New Puppy First-Week Checklist
The first week home sets the tone, and in the excitement it’s easy to forget half of it. This checklist walks the first seven days on one page: what to buy before pickup, a gentle day-by-day plan (calm arrival, crate, vet, name games, a little alone-time practice), and the potty rhythm that heads off most accidents. Tick each item as you go.
Genuinely fillable · bilingual EN/ES · vet-sourced — not a scanned template.
What's inside
- A “before the first night” supply checklist (crate, bowls, ID, puppy-proofing, cleaner, chews)
- A calm day-by-day plan for days 1–7
- A first-week potty rhythm (waking, after meals, after play, bedtime, overnight)
- Space for questions to ask the vet
- Both US Letter and A4 sizes
How to use it
- Print it before pickup and shop from the supply list.
- Follow the day-by-day plan — keep the first days calm and low-key.
- Use the potty rhythm from day one to build the habit fast.
- Book the first vet visit in the first few days.
New printables + calm, sourced dog-care tips
Join the Pack and the 18-printable bundle is your instant thank-you — then we email new printables and short, vet-sourced tips as they’re ready. A few times a month, no spam.
The 18-printable pack lands instantly — new printables and tips follow. Unsubscribe anytime.Frequently asked questions
- What do I need before bringing a puppy home?
- A crate with soft bedding, food and water bowls, the food the breeder or shelter used, a collar with an ID tag and leash, an enzymatic cleaner, safe chews and toys, and one puppy-proofed room. The checklist lists all of it.
- How do I handle the first night with a new puppy?
- Keep arrival calm and quiet, limit the puppy to one room, and set up the crate as a good place with meals and chews. Expect some fussing — a predictable potty and sleep rhythm from day one helps everyone settle.
- How often should a new puppy go potty?
- Very often at first: on waking, after every meal, after play or excitement, before the crate, before bed, and once or twice overnight. Frequent, well-timed trips outside prevent most accidents.
Free educational printable — not veterinary advice, and not a substitute for your vet's official records or an emergency call. Full disclaimer → · Leer en español →