Your Puppy's First Week at Home: A Day-by-Day Survival Guide

By Hannah Pryce · Published Aug 10, 2026 · 7 min read

In this guide

Before they arrive
Days 1–2: quiet and simple
Toilet training basics
Days 3–7: building routine
Signs to call the vet

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, exhausting, and occasionally bewildering. In a single day your puppy has left its mother and littermates, travelled somewhere new, and met a family of strangers. The first week sets the tone for everything that follows.

The goal is not to teach everything at once. It is to help your puppy feel safe, start good toilet habits, and build a simple routine.

Before they arrive

Puppy-proof the areas they will use and have the basics ready:

A crate or pen sized so they can stand, turn, and lie down comfortably
The same food the breeder or shelter was feeding, to avoid stomach upsets
Chew toys of different textures
An enzymatic cleaner for accidents (it removes the smell that invites repeat visits)
A vet appointment booked for the first week

Days 1–2: quiet and simple

Keep the first couple of days calm. Resist inviting friends over to meet the puppy. Let them explore one or two rooms, sleep a lot (puppies can sleep 18–20 hours a day), and learn where the toilet spot is.

Many puppies cry the first nights. Keeping the crate beside your bed for the first week or so helps them settle, and lets you hear when they need to go out.

Toilet training basics

Take your puppy outside to the same spot after waking, after eating, after play, and at least every one to two hours in between. When they go, calmly praise and reward immediately. Accidents happen — clean up without scolding, and go out more often.

Days 3–7: building routine

Start short training sessions — name recognition, sit, and coming when called — using tiny food rewards. Introduce gentle handling of paws, ears, and mouth. Begin safe socialisation: new sounds, surfaces, and calm people, always at the puppy's pace.

Ask your vet when it is safe to walk in public places and meet unfamiliar dogs based on your puppy's vaccination schedule.

Signs to call the vet

Contact your vet promptly if your puppy has diarrhoea or vomiting that lasts, refuses food, seems lethargic, or has difficulty breathing. Young puppies can become unwell quickly.

This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.

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