New dog checklist: what to buy, and what to do in the first week

Short answer: you need less than the shop shelves suggest. A bed, bowls, a collar with an ID tag, a lead, a few toys and some food your dog already knows will cover the first week. Then make the home safe, give your dog a quiet place, keep a steady routine, and book a visit with a vet. A new dog may hide, pace or have an accident indoors at first. That is common, and it usually eases as they get used to you.

The gear worth buying first

The basics. A washable bed big enough to stretch out on, a food bowl and a water bowl, a collar with an ID tag, and a lead that suits your dog's size. Poo bags for walks. A crate is optional, and only useful if you plan to teach your dog to like it as a cosy den.

Toys and chews. A few sturdy toys the right size for your dog, plus one or two feeding toys such as a food puzzle. Choose toys your dog cannot swallow, and watch the first time they use a new one.

Food. Ask what your dog has been eating and buy the same. Sudden changes can upset the stomach. If you want a different food later, switch slowly, and your vet can help you plan it. Our guide to which human foods are fine to share is a handy one to read now.

Cleaning supplies. Accidents can happen, so have a pet-safe cleaner ready.

Your next step: write a short list of these basics, and skip anything not on it until you know your dog better.

Get the home ready before they arrive

Look around at dog height. Move away chemicals, medicines, electrical leads and anything you do not want chewed, and take out toxic plants. Baby gates help if you want to block off some rooms. Please also know what is unsafe to eat: our guide to unsafe foods covers the common ones.

Set up a quiet bed or den away from busy doorways, and tell everyone at home that your dog is not to be disturbed there. If you have more than one place to rest, even better.

Your next step: do one walk through each room before pick-up day, and put anything risky out of reach.

The first few days

Keep the house calm. Let your dog look around at their own pace. Some dogs hide, stay close to you, or seem unsure for a while. Do not force fuss or cuddles. Let your dog come to you, and give them time alone in their quiet space. If a gate helps, start with one or two rooms and open up the rest slowly.

Feed at the same times each day and keep walks short and close to home, on the lead. A steady routine helps a dog work out what happens next. Introduce any other pets in the home slowly, one step at a time.

Expect a few accidents indoors, even from a dog who is house trained. Take your dog outside often, praise and reward when they go in the right place, and never punish them for a mistake.

Your next step: write down a simple day plan with feed, walk, rest and toilet times, and stick to it for the week.

Sort out the paperwork and the vet

In the first days, register with a local vet, ask whether they have out-of-hours cover, and check that your dog's microchip details are updated to your name and contact details. Think about pet insurance too. Your vet can tell you which vaccines and flea and worm treatments your dog needs, and our guide to fleas, ticks, worms and vaccines explains what to ask.

Your next step: make the phone calls to the vet and the microchip company in the first few days, and save both numbers in your phone.

What your dog may be telling you

A new dog cannot tell you how they feel, but their body can. If you want to learn the signs of a worried or stressed dog, our dog body language guide is a good place to start. If your dog seems unwell, our guide to when to call a vet can help you decide. If you are away for work soon, time alone is worth building up gradually.

Your next step: keep a small diary of eating, sleeping and toilet habits for the first weeks, so you can tell your vet what is normal for your dog.

Sources: Dogs Trust, new dog checklist and settling a rescue dog. RSPCA, getting ready for your rescue dog. PDSA, helping a new pet adapt.

General education only, not veterinary advice or a plan for your individual dog. If you are worried about your dog's health, please contact a vet. See our legal page.