Family Hive › Guides · Last updated: October 16, 2026

Puppy Checklist and First-Month Care Routine

The short answer

Have the basics ready before your puppy comes home, and book a vet visit right away. Puppies get a series of vaccines starting at 6 to 8 weeks old, usually finishing at 16 weeks or older. [1] Take your puppy outside often, at least every two hours, [3] and give them lots of safe, positive experiences with people, places and sounds while they’re young. [2]

Check with your vet. Every puppy is different. Your veterinarian should set the vaccine schedule, food amounts and anything else about your puppy’s health.

Supplies to have ready

Food and water bowls
The food your puppy has been eating (ask the breeder or shelter), so any switch can be gradual
Collar or harness, ID tag and leash
Crate or a small gated area
Bedding you can wash
Chew toys
Poop bags and an enzyme cleaner for accidents
Brush and nail clippers
A folder for vet records and the adoption or breeder paperwork

Before day one

Puppy-proof. Put away cords, shoes, trash and anything small enough to swallow. Keep cleaning products and medicines up high.
Pick a potty spot outside and plan to use it every time. [3]
Book the vet. Ask the breeder or shelter what shots and deworming your puppy already had.
Ask about socialization. The AVMA suggests asking for a socialization plan that covers what your puppy has already experienced. [2]

The first vet visit

Ask your vet about:

Vaccines. The AVMA says the series starts at 6 to 8 weeks of age, and for most puppies the final dose is at 16 weeks or older. Your vet may adjust that schedule. [1] Skipping or delaying vaccines can leave your puppy only partly protected. [1]
Reactions. Tell your vet about any past reaction to a vaccine or medicine. [1]
Deworming, flea and tick prevention, food, spay or neuter timing, and a microchip. Ask your vet what’s right for your puppy.

Potty training

Go out often. Take your puppy out at least every two hours, and right after waking up, playing, eating or drinking. [3]
Use one spot, on leash, and say the same word or phrase while they go. [3]
Know the rough limit. A puppy can hold their bladder about one hour for every month of age. [3] Ask your vet what’s right for your puppy.
Confine when you can’t watch. Use a small gated area or a crate, and go straight outside when you get back. [3]
Expect it to take time. Housetraining often takes four to six months, depending on the puppy. [3]

Socialization

The best time to start is between 3 and 14 weeks of age, when puppies are most open to learning about people, animals and places. [2]

Go slow and keep it positive. Introduce people, sounds, surfaces and handling a little at a time. [2]
Consider a puppy class. Puppies can start as early as 7 to 8 weeks, with at least one set of vaccines a week before the first class and a first deworming. [4]
Be careful where you go. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, keep them away from dogs with unknown vaccine status and places those dogs visit, like dog parks. [2][4]

A sample daily routine

This is an example, not a rule. Adjust it with your vet’s advice and your puppy’s age.

Time	What to do
Wake up	Straight outside to the potty spot
Breakfast	Meal, then outside again
Morning	Short play or training, then a nap in the crate or pen
Every 2 hours	Potty break, plus after naps and play
Lunch	Meal (if your vet suggests three a day), then outside
Afternoon	A short, safe outing or a visitor to meet
Dinner	Meal, then outside
Evening	Calm play and handling (paws, ears, brushing)
Bedtime	Last potty break, then the crate

First-month checklist

First vet visit done, and next vaccine date on the calendar
ID tag on the collar; microchip discussed with the vet
Potty spot and routine set
Crate or pen set up
A few unfamiliar people, sounds and places each week
Puppy class looked into
Vet records filed

Track it on paper

If you’d like one place for vet visits, feeding and daily care, the Pet Care Planner printable is in our shop.

Make it easier

Want it on paper? Use the Pet Care Planner to keep track as you go.

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