Puli Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

What do you need before bringing home a Puli puppy?

Last updated October 8, 2026

The Puli puppy at 8 weeks looks like a fluffy black (or white or gray) ball of fluff — the iconic cords are still years away. Your preparation focuses on learning about cord formation, acquiring the right equipment, and setting up for a high-energy herding breed.

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Supplies Checklist

• Large wire crate with divider panel
• Stainless steel food and water bowls
  One option: Non-Slip Stainless Steel Bowls, 2 Cup (2-Pack) on Amazon. A two-pack of 2-cup stainless bowls with a non-slip rubber base, sized for small dogs' meals and water.
• Adjustable collar and 6-foot leash
• Well-fitted front-clip harness for leash training
• ID tag with phone number
  One option: GoTags Personalized Stainless Steel ID Tag on Amazon. An engraved stainless steel ID tag; you pick the shape and the lines of text at checkout. Put a phone number that's actually answered on it, and update the engraving if you move.
• Medium-breed puppy food confirmed with breeder
  One option: Purina Pro Plan Puppy, Chicken & Rice (34 lb) on Amazon. Purina Pro Plan's standard high-protein puppy formula with chicken as the first ingredient, for breeds that mature in the medium range. Ask your vet about portions and when to move to adult food.
• Gentle, moisturizing dog shampoo
• High-velocity dryer (budget for this now — it's essential for bathing a corded coat later)
• Slicker brush (for the puppy coat and the brushed coat option if chosen)
• Enzymatic cleaner for accidents
  One option: Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Stain & Odor Eliminator (32 oz) on Amazon. An enzyme stain and odor eliminator for urine, feces and vomit, carrying the Carpet and Rug Institute's seal for carpets. Spot-test on delicate fabrics first.
• Interactive toys and puzzle feeders
  One option: Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle on Amazon. A level-2 Nina Ottosson puzzle: treats go into rotating layers the dog has to spin open, with removable bone covers to raise the difficulty. Supervise and put it away after the session; it's for feeding time, not a chew toy.

Education Before Purchase

• Contact the Puli Club of America and read their cord management resources thoroughly
• Ideally, find a Puli mentor — an experienced owner or breeder who can demonstrate cord separation in person
• Decide in advance whether you will maintain a corded or brushed coat; discuss this with your breeder

Vet Setup

• Find a vet familiar with herding breeds
• First wellness exam within 48–72 hours
• Pet insurance enrolled immediately

First Week Setup

What should the first week with a Puli puppy look like?

The Puli puppy coat at 8 weeks does not require cord management yet — that comes later. The first weeks focus on crate training, house training, socialization, and beginning the training habits that will serve this smart, independent breed well.

Day 1–2

• Crate introduction with meals and comfort item
• House training schedule begins immediately
• Brief handling sessions daily: feet, ears, and body — build tolerance for grooming from day one

Day 3–7

• Short harness walks with loose-leash training from day one
• Friendly adult visitors with positive food-reward introductions
• Vet wellness visit
• Begin name recognition and sit training with high-value treats
  One option: Blue Buffalo Bits Soft Training Treats, Beef (19 oz) on Amazon. Soft, bite-size training treats with real beef as the first ingredient, small enough for rapid repetitions. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories.
• Book puppy obedience class

Coat Monitoring (from approximately 9 months)

• When the coat begins to change texture and clump, cord formation has begun
• Begin weekly cord separation sessions using your fingers
• Consult your breeder or a Puli mentor to confirm you are separating correctly
• This phase requires patience — it takes 12–18 months of ongoing separation for cords to fully establish

Socialization Focus (Weeks 8–16)

• Varied adults, children, other dogs
• Novel environments, surfaces, and sounds
• Car travel and vet visits
• Building independence: crate time while home, increasing duration gradually

Training

Training a Smart, Active Herding Puppy

The Puli is intelligent and trainable with positive reinforcement. It is also energetic and assertive — beginning training early and maintaining consistent rules is important for this breed.

Priority Commands

• Sit, stay, come, down, leave it — the safety fundamentals
• Loose-leash walking — work on this from day one
• Off — the Puli is athletic and jumps readily; teach this before it becomes a habit

Mental Stimulation

• Puzzle feeders at meals provide daily mental engagement without extra time investment
• Short trick training sessions (5 minutes, 2–3 times daily) satisfy the breed's intelligence
• Agility foundation work can begin at 6 months with low-impact exercises

Exercise During Puppyhood

• 5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice daily
• The Puli's athleticism is impressive — but growth plates need protection until 12–14 months
• Mental exercise compensates for limited physical exercise during puppyhood

Herding Instinct

• Many Pulik show strong herding instinct that may manifest as circling or attempting to move children and other pets
• Redirect this behavior to appropriate outlets — herding instinct testing and herding lessons are excellent options when the dog is mature