Your Puppy’s First Week At Home – What To Expect
During your puppy’s first week at home, it’s important you don’t shout at them or tell them off. You want to make it a really positive experience for them. You can start potty training and some socialization with other puppies, while also helping them settle.
Puppies are the greatest thing in the world, and every time I’ve had a puppy, the house has been filled with a new sense of joy and wonder. I love having them, but if you’ve never had puppies before, then it can be a bit of a shock to the system. As sweet as they are, they are also creatures of chaos and destruction (in the best way).
The first week your puppy is home can be pretty overwhelming. There is a new dog in the house; they’re full of energy, and every chance they get to pee, they will. It can be a bit of a shock to the system, which is why being prepared is going to be your best friend throughout the settling period. It’s going to be a fun experience for both of you.
Enjoy my guide to a puppy’s first week at home as they settle into their new family and life.
Key Takeaways
- Puppies need consistency and stability in their new home
- Keep things positive, and don’t tell them off for the first week
- Expect a lot of accidents (they are only little)
- Make sure they have a quiet place to calm down in
The First Week: A Rundown
Before we get into more of the details, it’s good to have a rundown of what you should expect during the first week or so of having your puppy in the house. Here’s what’s coming:
- Loads of accidents because they’re only little
- Plenty of sleep and rest between adventures
- Building trust and a strong relationship with your puppy
- Your puppy retreating to their quiet spot frequently (probably a crate)
- Investing in baby gates so you can keep your puppy secure
- Socializing your puppy and getting them used to new experiences
- Preventing overwhelming your puppy by limiting visitors
What To Purchase Before They Come Home
Before your puppy comes home, there are things you need to have ready for their first week (and beyond). Here’s my quick list to help you get prepared.
Puppy products checklist
What To Expect The First Night
The first night is always a bit of an overwhelming experience for you and your puppy. Your pup has had a very busy and frightening day. They have been taken away from their family, and brought to a new home, and even their food bowl is new. That’s why it’s such a good idea to have a blanket that was left with their littermates for them to come home with – it’s comforting.
They are going to be frightened and nervous, especially when you settle down for bed, and they are left alone. You need to make their first day and night a positive and happy experience without winding them up too much and doing your best to keep them calm. Make sure their bed is comfortable and secure, and put them in the same room as you where possible.
Read The Guide: How To Crate Train Your Puppy
It’s natural for them to cry in the night. While you don’t want to go and comfort them every time (this can lead to separation anxiety), it’s okay to reassure them if they cry for long periods without stopping. It’s a new and scary world for them, and you are their family now. It’s why having their crate in the bedroom with you can be such a comfort.
Starting Toilet Training
Toilet training should start right away, and it is so important that you don’t tell them off for accidents. It’s negative attention that often makes things worse. Instead, take them outside every 30-60 minutes (and immediately after eating) and praise them excitedly every time they go to the bathroom outside. You can even offer them a little treat.
It takes a few weeks to get potty training in the bag, but you’ll have it sorted in no time. You’ll see signs of them needing to go to the bathroom when they’re in the house, and it doesn’t take long to start picking up canine body language.
How To Start Socialization
You need to start socialization as quickly as possible. Now, they can’t be around other dogs until they have had their vaccinations, but there are other things you can do. One of those things is puppy classes, where your puppy can play and interact with other puppies who are too young for their second vaccination in a safe and sterile location.
Outside of that, you can take them on short car rides to help get them used to the outside world, and you can spend time helping them experience a whole range of sounds and smells that they haven’t been around before. You can also carry your puppy in your arms down the street until they have their jabs to help improve their socialization experiences.
The Dos And Donts For Your Puppy’s First Week
The things you should avoid doing during your puppy’s first week (the first two weeks if we’re being serious) are:
- Yelling at your puppy or telling them off when they do something wrong
- Waking your puppy up to play with them or fuss over them
- Handle them roughly or allow others to handle them roughly
- Leaving them alone for long periods of time (no more than an hour)
- Expecting too much from them at once
The things you should do during the first week of your puppy’s time at home (and this can also extend to the first two weeks) are:
- Start basic training (things like sit and teaching them their name)
- Use distractions if your puppy is being naughty and you need them to stop
- Introduce your puppy to as many new experiences as possible
- Look into local dog trainers and classes for your puppy
- Make every day a happy and positive experience so they settle in well
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The First Week With A Puppy The Hardest?
The first week or two with your new puppy is usually the hardest. You have a whole new routine to get into, and you have a new family member who is also taking time to settle in. This can make it pretty stressful while you’re trying to get used to everything, but it’s made better by the fact you have an adorable new arrival to welcome.
How Long Do Puppies Take To Settle In?
It can easily take a few days for your puppy to settle in. Sometimes, you may even find it takes the whole of the first week for them to get comfortable. It can depend on their personalities and their experiences when they get home. Similarly, if you have a rescue puppy, they might be nervous and struggle to settle in as quickly as other puppies due to past experiences.
How To Tell Your Puppy Is Bonding With You
Puppies bond with their owners quite quickly, and the signs are fairly obvious. They will run up to you with their tails wagging, ask for belly rubs, and be generally excited to be around you. They might favour you for cuddles and sleep on your lap, and you’ll find that they want to stick by your side and go wherever you go.
Final Thoughts
I hope your first week with your puppy at home goes amazingly. It’s such a great experience when you raise a puppy, and they become part of your family. It can be challenging and test your patience (mine did many times), but it’s always worth it in the end. You just have to remember that they are only young, and they’re still learning as well.
Once they have settled in and they feel like part of the family, you can start training them properly. It’s important that they are trained so they can become polite members of canine society, and I know it’s not always easy for you to do it yourself. Asking for help from a professional dog trainer can go a long way in helping you and your puppy.
