Bringing a Puppy Home: How to Make the First Week Go Smoothly

The first week with a new puppy sets the tone for your life together. Read what to prepare, how the first night goes and what to watch for with food, house training and the vet.

Keep the first week calm, predictable and simple: one fixed sleeping spot, fixed meal times, frequent trips outside and few visitors. An 8-week-old puppy has just left his mother and littermates and still has to learn everything. With good preparation and a steady routine, he usually settles into his new home within a few days.

Preparation: what should be ready before the puppy arrives

Sort out the basics before pick-up day. Then you have time in the first days for what really matters: attention for your puppy. You can find the most important items together in everything for your puppy.

• Sleeping spot: a bed or crate in a quiet place without drafts.
• Food and bowls: the same food as at the breeder, plus a food bowl and a water bowl.
• Collar or harness and lead: light, adjustable models that fit well.
• Toys and chew toys: different materials, suitable for puppies.
• Cleaning products: an enzymatic cleaner for accidents.
• Puppy-proof home: cables, poisonous plants, shoes and cleaning products out of reach.

Pick-up day: start calmly

If you can, bring someone who holds the puppy or sits next to him on the way home. Ask the breeder for a blanket or cloth that smells like the litter. Do not stop at busy places on the way.

At home, let the puppy go outside for a wee first. Then let him explore one room in peace. Too many new things at once make a puppy restless or scared.

The first night: close to you

The first night is exciting for many puppies. They miss their littermates and are alone. Place the bed or crate in or close to your bedroom, so the puppy can hear and smell you. A warm, cosy bed for your puppy and a cloth with the smell of the litter help him to settle.

Expect to get up once or twice during the night. A young puppy cannot hold his bladder for long. Go outside calmly, say little and bring him back to bed afterwards.

Feeding: same food, fixed times

In the first days, stay with the food the puppy got at the breeder. A new home is already a big change for his tummy. If you want to switch to another brand later, do it slowly over about a week, by mixing more and more new food into the old food.

Divide the daily amount over several small meals, usually three to four a day for a young puppy. Follow the guideline on the packaging and adjust it to growth and body condition. If you are still choosing, look at our puppy food.

House training: start a fixed routine right away

A puppy needs to wee often. Go outside after waking up, after eating, after playing and about every one to two hours during the day. Reward him straight away when he goes outside, with praise or a small treat.

Accidents are part of it. Punishment does not help and only makes your puppy unsure. Clean up with an enzymatic cleaner, so the smell disappears. You can find helpful items in potty training for puppies.

The vet and health in the first week

Plan an introduction visit to the vet in the first days. The vet checks the puppy, discusses the vaccination and worming schedule and checks that the microchip and registration are in order. Bring the vaccination booklet and the papers from the breeder.

As long as the puppy is not fully vaccinated, discuss with the vet which places are safe. Usually you avoid places with many unknown dogs in this period. You can carry him outside in your arms to get used to sounds, if your vet agrees.

⚠️ Call the vet straight away for continued vomiting, watery diarrhoea, weakness, refusing food or water, or if the puppy has eaten something poisonous.

Play, meeting people and rest

Short and frequent play works better than one long session. Give the puppy toys for puppies with different textures, so he knows what he may chew. Do not invite too many people in the first days. Let friends and family meet him one at a time later. Children always play under supervision.

Also practise being alone from day one, in small steps of a few minutes. This way your puppy learns that being alone is normal and that you always come back.

Common mistakes in the first week

• Too many visitors and too much stimulation in the first days.
• Keeping the puppy busy all day without enough sleep.
• Punishing after a toilet accident instead of rewarding outside.
• A different routine every day, so the puppy does not know what to expect.
• Changing food straight away and causing tummy problems.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take a puppy to settle in?

Many puppies feel at home after a few days to two weeks. Every puppy is different. A fixed routine helps.

Can my puppy sleep in my bed?

That is a personal choice. Think about it in advance: what you allow now, he will expect later too. A bed of his own next to your bed is a good middle way.

What do I do if my puppy cries at night?

Check whether he needs a wee. Then stay quiet and calm. A sleeping spot close by and a cloth with the smell of the litter often help. Do not go to him at every small sound, but do not ignore him either if he is really restless.

Summary

Aim for a calm start with a fixed sleeping spot, fixed meal times and a fixed toilet routine. Stay with the familiar food at first, plan a vet visit soon and limit visitors and stimulation. Reward what goes well and practise being alone in small steps.

Conclusion

The first week is mostly about settling in: for the puppy and for you. With calm, structure and patience you build the base for a confident dog. Still looking for something for the start? Take a look at everything for your puppy and put your starter set together.

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Honden Kennisbank Nieuw huisdier Puppy

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