Preparing for your puppy: what to do before homecoming

1. Get the handover details in writing

Before pickup, ask the current carer for the food name, usual mealtimes and existing care instructions. Request the puppy’s records and clarify which follow-up arrangements are already in place. Keep questions about vaccination, parasite prevention and suitable outings for your veterinarian.

• Confirm pickup time, location and the person you will meet.
• Create one folder for records, instructions and your questions.
• Write down any supplies or familiar items coming home with the puppy.

Further reading: Dogs Trust: Day one with a new puppy.

2. Set up one manageable area

Check accessible cords, small objects, household chemicals and escape routes. Prepare a quiet resting place and decide how you will supervise access to the rest of the home. PDSA’s preparation advice also emphasizes planning for ongoing costs, time and shared household responsibilities.

• Walk through the area from the puppy’s height.
• Agree who checks doors and gates before they open.
• Choose where food, cleaning products and equipment will be stored securely.

Further reading: PDSA: New puppy guide.

3. Shop from a short, specific list

Organize your list around jobs: feeding, resting, transport, cleanup and supervised play. Write down what you already have before buying more. For equipment, record the puppy’s actual measurements and compare them with the individual product’s instructions; a generic size label is not enough.

• Feeding: current food and suitable bowls.
• Rest: a quiet space and suitable washable bedding.
• Cleanup: waste bags and cleaning supplies stored out of reach.
• Travel and handling: suitable equipment checked against its instructions.
• Play and grooming: supplies chosen for this puppy, with advice from the current carer or groomer.

4. Assign the work, including backup care

Write a name beside meals, supervision, cleanup, pickup and the overnight response. If you will be unavailable, arrange who takes over before you need them. Put your veterinary practice and out-of-hours contact details somewhere every carer can find them.

• Name one person to keep the records up to date.
• Check work commitments against the care you have arranged.
• Agree how carers will leave notes for each other.

5. Do a final pickup-day check

Confirm the route and handover arrangements, prepare suitable transport equipment and follow its manufacturer’s instructions. Put the records folder, cleaning supplies and contact details where you can reach them. Leave optional errands for another day so the arrival plan stays simple.

When you return, use the first-week planner to turn unfinished preparation into dated tasks. A printable plan is a reminder, so revise it when your puppy or your veterinarian needs something different.

Common questions