Your life will never be the same once you get a dog. Everything changes—where you go, how long you stay… you’ll even start planning your weekends around your dog.
Eat out or takeaways? Why leave home when you can order in and stay with your fur baby?
A vacation at the Ritz for $500 a night versus a pet-friendly farm for $100 a night with no room service? No contest. The farm, obviously.
When you have a dog, you’ll be surprised how easily you start making sacrifices—just to be with them.
To be with your dog or not to be, that’s never the question.
It’s true—you’ll want to take your dog with you everywhere you go. Well, almost everywhere. Aside from Googling “can dogs eat x” almost every day, you’ll be searching for “checklist for new puppy,” “pet-friendly restaurants,” and “pet-friendly holiday accommodation.” And eventually, “Why does my dog eat poop?” You’ll probably Google that one when your dog’s still a pup. (Then again, some teenagers still have that problem. Dogs, I mean.)
After years of typing away with dogs under my desk, I’ve learned the fundamentals to consider before getting a puppy and what’s just fluff. You don’t need an overflowing basket of toys or color-coordinated bowls. What you need is to be prepared and to know what to expect. If you’re considering getting a puppy, here’s what you need to know beforehand.
(Hey, if you’d rather skip the insider scoop on what to expect when you get a new puppy—and learn the hard way—you can find the new puppy checklist below.)
1. A New Bag of Clothes Left on the Floor? It’s Toast.
Tags still on? That won’t stop a puppy. They’ll shred clothes, shoes, anything within reach—and even gnaw on window sills.
Puppy teething starts around three weeks and continues until roughly six months. At eight to ten weeks, your pup has 28 needle-sharp teeth (often called “milk teeth”), which fall out between four and six months as adult teeth come in. That’s why it’s important to keep their gums stimulated with safe chews and toys to avoid destructive biting of your furniture. From chicken-flavored teething rings to bully sticks to pigs’ ears—you can never have too many safe dog chews.
Most importantly, lift anything of value off the floor.
2. Some Puppies Are More Energetic Than Six-Year-Old Kids.
And a few are terrorists. Puppies, I mean. Most whelps abound in energy, and others are just plain hyperactive. They don’t stop moving. That brown thing speeding past your window every minute? Your pup at six months doing laps around the house.
How do you relieve dog boredom? There’s no shortage of safe toys to keep your puppy entertained for hours. For example, snuffle mats, interactive feeders, and old faithful—a Kong dog toy stuffed with peanut butter should all be on your checklist for new puppy.
But of course, a 20-minute walk before work will help work off excess energy.
3. Your New War? Hair and Sand.
And having carpets will make it worse. (No, vacuuming your dog isn’t an option—unfortunately.)
When you get a dog, no one tells you you’ll need to clean your house three times as often as before. Light tiles? A nightmare. And those hairs everywhere? Grrr…
Let’s not even talk about how the car looks (and smells!) after your dog’s been in it.
The solution? A good vacuum, extra sticky fluff rollers, a pet-odor neutralizer, and your cleaning lady—twice a week, minimum.
4. You’ll Be Googling: “Can Puppies Eat X, Y, Z…” a Lot.
You’re eating steak and peas, and your pup is eyeing your plate. You pick up a pea to give to him—but hang on… can dogs eat peas? What about pepper?
You’ll find it difficult to say no to that adorable face. Sharing is caring—and you’ll want to share everything with your dog!
Within six months, you’ll know the no’s: no grapes, no raisins, no chocolate, no avo, no macadamia nuts, no xylitol. That said, it’s best to print out a list of human foods dogs can eat and stick it on your fridge.
P.S. Dogs can eat peas—but hold the pepper.
5. The Stink Is Real. But You Can’t Smell It.
And you’ll try every odor neutralizer on the planet. You’ll mop the floors ten times. Spray the skirting boards. But the struggle to get rid of that distinct doggy smell on couches and blankets is real.
You’ll even invest in non-fabric furniture like leather or pleather. But still… your sister (who doesn’t own a dog) walks in and says, “Smells like dog in here.”
You have three options: get a new sister, only invite dog-crazed friends over who are immune to doggy stink, or invest in a safe, affordable pet-odor neutralizer that actually works.
6. If Your New Shadow Isn’t Following You… Where Could It Be?
He’s not next to you. That’s strange.
