🐶 Puppy first week at home
The first week is about sleep, toilet timing, a small safe room, and a vet booking — not a packed training syllabus. This guide is practical husbandry, not a medical protocol. Sudden collapse, nonstop crying with vomiting, or a puppy that will not eat needs a veterinarian the same day.
Set one room before the puppy arrives
Pick a washable floor, a crate or pen sized to stand and turn, water, and a chew that cannot be swallowed whole. Hide cables and human food. The goal is fewer accidents and fewer chewed chargers, not isolation from the family.
Keep the first nights boring and close. A stuffed Kong or a vet-approved chew in the crate beats a marathon play session at midnight. Puppies that just left a litter often cry; brief toilet trips and a consistent bedtime beat punishment.
Toilet, food, and the first vet visit
Take the puppy out after waking, after meals, and after play. Praise outdoor elimination; do not rub a nose in accidents. Ask the seller or shelter what the puppy already eats and change food over several days if you must switch.
Book a wellness exam in the first week for parasites, vaccines already given, and a microchip check. This page does not replace that exam.
❓Frequently asked questions
How much should a new puppy sleep?
Many young puppies sleep 16–20 hours in a 24-hour day, in short chunks. A “hyper” evening is often an overtired puppy. Build enforced naps in the crate or pen. Sleep need is not a disease diagnosis.
When is the first vet visit?
Within the first week unless the puppy is already under a documented vaccine schedule and you have records. Go the same day for not eating, repeated vomiting, bloody stool, or extreme lethargy.
Can I take the puppy to the park in week one?
Skip dog-dense parks until your veterinarian says vaccine timing allows it. Carry the puppy for short outdoor toilet trips on quiet ground. Socialisation can start with sounds and people at a distance, not a dog-park free-for-all.
Is crate crying always separation anxiety?
No. First nights are often protest plus a full bladder. Rule out need for a toilet trip, then keep goodbyes dull. Persistent panic with drooling or self-injury is a vet-and-trainer issue, not a “let them cry it out” slogan.
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets · ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant/Food lists · Merck Veterinary Manual — Food Hazards