Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but can be overwhelming! Here are lots of tips on what to procure ahead of time, easing the transition from the breeder’s home to yours, and setting up for a peaceful household.
What you’ll need
Food - ask your breeder what brand of food they are feeding the puppies. They may send you home with some, or they may expect you to get a bag of your own. You’ll keep your puppy on the same food at first, so you don’t upset their digestion, then transition to a different brand slowly (if you want to).
Bowls for food and water. You may want a “slow feeder” bowl for puppies that gulp their food quickly.
Toys - get toys with a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures. Your pup’s toy preferences may change as they are growing and teething, and you’ll want to have various on hand to discourage mouthing and chewing on furniture.
Food toys and edible chews, to keep your pup entertained (see this article for suggestions).
Collar and harness, for walking and tethering in the car (or use a crate). If you’re not sure what sizes to get, ask your breeder to give you a measurement of the circumferences of the pup’s neck and rib cage shortly before it’s time for pick up. I recommend a harness because it will be safer to use for teaching leash walking.
Crate, if you’ll be using one. Crates are very helpful for potty training, chew training, and generally keeping your puppy out of trouble when unsupervised. Larger wire crates usually come with dividers, so you can get one that will fit your dog when full grown, and make it temporarily smaller for the puppy.
Baby gates and x-pens (example), to block off areas of the house or keep your puppy contained during potty training and chew training. These can be used instead of a crate, or in different areas of the house.
Potty pads, if you plan to use them. (You could instead commit to taking your puppy outside for every potty break, right from the start.)
Bitter tasting spray (such as Bitter Yuck or Bitter Apple), to deter chewing on furniture.
A big plush toy, to help your puppy settle when alone.
Dog beds, blankets, or towels. You may not want to get anything too fancy early on, when your pup may be pottying or chewing on their bedding.
Grooming tools. Long-haired dogs will need regular brushing to keep from matting. Dogs with poodle/doodle-type coats will need to be trimmed regularly - you can take them to a professional groomer or do this yourself. You’ll also need to trim your dog’s nails - here is an article all about nail trims.
Transitioning from the breeder’s home
Ask your breeder whether they will be sending a toy or blanket home with the pup, so they have a familiar item to provide comfort. If not, ask if you can drop off or mail them a small blanket to put with the puppies, and then bring back home during pick up.
If possible, visit the puppies at least once before you bring yours home. Spend some time playing with the pups and making a good first impression.
During the car ride home, have the pup sit next to someone or on their lap. In the long term, you’ll want to have your pup safely secured in the car (using a crate or tether), but that’s very hard on most puppies during their first trip without littermates. If you are alone, secure your pup on the passenger seat so that they can see you and get reassuring petting when safe. Never allow a puppy to sit on the driver’s lap, as they may interfere with steering or fall down near the pedals.
Let your pup investigate their new home without immediately meeting other pets - one thing at a time! Don’t let kids accost the pup while they’re still figuring everything out. (Use the resources in this article to teach kids to be respectful of dogs.)
Do not allow your puppy to overwhelm or bully more timid or defensive animals (like other small dogs, cats, rabbits, or chickens), or be overwhelmed by older/larger dogs. (Article on introducing dogs to each other and to other animals is in the works.)
Set up areas where your pup will be confined when unsupervised (eg crate, pen), and where they will be hanging out with you. Don’t give them free reign of the entire house at first, to minimize potty accidents and chewing on furniture/your stuff.
Get your puppy on a regular schedule over the course of the first week.
The first few nights can be very stressful for the puppy, who is not used to sleeping alone, and for the human, who has to listen to their pup whining and crying. The large plush toy will give them a faux littermate to cuddle up to, and a blanket that smells like the breeder’s home will help comfort them. If your pup is sleeping in a crate, place it on your bed or immediately next to it. Place your fingers through the bars and talk softly to your puppy.
When to start training
Remember that your pup is constantly learning about interacting with humans, how to play, how to be alone, and so on. You’re training from the first minute you bring them home! If getting your puppy settled into your home is a struggle, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Formal obedience training (like sit, stay, come, leash walking prep) can begin right after.