A new puppy brings a lot of joy, and a lot to think about. The first week is when your puppy learns where they sleep, where they toilet and who their people are, so a little preparation makes a big difference. This guide covers what to buy, how to puppy-proof your home and section, how to get through the first nights, and the health care and paperwork your puppy will need.
Your puppy shopping list
- Puppy food. Start with whatever your puppy has been eating, and change gradually later if you want to.
- Food and water bowls that are sturdy and hard to tip.
- A collar and ID tag with your phone number.
- A lead and a comfortable harness.
- A crate or puppy pen and a bed, for safe sleep and quiet time.
- Chew toys, because puppies chew a lot, especially while teething.
- Small, soft training treats.
- Poo bags, and cleaning spray for accidents.
- Flea and worm treatment sized for puppies.
Puppy-proof your home and section
- check fences and gates for gaps your puppy could squeeze through
- tuck away cords, shoes, kids' toys and anything chewable
- store slug bait, rat bait, fertiliser, garden sprays and cleaning products well out of reach. These are common causes of poisoning in New Zealand dogs.
- fence off the pool, pond or spa
- keep human food, chocolate and bins out of reach. Our guide to what foods dogs can and can't eat has the full list.
The first few days
Toilet training starts on day one. Take your puppy outside to the same spot every 1 to 2 hours, and always after waking up, eating, playing and drinking. Praise and reward them the moment they go. Accidents will happen. Clean them up without fuss and never punish your puppy, as it only teaches them to hide.
Let them sleep. Puppies sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day. A crate or pen with a comfy bed gives them a safe place to rest, away from busy family life.
The first nights. Your puppy has just left their mum and littermates, so some crying is normal. Put their bed or crate near you at first, so they can hear and smell you. Take them out for a quick, quiet toilet break during the night if they need it, then straight back to bed.
Keep visitors low-key. Let your puppy settle before introducing lots of new people. When children meet the puppy, have them sit on the floor and let the puppy come to them.
Feeding your puppy
Puppies need small meals often. Feed three to four meals a day until about 4 months old, then three meals until 6 months, then two meals a day. Use the feeding guide on the bag for your puppy's current weight, and adjust as they grow.
Feed a puppy food until your puppy has finished growing, which can be anywhere from 9 months for small breeds to 18 months or more for giant breeds. Our guides to puppy food vs adult food and when to switch to adult food explain more.
Health care and paperwork
- Book a vet check in the first week. Your vet will check your puppy over and plan their vaccinations, usually a course of injections a few weeks apart.
- Hold off on public places until your vet says it's safe. Parvovirus is common in New Zealand and can be deadly for unvaccinated puppies. Avoid parks, beaches and walking tracks used by other dogs until your puppy's vaccinations are complete.
- Worming: every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months. Our guide to treating worms in NZ explains more.
- Flea treatment sized for puppies. Check the pack for the minimum age and weight.
- Registration and microchipping. In New Zealand, dogs must be registered with your local council by 3 months of age, and most dogs must be microchipped within 2 months of being registered for the first time. Check your council's rules.
Socialisation: the most important job
Between about 3 and 14 weeks old, puppies learn what's normal and safe. Gently introduce your puppy to lots of new people, sounds, surfaces and experiences, keeping each one short and positive. Carry them to see the world before they're fully vaccinated, and look for a puppy class that welcomes young pups.
Puppy essentials we stock
Mendota Double-Braid Junior Collar. A soft, narrow collar that adjusts to any length without holes, so it grows with your puppy. Pair it with a Mendota Snap Lead. Both are handcrafted in the USA and guaranteed for the life of your pet.
EzyDog Quick Fit Harness. Clips on with a single buckle, with a soft, padded chest strap. A comfortable first harness that's easy to get on a wriggly puppy. Our guide to choosing the right harness and lead explains how to fit it.
Petstages Orka Grow With Me Ring. A tough but gentle chew ring with three textures to soothe teething gums, and a good alternative to your furniture. For a long-lasting chew, try a stuffed KONG Classic, and for dental chews from 3 months, Whimzees Puppy.
Nina Ottosson Puppy Smart (Level 1). A simple first puzzle that turns part of your puppy's meal into a brain game. When they've mastered it, step up to the Puppy Tornado or Puppy Lickin' Layers.
Adaptil Junior Collar. Releases a copy of the calming pheromone puppies feel with their mum, helping with crying at night, time alone and new experiences. Designed for puppies from adoption to about 6 months.
Also on the list: sturdy Durabolz stainless steel bowls, Bocce's Bakery Training Bites for toilet training rewards, Beco Poop Bags, and Moxiclear or Easi-Spot in puppy sizes.
Puppy food. We stock a wide range, including Black Hawk Large Breed Puppy, Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy, Royal Canin Mini Puppy and Hill's Puppy.
Several of these products are ordered in especially for you, so order a week or so before your puppy comes home. Not sure what you need? Call or pop into our Oxford store and we'll help you put together a puppy starter kit.
Your first-week checklist
- puppy food (the same as they've been eating)
- sturdy food and water bowls
- collar, ID tag, lead and harness
- crate or pen, and a bed
- chew toys and a puzzle feeder
- training treats and poo bags
- flea and worm treatment sized for puppies
- puppy-proofed home and section
- vet check booked for the first week
- council registration by 3 months, and microchipping
Get ready for your new puppy
Browse our range of dog food, dog toys and dog treats, with delivery across New Zealand and click and collect from Oxford, North Canterbury. Or get in touch and tell us about your new puppy. We're happy to help.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your puppy is unwell, see your vet.