Puppy's First Week Home: Survival Guide

The first week with your new puppy is both exciting and challenging. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate this crucial period and establish a foundation for a lifetime of happiness together.

🎯 Day 1: Arrival and Acclimation

The Journey Home

Preparation before pickup:

Puppy-proof your home completely
Set up the confinement area
Have supplies ready and accessible
Plan the route home
Arrange for help if needed

Transportation safety:

Use appropriate carrier or crate
Secure carrier with seatbelt
Bring towels and paper towels
Have someone sit with puppy
Plan for potential accidents

First Hours at Home

Immediate priorities:

Potty break immediately upon arrival
Tour of new home (limited areas)
Meet family members calmly
First meal (small portion)
Establish sleeping area

Creating first impressions:

Keep energy calm and positive
Use gentle, reassuring voice
Allow puppy to explore at own pace
Supervise all interactions
End day on positive note

First Night Strategies

Sleeping arrangements:

Crate near your bedroom initially
Comfortable bedding
White noise or soft music
Last potty break right before bed
Expect some whining

Managing night whining:

Take potty break if needed
Ignore attention-seeking whining
Provide comfort if genuinely distressed
Stay consistent with responses
Remember adjustment takes time

📅 Day 2-3: Establishing Routines

House Training Foundation

Frequent potty breaks:

Every 1-2 hours during day
Immediately after waking
After eating and drinking
After play sessions
Before bedtime

Positive reinforcement:

High-value treats for success
Enthusiastic praise
Consistent potty location
Watch for signals
Never punish accidents

Feeding Schedule

Establishing routine:

Same times daily
Appropriate portion sizes
Quiet feeding location
15-20 minutes to eat
Remove uneaten food

Monitoring intake:

Track eating habits
Note food preferences
Watch for digestive upset
Adjust portions as needed
Consult vet with concerns

Socialization Beginnings

Safe introductions:

Calm family interactions
Gentle handling exercises
Brief exposure to household sounds
Positive experiences only
End sessions before puppy gets tired

Building confidence:

Short, successful experiences
Lots of praise and treats
Respect puppy's boundaries
Gradual exposure to new things
Keep sessions very short

📅 Day 4-5: Expanding Boundaries

Exploring More of Home

Gradual expansion:

Introduce new rooms slowly
Supervise all exploration
Remove hazards as discovered
Use baby gates as needed
Create safe zones

Teaching boundaries:

Consistent rules from start
Use positive reinforcement
Redirect unwanted behaviors
Puppy-proof continuously
Supervise constantly

Basic Training Introduction

First commands:

Name recognition
"Sit" with lure
"Come" with enthusiasm
"No" gently but firmly
"Good" for praise

Training principles:

Keep sessions very short (2-3 minutes)
Use high-value treats
End on success
Practice multiple times daily
Keep it fun and positive

Handling and Grooming

Gentle handling exercises:

Touch paws briefly
Look in ears gently
Open mouth briefly
Brush with soft brush
Trim nail tips only

Creating positive associations:

Pair handling with treats
Keep sessions very short
Stop before puppy gets upset
Gradually increase duration
Make it part of routine

📅 Day 6-7: Building Confidence

Meeting New People

Controlled introductions:

Calm, quiet visitors first
Let puppy approach
Ask visitors to ignore initially
Use treats for positive associations
Keep meetings brief

Socialization rules:

Never force interactions
Watch for stress signals
End on positive note
Vaccination status considerations
Quality over quantity

Environmental Exposure

New experiences:

Different surfaces (carpet, tile, grass)
Household sounds (vacuum, TV, doorbell)
Different rooms and areas
Short car rides (if appropriate)
Leash introduction in yard

Building resilience:

Positive associations with new things
Gradual exposure
Never overwhelm
Watch for fear responses
Build confidence slowly

Establishing Play Rules

Appropriate play:

Teach bite inhibition
Redirect to toys
Stop play if too rough
Teach "gentle" command
Supervise all play

Toy introduction:

Variety of appropriate toys
Rotate toys to maintain interest
Teach "drop it" command
Use toys for training
Remove damaged toys

🏥 Health and Veterinary Care

First Veterinary Visit

Timing: Within first week if possible What to bring:

Health records from breeder/shelter
List of questions
Stool sample if requested
Payment method
Treats for positive association

Discussion topics:

Vaccination schedule
Spay/neuter timing
Feeding recommendations
Health concerns
Training advice

Health Monitoring

Daily health checks:

Bright, clear eyes
Clean ears
Healthy gums
Normal breathing
Good energy levels

Watch for problems:

Lethargy or weakness
Loss of appetite
Vomiting or diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Excessive scratching

🎯 Common First Week Challenges

Sleeping and Crying

Nighttime strategies:

