New Puppy Essentials Checklist For Your Golden Retriever

A complete list and guide to everything you’ll need before bringing home your new golden retriever puppy!

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Congratulations on getting a new fluffy golden family member!

Puppies are so cute and fun, but they also require lots of work and need lots of things to be comfortable and happy in their new home. So, here is a printable checklist of the essentials that your new puppy can’t live without.

new puppy checklist

Want that PDF checklist? Click here to download and print the puppy checklist PDF.

We will cover each item in detail below, but here is a simple new puppy checklist for all the essentials!

Everything You’ll Need For Your New Puppy Checklist

Essential Items:

The following items are things you absolutely need no matter what before getting a golden retriever puppy!

  • Nylon Buckle Collar
  • Nylon Leash
  • Puppy Food
  • Water and Food Bowls
  • Crate and/or Playpen
  • Chew Toys
  • Enzyme Urine Remover Spray

Recommended Items:

This list contains items you likely need, but depending on your situation, are either not absolutely essential or not needed as soon as you bring your new puppy home.

  • Pet ID Tags, Microchip, GPS Tracker
  • Dewormer (prescribed by a vet)
  • Flea, Tick, and Worm Preventative
  • Dog Bed
  • Training Treats
  • Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Slicker Brush
  • Flea Brush
  • Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Nail Clippers or Dremmel
  • Poop Bags
  • Harness
  • Pee Pads

Services Needed For Your New Puppy

  • Veterinarian
  • Dog Trainer
  • Dog Groomer
  • Pet Insurance

Collar

You’ll need a simple, flat, lightweight collar for your new puppy. You don’t need anything fancy because your new pup will grow super fast! So, when choosing a new collar, go for inexpensive and simple. You mainly need a collar for training and attaching identification tags.

Leash

Grab a 4 to 6 foot lightweight, flat leash. Use a shorter leash for smaller breeds and a longer one for larger breeds. You’ll need this for training, potty breaks, and eventually walks! Hold off on getting a retractable leash until your pup is fully loose leash trained to avoid teaching your pup to pull on the leash.

Puppy Food

Golden retrievers need a high quality large breed puppy food. You’ll need to research to determine which brand you prefer. We recommend dry kibble with meat being the first ingredient. Currently, we use Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy food.

Water and Food Bowls

You’ll need non-tip food and water bowls. Be sure the water bowl is appropriately sized so your new pup can’t fall into and get stuck. Be sure to provide your pup with fresh water continuously throughout the day.

Crate and/or Playpen

A crate or playpen is a vital tool for your new pup. These tools provide a safe space for your puppy while she’s learning the rules of the house and for potty training.

Crate

Crates are more for short term confinement. Don’t leave your new pup in a crate for more than an hour at a time. Puppies instinctively will keep their den area clean, which makes crates very useful for potty training.

Playpen

Playpens can provide both longer term confinement (if you need to be gone more than an hour at a time) and act as a safe play area for when you can’t watch your pup 100% of the time. Playpens can also be used for potty training, but you’ll need to stay on a tight schedule with potty training so your puppy doesn’t learn to use part of her playpen as a toilet.

Chew Toys

Puppies naturally chew on everything! It’s how they explore the world. Because of this, you’ll need several different kinds of chew toys to keep your pup busy and happy. Be sure to get a Kong style toy that can be stuffed, several tug toys, and any other toy that you feel your puppy would enjoy. If you have a breed that needs mental stimulation, you can also get puzzle toys to dispense food and treats!

Bonus tip: If your new puppy chews on something against your house rules, do not scold them, they won’t understand. Instead, redirect them to an appropriate chew toy instead and give them praise when they chew on the appropriate toy. Your new puppy will soon learn to chew only what they are allowed to chew.

Enzyme Urine Remover Spray

Potty accidents will happen. Although it’s best to keep accidents as minimal as possible, you will have a few accidents. Because of this, you’ll need an enzyme urine removal spray. Dogs like to pee where pee has been previously. Because of this, when an accident happens, you’ll need a spray that will completely remove the pee smell so your puppy doesn’t want to pee in the same place again.

Pet ID Tags, Microchip, & GPS Tracker

At the very minimum, your new puppy needs a pet ID tag. You can get these engraved at your local pet store or on Amazon for cheap! These help identify your dog and provide contact details in case they ever escape.

We highly recommend you microchip your puppy at her first vet visit. Microchipping provides permanent identification in case your pet is lost or stolen. Microchips do have to be read with a microchip scanner.

In addition, if you want to be extra cautious, we recommend getting a GPS tracker installed on your puppy’s collar. This way, in case your pup gets lost or stolen, you know where your pup is at all times! We love the Apple Airtags paired with this attachment which easily attaches to your pup’s collar.

Dewormer

Most puppies are born with parasites. Even if your breeder worms the puppies, be sure to have your vet do a fecal test to see if your pup needs further worm treatment. It’s important for your health and your pup’s health to completely eradicate all parasites.

Click here to read more about worms in dogs on the AKC website.

Flea, Tick, and Worm Preventative

Keeping your dog flea, tick, and worm free will keep you and your new pup comfortable. Flea infestations can actually kill your dog and are not fun to live with.

There are different kinds of treatment you can choose from. We have found that tablets not only work best but are the most convenient.

We use Simparica Trio for flea, tick, and worm prevention. Speak to your vet to determine what they recommend.

