🐶 Bringing Home a Puppy: The Ultimate Checklist of Essentials

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments in life! 🐾 You’ve got a new best friend, endless cuddles, and lots of fun ahead. But before your pup trots through the front door, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared. Puppies, just like babies, come with their own set of needs, and having the right gear makes those first days much smoother.

To help new puppy parents, we’ve put together this Puppy Essentials Checklist — everything you’ll need to welcome your little one home and set them up for success.

🏠 Safe Space & Comfort

Crate with a divider– A crate gives your puppy a safe, cozy spot and is a fantastic housetraining tool. Use a crate divider so you don’t have to buy a new one as they grow. This helps with potty training and gives them a “den” space.
👉 Midwest folding dog crate with divider
Comfort Toy/Blanket – The first nights away from their litter can be tough. A heartbeat plush toy helps soothe any anxiety the puppy may have for being away from the rest of the litter. Use soft, chew-resistant bedding you can wash. Avoid fluff that can be shredded and swallowed.
👉 Snuggle Puppy Starter Kit
👉 Thick Crate Pad
👉 Puppy Blanket

🦴 Play & Teething Relief

Puppies love to chew — it’s natural and helps with teething pain. Providing safe toys saves your shoes and furniture!

👉 Assorted Toy Pack

👉 Bouncing Pig Toy

👉 Puppy Puzzle

👉 Treat Dispensing Ball

👉 Kong Wubba

👉 No Stuffing Squeak Toy

👉 Chuck It Ball Set

🐕 Walking & Training Gear

Martingale Collar & Leash – A martingale collar provides gentle, even pressure around your puppy’s neck without choking or slipping out like a traditional collar can. It’s especially helpful for training and for dogs who tend to pull or have narrow heads, keeping them safe and secure on walks
👉 Martingale Collar
👉 AMAGOOD 6 FT Puppy Leash
👉 Slip Lead Dog Leash with Double Handle
👉 Fida Durable Slip Lead
ID Tag & Microchip – Make sure your puppy is always identifiable if they wander off.
Clicker & Treat Pouch – Training starts from day one! Positive reinforcement helps puppies learn quickly.
👉Clicker Training Pack

🍽️ Feeding Essentials

High-Quality Puppy Food – Puppies need the right nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Make sure to keep them in a healthy weight range as puppies being EITHER underweight or overweight can cause many issues as they are growing
👉 Pro Plan Puppy Food
👉 How To Tell Healthy Weight For Your Dog
Stainless Steel Bowls – Durable, easy to clean, and less likely to harbor bacteria.
👉 Stainless Steel Bowl
Healthy Treats – Perfect for training sessions and bonding moments. Make sure the treats you feed have as few additives as possible - stay away from Chemicals, Fillers, Artificial anything, Hormones, Antibiotics, Byproducts, Dyes, Flavors or Preservatives.
👉 Natural Rapport Treat Collection

🌿 Nutrition & Supplements (Nature’s Farmacy Favorites)

Good nutrition is more than food. Supplements can support your puppy’s digestion, growth, and extra needs while teething.

👉 Dogzymes Phyto Flex

👉 Dogzymes Probio tic Max

🛁 Grooming & Hygiene

Start your pup early on grooming routines so they grow up comfortable with being handled. Not sure which brush is right for your dog? This article will help you choose! Dog brush guide

👉Puppy-safe shampoo

👉Soft Slicker Brush

👉Nylon Brush

👉Pin Brush

👉Gentle Hair Removing Gloves

👉Ear Cleaner

👉Nail clippers or Quiet Nail Grinders

👉Dog toothbrush & toothpaste

👉Mouthwash

👉Dental Chews

🧹 House Training & Cleanup

Accidents will happen! Be ready with cleanup and potty training tools. A puppy pen or baby gate also works great to control where and what rooms the newest addition can go to.

👉Puppy pee pads

👉Waste bags & holder

👉Enzyme-based cleaner for odor & stain removal

👉Puppy Pen

👉Baby Gate

🚗 Travel & Safety

Whether you’re off to the vet or a road trip, safety is key.

👉Soft Sided Travel Crate

👉Ultimate Safety Hard Sided Crate

👉Portable water bottle & travel bowl

👉Emergency Kit

✅ Final Thoughts

Bringing home a puppy is a joyful adventure, but being prepared makes all the difference. This checklist covers the basics — from comfort and nutrition to training and travel — so you and your new companion can start off stress-free.

At World Class Kennels, we recommend these tried-and-true products because they make life easier for both puppies and their families. Having the right tools from day one helps ensure your puppy grows into a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted dog.

🐾 Pro tip: Check off each item before your puppy arrives. You’ll thank yourself later!

Puppy Essentials Downloadable Checklist