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Argus · New Dog Owners

Pre-arrival puppy checklist

Run through this list in the week before pickup. It covers the 22 things that, once they're done, make day one calm instead of chaotic. Most items take a few minutes; the appointments are the ones to start on first.

Set up the puppy's space

  • Crate assembled and placed where the puppy will sleep
  • Exercise pen or baby gates set up around the long-term confinement area (kitchen, mudroom, or laundry works well)
  • Washable mat or bedding in the crate
  • Water bowl inside the pen
  • Pad or grass tray in the pen, opposite end from the bed (if needed for indoor toileting)
  • Enzymatic cleaner stored somewhere you can grab fast

Puppy-proof the rooms the puppy will use

  • Electrical cables tucked behind furniture or covered with cable conduit
  • Houseplants checked — any toxic ones (lilies, sago palm, dieffenbachia, pothos and similar) moved out of reach
  • Medications, chocolate, xylitol products, grapes, and onions moved to high or closed cabinets
  • Stairs gated top and bottom
  • Front door entryway gated
  • Yard fence walked and checked for gaps a small puppy could squeeze through (if applicable)

Supplies on hand

  • Small bag of the food the breeder or shelter is currently feeding
  • Stainless steel food and water bowls
  • Flat collar with ID tag (puppy's name and your phone number)
  • 6 ft flat lead and a Y-front harness
  • Two or three chew toys, including a Kong-style rubber toy

Appointments and admin

  • Vet clinic chosen and a check-up booked for the first few days after pickup
  • Pet insurance compared and enrolled, if you're going that route (do this before pickup so nothing counts as pre-existing)
  • Puppy class spot reserved, if you want one
  • Microchip registration confirmed in your name (ask the breeder or shelter)

Household

  • 15-minute house meeting done — name, feeding schedule, who handles which walk and toilet trip, where the puppy sleeps, rules on furniture and food scraps, and the words you'll use for "sit," "come," and "no"

On pickup day, bring with you

  • A towel or two (for the car ride and any accidents)
  • A water bowl and a bottle of water
  • The collar, lead, and ID tag
  • A few treats and a chew toy
  • A copy of any vaccination or health records the breeder or shelter has

Sources and further reading

Argus · Practical dog careargus.dog/library/new-dog-owners/pre-arrival-puppy-checklist