Essential Puppy Checklist, Tracker & Planner for Dog Owners

Raising a puppy is no less than raising a kid.

The only difference is that after a certain age babies can communicate via words but your pups won’t.

This brings us to the conclusion that your baby doggos need more attention, observation, and understanding.

Dogs are known to be extremely sentimental and need to be handled with utmost love and care.

Cats have feral instincts and are good survivors, but not the canids.

When we bring home a pup, they are highly anxious.

Hence it is our responsibility to make them feel loved.

This article contains a compilation of instructions for the new parents that’ll make things easier.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Puppy

Before you bring home a puppy, it’s important to ask yourself these 10 crucial questions:

1. Time Commitment ⏳

Puppies need constant care, training, and supervision, especially in the first few months.
House training, socialization, and exercise all require daily effort.
Do you have enough time for a puppy, or is your schedule too packed?

2. Lifestyle & Activity Level 🏃‍♂️

Different breeds have different energy levels.
Active breeds like Border Collies or Huskies need lots of exercise, while smaller or calmer breeds like Bulldogs or Shih Tzus require less.
Choose a breed that fits your lifestyle.

3. Space & Living Situation 🏡

Do you live in an apartment or a house with a backyard?
Large breeds need space to run, while small breeds adapt well to apartments.
Some landlords have breed or pet restrictions, so check before adopting.

4. Financial Responsibility 💰

Puppies come with ongoing costs: food, grooming, vet visits, vaccinations, pet insurance, and unexpected medical bills.
Can you afford vet check-ups, emergencies, and supplies?

5. Puppy-Proofing Your Home 🔒

Puppies love to chew and explore, so your home must be safe.
Secure electrical cords, household cleaners, small objects, and fragile items.
Do you have safe areas for your puppy to play and rest?

6. Family Considerations 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Do all family members agree on getting a puppy?
Are there children or other pets at home who need to adjust?
Some breeds are better suited for families, while others need careful socialization.

7. Training & Socialization 🎓

Puppies require consistent training to become well-mannered dogs.
Are you prepared to teach house training, leash manners, and obedience commands?
Socialization is key—your puppy must meet different people, animals, and environments.

8. Travel & Lifestyle Changes ✈️

Do you travel often? If so, who will take care of your puppy?
Are you prepared to bring your dog on trips or pay for boarding or pet sitters?

9. Breed Research & Lifespan 🐕

Different breeds have different needs, temperaments, and health risks.
A dog’s lifespan can be 10-15 years or more—are you ready for a long-term commitment?

10. Adoption vs. Buying from a Breeder 🏠

Consider adopting from a shelter—many wonderful puppies and dogs need homes.
If buying, choose a responsible breeder who tests for health conditions and raises puppies in a healthy environment.

The Essential New Puppy Checklist –

Home Essentials & Comfort Items

Your puppy needs a safe and comfortable environment to thrive. These essentials will help them adjust to their new home and provide a secure, cozy space.

✅ Crate & Puppy Bed

A crate is essential for house training and giving your puppy a safe space to rest.
Choose a crate size that allows your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Use a soft, comfortable crate pad or bed inside to make it cozy.
Pro Tip: Cover the crate with a blanket to create a den-like environment that helps puppies feel safe.

✅ Playpen or Baby Gates

If you want to limit your puppy’s access to certain areas, puppy playpens or baby gates are great solutions.
These help prevent accidents, destructive chewing, or getting into unsafe places.
Ideal for apartments or homes where you need to section off certain rooms.

✅ Food & Water Bowls

Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead of plastic (which can harbor bacteria).
Elevated bowls can be helpful for larger breeds to reduce strain on their necks.
Slow-feeder bowls are great for puppies that eat too quickly, preventing bloating.

✅ High-Quality Puppy Food

Puppies require nutrient-rich food to support their rapid growth and development.
Choose a veterinarian-recommended brand based on your puppy’s breed and size.
Look for puppy food that includes real meat, healthy fats, and essential vitamins.
Avoid foods with fillers, artificial preservatives, or high grain content.

