What To Do in the First Week of Bringing Your Puppy Home
Bringing home a new puppy is both a thrilling and significant responsibility. Whether you’re welcoming your first puppy or adding another companion to a household already experienced with dogs, the initial days form a crucial foundation for future development. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create a safe environment, establish a healthy routine, initiate socialisation, encourage play, and address common first-week challenges. You’ll also find advice on introducing children or other family dogs, basic training tips, and an essential vet check-up. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a detailed conclusion to help you feel confident and prepared.
1. Establish a Safe, Comfortable Environment
Why it matters:
Your puppy has just left its mother, littermates, or previous setting, and the transition can be stressful. A secure and comforting environment will help the puppy feel reassured, reducing anxiety and aiding in healthy adaptation.
Key Steps:
Designate a Quiet, Cosy Area: Choose a spot away from heavy foot traffic. Include a comfortable bed or crate lined with soft blankets. Crate training can be beneficial for toilet training and overall security.
Puppy-Proof the Home: Tuck away loose wires and cables, secure any hazardous cleaning supplies in cupboards, and remove toxic plants. Installing baby gates can help limit the puppy’s roaming space until it is properly trained.
Maintain Consistency: Keep the puppy’s bed or crate in the same location, so they know exactly where to relax or rest after playtime and exploration.
Extra Tip:
If your puppy shows signs of nervousness (whining, cowering, or trembling), keep household noises moderate. Gradually introduce them to everyday sounds, such as the TV or vacuum cleaner, in a calm, reassuring manner.
2. Start a Routine Early
Why it matters:
Dogs flourish when they know what to expect. The earlier you establish a routine, the easier it will be for your puppy to adapt, which reduces stress for both of you.
Key Steps:
Feeding Schedule: Offer meals at set times each day to help your puppy regulate its appetite and digestion. Measure portions according to your vet’s or the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Toilet Breaks: Puppies have small bladders. Initially, take your puppy out every hour or two, plus immediately after naps, meals, and playtime. Reward successful toilet behaviour outdoors with plenty of praise or small treats. Its always better to keep pups on lead in the garden for potty training for the first couple of weeks.
Nap and Sleep Time: Puppies need ample rest—sometimes more than you expect. Encourage short naps throughout the day and a consistent bedtime routine.
Extra Tip:
Keep a log of feeding times and toilet breaks for the first week. This information can help you identify patterns and quickly establish a lasting, successful routine.
3. Encourage Play for Physical and Mental Stimulation
Why it matters:
Play not only meets your puppy’s exercise needs but also supports mental engagement, helping them learn about their environment, burn off energy, and form a bond with you.
Key Steps:
Varied Toys: Provide a mix of chew toys for teething relief, soft plush toys for comfort, and puzzle toys for mental stimulation.
Short, Frequent Sessions: Puppies have limited endurance and attention spans. Brief, enthusiastic playtimes multiple times a day are more effective than one long session.
Gentle Play Techniques: Use calm, deliberate movements. If the puppy starts nipping or getting overexcited, switch to a quieter game or give them a brief rest to calm down.
Extra Tip:
Rotate toys every few days to keep the novelty factor high. This helps maintain your puppy’s interest without needing to purchase new toys all the time.
4. Introduce Gentle Socialisation
Why it matters:
Early socialisation helps your puppy grow into a confident, friendly adult dog. Positive experiences around people, children, and other animals can shape their behaviour for life.
Introducing Your Puppy to Family Members:
Gradual Exposure: Let the puppy meet household members one at a time. Too many people at once can overwhelm them.
Consistency in Approach: Everyone should approach the puppy calmly, allowing the puppy to come to them rather than forcing interactions.
If You Have Another Family Dog:
Neutral Meeting Spot: Arrange their first encounter in a neutral location—like a park—to reduce territorial instincts.
Short, Monitored Interactions: Keep both dogs on leads, monitoring body language (tail position, posture, etc.). If either shows discomfort, separate calmly and try again later.
Reward Good Behaviour: Offer praise and small treats when both dogs remain relaxed around each other.
If You Have Children or a Baby:
Educate Children First: Teach kids the importance of gentle handling. Fast movements or loud noises can scare a puppy.