If you do find fleas on your dog, be sure to not only treat all dogs in the home, but treat your home, and yard as well with appropriate solutions.

Dog Bed

A dog bed is completely optional but many owners love to get them for their new puppy! We recommend getting one that will fit your puppy when she’s an adult and just let her grow into the bed.

Training Treats

It’s good to have some training treats on hand to reward good behavior and when training. We use both regular kibble and treats to train with.

We typically reward pups with kibble for learning basic commands and save the super smelly stuff that they go crazy over for potty training. That way they associate going potty in appropriate places with their most favorite treats!

Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

Dog shampoo and conditioner isn’t needed unless the puppy gets super dirty. Think rolling in mud. Puppies don’t really need regular baths until they are older, and even then, we bathe our adult dogs on an as needed basis.

Our favorite bath products are the FURminator deShedding Kit, deShedding Shampoo, deShedding Conditioner, deShedding Waterless Spray, For Dogs.

Brushes

Golden retrievers have a double coat, so you’ll need a few different kinds of brushes. Initially starting out, your puppy will only need two types of brushes.

  1. A flea comb. Puppies can’t be treated for fleas until about 8 weeks of age depending on the type of preventative you get. So it’s best to get a flea comb and remove any fleas or flea eggs that the pup may have.
  2. A soft brush. Your puppy’s coat doesn’t necessarily need to be brushed, but you do need to get your pup used to being groomed. Breeds such as Golden Retrievers require daily brushing to keep their coats tangle and mat free. So it’s best to get the dog used to being brushed while she’s still a pup.

Once your golden retriever pup is older, you’ll need an undercoat rake. You’ll also need a slicker brush to remove tangles and mats.

Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Dogs need their teeth brushed just like humans! Except you should only give your furry friend dog specific toothpaste. Without proper teeth care, they can develop dental issues. You can opt for dental chews if you prefer, but simple doggie toothpaste and toothbrush works best.

Nail Clippers or Dremel

If you plan to trim your dog’s nails at home, be sure to get quality nail clippers or a dremel. Clippers are sufficient for keeping the nails short, but will still leave the nails sharp. Dremels will round and smooth your pup’s nails. This is the best option for indoor pets. However, be sure to research how far to trim your dog’s nails. If you trim them too far, they will bleed and hurt. You can also have your groomer trim your dog’s nails if you are not comfortable doing it.

Poop Bags

Everybody poops.

Especially little puppies. So, be sure to get a roll of poop bags for when you go on walks or to the park with your pup. You can even get poop bag holders that hook onto your leash, a must-have for every puppy parent!

Make sure you get poop bags that are strong and thick… plus biodegradable!

Harness

Technically if you have a collar, you don’t need a harness. But it’s a personal preference. If you like the idea of walking your pup with a harness instead of a collar, that’s totally fine! This one is 100% optional.

Many people choose harnesses to deter leash pulling. It would definitely ease the strain on the neck for dogs that pull. But quite honestly, if the pup is loose leash walking trained, then you won’t have that problem to begin with.

Pee Pads

puppy pee pads

Pee pads are only needed if you plan on leaving your pup alone longer than they can hold their bladder. They should never be used in a crate, but can be used in playpens or designated parts of the house. Only use a pee pad if you are not able to take the pup out each time for potty training. Letting your dog use the potty inside, even on a pee pad, will delay potty training.

Veterinarian

As soon as you get your new puppy, you’ll need to schedule her first vet visit.

Young puppies need vaccinations to keep them safe from potentially life threatening diseases. They also may need to be de-wormed, even if the breeder wormed them. Be sure to get a fecal test done to determine if your new family member will need deworming treatment.

During the first vet visit, be sure to provide your vet with your puppy’s vaccination history provided by your breeder. You’ll then need to get appropriate vaccinations. Vaccines are typically given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age, but be sure to check with your vet to see what they recommend.

Your puppy’s AKC registration will also come with a free AKC health exam. This coupon will come via email after you register your puppy. Click here to check to see if your vet is in the AKC network.

Dog Trainer

Your new puppy will need training in order to learn how to live properly with humans. Many dogs end up in the pound due to bad behavior and potty accidents. Properly training your dog from the start can help you learn how to teach your puppy to live harmoniously in your home.

The best type of training is a group style puppy training which will also help with socializing your pup. Working hands on with a trainer is the best option if you are new to training.

We recommend looking at classes from your local PetSmart, Petco, breed specific kennel club, or contact an AKC approved trainer in your area.

Dog Groomer

Depending on the breed, your pup may require professional grooming. Be sure to find a groomer that you trust. If your breed doesn’t require professional grooming, you can provide grooming needs at home. You’ll need to learn how to trim nails either with clippers or a dremel, trim paw pads if necessary, bathe your pup, clean her ears, brush her teeth, and some dogs require regular sanitary trims.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is one of those things where it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. It’s an optional service you can get for your pet that will cover large vet bills IF an emergency were to arise.

Many people can’t afford an emergency vet bill which could be thousands of dollars. In that case, pet insurance is highly recommended.

If you are ok with a potentially high vet bill, then you might decide to skip pet insurance. It’s completely up to you and based on your personal situation.

Your AKC registration will come with an initial 30 days of free AKC Pet Insurance. You can choose to continue the service afterward or let it expire.

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