Puppy Care

Bringing Home a New Puppy: Complete Checklist & First Week Guide

Bringing home a new puppy is one of life's great joys — and one of its more demanding weeks. Here's the complete preparation checklist and first-week survival guide from Star Struck Puppies.

September 5, 2026 · 9 min read

Before Your Puppy Comes Home: The Essential Supply List

Gather these supplies before pickup day:

• Appropriately-sized crate (puppy should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down — not much larger)
• Soft bedding for the crate — a t-shirt with your scent can help the transition
• Baby gate or puppy pen for safe containment in non-crated times
• Small-breed puppy food — ideally what the breeder has been feeding to avoid digestive upset
• Stainless steel food and water bowls — dishwasher-safe and easy to sanitize
• Collar and 4-foot leash
• Flat ID tag with your phone number (have this ready before pickup)
• Enzymatic cleaner for accidents — essential for house training
• A few small, safe chew toys appropriate for puppies
• Karo syrup or honey — keep on hand for small-breed hypoglycemia emergencies

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Puppies explore the world through their mouths. A thorough puppy-proofing sweep prevents emergencies:

• Remove electrical cords from reach or cover them
• Secure cabinet doors at floor level (cleaning products, medications)
• Remove plants that are toxic to dogs — lilies, sago palm, azaleas, and many others
• Block access to stairs until coordination improves
• Secure trash cans — puppies are creative about accessing garbage
• Check under furniture for small items — coins, hair ties, rubber bands
• Keep toilet lids down

The First 24 Hours: Less Is More

The car ride home and first hours in a new environment are overwhelming for a puppy. Keep the first day calm.

• Limit visitors — the puppy needs to adjust to immediate family first
• Let the puppy explore one room at a time; gradually expand access as they gain confidence
• Start with the crate immediately — the sooner this is introduced, the faster crate training progresses
• Offer a small meal when settled — stress suppresses appetite; don't force feeding
• Take outside to the designated potty spot frequently — every 1–2 hours while awake

Sleeping the First Nights

This is the part most new puppy owners underestimate. Puppies who have slept in a litter with siblings suddenly find themselves alone — the first nights can be difficult.

• Place the crate in your bedroom or nearby — hearing your breathing is calming
• Put a warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in a towel in the crate to simulate body warmth
• Expect some crying the first nights — respond calmly without reinforcing by immediately removing from the crate
• Young puppies (8–12 weeks) may need one overnight potty trip
• Most puppies adjust within 3–5 nights

Starting House Training Immediately

House training success comes from consistency, not correction. The rule is simple: reward every outdoor success enthusiastically, interrupt and redirect accidents without punishment, and clean all indoor accidents with enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent cue.

• Take out immediately upon waking, after every meal, and after play sessions
• Use the same outdoor spot every time — scent association helps
• Praise and reward immediately when they go outside — timing matters
• Do not punish accidents — this teaches nothing useful and damages trust
• Restrict access to the whole house until reliable — use the crate or pen when you cannot actively supervise

The First Vet Visit

Schedule your puppy's first veterinary appointment within 48–72 hours of coming home. Most breeder health guarantees require this. Your vet will:

• Perform a complete physical examination
• Verify current vaccine status and plan the continuation schedule
• Discuss parasite prevention appropriate for your area and lifestyle
• Address any concerns you have about the puppy's health

From Star Struck Puppies

Every puppy from our Springfield, Georgia program goes home at 10 weeks or older with a complete care packet, feeding instructions, vaccine records, and a lifetime of breeder support. We are available to every family by phone or text at (912) 661-8667 — for every question, at every stage. Welcome to the Star Struck family.