Puppy First Week Checklist: Supplies, Potty & Crate Training

Quick answer

In your puppy's first week, focus on four things: a safe, puppy-proofed space, a potty routine, a calm crate introduction and a vet check. Start potty training the day your puppy comes home, taking them out first thing, last thing, after naps, meals and play, and every 1–2 hours while awake. Keep them away from unknown dogs until your vet says vaccinations are complete, and keep treats under 10% of daily calories. Want the full plan? Download our free New Puppy Handbook.

At a glance
Before day one	Crate, bed, harness and leash, bowls, puppy food, chew toys, treats, poop bags, enzymatic cleaner
Potty breaks	After waking, meals, drinking, naps, crate time and play, and every 1–2 hours
Crate size	Just big enough to stand, turn around and lie down
Vet	Book a check-up in the first few days
Other dogs	Avoid unknown dogs until vaccinations are complete

What to buy before your puppy comes home

The AKC's essentials are simple:

A crate sized for their adult size, with a divider
A bed, plus food and water bowls
The puppy food your breeder or shelter has been feeding
A harness and leash, which help while your puppy learns to walk on a leash
Chew and teething toys, small training treats and poop bags
An enzymatic cleaner for accidents
A puppy toothbrush and dog toothpaste

Puppy-proof your home

Move or cover electrical cords
Lock away cleaning products and medicines
Pick up small things they could swallow: coins, hair ties, jewellery
Secure bins and keep toilet lids closed
Keep human food off low surfaces, especially sugar-free gum (xylitol), chocolate and raisins
Check fences and keep your puppy off freshly treated lawns

Day one: keep it calm

Take your puppy straight to their potty spot when you get home. Start with one or two rooms and widen their world gradually. Stick with their current food to avoid an upset stomach, and book a vet check for the first few days.

Start potty training straight away

The AKC says young puppies can generally hold their bladder for about as many hours as their age in months. Take your puppy out:

First thing in the morning and last thing at night
After naps, crate time, meals and drinking
After chewing and play
Every 1–2 hours while awake

Use the same spot, say a cue like "Go potty", and reward with praise and a tiny treat the moment they finish. If there's an accident, don't make a fuss: clean it with an enzymatic cleaner. Rewarding the right behaviour works better than punishing mistakes.

Introduce the crate kindly

Leave the door open and toss treats inside whenever your puppy goes near it. Reward them while they're inside, give a stuffed chew toy, and close the door only for short spells once they're relaxed. Never crate a puppy longer than they can hold their bladder, never force them in, and take their collar off in the crate.

Feeding and the first vet visit

Feed a complete, balanced puppy food. The AKC suggests about four meals a day at 6–12 weeks, three at 3–6 months and two from 6 months. Your vet will plan core vaccines (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza and rabies), which usually start at 6–8 weeks and continue every few weeks until about 16 weeks.

Socialise safely

The AKC describes roughly 5 to 16 weeks as the most important socialisation period. Invite calm visitors, let your puppy meet vaccinated dogs you know, and introduce new sounds and surfaces gently, but avoid unknown dogs and busy dog areas until your vet says vaccinations are complete.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I take my puppy out to potty?

After waking, eating, drinking, naps, crate time and play, and every 1–2 hours while awake, which can mean a dozen or more trips a day at first.

Where should my puppy sleep the first night?

In a comfortable crate with a stuffed chew toy. Take them out last thing at night and first thing in the morning; young puppies may need a trip during the night too.

When should my puppy see the vet?

The AKC recommends a check-up within the first few days. Bring any health records from the breeder or shelter.

When can my puppy meet other dogs?

Avoid unknown dogs and places where many dogs go until your vet says vaccinations are complete. Calm, vaccinated dogs you know are fine sooner.

How many meals does a puppy need?

About four a day at 6–12 weeks, three at 3–6 months and two from 6 months, according to the AKC.

Sources

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different; ask your vet before changing your pet's diet or care, especially if they have a health condition, are overweight, or have a sensitive stomach.