, click here.
High-Quality Puppy Food
To avoid tummy troubles, we send each puppy home with the food they’re already eating. If you plan on switching brands, make sure to gradually transition over a week or two to prevent digestive upset. For long-term feeding advice, check out Your Puppy Growing into an Adult – Health Records & Recommendations.
We use Diamond Puppy
A Comfortable Puppy Bed
Puppies need a cozy place to rest after all that playing! Whether it’s a soft dog bed, a crate with a comfy pad, or a playpen with blankets, giving your puppy a space of their own helps them settle in faster.
Remember, puppies LOVE to chew, so trying to find a bed that doesn't cost a ton or is a good bed for chewing dogs is your best option. Do not go out and spend $100 dollars on a super nice bed, that they may tear up in a few days, this is just something to think about.
Typically puppies/dogs will chew up beds from the edges, trying to have a dog bed that fits snuggly into the dog crate so your pup cannot bite directly at the edges can help greatly to prevent them from chewing up the bed. Buy the bed you see below in different sizes that you may need - click here.
Crate or Playpen (Optional but Useful!)
A crate can be a great tool for house training and keeping your puppy safe when you’re not watching them. If you’re planning to crate train, make sure it’s just big enough for them to stand, turn around, and lay down comfortably. Browse Crates shipped to your door here!
Collar, Leash & ID Tag
Even if you plan on keeping your puppy indoors for the first few weeks, it’s a good idea to get them used to wearing a lightweight collar and leash. Adding an ID tag with your contact info is a simple way to keep them safe in case they ever get loose.
We highly recommend taking your puppy to a pet store such as pet smart to fit the puppy with a collar in real life and real time, it makes it much easier for you to get a good fitting collar. Remember as puppy grows, the collar will need adjusted making sure you can always fit two fingers inside of the collar while your puppy has the collar on ensuring it is not too tight.
Retractable dog leashes are always and help your puppy not get tangled up in the leash when giving him or her a walk, you can get one here!
Puppy Toys for Chewing & Playtime
Puppies love to chew, and it’s better for them to chew on toys than your furniture! Stock up on a mix of:
- Soft plush toys for comfort (these typically get torn up quickly though)
- Teething toys to soothe their gums
- Rubber chew toys to keep them busy
- Chew Sticks (Like Dingo Bacon Flavor Chew Sticks)
Puppy Pads or Outdoor Training Plan
Decide ahead of time if you’ll be using puppy pads or training outside.
- If you’re using puppy pads, place them in a consistent spot.
- If training outside, take your puppy to the same area every time to establish a routine.
Grooming Supplies (Brush, Nail Clippers, Puppy Shampoo)
Cavapoos, Cockapoos, and Poodles have wavy or curly coats that need regular brushing to prevent mats. Keeping their nails trimmed and using a gentle puppy shampoo makes grooming easier. Of course, a professional groomer can do this, but at some point you may want to give it a go yourself to save some money.
We do recommend a professional grooming your dog, until at least you have seen it done multiple times in real life or took training to ensure you do not hurt your dog accidentally.
Books On Puppy Training
Make sure you are ready to begin the journey of training your puppy, first and foremost is potty training! You need alot of patience and love to complete this task. Instead of spanking and scolding when your puppy does something bad, reward good behavior with lots of extra love or a special treat!
Book on training Cockapoos (We are featured in the cockapoo book below!)
🐾 Other Important Puppy Preparation Tips
Schedule a Vet Appointment
We highly recommend scheduling your puppy’s for as soon as you are able to. It is good to get your puppy acquainted with your vets office. Your vet will discuss vaccinations, and answer any questions you have!
All of our puppies go home with their first round of vaccines and deworming. You can see exactly what shots your puppy has received on our What Vaccines Do We Use? page as well as the paperwork we give you with your puppy will show this.
Puppy Travel & Pickup Plans
If you’re picking your puppy up from us, make sure you have a safe way to transport them—a small crate or soft carrier works well. If you’re having your puppy flown or transported to you, we offer safe and reliable puppy delivery options. You can read more on our Puppy Shipping & Travel page.
For traveling with your puppy, especially when young like after you pick him/her up and headed back home, there are a few things we can recommend.
- A comfortable crate for your puppy to stay safe in while traveling
- Roll of paper towels (in case of accidents)
- Trip longer than a few hours? Bring a small food and water dish
- A few puppy pads that can sit in the bottom of the crate to also help soak up any possible accidents.
- Leash & Collar if possible to stop along the way back home for bathroom breaks
Payment & Deposits
Before picking up your puppy, make sure you’re familiar with our accepted payment methods and deposit policies. If you have any questions, check out:
📌 What Methods of Payment Do We Accept?
📌 Are Deposits Refundable?
Get Ready for Lots of Love & Fun!
Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you’ll ever have! But remember—puppies need time, patience, and love as they adjust to their new home. Stick to a routine, give them plenty of attention, and enjoy every moment!
We’re always here to help. If you have any questions before or after bringing your puppy home, feel free to contact us here.
Want to hear from other families who have adopted from us? Check out our Reviews and see why so many people love our puppies! 🐾
