New Puppy Checklist: Everything You Need (Australia 2026)

Most owners find it easier to have the basics set up a few days before pick-up. That gives you time to puppy-proof the house and check that everything fits and works.

Prices vary between pet stores, vet clinics and online retailers, so these figures are a general guide only.

Puppy-proofing checklist:

• Tuck away electrical cords and phone chargers.
• Store cleaning products, medications and garden chemicals (including snail bait) out of reach.
• Check fences and gates for gaps, especially along the bottom.
• Remove toxic plants such as lilies, azaleas, oleander and sago palms.
• Cover pools and spas, or keep the puppy away from them.

If you live in an eastern coastal area, ask your vet about paralysis tick prevention. These ticks can be fatal to dogs.

The first 48 hours are mainly about helping the puppy feel safe. A calm, quiet household usually works best, so it’s worth holding off on visitors for a few days.

Bring a towel or blanket from the breeder if you can. Familiar smells can help the puppy settle, and some breeders will provide one if you ask ahead of time.

A practical plan for the first two days:

1. Arrive home and head straight outside to the chosen toilet spot.
2. Let the puppy explore one or two rooms rather than the whole house.
3. Keep the feeding routine the same as the breeder's, including food type and meal times.
4. Offer lots of naps – young puppies often sleep 18–20 hours a day.
5. Take them out to toilet after waking, eating, playing and every 1–2 hours in between.
6. Book a vet check within the first few days, even if the puppy seems healthy.

Show children how to sit on the floor and let the puppy approach them. Short, supervised interactions are gentler on a tired puppy than long play sessions.

Many vets and trainers suggest placing the puppy's bed or crate in or near the owner's bedroom for the first few nights. Being close to people can reduce crying, as the puppy has just been separated from their littermates.

It also makes it easier to hear when the puppy needs a toilet break overnight. Most young puppies need at least one or two trips outside during the night.

Helpful extras for the first night:

• A soft toy or blanket with the breeder's scent
• A ticking clock or white-noise app to provide background sound
• A low night-light so the puppy isn't in total darkness

If you want the puppy to sleep elsewhere long term, move the bed gradually over a week or two once they’ve settled.

A crate isn't compulsory, but many owners find it useful. It can help with toilet training, give the puppy a secure den, and keep them safe when they can't be supervised.

The crate should be big enough for the puppy to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Crates with a divider panel can be adjusted as the puppy grows.

Steps for a positive introduction:

1. Leave the door open and place soft bedding and a toy inside.
2. Toss treats into the crate and let the puppy go in by choice.
3. Feed meals near, then inside, the crate.
4. Close the door for a few seconds while sitting nearby, then open it calmly.
5. Slowly increase the time, building up to naps and overnight sleeps.

The crate should never be used as punishment. As a rough guide, puppies shouldn't be crated during the day for longer than they can hold their bladder, which is often about one hour per month of age plus one.

Australian puppies need a series of vaccinations, and each state and territory has its own rules on microchipping and registration. Check with your local council and vet, as requirements can change.

Typical vaccination schedule:

Puppy vaccinations usually cost around $80–$150 per visit, depending on the clinic. Vets generally advise keeping puppies away from public dog areas until about two weeks after the final shot, as parvovirus is still common in parts of Australia.

Other health checks to discuss with the vet:

• Heartworm prevention – recommended across Australia, as a monthly product or yearly injection
• Intestinal worming – often every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months
• Flea and tick control – including paralysis tick prevention in affected regions
• Desexing – timing varies by breed and size, so it's worth asking the vet for advice

Microchipping and registration:

• Microchipping is compulsory for dogs in all states and territories. In most cases, puppies must be microchipped before they are sold or given away.
• The new owner should update the microchip registry with their own contact details after the transfer.
• In NSW, dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and have lifetime registration with the NSW Pet Registry by six months.
• In Victoria, dogs must be registered with the local council from three months of age, and registration is renewed each year by 10 April.
• In Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory, council or territory registration rules differ, so owners should confirm age limits and fees locally.

Several states also require sellers to display an identification number in advertisements. Examples include the Pet Registry breeder or microchip number in NSW, the source number in Victoria, the supply number in Queensland and the Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) breeder number in South Australia. Checking this number helps confirm the seller is meeting local rules.

A simple routine helps puppies learn faster and settle more easily. Consistency from everyone in the household matters more than any one technique.

Feeding:

• Puppies aged 8–12 weeks usually eat three to four small meals a day.
• This often drops to three meals around three to six months, then two meals after that.
• Choose a complete and balanced food labelled for puppies or "growth".
• If changing food, mix it with the old food over 7–10 days to help avoid tummy upsets.
• Large and giant breeds may need a specific large-breed puppy formula, so it's worth checking with the vet.

Avoid feeding cooked bones, chocolate, grapes, sultanas, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts and anything containing xylitol, as these can harm dogs.

Toilet training:

• Take the puppy to the same spot outside after sleeping, eating, drinking and playing.
• Use a short cue word, such as "toilet", while they go.
• Reward them with praise or a small treat straight after they finish.
• Clean indoor accidents with an enzyme cleaner, and avoid scolding.

Most puppies take several weeks to a few months to become reliably toilet trained. Progress rarely goes perfectly smoothly, and the occasional accident is normal.

Socialisation:

The main socialisation period runs until roughly 14–16 weeks of age. Calm, positive exposure to new things during this time can help a puppy grow into a confident adult dog.

Puppy preschool is offered at many vet clinics and training centres across Australia, often for around $100–$250 for a multi-week course. Many accept puppies after their first vaccination, as classes are held in cleaned, controlled indoor spaces.

Keep each new experience short and positive. If the puppy seems scared, owners can move further away from whatever is worrying them and try again another day.