What you need before they arrive
Dog crate (sized for adult, not puppy) with bedding and a cover. Food and water bowls. Puppy food (ask the breeder/shelter what they have been eating — a sudden food change adds stress). A collar with ID tag (legally required in the UK for dogs in public). A lead. The vet's number. That is the essentials list. Everything else can be bought later.
The first week
Limit visitors. Keep noise and stimulation low. The puppy is leaving everything it knows — allow it to explore the house gradually. Begin crate training from day one — short positive sessions, not hours alone. Register with a vet in the first week. Start gentle name recognition and recall training immediately. Log sessions with our free dog training log.
The thing nobody tells you
Puppies are harder than most people expect. Sleep deprivation, chewing, toilet training accidents — the first 4–8 weeks are genuinely demanding. Most 'problem dogs' are dogs whose training was delayed or inconsistent in the first year. The effort invested in months 2–6 pays back for 10–15 years.
Our picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Dog crate foldable medium large | The crate | Check price → |
| Training | Puppy training treats soft small low calorie | Training treats | Check price → |
| Book | Total Recall Pippa Mattinson dog recall | Training guide | Check price → |
| Insurance | Puppy dog insurance UK lifetime cover | Pet insurance | Check price → |
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