Supervise All Interactions: Never leave a puppy alone with a baby or very young child, even if the puppy seems well-behaved. Safety is paramount for both the child and the puppy.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise children when they interact calmly and kindly. This encourages a lasting bond built on respect and gentleness.
5. Begin Basic Training
Why it matters:
Training during the first week lays the groundwork for a well-mannered dog. It’s also an opportunity to develop a trusting relationship based on positive reinforcement.
Key Steps:
Start Simple Cues: “Sit,” “Come,” and name recognition can be introduced with small treats and enthusiastic praise.
Short Sessions, High Success: Keep training sessions under five minutes initially. Offer immediate rewards for correct actions to cement good habits.
Consistency is Crucial: Use the same words and gestures for commands. Inconsistency can confuse your puppy, slowing down progress. Ensure that all members of the family also use the same cues.
Extra Tip:
If you encounter challenging behaviours or feel stuck, consider contacting us at Paws Academy for guidance from Renee who specialises in force-free or positive reinforcement methods.
6. Common First-Week Issues and How to Address Them
Why It Matters:
During the first week, puppies often exhibit typical, yet sometimes challenging behaviours—like whining at night, chewing on furniture, or having accidents indoors. Addressing these common issues early on not only prevents them from becoming ingrained habits but also builds a foundation of trust between you and your puppy. Recognising, understanding, and responding effectively to these challenges helps ensure your puppy feels secure, learns proper boundaries, and adapts smoothly to its new home.
Night-Time Whining or Crying
Why it happens: The puppy may feel lonely or anxious without its littermates.
How to address it: Place the puppy’s crate or bed near your sleeping area for reassurance. Some owners find that a ticking clock or a low-level background noise helps soothe the puppy.
Indoor Accidents
Why it happens: A lack of bladder control and confusion about where to go.
How to address it: Stick to your toilet schedule and supervise the puppy as much as possible. Clean accidents immediately with an enzyme-based solution to remove lingering odours that might encourage repeat incidents. Never tell your puppy off for making a mistake if they pee in the house, and always praise them when they get it right :)
Mouthing and Chewing
Why it happens: Puppies explore objects with their mouths, and teething can cause discomfort.
How to address it: Redirect your puppy to chew-safe toys. If the puppy nips your hand or clothing, calmly remove your hand and replace it with a toy. Avoid play that encourages biting at hands.
Refusal to Eat
Why it happens: Stress and anxiety can temporarily decrease a puppy’s appetite.
How to address it: Offer food in a quiet area. If you’re changing the puppy’s diet, transition gradually by mixing the old and new food over several days. Consult a vet if the puppy consistently refuses to eat for more than 24 hours.
7. Schedule a Vet Check-Up
Why it matters:
A thorough veterinary examination ensures your puppy is healthy and lays out a plan for ongoing care, such as vaccinations, parasite prevention, and proper nutrition.
Key Steps:
Visit Soon: Book an appointment within the first week of bringing your puppy home.
Bring Medical Records: If you have any records from the breeder or rescue, show them to your vet for continuity of care.
Discuss Future Care: Ask about microchipping, spaying or neutering (if appropriate), and the best type of diet for your puppy’s breed and size.
Extra Tip:
Jot down any questions or observations about your puppy’s eating habits, bathroom schedule, or general behaviour before the visit to ensure you make the most of your vet appointment.
8. Conclusion: Embrace the Learning Curve
The first week with your puppy sets the stage for the years to come. By creating a secure environment, establishing consistent routines, offering diverse opportunities for play and socialisation, and introducing positive training methods, you are nurturing a trusting and loving bond. While occasional challenges like night-time crying or chewing might feel daunting, remember these early hurdles are part of the developmental journey.
With patience, kindness, and a willingness to learn alongside your new companion, you’ll soon see your puppy develop into a confident and affectionate dog.
Above all, treasure these moments. The first week will pass quickly, but the lessons and routines you establish now will have a lasting impact on your puppy’s health, happiness, and overall behaviour.
If you need additional guidance or wish to take your puppy’s training to the next level, feel free to reach out to us at Paws Academy or join one of our puppy classes for hands-on support and expert advice.