Bringing your new puppy home is exciting-and there's a lot to remember! We have put together our favorite tips, supplies, and trusted recommendations to help make the transition as easy as possible for you and your new puppy.
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting for the whole family, but remember- it's a big change for your puppy, too! New sights, sounds, people, and routines can feel a little overwhelming at first. Give your puppy plenty of time to rest, keep things calm and consistent, and don't worry if it takes a little time for their personality to fully come out. A predictable routine, lots of patience, and plenty of love will help them settle in. We've put this guide together to help you prepare before your puppy arrives and make those first days together a little easier.
A little preparation goes a long way! Having the basics ready before your puppy arrives will make those first few days easier for everyone. Here are the essentials we recommend having on hand.
Crate, playpen, washable pads, and a comfortable place to rest.
Your puppy's current food, appropriately sized bowls, treats, and feeding essentials.
Puppy pads, washable pads, and cleanup supplies to make potty training easier.
Safe toys, chews, enrichment, and cozy items to help your puppy settle in.
Brushes, combs, shampoo, nail care, and other essentials to keep your puppy clean, comfortable, and looking their best.
A secure carrier, leash and harness, travel bowls, and other essentials for safe trips with your puppy.
We're often asked what we use and recommend for our puppies, so we've made shopping a little easier! We've put together our favorite puppy essentials- from playpens and crates, to feeding supplies, potty-training necessities, toys, grooming products, travel essentials, and more. These are the products we use, love, or feel comfortable recommending to our puppy families.
Giving your puppy a safe space of their own can make the transition to a new home much easier. A properly sized crate or playpen, washable pads, cozy bedding, and a few familiar comforts create a secure place for your puppy to rest, settle in, and begin learning their new routine.
Keeping your puppy on the same food they are accustomed to can help make the transition to their new home easier. Sudden changes in food can cause an upset stomach, so we recommend keeping their diet consistent at first. If you decide to change foods later, transition gradually by mixing the new food with their current food over several days. Because puppies-especially our smaller breeds-have little bodies and growing nutritional needs, regular meals and access to fresh water are important. We'll let you know what your individual puppy has been eating and their current feeding routine before they go home. We also add a small bag of food in their puppy packs to take home.
The first few weeks are all about consistency! Having the right potty-training supplies on hand can make the transition easier for both you and your puppy. We recommend keeping washable pads, disposable puppy pads, cleanup supplies, and other potty-training essentials ready from day one. A simple routine, lots of patience, and plenty of praise go a long way!
A happy puppy needs plenty of opportunities to play, chew, explore, and rest. We've gathered some of our favorite toys, chews, enrichment activities, and cozy comfort items to help keep your puppy entertained while encouraging healthy play and helping them settle into their new home.
Starting a grooming routine early helps your puppy become comfortable with regular brushing, bathing, nail care, and everyday handling. We've gathered some of our favorite grooming essentials to help keep your puppy clean, comfortable, and looking their best between professional grooming appointments.
Whether it's a quick trip to the vet, a weekend getaway, or your puppy's journey home, having the right travel essentials makes all the difference. We've gathered our favorite carriers, travel bowls, harnesses, car accessories, and other must-haves to help keep your puppy safe, comfortable, and prepared wherever you go.
