The New Puppy Checklist: Everything to Buy Before Pickup Day

Bringing home a puppy is one of the best days of the year — and also one of the most chaotic if you haven't prepped the essentials first. Whether you're picking up a Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix or a Doberman from GuigaPaws, the checklist below is the same one we walk every adopting family through.

Before pickup day

Set up the essentials at home first, not the day you bring your puppy in. A new environment is already overwhelming for a puppy — having their crate, food, and water bowl already in place gives them one less thing to adjust to.

• Crate sized for their adult weight (with a divider panel for growing breeds) — too large and house-training takes longer, too small and they'll outgrow it in weeks.
• Puppy-formula food matching what they're already eating. Ask us what we've been feeding — switching food abruptly causes stomach upset.
• Stainless steel or ceramic bowls — plastic can harbor bacteria and some pups are sensitive to it around the chin.
• A properly fitted collar and a 6-foot leash (skip retractable leashes for puppies — they teach poor leash manners).
• Puppy pads or an outdoor potty spot picked out in advance, plus enzymatic cleaner for the inevitable accidents.
• Soft chew toys for teething, and a couple of interactive toys to burn energy safely indoors.

The first vet visit

Schedule a vet check within the first few days of pickup — even though every GuigaPaws puppy leaves already dewormed and started on their vaccination series, your vet needs to see them to continue the schedule and establish a baseline health record.

The first 48 hours at home

Keep it low-key. Limit visitors, keep the environment calm, and let your puppy sleep as much as they want — growth happens during sleep. Start crate training immediately rather than waiting for problems to show up.

If you're unsure about sizing, feeding amounts, or anything else, message us — every family who takes home a GuigaPaws puppy gets ongoing support from us, not just a one-time sale.