✅ Training Treats

Treats are essential for positive reinforcement training.
Choose small, soft treats that are easy to chew and digest.
Look for low-calorie options since puppies eat multiple treats per day.
Avoid giving too many treats to prevent unhealthy weight gain.

🏥 Grooming & Hygiene Essentials

Even if your puppy doesn’t need frequent grooming, regular brushing, bathing, and hygiene care are necessary to keep them clean and healthy.

✅ Dog Shampoo & Conditioner 🛁

Puppies have sensitive skin, so choose a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo.
Avoid human shampoos, as they disrupt a dog’s natural skin oils.
Bathing too often can dry out their skin, so only bathe as needed (or every few weeks).

✅ Brush & Comb 🖌️

Puppies with short coats need soft bristle brushes, while long-haired breeds need slicker brushes or de-shedding tools.
Regular brushing prevents matting, shedding, and tangles.
Brushing also strengthens the bond between you and your puppy.

✅ Nail Clippers or Grinder ✂️

Long nails can be uncomfortable and cause painful paw issues.
Trim your puppy’s nails every few weeks to prevent overgrowth.
A nail grinder is a great alternative for dogs who dislike clippers.

✅ Toothbrush & Dog Toothpaste 🦷

Dental care is crucial for preventing gum disease and bad breath.
Use dog-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste, as it contains toxic xylitol).
Start brushing your puppy’s teeth early so they get used to it.

✅ Flea, Tick & Worm Prevention 🦠

Puppies are vulnerable to fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites.
Ask your vet about preventative treatments like chewable tablets, collars, or spot-on solutions.

Training & Safety Essentials

Training is key to raising a well-behaved dog. These supplies will help with obedience, behavior, and leash training.

✅ Collar & ID Tag 🏷️

Your puppy’s collar should have an adjustable fit and be lightweight.
Attach an ID tag with your phone number in case your puppy gets lost.
Microchipping is highly recommended as a permanent form of identification.

✅ Leash & Harness 🦮

A no-pull harness is gentler on your puppy’s neck.
A standard 4-6 foot leash is ideal for training and walks.
Avoid retractable leashes for young puppies, as they don’t offer enough control.

Puppy Training Schedule & Milestones

Puppies learn best with positive reinforcement, short training sessions, and consistency. Below is a structured training schedule broken down into key weeks and months.

Week 1: The First Few Days (Settling In & Bonding)

📌 Goals: Build trust, introduce routines, and make your puppy feel safe.
✔️ Teach their name – Use their name consistently with happy tones.
✔️ Establish a potty routine – Take them out every 2 hours, after meals, and after naps.
✔️ Introduce the crate – Make it a positive space with treats and toys.
✔️ Start basic commands: “Sit” and “Come” with treats.
✔️ Begin leash introduction indoors – Let them get used to wearing a collar/harness.
✔️ Keep social interactions gentle and calm – Let your puppy adjust to their new home.

Weeks 2-4: Basic Obedience & House Training

📌 Goals: Build confidence, reinforce house training, and introduce basic manners.
✔️ Continue potty training – Reward outdoor successes with praise and treats.
✔️ Start crate training for short periods.
✔️ Teach “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Down” with hand signals and treats.
✔️ Introduce leash training outdoors – Short walks in quiet areas.
✔️ Prevent nipping and biting – Redirect to chew toys when they nip.
✔️ Begin gentle handling exercises – Touch their paws, ears, and mouth for future vet/grooming visits.

Months 2-4: Socialization & Advanced Commands

📌 Goals: Expose your puppy to new experiences, people, and environments.
✔️ Introduce puppy playdates or controlled meetings with friendly dogs.
✔️ Expose your puppy to different sounds and environments (cars, parks, vacuum cleaners, etc.).
✔️ Teach “Leave it” and “Drop it” to prevent bad habits.
✔️ Work on leash manners – Reward loose leash walking.
✔️ Start alone time training – Gradually leave them alone for short periods to prevent separation anxiety.

