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New Dog Parent Starter Checklist
Everything worth doing in the first month, on one page. Print it, stick it on the fridge, and tick things off as you go.
Before your dog arrives
- Bed in a quiet corner, away from the front door
- Crate or pen set up with the door open and something comfortable inside
- Food and water bowls, washed and in a fixed spot
- The same food they are currently eating, for at least the first week
- Collar with an ID tag, plus a well-fitted harness and leash
- Enzymatic cleaner for accidents
- Two or three toys: something to chew, something to stuff, something to tug
- Puppy-proof the ground floor: cables, plants, shoes, bins
First 48 hours
- Keep the house calm — no visitors, no big introductions
- Show them the toilet spot every hour and after every nap, meal and play session
- Feed at consistent times in a quiet room
- Let them sleep — new dogs and puppies need far more rest than people expect
- Start the crate or pen as a good place with food and chews, never as a punishment
- Practise a few seconds of being alone, several times a day
First week admin
- Register with a local veterinary practice
- Book a first health check and ask about vaccination and parasite timing
- Confirm microchip details are registered to you
- Check what your local area requires for licensing or identification
- Look at pet insurance before any problem shows up
- Save an out-of-hours emergency vet number in your phone
Training to start on day one
- Reward their name every time they look at you
- Reward calm behaviour, especially when you have not asked for anything
- Handle paws, ears and mouth gently for a few seconds a day
- Introduce the harness with treats before ever attaching a leash
- Start recall in the house and garden with a very high-value treat
- Build up short periods alone before you need them
Settling in over the first month
- Introduce new people, surfaces and sounds slowly and at your dog's pace
- Book a reward-based training class
- Keep a simple record of food, toilet habits and anything unusual
- Establish a predictable daily rhythm — dogs settle into routine faster than anything else
This information is general and educational. It is not veterinary advice and cannot diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a licensed veterinarian about your dog's health.