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To help you prepare, here’s a new puppy checklist that covers everything you need to know.
This new puppy checklist will ensure you have all the essentials for your new furry friend.
Additionally, always refer back to this new puppy checklist as a guide to help you with your new pet.
Essential Items for Your New Puppy Checklist: 15 Must-Have Essentials
Your New Puppy Checklist: Must-Have Items
The following items should be included in your new puppy checklist to make sure you are fully prepared.
3 Things Every New Puppy Owner Needs to Understand
Your Puppy Isn't Being Bad
Puppies chew, bite, have accidents, cry, explore, and test limits. This is normal development. Your job isn't to stop your puppy from being a puppy—it's to guide them with patience, structure, and consistency.
The Early Weeks Matter
Your puppy's early developmental period helps shape how they respond to people, routines, environments, handling, and training. Show up consistently and build the foundation now.
You Are Not Alone
Your breeder, veterinarian, and trusted puppy resources are part of your support system. Your puppy's relationship with their breeder doesn't have to end at pickup.
🐾 From Jamika — CocoLove Doodles
I've been doing this long enough to know that families who prepare ahead of time have a completely different experience than families who wing it. Not because they're better dog owners—they're simply ready. Think of this as your head start. Use it. 🐾
Setting Up Your Space
Think about your home from your puppy's perspective—or more accurately, their nose. Everything is new, interesting, and potentially chewable. Set boundaries before your puppy arrives.
🏠 The Puppy Zone
Start small. Your puppy should not have unrestricted access to your entire home on day one.
- Exercise pen or playpen in a central room
- No-skid mats beneath food and water bowls
- Baby gates restricting access to other areas
- Electrical cords, shoes, clothing, and small objects removed
🏡 The Crate Setup
Your puppy's crate should feel like their bedroom—not a jail. Never use the crate as punishment.
- Adult-size crate with a divider
- Soft crate mat or washable blanket
- Place it in a central but relatively quiet location
- A safe item carrying your scent may provide comfort
🌿 The Bathroom Zone
Choose one outdoor potty area before your puppy arrives and use it consistently.
- Choose a specific area of your yard
- Take your puppy to the same location whenever possible
- Keep the area accessible in different weather
- A small stool sample can help introduce the correct scent
Need more support with potty training? Explore our 14-Day Puppy Potty Training Reset a step-by-step training resource designed to help puppy owners create a consistent potty schedule, identify patterns, reduce accidents, and build better potty habits at home.
Available for purchase through CocoLove Doodles.
✨ Consistency with both the location and schedule helps puppies learn faster.🧹 Puppy-Proof Your Home
Get down to puppy height and look for anything interesting, chewable, or reachable.
- Secure electrical cords
- Remove shoes, socks, and clothing from the floor
- Relocate toxic plants
- Secure trash cans
- Remove children's toys and small objects
The Complete New Puppy Supply Guide
Have your basic supplies ready before pickup day. Running to the store in the middle of new-puppy chaos is not the move.
😴 Sleeping & Crating
- Crate + divider
- Crate mat or blanket
- Comfort toy
- Exercise pen
🍽️ Feeding Essentials
- Your breeder's current puppy food
- Stainless-steel bowls
- High-value training treats
- Treat pouch
🚽 Potty & Cleaning
- Enzyme cleaner
- Paper towels
- Poop bags
- Puppy pads for backup situations
✂️ Grooming & Health
- Brush and metal comb
- Puppy shampoo and wipes
- Nail clippers or grinder
- Collar and identification tag
🎾 Training & Play
- Leash and harness
- Long training line
- Teething chews
- Interactive toys and puzzles
- Tug toy
🏥 Vet & Planning
- Schedule the first vet appointment
- Research pet insurance
- Save your breeder's contact information
- Organize vaccination and health records
Interactive Pre-Arrival Puppy Checklist
Complete these before pickup day. Check each item as you go—your progress will save automatically on this device.
Your Interactive Digital Guide -The First Year
The CocoLove Puppy Handbook™
Bringing home a puppy is exciting—but figuring out potty training, crate training, biting, routines, socialization, leash walking, and everything in between can get overwhelming fast.
The CocoLove Puppy Handbook™ gives you a practical, step-by-step resource you can actually use as your puppy grows. Created by a professional Goldendoodle breeder, it brings the guidance I give puppy families into one easy-to-follow interactive handbook—so you spend less time wondering “Am I doing this right?” and more time enjoying your puppy.