A new puppy needs six things sorted before pickup day: appropriate food and bowls, a collar, lead and ID tag, safe chew toys, a comfortable bed and safe space, training treats, and a toilet-training plan. Get these ready before your puppy walks through the door and the first week is far calmer: for both of you.
- Buy the essentials before pickup day, not after: a prepared home settles a puppy faster.
- Keep food, routine and environment consistent for the first two weeks to avoid tummy upsets and stress.
- Choose an adjustable collar and check the fit weekly: puppies grow fast.
- Small, soft, tasty treats are the backbone of early training and toilet training.
- A defined bed and safe space (crate or pen) makes house-training and settling much easier.
What do I actually need before bringing a puppy home?
The must-have list is shorter than most pet shops would have you believe. Focus on these before day one and you can add the nice-to-haves later:
- Age-appropriate puppy food and two sturdy bowls (food and water)
- An adjustable collar and lead plus an ID tag
- Two or three puppy-safe toys, including a chew
- A comfortable bed and, ideally, a crate or playpen
- Small, soft training treats
- Poo bags, an enzyme cleaner for accidents, and basic grooming bits
What should I feed a new puppy?
Start with a quality food matched to your puppy's age and size, and keep it consistent for the first couple of weeks. Sudden food changes are one of the most common causes of an upset tummy in a new pup, so if you plan to switch brands, do it gradually over 7 to 10 days. Keep fresh water available at all times.
Got a puppy who inhales dinner in ten seconds? A Lickimat slow-feeder bowl slows fast eaters right down and turns mealtime into a calming activity.
What collar and lead does a puppy need?
A lightweight, adjustable collar and a comfortable lead are essentials for early walks and training. Because puppies grow so quickly, check the fit weekly using the two-finger rule: you should be able to slip two fingers snugly under the collar. Any tighter and it's time to loosen it. Add an ID tag with your phone number from the very first day: even indoor puppies bolt through open doors. See our range of collars and leads.
Which toys are safe for a teething puppy?
Puppies explore the world with their mouths, so give them puppy-safe chew toys to protect your furniture and soothe sore, teething gums. Rotate a few toys to keep things novel, and supervise any new toy for the first few sessions. A treat-stuffable toy like the KONG Wobbler or a KONG Licks Mat also doubles as a calming, boredom-busting job. For a full breakdown by chew strength and play style, read our guide on how to choose the right dog toy.
How do I set up a bed and safe space?
A cosy, correctly-sized bed in a quiet corner gives your puppy somewhere to properly switch off, and puppies need a lot of sleep, often 18 to 20 hours a day. A crate or playpen isn't a cage; used kindly, it becomes a den your puppy chooses for security, and it makes toilet training far easier because dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep.
What treats work best for puppy training?
Small, soft, tasty treats are the backbone of early training. Use them to reward toilet training, name recognition and the first basic cues, and keep each piece tiny so you can reward often without overfeeding. Single-ingredient options like Meaty Treaty freeze-dried chicken hearts are high-value and gentle on little tummies. Keep treats to around 10% of daily calories: our healthy dog treats guide explains how to balance that.
How do I start toilet training?
Take your puppy out often: after every sleep, meal, play session, and every hour or two in between, and reward instantly the moment they go in the right spot. Consistency and timing matter more than anything else in the first fortnight. We've covered the full routine in our week-by-week puppy toilet training guide.
Your first-week checklist
- Quality puppy food + food and water bowls
- Adjustable collar + lead + ID tag
- 2 to 3 puppy-safe toys (including a chew and a treat toy)
- Comfortable bed + crate or playpen
- Small, soft training treats
- Poo bags, enzyme cleaner and basic grooming kit
Frequently asked questions
When can my puppy go for a walk outside?
Wait until your vet confirms vaccinations are complete: usually a week or two after the final round. Until then, you can safely socialise your puppy at home, in your own backyard, and by carrying them to see the world.
How often should I feed a new puppy?
Most puppies do best on three to four small meals a day until around four months, then two to three meals. Follow your food's feeding guide for their weight and age, and always keep fresh water down.
How much sleep does a puppy actually need?
A lot: often 18 to 20 hours a day. Overtired puppies get nippy and hyperactive, so protect their nap time with a quiet, comfortable bed or crate away from household bustle.
What's the two-finger rule for collars?
You should be able to fit two fingers snugly between the collar and your puppy's neck. Any tighter is uncomfortable; any looser and they could slip out. Because puppies grow fast, check it weekly.
Shop next: Food & Treats · Collars & Leads · Dog Toys · Lickimat Slow Feeder
Related reading: How to Choose the Right Dog Toy · Healthy Dog Treats Guide