Months 4-6: Reinforcing Training & Good Behavior

📌 Goals: Strengthen obedience, prevent behavioral issues, and improve impulse control.
✔️ Teach “Wait” and “Stay” in different locations.
✔️ Practice recall training (coming when called) with long leash exercises.
✔️ Increase walk durations and distractions to improve focus.
✔️ Continue socialization in busier areas like dog-friendly cafes, markets, or public spaces.
✔️ Address any emerging behavioral issues early (jumping, excessive barking, etc.).

6 Months & Beyond: Becoming a Well-Mannered Dog

📌 Goals: Transition from puppy training to lifelong obedience and good manners.
✔️ Strengthen off-leash recall in safe environments.
✔️ Work on advanced commands (heel, stay at a distance, wait before doorways).
✔️ Keep socialization ongoing – Continue positive interactions with dogs and people.
✔️ Introduce fun activities like agility training, fetch, or swimming for mental and physical exercise.

Pro Tip: Puppies thrive on routine. Try to train at the same times each day and keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) to maintain focus and engagement!

Puppy Vet Care & Health Planner

Your puppy’s first year of vet visits and vaccinations is crucial for lifelong health. Keep track of checkups, vaccinations, and preventive treatments with this guide.

Before the First Vet Visit

✔️ Find a trusted veterinarian.
✔️ Gather medical history (if adopting from a breeder or shelter).
✔️ Prepare questions about nutrition, vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, and training.
✔️ Bring poop sample for parasite testing.

Puppy Vaccination & Health Check Schedule

Age	Veterinary Care Needed
6-8 weeks	First puppy vaccines (Distemper, Parvo, Hepatitis), deworming, general health checkup.
10-12 weeks	Second round of vaccines (DHPP), Bordetella (for kennel cough), continued deworming.
14-16 weeks	Rabies vaccine, third DHPP shot, optional Lyme disease vaccine.
4-6 months	Spaying/neutering discussion, flea/tick/heartworm prevention starts.
6-12 months	Final booster shots, continued parasite prevention.

Pro Tip: Keep a puppy health journal to track vaccinations, weight changes, and vet recommendations!

Dental Care & Grooming Routine

✔️ Start brushing teeth early – Use a puppy toothbrush & dog-safe toothpaste.
✔️ Trim nails every 2-3 weeks – Avoid overgrown nails causing discomfort.
✔️ Brush fur regularly – Helps prevent shedding and matting.
✔️ Clean ears weekly – Prevents infections, especially for floppy-eared breeds.

Daily Puppy Routine Planner

A structured daily routine helps puppies feel secure and reduces anxiety. Here’s a sample schedule:

Morning Routine (7 AM – 10 AM)

✅ Wake up & first potty break 🚽
✅ Breakfast & fresh water 🍖
✅ Short walk or supervised outdoor time 🦮
✅ Training session (Sit, Stay, Come) 🎓
✅ Morning nap time 😴

Afternoon Routine (12 PM – 4 PM)

✅ Mid-day potty break 🚽
✅ Lunch (if feeding 3 times daily) 🍗
✅ Playtime & socialization 🧸
✅ Light grooming session (brushing, ear check) 🛁
✅ Afternoon nap in crate or quiet area 💤

Evening Routine (6 PM – 10 PM)

✅ Dinner & hydration 🍖
✅ Leash training or walk around the neighborhood 🏡
✅ More playtime or puzzle toy time 🧠
✅ Last potty break before bedtime 🚽
✅ Wind-down time (calm petting, soft music, quiet bonding) 💙
✅ Bedtime in crate or designated sleeping area 🛏️

Pro Tip: Keep consistent potty times (first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bed) to speed up house training!

These guidelines will ensure that the rough days of your pets are at bay.

Shower immense love and care on your pup and watch her glow.

They aren’t just pets, they will become the most important part of our lives.

Nikita Rout