First dog checklist: what to prepare before your dog comes home

Quick checklist before collection day

• Register with a local vet and ask when your dog should be seen.
• Check microchip details and make sure the keeper information is correct.
• Choose suitable food and ask what the dog is already eating.
• Prepare a bed, water bowl, food bowl, collar or harness, lead, waste bags and safe toys.
• Decide where your dog will sleep for the first few nights.
• Dog-proof rooms by removing hazards, loose cables, toxic plants and anything easily chewed.
• Think about pet insurance before illness or injury appears.
• Agree a shortlist of names the whole household can use consistently.

Vet, vaccination and microchip basics

GOV.UK says all dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by the time they are 8 weeks old. If you are collecting a puppy, ask for the microchip number and check that the transfer process is clear.

You should also ask for vaccination, worming, flea treatment and vet-check records. PDSA advises new puppy owners to arrange a vet check and keep reminders for future vaccinations and flea or worming treatments. Even with an older rescue dog, it is sensible to book an early vet appointment so you understand any ongoing care needs.

Keep paperwork together in one folder or digital note: microchip details, vaccination card, breeder or rescue documents, insurance documents, food details and any medication instructions.

Home setup and the first night

The first night should be calm and predictable. Choose one sleeping area and try not to move it repeatedly. A washable bed or crate, if introduced kindly and never used as punishment, can give your dog a familiar base.

For puppies, expect accidents, unsettled behaviour and broken sleep. For rescue dogs, expect uncertainty. A dog may seem quiet at first and become more confident over several days or weeks. Keep visitors limited at the beginning and let your dog learn the household gradually.

Prepare a safe route to the garden or toileting area. Keep cleaning products out of reach, check fences and gates, and remove items that could be chewed. If you have children, agree simple rules: let the dog rest, do not disturb food, and do not crowd the dog in its bed.

Food, routine and early training

Sudden food changes can upset a dog’s stomach. Ask the breeder or rescue what the dog is eating now and change gradually if you need to switch. A simple routine for feeding, toileting, sleep and short training sessions helps the dog understand what happens next.

Early training should be kind, consistent and short. Use the same words for the same actions. A name is part of this consistency: choose something easy to say and avoid names that sound too similar to commands such as “sit”, “stay” or “no”.

Choosing a dog name

A good dog name should be easy to call, comfortable in public and distinct enough that the dog can learn it. If the whole family is involved, create a shortlist rather than arguing over one favourite.

Try saying each name aloud in different situations: greeting the dog, calling across a park, speaking to the vet, and using it in a calm training voice. The best name often feels natural after a few repetitions.

Use the free AI name generator or read more dog name ideas.