Buy for the first week, not the first year

Your puppy needs a safe place to sleep, the food they already know, water, identification, a secure way to travel, simple containment, cleanup supplies, and a few training and grooming tools. They do not need a house full of matching accessories before you know their adult size or preferences.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This checklist prioritizes first-week needs and includes borrow-or-wait options.

The first-week essentials

Need	Have ready	Can wait
Sleep and safety	Crate with divider or secure sleep area	Luxury adult bed
Containment	Pen or correctly fitted baby gate	Permanent room renovation
Food and water	Current food, two stable bowls	Automated feeder
Identification	Adjustable collar, ID tag, registration details	Multiple fashion collars
Walking	Lightweight leash, correctly fitted harness if used	Long line until foundation handling begins
Toilet training	Enzyme cleaner, waste bags, washable towels	Bulk novelty cleanup products
Enrichment	Several size-appropriate chew and food toys	A large toy collection
Grooming	Gentle brush, steel comb, puppy-safe dog shampoo	Full clipper setup
Travel	Secured crate or suitable vehicle restraint	Trip-specific luggage

Sleep and containment

Choose the crate from your puppy’s measurements, not a guessed breed average. A divider lets a larger crate grow with the puppy. A pen or gate creates a supervised living area for play, food toys, and short periods when freedom would be unsafe.

Containment does not replace interaction, toilet breaks, exercise, or positive crate training.

Food, water, and rewards

Ask the breeder for the exact food, daily amount, meal schedule, and several days’ supply. Use stable, easy-to-clean bowls. A filtered fountain can be convenient later, but a normal bowl that is cleaned and refilled reliably works.

Choose tiny, soft training rewards or reserve part of the puppy’s food allowance. A pouch helps you reward calm behavior without searching a pocket.

Coat care from day one

Early grooming is about cooperation, not a perfect haircut. Touch one paw, lift one ear flap, show the brush, make one gentle stroke, reward, and stop. Build from seconds.

The brush shown is a long-pin premium option and may be more than a small puppy coat needs. Read our brush-by-coat guide and ask the breeder or groomer what suits the current coat.

What to ask the breeder to send home

• Feeding brand, formula, amount, and schedule
• Veterinary, vaccination, microchip, and registration records
• Toilet and sleep routine
• Current collar, chest, weight, and approximate parent sizes
• Familiar-smelling blanket or toy, if safely available
• Grooming tools and handling the puppy has already experienced
• Contract, support contact, and pickup instructions

Our selection method

An item makes the essentials list only if it supports immediate safety, health records, feeding, toilet training, calm learning, grooming handling, or secure transport. Everything else should earn its place after you understand the individual puppy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I buy before bringing home a Labradoodle puppy? +

Have a fitted crate or safe sleep area, pen or gates, the breeder's current food, bowls, collar and ID, leash, cleanup supplies, a brush and comb, safe toys, and a secure travel setup ready first.

Should I buy everything in adult size? +

Buy an adult-size crate only if it includes a divider. Collars, harnesses, beds, and other fitted items should match the puppy now and be checked frequently during growth.

How much puppy food should I buy before pickup? +

Start with a modest supply of the exact food the breeder currently feeds. Sudden food changes can upset digestion, and a large bag may be wasted if your veterinarian recommends a change.

References & Sources

1. American Kennel Club: Preparing for a New Puppy [Link]
2. RSPCA: Getting Ready for Your Rescue Dog [Link]
3. American Veterinary Medical Association: Traveling With Your Pet [Link]