A pup owner with a ten-week-old Great Dane will never say, “Hmm… Dukie’s not here. He’s probably just asleep on my bed.”
Reality: Check your bedroom! Your shoes! Ahh, too late… he’s chewed your best sneakers.
It happens.
Mostly, your dog is always close by. They’re pack animals, and puppies imprint on humans as they would their mother. Don’t worry—after two months with a puppy, you’ll be used to that second shadow and actually encourage your dog to go everywhere with you.
7. Socialize Your Pup.
The crucial window for socializing a dog is between 7 and 16 weeks. The #1 most important thing you can do for your pup? Socialize them with other dogs and people from day one. Take them with you to outdoor cafés, to visit your mom, and to the office. More and more places like malls, pet supply stores, and hotels and Airbnbs are allowing dogs inside.
After 16 weeks, puppies are a little less accepting of strangers touching them or other dogs pouncing on them or biting their ears. Puppy classes are great. But puppy classes + regular outings are even better.
8. The Bigger Your Dog, the More Intelligent.
Got a small dog? According to a study by the University of Arizona, larger breeds have better short-term memory than smaller ones.
While your dog’s intelligence has no bearing on your relationship with them, it’s interesting to see how much easier it is to train a Golden Retriever versus a Bulldog, for example.
But, of course, you’ll love your dog regardless of whether they beat the beagle at “sit and stay” in puppy class.
9. Homeward Bound.
You actually won’t want to leave your puppy home alone. And you can’t. A puppy will destroy everything it finds if left unattended. And your neighbors will hear your pup’s howls from the time you leave until you return.
But don’t worry… there’s never a shortage of babysitters for an eight-week-old pup. You can start leaving your dog alone after about three months, but make sure the room’s puppy-proofed. And for peace of mind, invest in an affordable dog safety camera so you can monitor—and even talk to—your pup while you’re away.
The Bottom Line
Getting a puppy is life-changing. But in seven years, it won’t be the flea collar or the best fluff roller you think about. It’s all about the memories. And you’ll want to turn the clock back to treasure your dog more. Although being prepared is important, moments are what matter most.
As your bond with your dog grows, you’ll one day look back and wish you’d taken more photos. You can never have too many cute puppy pictures—and videos are even better. Even if your pup still feels like a bit of a stranger today, start an album on your phone with photos and videos. When your dog is grown, you’ll cherish those two-month and six-month pictures. A great idea is to take one photo every day for 365 days and merge them into a video. When your dog is older, you’ll watch it again…and again…and again.
New Puppy Checklist: 40+ Must-Have Items for Your Puppy’s First Weeks
In my opinion, there are absolute must-haves and then there are secondary items you may or may not buy. For example, not everyone gets a crate—sure, maybe 70% of people do—but it’s not as essential as teething toys. Because if you skip those, your pup will find something else to chew… like your skirtings, shoes, or anything on the floor. So, I’ve divided this list into two sections: real must-haves and secondary optionals. For some people, the second group will still feel essential—and that’s fine. You can decide what fits your puppy and your home. I’ve also listed two options for each item below.
Must-Have Puppy Essentials (The Non-Negotiables)
1. What should be on a checklist for new puppy owners?
A checklist for new puppy owners should include essentials like a comfortable bed, stainless steel bowls, puppy food, teething toys, grooming tools, a collar, leash, and training pads. You’ll also want to add chews to prevent your pup from biting furniture and a few comfort items to help them settle in faster.
2. When should I start buying items from my checklist for new puppy?
You should start ticking off your checklist for new puppy a week or two before bringing your pup home. This gives you enough time to compare products, order online if needed, and have everything ready for your puppy’s first day.
3. Why is a checklist for new puppy important?
Having a checklist for new puppy helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t forget crucial items like ID tags or cleaning supplies. It also saves you from last-minute runs to the store when your puppy’s already home and chewing on your slippers.
4. What’s the difference between must-haves and optional items on a checklist for new puppy?
The must-haves on a checklist for new puppy are things every owner needs—like food, bowls, a bed, and chew toys. Optional items include crates, puppy gates, or outfits. What’s “optional” depends on your puppy’s size, lifestyle, and where you live.
5. Can I download or print a checklist for new puppy?
Yes! You can print or download a checklist for new puppy to keep track of what you’ve already bought. Many owners even keep it on their phone to check items off as they shop online.