Establish bedtime routine
Use crate consistently
Provide comfort items
Ignore attention-seeking crying
Take potty breaks if needed

Nap time management:

Create quiet space
Use crate for naps
Establish nap schedule
Limit stimulation before naps
Allow adequate rest

Eating Issues

Picky eating:

Try different foods
Hand feed initially
Make food more appealing
Establish consistent schedule
Consult vet if concerns persist

Overeating concerns:

Measure portions carefully
Feed scheduled meals
Avoid free feeding
Monitor weight
Adjust as needed

Accident Management

When accidents happen:

Clean thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner
Don't scold or punish
Review potty schedule
Increase supervision
Reinforce success

Prevention strategies:

More frequent potty breaks
Better supervision
Consistent schedule
Watch for signals
Positive reinforcement

🎓 Training and Behavior

Crate Training

Making crate positive:

Feed meals in crate
Use special crate toys
Start with short periods
Never use as punishment
Make it comfortable

Crate schedule:

Use for naps
Use when unable to supervise
Use at bedtime
Use for short departures
Gradually increase duration

Leash Training

Introduction to leash:

Let puppy drag leash supervised
Use treats for positive association
Start in safe, familiar area
Keep sessions short
Use lightweight leash

Walking basics:

Encourage following
Use treats to guide
Don't pull on leash
Practice in yard first
Keep walks very short

Basic Manners

Teaching boundaries:

"Off" for furniture
"Leave it" for inappropriate items
"Wait" at doors
"Gentle" for taking treats
"Enough" to stop unwanted behavior

Consistency is key:

All family members use same commands
Same rules all the time
Immediate reinforcement
Patience and repetition
Positive approach

📊 Developmental Milestones

What to Expect

Physical development:

Rapid growth visible
Coordination improving
Baby teeth present
Energy bursts followed by naps
Individual variation normal

Mental development:

Learning capacity high
Attention span short
Memory developing
Problem-solving beginning
Social learning active

Social Development

Bonding process:

Attachment forming with family
Learning household routines
Developing preferences
Building confidence
Establishing place in family

Fear periods:

First fear period may begin (8-10 weeks)
New things may seem scary
Positive experiences crucial
Never force interactions
Build confidence gradually

🎯 Family Integration

Including Children

Supervision requirements:

Never leave unsupervised
Teach gentle handling
Respect puppy's space
Teach appropriate play
Monitor interactions

Teaching responsibility:

Age-appropriate tasks
Feeding assistance
Grooming help
Training participation
Learning respect for animals

Multi-Pet Households

Slow introductions:

Neutral territory first
Separate feeding areas
Supervised interactions only
Individual attention
Gradual integration

Managing relationships:

Respect established pets
Give puppy own space
Monitor resource guarding
Professional help if needed
Patience essential

📅 Daily Schedule Template

Morning Routine (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

7:00 AM: Wake up, immediate potty break
7:15 AM: Breakfast
7:30 AM: Play/training session
8:00 AM: Potty break
8:30 AM: Nap time
10:00 AM: Wake up, potty break
10:15 AM: Training session
10:45 AM: Free play time
11:30 AM: Potty break
12:00 PM: Lunch

Afternoon Routine (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

12:30 PM: Potty break
1:00 PM: Nap time
3:00 PM: Wake up, potty break
3:15 PM: Training session
3:45 PM: Socialization time
4:30 PM: Potty break
5:00 PM: Free play
5:30 PM: Dinner

Evening Routine (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)

6:30 PM: Potty break
7:00 PM: Family time
8:00 PM: Calm training session
8:30 PM: Potty break
9:00 PM: Quiet time
9:30 PM: Final potty break
10:00 PM: Bedtime

🚨 Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Contacts

Keep readily available:

Primary veterinarian
Emergency veterinary clinic
Poison control hotline
Pet sitter/friend
Local animal control

First Aid Basics

Essential supplies:

Gauze pads and tape
Antiseptic wipes
Hydrogen peroxide
Digital thermometer
Emergency vet information

When to call vet:

Difficulty breathing
Excessive bleeding
Loss of consciousness
Suspected poisoning
Severe vomiting/diarrhea

📖 Resources and Support

Professional Help

When to seek help:

Behavioral concerns
Health problems
Training difficulties
Socialization issues
Family adjustment problems

Types of professionals:

Veterinarians
Professional trainers
Behavior consultants
Groomers
Pet sitters

Community Support

Finding resources:

Local puppy classes
Breed clubs
Online forums
Social media groups
Local pet stores

Remember, the first week is about building foundations, not perfection. Focus on creating positive experiences, establishing routines, and building your bond. Every puppy is different, so be flexible and patient as you both adjust to life together.