First Puppy Checklist: Everything You Need

First Puppy Checklist: Everything You Need

Bringing a puppy home is a mix of excitement and stress. You want everything to be perfect, but you’re not sure where to start. Bed, kibble, vet, training, insurance, the list seems endless.

Don’t panic. Here’s the complete and organized checklist to prepare for your first puppy’s arrival without forgetting anything.

Before Arrival: Essential Supplies

For Sleeping

• A bed or cushion: choose a washable model, suitable for your dog's adult size (they're going to grow fast). Budget: 40-100 CHF
• A transport crate: essential for transport and optional for potty training (crate training method). The puppy sleeps there at night and stays during your short absences. Choose a size suitable for their adult size with a divider. Budget: 60-150 CHF
• A blanket: for comfort and emotional security. Ask the breeder for a fabric with the mother’s scent if possible.

For Eating

• Two bowls: one for water, one for food. Prefer stainless steel or ceramic (plastic can cause chin acne). Budget: 20-40 CHF
• A non-slip mat under the bowls (to protect the floor and prevent the bowls from sliding).
• Puppy kibble: from the same brand as the breeder’s for the first few days, then gradually transition if you change. Check out our puppy feeding guide. Budget: 50-120 CHF/month
• Training treats: small, soft, and very tasty. You’ll need these from day one. Budget: 10-20 CHF

For Going Out

• An adjustable collar (the puppy grows) with an ID tag. Budget: 15-30 CHF
• A harness: recommended for walks, especially if the puppy pulls. A harness distributes pressure and protects the throat. Budget: 30-60 CHF
• A 2-meter leash, not retractable. The puppy needs to learn to walk on a fixed leash before moving on to other options. Budget: 15-30 CHF
• Poop bags: required everywhere in Switzerland. Budget: 10 CHF/month
• A long line of 5-10 meters for safe recall exercises. Budget: 15-30 CHF

For Playing

• 3-4 varied toys: a chew toy (Kong, deer antler), a tug toy, a ball, an enrichment toy (snuffle mat). Avoid toys that are too small that the puppy could swallow. Budget: 30-60 CHF
• A Kong: the must-have toy. Fill it with wet food or kibble and freeze it to keep your puppy occupied during your absences. Budget: 15-25 CHF

For Hygiene

• A brush suitable for your puppy’s coat type. Budget: 15-30 CHF
• Puppy shampoo (pH suitable, never human shampoo). Budget: 15-25 CHF
• Nail clippers: puppy nails grow fast. Budget: 10-20 CHF
• Wipes or ear cleaning lotion. Budget: 10-15 CHF
• Enzymatic spray: to clean up potty accidents. Enzymatic sprays eliminate urine odors that regular products can’t remove. Budget: 15-25 CHF
• Absorbent pads (optional): for the first nights and potty training. Budget: 15-20 CHF

Securing Your Home

Your puppy is going to explore everything, chew on everything, and test everything. Prepare your home as you would for a little one.

Hazards to Eliminate

• Electrical cords: hide them or protect them with covers. A puppy chewing on a live wire risks electrocution.
• Toxic plants: many houseplants are toxic to dogs (lilies, dieffenbachia, ficus, philodendron, aloe vera). Keep them out of reach or remove them.
• Household products: store them in closed cabinets, up high. Bleach, detergents, and antifreeze are deadly.
• Small objects: rubber bands, coins, caps, children’s toys. Anything that fits in a puppy’s mouth can be swallowed.
• Medications: keep them out of reach. A single paracetamol tablet can kill a puppy.
• Trash cans: use cans with lids or store them in a cabinet.
• Stairs: install a safety gate if necessary, especially for large breeds (stairs are bad for growing joints).
• Balcony: check that the bars are close enough together so the puppy can’t slip through.

Zones to Define

• Rest area: a quiet spot, away from traffic, where the puppy can sleep peacefully.
• Feeding area: always in the same spot, in a quiet corner.
• Forbidden zone (if applicable): bedroom, office, etc. Use barriers.

For toxic foods to keep out of reach, check out our dedicated article.

Administrative Steps

Identification and Registration

In Switzerland, electronic microchipping is mandatory for all dogs. Your breeder or shelter has likely already microchipped the puppy. The chip must be registered in the AMICUS database (the national dog database).

• AMICUS: registration is mandatory within 10 days of acquisition. Cost: free (the chip is paid for by the breeder, approx. 80 CHF).
• Notification to the municipality: in some cantons, you must declare your dog to your local municipality.
• Dog tax: varies by canton (100 to 200 CHF/year on average in French-speaking Switzerland).

