What To Do When Bringing A Puppy Home

Planning on bringing a puppy home? Bringing a new puppy home is an incredibly exciting milestone for any pet owner, but let’s be honest—it can also be pretty overwhelming.

Puppies are a lot of work, and the adjustment period goes both ways. While they’re learning to settle into their new surroundings, you’re also getting used to the daily demands of caring for a young dog.

That’s why it’s so important to be well-prepared for this big transition. Whether this is your first puppy or you’re adding another to the family, they can still catch you off guard, and the more ready you are beforehand, the smoother the process will be.

While Hank is already a few years old, we recently just went through the process of bringing home a stray puppy. Which is a different process altogether.

Recently, we welcomed a new puppy into our home, and I wanted to share some helpful tips and steps for anyone considering or planning to bring one home soon. A little preparation can go a long way in helping your new puppy feel comfortable and secure, and making the adjustment easier for everyone (pets and people alike).

And if you’re already a pet parent, you might also enjoy my recent post on How to Keep Your House Clean With Pets.

Crate training

My number one tip for bringing home a new puppy is to start crate training on day one. Crate training not only provides your dog with a safe space but if done well will be a calming environment and excellent training tool.

We purchased the MidWest Homes Double Door Dog Crate and I absolutely love it. It’s so important to have a crate that suits your dog.

The MidWest Homes crates comes in multiple sizes and you can get one of these orthopedic memory foam beds to fit inside (if your dog is destructive or not house trained yet start without a bed). I went with a size medium crate so Hank can grow into it.

A crucial part of successful crate training is building positive associations with the crate. It should never be used as a form of punishment. Instead, make it a welcoming space by offering treats, meals, and special rewards, like a peanut butter-filled Kong, while your pup is inside.

Patience is key—crate training can take a few months, but with consistency, your puppy will come to see the crate as a safe, cozy retreat. Plus, it will keep your shoes and other belongings safe from those eager, teething jaws during the training process. Check out this post for more helpful tips on crate training!

Get supplies ahead of time

If possible, gather all the essential supplies before bringing your new puppy home. Once your pup arrives, things can get a bit hectic, so being prepared in advance will make the transition smoother. Here’s a handy list to help you get started.

Puppy Supplies

• Crate
• Bed – We also have this one and love it.
• Food and Water Bowls – We swear by this slow feeder for Hank. And we love this double-bowl for water.
• Training Treats
• Puppy Food – We are big fans of Merrick. When Hank grew up we switched to Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach.
• Collar
• Leash – We love this one.
• Safe Chew Toys
• Puppy Shampoo
• Poop Bags

Prioritize Potty Training Your Puppy

Potty training is one of the first and most important tasks when bringing home a new puppy. It took us about a week to potty train our puppy, Hank (though there are still the occasional accidents—he’s still learning!).

Some dogs pick it up faster than others, but establishing a routine from day one makes the process smoother. Puppies have limited bladder control, so they need frequent bathroom breaks throughout the day, especially right after meals.

Follow a Schedule

The first few days, and especially the first night at home with your new puppy, can be challenging. You’ll need plenty of patience and frequent trips outside. If your puppy has traveled a long distance or arrived via transport, they might be feeling nervous or tired.

That’s why it’s essential to start a routine as soon as possible. Structure is key for both you and your puppy. We follow a fairly consistent schedule with Hank every day, which helps minimize accidents and ensures he gets plenty of stimulation to thrive.

Here’s a sample puppy schedule that can be helpful for the first few months. Over time, you won’t need to stick to such a strict routine, and your puppy can enjoy more freedom, but this is a great starting point.

Set Up Vet Appointments

Before bringing your puppy home, do some research on veterinarians in your area. It’s much easier to have this sorted out in advance. Depending on their age, puppies need several vaccinations spaced a few weeks apart, so your first vet visit will likely be within the first week of bringing them home.

Puppy-Proof Your Home

Puppies are naturally curious and notorious for getting into everything. This is why crate training is so useful! It’s also important to puppy-proof your home as much as possible to keep them safe. A few things to consider:

• Unplug and move electrical cords out of reach.
• Keep windows and doors securely closed.
• Secure any outdoor areas, especially if you have a pool.
• Put away small items that could be choking hazards.
• Make sure trash cans are tightly sealed and out of reach.
• Keep houseplants out of reach, as some can be toxic to puppies.

Get Pet Insurance

There are several pet insurance options that can help cover your pet’s medical care. Depending on the policy, insurance can cover everything from accidents and illnesses to routine wellness visits.

Getting pet insurance as soon as you bring Hank home can save you money in the long run. Once a condition is diagnosed, it may be treated as a pre-existing issue, which means it won’t be covered without prior insurance. My current monthly premium for Hank is less than $30/month.

Here are some pet insurance options:

• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Healthy Paws – Best for alternative therapies
• ASPCA – Best for hereditary and congenital conditions
• Spot – Best for unlimited coverage
• Pumpkin – Best for puppies and kittens
• Figo – Best for reimbursement options
• Embrace – Best for older pets
• Trupanion – Best for direct payment to vets

Enroll in Puppy Class

Once Hank had all his vaccinations and was ready to be around other dogs, we enrolled him in a puppy class. This is a great way to practice basic training and obedience, as well as socialize your puppy with other dogs. Check local pet stores and shelters for available classes. We signed up for a puppy class at PetSmart, and it’s been a fantastic experience.

Prepare for Upset Tummies with a Bland Diet

It’s almost inevitable that, at some point, your puppy will get an upset stomach. The usual solution is a bland diet, such as chicken and rice (pumpkin puree is also a great addition).

Whenever Hank has any tummy trouble, I switch to rice for a few days, and it always helps. Of course, consult your vet if you have any concerns about your puppy’s health.

Socialize Regularly

Socializing Hank has been a top priority. Effective socialization doesn’t always mean your puppy has to approach other people or dogs—observation is also an essential part of the process.

It’s important for Hank to experience different environments and scenarios without needing to interact with every person or animal he sees. This approach helps prevent overstimulation and builds confidence. The key is to keep the experiences positive and low-stress. This post from the AKC has great tips on puppy socialization if you want more guidance.

By preparing in advance, creating routines, and keeping a positive approach, you can make the transition to life with a new puppy smoother and more enjoyable. Following these steps with Hank has made all the difference, and we hope these tips help you, too!

Cheers,
Katie