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A puppy is 90% joy and 10% logistics, but the logistics matter. Here's the full checklist for the first weeks, in roughly the order to tackle them.
Before day one: supplies
- Crate sized for the adult dog (with a divider for now), the single most useful puppy tool you can buy.
- Food, whatever the breeder, shelter, or foster was feeding. Switch gradually over a week, not all at once.
- Collar with ID tags and a lightweight leash. Tags on from day one, even indoors.
- Chew toys, Kongs, Nylabones, frozen carrots. If it's not a designated chew toy, it will become one anyway.
- Enzyme cleaner (Nature's Miracle or similar). Regular cleaners don't break down the proteins that say "pee here again."
- Baby gates to limit the puppy to one or two rooms at first. Whole-house access is earned.
First vet visit: within the first week
Book it before the puppy comes home if you can, ideally within 72 hours of arrival, even if the breeder or shelter did a health check. The vet confirms everything's fine, starts (or continues) the vaccine series, checks for parasites with a fecal test, and answers the fifty questions you'll have. Find one in our vet care guide.
Vaccination schedule basics
Core puppy vaccines are DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus), leptospirosis (now considered core for dogs under current AAHA guidance, especially relevant with NoVA's wildlife and standing water), and rabies, which Virginia law requires. Each follows its own schedule, set by your vet: DHPP is typically given as a series starting around 6–8 weeks with boosters every few weeks until at least 16 weeks; leptospirosis usually starts around 12 weeks with a second dose a few weeks later; rabies is given once the puppy is at least 3 months old, per the vaccine label and Virginia law. Timings vary by product, age, and history, so your vet builds the actual plan. Your vet may also recommend bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme, or canine influenza depending on lifestyle, NoVA's woods and dog parks make Lyme and bordetella worth discussing. Until the series is complete, avoid dog parks and unknown dogs; carry your puppy in public places instead of letting them walk.
Socialization: the 3-to-14-week window
The critical socialization window closes around 14 weeks, so don't wait for the last shot to start. Safe exposure now prevents fear problems later:
- People: different ages, hats, uniforms, umbrellas, the weirder, the better.
- Sounds: traffic, sirens, vacuums, thunderstorms (recordings at low volume work).
- Surfaces: grass, gravel, metal grates, wet pavement, stairs.
- Dogs: only healthy, vaccinated, known dogs, not the dog park yet. Puppy kindergarten classes are ideal for this.
Keep every exposure short, positive, and treat-heavy. One bad scare during this window sticks; ten good experiences build confidence.
Crate training basics
The crate is a bedroom, not a jail. Feed meals in it, toss treats in randomly, and never use it as punishment. Most puppies can hold it roughly one hour per month of age, so an 8-week-old needs a break every two hours, including overnight. Set an alarm; don't wait for crying.
Finding puppy classes
A good puppy kindergarten (usually starting around 10–12 weeks, after the second vaccine round) is worth more than any book. Look for small class sizes, positive-reinforcement methods, and a trainer who talks as much about owner skills as puppy skills. Ask your vet for recommendations, they know who's good locally.
Licensing: Virginia requires it
Virginia state law requires every dog over 4 months old to be licensed in the locality where it lives. Buy the license through your county treasurer's office or animal services, you'll need proof of current rabies vaccination. It's cheap (usually under $15/year), and it's the fastest way for a finder to get your dog home.
New puppy questions, answered
When should a new puppy first see a vet?
Within the first week home, ideally within 72 hours, even if the breeder or shelter did a vet check. The vet confirms health, starts the vaccine schedule, and answers your questions.
What shots does a puppy need in Virginia?
Core vaccines are DHPP, leptospirosis (core under current AAHA guidance), and rabies. Each has its own schedule: DHPP as a puppy series, leptospirosis starting around 12 weeks, rabies once the puppy is at least 3 months old. Your vet sets the timing; Virginia law requires rabies vaccination. Your vet may recommend bordetella, Lyme, or influenza based on your dog's lifestyle. See current AAHA guidance at aaha.org.
Do I need a dog license in Northern Virginia?
Yes. Virginia requires every dog over 4 months old to be licensed where it lives. Get it from your county treasurer or animal services with proof of rabies vaccination.