Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments for any dog owner but it can also feel a little overwhelming. What do you actually need? What's essential, and what can wait? This puppy care guide covers everything you need for a puppy from day one, so you can skip the guesswork and focus on enjoying those first precious weeks together.
Whether you're a first-time owner or it's been a while since you've raised a pup, this puppy essentials checklist will walk you through all the must-haves and link you directly to products available right here at The Aussie Paw Drobe
1. Collar and Harness
The very first thing your puppy needs is a properly fitting collar or harness. A harness is often the better choice for young pups as it reduces strain on their developing neck and gives you better control on walks. At The Aussie Paw Drobe, we carry a range of puppy harnesses designed to sit comfortably and adjust as your pup grows.
Pair your harness with a collar even if you primarily use a harness for walks, a collar is still important for holding identification information. Keep it on at all times, including at home. It's one of the simplest but most important safety habits you can build from day one.
2. Food and Water Bowls
Before your puppy arrives, make sure you have two separate bowls ready one for food and one for fresh water. Your puppy will need access to clean water at all times, so position the water bowl somewhere they can always reach it, including overnight.
Choose bowls that suit your pup's size. Shallow bowls work well for smaller breeds, while deeper bowls suit larger pups. Stainless steel or ceramic options are easy to clean and hold up well to enthusiastic chewing. It's worth investing in bowls that will last through at least the first year as your puppy grows.
3. Puppy Food
Getting puppy nutrition right from the start sets the foundation for a healthy adult dog. Puppies have very different dietary needs to adult dogs they need more protein, fat, and specific nutrients to support rapid growth and development.
Stick with the same food the breeder or shelter was feeding for at least the first week to avoid stomach upsets. After that, any diet changes should be made gradually over seven to ten days. We stock the TheAussiePaw Advance Adult Dog Medium Breed Turkey and Lamb varieties for when your puppy transitions to adult food. Always speak with your vet about the right food for your pup's breed, size, and specific weeks of age.
4. Chew Toys — A Non-Negotiable
Puppies teeth, and when they do, they will chew everything your shoes, your furniture, your fingers. Having the right chew toys on hand redirects this natural behaviour before it becomes a costly problem.
Look for toys specifically designed for puppy teeth, which are softer and more sensitive than an adult dog's. Our Dog Chew Toys for Puppies and Durable Chew Toys for Dogs – Dental Care Pet Toys are excellent options that also support dental health as your puppy grows. Dental chew toys help clean teeth and massage sensitive gums during the teething phase a simple way to support good oral hygiene from the start.
Rotating a few toys regularly keeps things interesting, prevents boredom, and extends the life of each toy.
5. Grooming Essentials
Puppy care begins early, and getting your pup comfortable with being handled and groomed from a young age makes everything much easier as they grow. Start slow and keep early grooming sessions short and positive.
The key tools you'll need include:
- A quality pet brush: Our TheAusiePaw Dual Comb Pet Brush works across coat types and is gentle on sensitive puppy skin. Even short-haired breeds benefit from regular brushing to distribute natural oils and reduce shedding.
- A nail clipper: Puppy nails grow fast. Our TheAusiePaw LED Pet Nail Clipper makes trimming safer and more precise, with built-in LED lighting so you can see exactly what you're doing.
-
A paw cleaner: Muddy paws after walks are inevitable, especially in Australian winters. Our Automatic Pet Paw Cleaner keeps things tidy at the door without the hassle of a full bath.
Building a grooming routine early means your puppy sees it as a normal part of life not something stressful. Even a few minutes a week from day one makes a significant difference long-term.
6. Poop Bags — Always Have Them on You
Simple but non-negotiable. As a responsible dog owner, poop bags go everywhere your puppy goes. We have a range of options to suit every preference:
- Biodegradable Pet Waste Bags (EPI): an eco-friendly choice for environmentally conscious pet owners
- Dog Poop Bags: reliable bulk packs for everyday use
-
Foldable Dog Pet Travel Poop Scoop: perfect for travel, camping, or longer walks where bins are scarce
Stock up early and keep a roll in every bag, pocket, and car you own.
