While these checklists are focused more on bringing a PUPPY home, they are worthy of reviewing even if you are bringing home an older puppy or young adult!

2 Weeks to Go

If you'd like to have copies of all of the photos I've taken of your puppy since birth, send me a USB flash drive (thumb drive, etc.)... minimum 4gig size... and I will load your puppy's photos/videos on there for you.
If your puppy is flying, reserve or purchase their shipping crate. The Dog House Shoppe has IATA compliant shipping crates for flying. Skylit puppy families are welcome to rent one of our compliant crates and avoid having to buy one of these crates that your puppy will outgrow fairly quickly.
Buy a wire crate for sleeping/potty training. Ideally you want either a small wire crate or a bigger one with a removable panel so that you can make the crate smaller initially.
Buy food and water bowls. Stainless steel is best and most hygienic. Plastic bowls can actually cause allergic responses and loss of pigmentation on your dog's nose/mouth area.
Buy lots and lots of toys! Look for variety of textures, sizes, ways to play, etc.
Buy a small harness (preferred for Labradors) and/or collar/leash. The Dog House Shoppe sells in my opinion the BEST harness on the market and it discourages pulling from a very young age.
Begin thinking about feeding options for your puppy. See the "Feeding Options" section.
If your pup is flying to you, it's time to start booking their flight if you haven't already. See the "Departure Plan" section.
Look into puppy school options. Feel free to ask on the Skylit Puppy Families Facebook group for recommendations.
Consider making a wellness appointment with your vet so that your vet can meet your new puppy and vice versa. If you wish to do this, make the appointment for 2-3 days after your puppy comes home.
Check out the Skylit freebies! These are things I can offer to you for free but need your consent to pass along your contact details.

3 Days to Go

It's getting close now! Make sure you've got everything all ready for your new puppy's arrival.

Plan your puppy's first day of feeding. Remember they will be hungry when they get home. I always recommend that the first day home you keep your puppy on raw food. They will have dealt with a lot of "new" and stress that first day. If you can keep their food basically the same, at least their digestive track won't be in upheaval as well. A simple first day's raw feed can be as easy as the following (split into 2 meals): 350g of boneless raw chicken meat (ensure it is not basted or "flavour enhanced" as that means they have injected it with sodium which will give your puppy diarrhea), 4 whole raw pilchards (roughly 350g total). You should be able to get both of these items from most grocery stores. Pilchards are typically in the bait freezers. While you should not feed your puppy this every day (as it is very limited in protein sources), it will meet their minimum requirements for meat, bone and organs for the first day or two.
Puppy-proof your house. Take a critical look at what will be within your puppy's range that they could chew on/destroy. Put things away. Put things up. Determine where your puppy will sleep. Determine where your puppy will potty. Go around your home and section with the mindset of a "naughty" inquisitive puppy. Look for dangers, including any toxic plants or poisons (See the Health section for more on this). If you even question if your puppy could get into something or through something, assume they can. It is better to err on the side of safety than to regret it afterwards.
Have a family meeting to make sure all family members are on the same page when it comes to rules regarding the puppy and how you will create a consistent approach to raising your puppy. This should cover things like who will ensure the puppy is fed and pottied, appropriate play/activity, the puppy's schedule, how to stop biting, where your puppy will sleep/spend its time, etc. Puppies THRIVE on consistency and boundaries. If they consistently receive the same message from all family members, they will learn very quickly.

The Day You Get Your Puppy

When that wonderful day arrives, here are some things you should have with you to bring your new family member home if you are coming to pick your puppy up from Skylit or from your local airport:

Either a crate or an extra person (or two!) to hold your puppy while in the car.
Paper towels or wet wipes... just in case -- puppies are prone to car sickness
Plastic bags (small rubbish ones work well) -- if you need to clean up "something", toss the mess in the bag and tie it shut until you can dispose of it.
A harness or collar/leash -- harnesses are ideal for puppies and are nearly impossible for a puppy to "slip"/escape (unlike collars).
A towel -- may come in handy
A new toy -- not a necessity but it might be nice. Puppies are BIG chewers so if it is a stuffed toy, make sure it is one made for dogs (no beans, beads or rice stuffing, no plastic bits like eyes or noses)
You shouldn't need a water bowl or water unless you are making a longer journey and it is a hot day. I will have withheld your pup's previous meal and limited water to help make their journey more pleasant.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember, your puppy's immune system is still quite immature and their vaccines have NOT taken effect yet. Do not stop on the way home for potty breaks. Do not plan on visitors that first day. Keep your puppy's first day as simple as possible. Let them explore and get to know their new home and immediate family.