Your puppy's first week home

The first 7 days set the next 7 years. Calm, consistent, and short routines beat anything fancy.

Day 1 — Just arrive

No guests. No long walks. Let the puppy explore one or two rooms only. Show them their crate, their water, their food spot. Sleep is more important than play today.

Days 2–3 — Routines

• Toilet break every 1–2 hours and immediately after eating, drinking, playing, or sleeping
• Same feeding time every day (3–4 meals/day for puppies under 4 months)
• Crate naps — 1–2 hours at a time

Days 4–7 — Light socialization + introductions

• One short outing per day to a quiet street (carry if not fully vaccinated)
• One new person per day, calm and gentle
• Start name + "come" with treats

What NOT to do in week 1

• Don't take to a dog park (not fully vaccinated yet)
• Don't introduce all the family at once — overstimulation causes regression
• Don't punish accidents — interrupt calmly, take outside, treat when they finish in the right spot
• Don't change food immediately — keep the breeder's diet for 2 weeks, then transition over 7–10 days

Sleep + crate

Puppies sleep 18–20 hours/day. The crate is a den, not a punishment. Crate door open during the day, closed at night with the crate next to your bed for week 1.

When to call your vet

• Refusing food for more than 6 hours
• Vomiting more than once
• Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
• Lethargic, not wanting to play at all
• Coughing or sneezing repeatedly