7. Toilet Training
When it comes to how to look after a puppy, toilet training is usually what people worry about most. The good news: puppies learn quickly with consistency and patience. A few habits that make a real difference:
-
Take your puppy to the same outdoor toilet spot every time especially right after meals, naps, and play sessions
-
Use a calm, consistent cue word each time so they learn to associate it with going to the toilet
-
Reward immediately the moment they finish timing is everything with puppies
-
Never punish accidents indoors; simply clean up calmly and move on
Expect accidents in the early weeks this is completely normal and part of the process. Puppies typically don't have full bladder control until around 12 weeks of age, and even then it takes time to build reliable habits.
8. A Safe, Comfortable Sleeping Space
Puppies sleep a lot up to 18 hours a day in their early weeks of age. A dedicated, comfortable pet bed or crate gives them a sense of security and helps with toilet training by establishing a clear "safe zone" they won't want to soil.
Place the bed in a warm, quiet spot away from drafts and heavy foot traffic. Adding an item with your scent, or a soft toy, can help anxious pups settle in during those first nights away from their mum and littermates. If you're using a crate, make it feel cosy rather than like a punishment your puppy should see it as their own den.
9. Mental Enrichment and Play
Things you need for a puppy go well beyond the basics mental stimulation matters just as much as physical exercise, especially for intelligent breeds. A bored puppy quickly becomes a destructive one.
Our Cartoon Plush Dog Toys for Boredom Relief are a favourite for puppies who love to carry and cuddle their toys, while the Lively LumoBall Automatic Dog-Chaser adds a fun, interactive element to play sessions when you need your hands free.
Rotate toys every few days to keep novelty high and boredom low.
10. Puppy-Proofing Your Home
Before your pup arrives, do a walk-through of your home from a puppy's perspective. Get down low and look for hazards they might find: exposed electrical cords, toxic plants, small objects they could swallow, open rubbish bins, and cleaning products within reach.
Block off areas you don't want them accessing using baby gates or by keeping doors closed. Secure your garden fencing and check for any gaps a curious pup could squeeze through. A well puppy-proofed home prevents accidents and gives your new arrival the freedom to explore safely which helps them settle in much faster.
11. Vet Visits and Health Essentials
Your puppy will need a vet visit within the first week or two of coming home even if they've already had a health check from the breeder. Your vet will assess their overall health, discuss vaccinations, recommend a parasite control plan (fleas, ticks, and worms), and answer any questions you have about feeding, behaviour, and development.
Most puppies need their full vaccination course completed before they can safely mix with other dogs and explore public spaces like parks and beaches. Until vaccinations are complete, keep socialisation safe by carrying them in unfamiliar areas or limiting contact to vaccinated, healthy dogs.
12. Pet Insurance
This one often gets left off the puppy necessities list, but it's worth sorting before something goes wrong. Vet bills can be significant especially if your puppy has an accident or develops an illness in their first year. Getting pet insurance in place early means you're covered when it counts most. Compare policies carefully and check what's included coverage varies widely between providers, and some plans also cover routine care and vaccinations.
Your Complete Puppy Essentials Checklist
Here's a quick summary of everything you need when getting a puppy:
-
Harness + collar
-
Food and water bowls
-
Age-appropriate puppy food
-
Chew toys (puppy-specific, dental-friendly)
-
Grooming tools (brush, nail clipper, paw cleaner)
-
Poop bags (always)
-
Toilet training routine and supplies
-
Comfortable bed or crate
-
Enrichment and play toys
-
Puppy-proofed home
-
Vet visits booked
-
Pet insurance sorted
Final Thoughts
Puppy care doesn't have to be complicated. With the right essentials in place before your pup arrives, you'll feel far more prepared and your puppy will have a safe, comfortable home to settle into from day one.
As your puppy grows into an adult dog, their needs will shift, but the habits you build now around grooming, play, nutrition, and daily routine will stick with them for life. Starting right makes everything easier down the track.
Browse our full range of puppy essentials at The Aussie Paw Drobe proudly Australian, built for real dog owners.