Insurance

• Liability insurance (RC): mandatory in most Swiss cantons. Often included in your private RC insurance, but check the terms and exclusions.
• Pet health insurance: highly recommended. Sign up as soon as possible, before any health issues arise. Check out our pet insurance guide in Switzerland. Budget: 30-60 CHF/month.

Mandatory Courses (note: situation varies by canton)

Some Swiss cantons require a theoretical course before acquiring your first dog and/or a practical course in the first few months. Check with your municipality. Puppy classes (socialization) are highly recommended even if they’re not mandatory.

First Vet Appointment

Schedule a vet appointment within 48 hours of the puppy’s arrival. This first check-up includes:

• Complete clinical examination (heart, lungs, eyes, ears, skin, teeth).
• Checking the microchip.
• Checking the vaccination booklet and planning the next vaccinations (vaccination schedule).
• Deworming if necessary.
• Discussion about sterilization (timing, pros/cons).
• Personalized advice based on the breed.

Budget for the first appointment: 100-200 CHF.

Choose a vet close to you, with good reviews, who takes the time to explain things. Boopsy’s interactive map can help you find a vet in your city.

The First Days: Instructions

Day 1: Arrival

• Bring your puppy in a vehicle (transport crate in the car). Have wipes and bags ready in case of motion sickness.
• Let them explore the house at their own pace. Don’t overwhelm them with stimulation.
• Show them their rest area, bowls, and potty area (garden or absorbent pad).
• Stay calm and reassuring. The puppy has just left their mother and siblings; they’re stressed.

The First Nights

The puppy will cry at night. This is normal. They’re alone for the first time in their life. Two schools of thought:

1. The crate in your room: the puppy sleeps in their crate next to your bed. They can sense your presence and calm down faster. You gradually move the crate away over the nights.
2. The puppy in their zone: they sleep in their bed, in a dedicated room. They may cry longer the first nights, but they’ll get used to it.

Don’t give in to the temptation to bring them into your bed (unless it’s a conscious long-term choice).

Potty Training

Potty training takes an average of 2 to 6 months. The keys:

• Take your puppy out every 2 hours, after every meal, after every nap, and after playtime.
• Praise them abundantly when they go outside.
• Never punish them for an accident inside (they wouldn’t understand).
• Clean up accidents with an enzymatic spray to eliminate the odor.

Basic Training

Start from day one:

• Their name: repeat it often, always associated with something positive.
• "Sit": the simplest command, start with treats.
• "Come": work on recall in the house, then in the garden, then outside.
• Walking on a leash: first exercises in a calm environment.

Check out our article on puppy training mistakes and the socialization steps to get off to a good start.

Total Setup Budget

Here’s a summary of the initial budget to expect.

| Item | Budget (CHF) | |------|--------------| | Supplies (bed, bowls, toys, leash...) | 300 - 600 | | First stock of kibble + treats | 70 - 120 | | First vet visit (consultation + vaccinations) | 150 - 300 | | Chip + AMICUS (if not included) | 0 - 100 | | Insurance (first month) | 30 - 60 | | Puppy classes (8-10 sessions) | 200 - 400 | | Total Setup | 750 - 1'580 |

This budget is in addition to the purchase price of the puppy. Check out our article on the price of purebred dogs in Switzerland for a complete overview.

Printable Checklist

Here’s a summary in checklist format:

Supplies:

• [ ] Bed or cushion
• [ ] Transport crate
• [ ] 2 bowls (water + food)
• [ ] Puppy kibble
• [ ] Training treats
• [ ] Collar + tag
• [ ] Harness
• [ ] 2-meter leash
• [ ] Poop bags
• [ ] Toys (Kong, ball, chew toy)
• [ ] Brush
• [ ] Enzymatic spray

Administrative Steps:

• [ ] Vet (appointment within 48h)
• [ ] AMICUS registration
• [ ] Municipality declaration
• [ ] Checked RC insurance
• [ ] Health insurance signed up
• [ ] Puppy class reserved

Home:

• [ ] Cords protected
• [ ] Toxic plants removed
• [ ] Household products stored
• [ ] Trash cans secured
• [ ] Rest area defined
• [ ] Feeding area defined

In Summary

Bringing a puppy home requires preparation, but don’t worry: with this checklist, you have everything you need to welcome your new companion in the best conditions. The key is to be prepared with supplies, find a vet, and learn about basic training. The rest will come naturally, with time and patience.

---

Want to centralize all your puppy’s care? Boopsy helps you manage vaccination reminders, vet appointments, feeding, and training from day one. Join the pack and start off on the right foot with your companion.