How to Prepare for Bringing Home a New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and life-changing experience! Whether you're welcoming a Golden Retriever from us at SDG Goldens or a puppy from another breeder, proper preparation is key to ensuring a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Puppies require time, patience, and a well-prepared home to help them settle in comfortably. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do before bringing your puppy home, including essential supplies, puppy-proofing, establishing routines, and the first night’s experience.

1. Puppy-Proof Your Home

Puppies are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. Just like baby-proofing a home for a toddler, you’ll need to puppy-proof your space to prevent accidents and keep your new companion safe.

Puppy-Proofing Checklist:

✔️ Secure Electrical Cords – Puppies love to chew, so tuck away exposed wires.

✔️ Remove Toxic Plants & Chemicals – Many houseplants and cleaning products can be dangerous to dogs.

✔️ Keep Small Objects Out of Reach – Buttons, toys, shoes, and jewelry can be choking hazards.

✔️ Block Off Unsafe Areas – Use baby gates to restrict access to rooms or stairways.

✔️ Cover Trash Cans & Secure Cabinets – Puppies are notorious for getting into things they shouldn’t.

A safe environment will help prevent destructive behavior and ensure your puppy grows up in a secure space.

2. Gather Essential Supplies

Having all the necessary puppy essentials before their arrival will make the transition smoother and stress-free.

New Puppy Essentials Checklist:

🐾 Crate & Bed – A cozy crate for sleeping and training. Here is the crate that we suggest: BestPet Folding Crate on Amazon.  It includes a divider panel so you can adjust the size as your puppy grows—perfect for potty training and long-term use.

🐾 Food & Water Bowls – Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are best.

🐾 High-Quality Puppy Food – We recommend Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Lamb and Rice for our puppies; however, Proplan, Iams, Eukanuba, and Royal Canin are all good brands as well.

🐾 Toys & Chews – Teething puppies need safe chew toys to soothe sore gums.

🐾 Leash & Collar – Start with a soft, adjustable collar and a sturdy leash. We send each of our puppies home with a leash and collar.

🐾 ID Tags & Microchip – Ensure your puppy has proper identification. All of our puppies go home already microchipped.

🐾 Cleaning Supplies – Accidents will happen, so be prepared!

🐾 Grooming Tools – A brush, shampoo, nail clippers, and ear cleaner.

🐾 Playpen or Baby Gates – To help limit your puppy’s access to certain areas.

Setting up a designated puppy area with these supplies will make your new dog feel comfortable and secure.

3. Here is What’s Included with Your SDG Goldens Puppy

We send each puppy home with a thoughtful take-home package that includes:

• ✅ A bag of Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food (Lamb Meal & Rice formula)

• ✅ A leash and collar

• ✅ Paid AKC registration

• ✅ Lifetime enrollment in AKC Reunite with microchip activation

• ✅ Vaccination and deworming records

• ✅ A soft blanket with momma’s scent

• ✅ A few favorite toys from their litter

This kit gives your puppy a comforting sense of familiarity and sets you up with the essentials to start your journey off right.

4. Establish a Routine

Puppies thrive on structure and consistency, so creating a daily routine from the start will help them adjust quickly.

Sample Puppy Schedule:

⏰ Morning: Take them outside for a potty break, feed breakfast, and have playtime followed by another potty break.

⏰ Midday: More potty breaks, followed by training sessions and socialization.

⏰ Afternoon: Nap time, a short walk, and playtime followed by a potty break.

⏰ Late Afternoon: Dinner followed by a potty break.

⏰ Evening: One last potty break before bedtime. Then potty breaks as need through the night.

Puppies need plenty of sleep, so be sure to schedule time for naps throughout the day.

5. Start Training Early

Training should begin as soon as your puppy arrives. Even though they’re small, puppies are eager to learn and will benefit from early guidance. We recommend using their feeding times as training times. You can use their kibble as training treats.

Early Training Tips:

✔️ Crate Training – Helps with potty training and provides a safe space.

✔️ Potty Training – Take your puppy outside frequently and reward them for going in the right spot.

✔️ Basic Commands – Start with simple cues like "sit," "stay," and "come."

✔️ Socialization – Introduce your puppy to new people, sounds, and experiences early on.

Using positive reinforcement—such as treats and praise—will make training fun and rewarding for both of you.

6. Prepare for the First Night

The first night in a new home can be overwhelming for a puppy. It’s completely normal for them to feel anxious or whine as they adjust to their new surroundings.

How to Help Your Puppy Settle In:

🌙 Keep their crate near your bed so they feel safe and not alone.

🌙 Use a soft blanket with mom's scent or stuffed toy to provide comfort.

🌙 Take them outside for a potty break right before bed.

🌙 Ignore whining unless they need to potty—otherwise, you may reinforce the behavior of whining for you to come get them. If they've been quiet for awhile and then begin to whine, it is usually a sign that they need to go potty. If they whine as soon as you put them in the kennel, or shortly after you've put them in, they are most likely wanting you to just come get them.

With patience and consistency, your puppy will soon feel at home and sleep peacefully through the night.

7. Schedule a Vet Visit

Your puppy should have their first vet appointment within a few days of arriving home. This will ensure they are healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and protected against common illnesses. Regular vet checkups are essential for keeping your puppy healthy as they grow. Then, they will need their next vet check-ups at 12 weeks and again at 16 weeks.

8. Be Patient and Enjoy the Journey!

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also comes with challenges. Puppies require time, patience, and training, but the love and companionship they provide make it all worthwhile. Enjoy the little moments—puppy kisses, playful zoomies, and those adorable first naps in your lap. They grow up fast, so cherish every stage! By preparing your home, gathering essential supplies, setting routines, and starting training early, you’ll be giving your puppy the best start in their new life. Are you bringing home a puppy soon? Let us know in the comments what you’re most excited about! If you are ready to bring an English Cream Golden Retriever puppy home from us, you can check out our available puppies, or contact us to reserve one.

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