New Puppy Command Center

A new puppy brings a lot of firsts at once: the ride home, the first night, potty trips every few hours, vet visits, and a family trying to use the same words for the same things.

The New Puppy Command Center keeps all of it on paper in one place, so everyone in the house follows the same routine and the vet records are ready when you need them.

Who it is for

• First-time puppy owners
• Families bringing home a puppy from a breeder or shelter
• Households where several people share puppy care
• A practical gift for someone getting a puppy

What's inside

• Before and on pickup day. Questions for the breeder or shelter, what to bring home, a supplies list, and puppy-proofing room by room.
• First 24 hours and first night. A simple plan for arrival, the first evening, and bedtime, with a first night log.
• Schedules and trackers. A daily schedule template by age, a potty training grid, a crate training plan, and a feeding log.
• Vet and health records. Vet visit prep, vaccine and parasite prevention records, a weight log, and warning signs to call the vet.
• Training and milestones. A socialization checklist, a basic commands tracker, common problems, and a 90-day review.

How to use it

1. Fill in the cover and house rules together so everyone uses the same cue words.
2. Shop and puppy-proof with the checklists before pickup day.
3. Use the trackers daily and bring the vet pages to every appointment.
4. Check the milestones at day 30, 60, and 90.

What it is not

• Not veterinary advice and not a vaccine schedule. Your veterinarian sets your puppy's care.
• Not a training program. It organizes what you and your trainer decide.

Free official resources we recommend

• AKC: New Puppy Checklist
• AAHA: Bringing home a new puppy
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control

Frequently asked questions

What do I need before bringing home a new puppy?

Before pickup day, most families need a crate or safe pen, food and bowls, a collar or harness with an ID tag, a leash, chew toys, cleaning supplies for accidents, and a first vet appointment. Puppy-proof the rooms the puppy will use. Our planner includes a full supplies checklist and a room-by-room puppy-proofing page.

Read our New Puppy Guide

Does the planner tell me which vaccines my puppy needs?

No. The planner gives you clear tables to record every vaccine, deworming, and flea and tick dose your veterinarian gives, plus a short educational summary from public AAHA and CAPC pages. It is not a vaccine schedule. Your own veterinarian decides what your puppy needs and when, based on your puppy and where you live.

Is the New Puppy Command Center a physical product?

No. The New Puppy Command Center is a digital PDF download (20 pages, US Letter size). Nothing is shipped to you. After you buy on Etsy, the file is ready right away under You, then Purchases, on Etsy.com. You print it at home or at a copy shop and keep it in a binder or folder.

Can I type into the PDF or do I fill it in by hand?

You fill it in by hand. Our kits are print-and-write PDFs with large, roomy lines, not fillable forms. Many families find that writing by hand at the kitchen table is faster and easier to share. Print in color or black and white, at 100% (Actual Size) on US Letter paper.

How do I download my file after buying on Etsy?

Sign in on Etsy.com in a web browser, open You, then Purchases, and choose Download Files next to your order. A computer browser is usually easiest because the Etsy app does not always open PDFs. If anything will not open, message us on Etsy and we will help you get it.

Can I print more than one copy for my family?

Yes. You can print as many copies as your own household needs, for example a spare for the fridge, the car, or a family member who helps out. The file is for personal and family use, so please do not resell it, share it publicly, or hand out copies to other households.

Please note: This printable is an organizational and educational tool only. It is not veterinary, medical, or legal advice. Always follow your own veterinarian. Phone numbers and official guidance can change, so confirm them on the official sites linked here.

Helpful free guides

• New Puppy Guide: Getting ready for pickup day, the first night, and the first 90 days.
• What to Leave for a Pet Sitter: A Printable Checklist: The information, supplies, and instructions a sitter needs, with a free checklist.
• New Puppy Guide: start here