Bringing home a new puppy is exciting — and a little overwhelming. Those first days set the tone for everything that follows, so a calm, prepared start makes a huge difference. This guide walks you through exactly what to do in your puppy’s first week.
Quick answer: Before your puppy arrives, puppy-proof your home and gather the essentials. In the first week, focus on a calm introduction, a consistent routine (potty breaks, meals, naps), gentle early training, and lots of rest. Keep things low-key — a tired, overstimulated puppy struggles. Book a vet check-up early, and be patient: settling in takes time.
Before Your Puppy Arrives
A little prep saves a lot of stress.
Puppy-proof your home:
- Move electrical cords, cleaning products, medications, and toxic plants out of reach
- Remove or block access to small chewable objects
- Decide which rooms are off-limits and set up gates
- Choose a quiet spot for their bed/crate
Gather the essentials:
- Food (ideally the same brand the breeder/shelter used, to avoid stomach upset)
- Food and water bowls
- A crate and/or playpen
- A collar, ID tag, and leash
- Safe chew toys
- Puppy pads (if using) and cleaning supplies for accidents
- A comfortable bed
Day One: A Calm Arrival
Resist the urge to throw a welcome party. Your puppy has just left everything familiar — keep the first day quiet.
- Take them to their potty spot as soon as you arrive, and praise any success.
- Let them explore one room calmly, on their own terms.
- Introduce family members gently, a few at a time.
- Show them where their bed, water, and potty area are.
- Keep visitors and excitement to a minimum for a day or two.
The First Week: Build a Routine
Puppies feel secure with predictability. From day one, aim for consistent timing on:
Potty breaks — take your puppy out frequently: after waking, after eating, after play, and every hour or two in between. Always to the same spot, always with praise for success. (This is the foundation of house-training.)
Meals — feed at consistent times, usually 3–4 small meals a day for young puppies. Stick with their current food at first, changing gradually if needed.
Naps — puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep a day. Enforce quiet nap times in the crate or a calm space. An overtired puppy gets nippy and wild — most “crazy” puppy behavior is really exhaustion.
Play and gentle training — short, positive sessions. Start simple: their name, coming to you, and getting used to gentle handling.
Start Gentle Training Early
You don’t need formal lessons yet — just start good habits:
- Name recognition: say their name, reward when they look at you.
- Crate comfort: make the crate a nice place with treats and toys, never punishment.
- Handling: gently touch paws, ears, and mouth so vet and grooming visits are easier later.
- Alone time: practice very short separations so your puppy learns being alone is okay.
Keep everything positive and brief. Puppies have tiny attention spans.
Helpful tool: A cozy, correctly sized crate helps with both sleep and house-training by giving your puppy a safe den. (See our tested picks on the Top Picks section — affiliate link, no extra cost to you.)
Book a Vet Visit
Schedule a check-up in the first week. Your vet will confirm your puppy is healthy, set up a vaccination and deworming schedule, discuss parasite prevention, and answer your questions. Ask about when it’s safe for your puppy to meet other dogs and walk in public.
Common First-Week Mistakes
- Too much too soon. Overwhelming a new puppy with people and activity causes stress. Keep it calm.
- Skipping naps. Overtired puppies bite and act wild — enforce rest.
- Inconsistent potty routine. Frequent, scheduled trips are what make house-training work.
- Changing food abruptly. Causes tummy upset; transition gradually.
- Punishing accidents. Puppies aren’t being naughty — just clean up calmly and take them out more often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should my puppy sleep the first night? Many puppies settle best in a crate near you at first, so they’re not alone in a strange new place. Expect some crying the first few nights — it usually improves quickly with a consistent routine.
How often should I take my puppy out to potty? Very often — after waking, eating, and playing, plus every hour or two. Frequent, consistent trips to the same spot with praise are the key to fast house-training.
When can my puppy go outside for walks? Usually after their vaccinations are complete — ask your vet for the exact timing for your area, since it varies.
Why is my puppy biting so much? Puppy biting is normal (teething and play), and it spikes when they’re overtired. More naps and redirecting to chew toys help — see our full guide on stopping puppy biting.
Keep Going
The first week is a big adjustment for both of you — go easy, stay consistent, and enjoy it. It goes fast.
→ Get our free Puppy’s First 30 Days Checklist when you join the BlueTarg newsletter — everything above on one handy page.
BlueTarg guides are free and reader-supported. Some links are affiliate links; we only recommend products we’d use with our own dogs. This article is general information and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.