A Complete Guide to the First Few Weeks

Congratulations! You’re about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life—bringing a new puppy into your home. Whether you’ve been planning for months or this is a spontaneous decision (we all know how hard it is to resist those puppy eyes), getting your new furry friend settled in is a big deal. The first few weeks are a crucial time for bonding, training, and setting up routines that will keep both you and your pup happy for years to come.

Let’s dive into the ultimate guide for bringing your new puppy home, packed with tips, tricks, and a healthy dose of humour.

1. Prepare Your Home for Your New Arrival

Before you even bring your puppy through the front door, you need to make sure your home is puppy-proofed. Puppies are like tiny tornadoes with paws—curious, energetic, and prone to nibbling on everything in sight.

Top Tips for Puppy-Proofing:

• Remove dangerous items: Tuck away things like cleaning supplies, electrical cords, and sharp objects that your curious pup might try to chew or swallow.
• Set up a puppy-safe space: Create a cosy area with a comfy bed, toys, food, and water bowls, and make sure they have a designated bathroom spot for when they need to relieve themselves.
• Baby gates: If you have stairs or rooms you’d rather keep your pup out of, set up baby gates to control their space.

Top Tip: Dogs love to chew, especially during teething. Have plenty of chew toys on hand to redirect that biting energy. Try different textures to see which your pup likes best—rubber, rope, or plush. And be prepared to protect your shoes!

2. Bring Your Puppy Home with Care and Patience

The big day has arrived: it’s time to bring your new puppy home! But before you dive into the cuddles and Instagram photos, keep in mind that this is a huge transition for your puppy. They’ve just left the comfort and familiarity of their littermates and mom, and the new world can be a bit overwhelming.

How to make the transition easier:

• Keep it calm: Don’t overwhelm your puppy with too much excitement or too many new faces all at once. Give them time to adjust to their new surroundings.
• Have a safe transport plan: Whether you’re driving your puppy home from the breeder, shelter, or rescue centre, make sure they’re safely secured in the car. You can use a crate, carrier, or even a puppy seatbelt harness for safety.
• Comfort items: Bring along something familiar, like a blanket or a soft toy from their previous home. Familiar scents will help ease their anxiety.

Top Tip: Your puppy might whimper or cry during the car ride. Don’t worry—it’s normal. Talk to them softly, and keep the atmosphere calm. They’ll settle in soon enough.

3. Set a Routine From Day One

Puppies thrive on routine. They don’t yet know when it’s time to eat, sleep, play, or potty, so it’s your job to guide them. Establishing a clear routine right from the start will help your puppy feel safe and secure, and it will make things easier for you too!

Key elements of a good routine:

• Feeding time: Feed your puppy at the same times every day, whether you choose to feed them twice or three times a day. Stick to the same type of food to avoid upsetting their tummy.
• Potty breaks: Puppies need to go out regularly—at least every 2 hours during the day. The earlier you start potty training, the better.
• Play and nap time: Schedule plenty of playtime to keep your pup engaged, but remember, they’re also babies! Puppies need a lot of sleep, so make sure they have quiet time to rest and recharge.
• Training sessions: Keep training short and sweet (puppies have short attention spans!). Focus on positive reinforcement, and remember that patience is key.

Top Tip: Set up a "puppy calendar" to keep track of feeding, potty times, and training. It helps you stay organised and ensures consistency.

4. Socialisation is Key!

The first few weeks are the prime time for puppy socialisation. This is the period when your puppy is most impressionable and learning how to interact with other dogs, people, and the world around them. Getting this right will make your dog a well-adjusted, confident adult.

How to socialise your puppy:

• Introduce new experiences slowly: Expose your puppy to various sights, sounds, and smells in a calm, controlled manner. This could include meeting new people, seeing different types of dogs, or even taking them for car rides.
• Puppy classes: Consider enrolling your puppy in a well-structured puppy socialisation class. It’s a great way to meet other puppies and practice essential skills like basic obedience and impulse control.
• Safe playdates: Arrange playdates with other vaccinated puppies or friendly adult dogs. This helps your puppy learn the proper social cues and canine etiquette.

Top Tip: Make sure all interactions with new people or animals are positive. If your puppy has a negative experience (like being startled or frightened), it can affect their behaviour long-term.

5. Start Training Early (But Keep it Fun!)

Training doesn’t have to be a stressful or boring experience for you or your puppy. In fact, it should be fun! Starting training early helps establish good habits and teaches your puppy what’s expected from them.

Essential training tips:

• Focus on the basics: Teach your puppy key commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "leave it." Start with one or two commands, and use treats or praise to encourage good behaviour.
• Use positive reinforcement: Puppies respond well to praise, treats, and playtime. When they do something right, reward them immediately to reinforce the behaviour.
• Consistency is key: Be consistent with your commands and training routine. Make sure all family members are on the same page when it comes to rules and expectations.

Top Tip: Keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes), as puppies have short attention spans. End each session on a positive note to keep your pup excited for the next one.

6. Teething: The Chewocalypse is Real

Teething is a rite of passage for puppies, but it’s also a bit of a nightmare for your furniture, shoes, and hands. You’ll likely see your puppy gnawing on everything they can get their paws on. This phase typically lasts until your puppy is around 6 months old, so stock up on plenty of puppy-safe chew toys!

Teething tips:

• Cold chew toys: Frozen toys or a wet washcloth can help soothe sore gums.
• Avoid using your hands: Don’t let your puppy nibble on your hands, as it can encourage biting behaviour.
• Redirect bad chewing: If they chew something they shouldn’t, redirect them to an appropriate toy.

Top Tip: Teething is a phase that will pass, but you’ll need to be patient and consistent in redirecting that chewing energy to the right places!

7. Health Check and Vet Visits

Your new puppy should have their first vet check-up shortly after coming home, especially if you’ve adopted them from a shelter or rescue. Your vet will check for any health concerns, provide vaccinations, and discuss your puppy’s diet and overall care.

Vet visit checklist:

• Vaccinations: Make sure your puppy is up to date on their shots to protect them from common illnesses.
• Parasite prevention: Discuss flea, tick, and worm treatments with your vet to keep your puppy safe and healthy.
• Microchipping and ID: Ensure your puppy has proper identification in case they get lost.

Top Tip: Keep a record of your puppy’s vet visits, vaccinations, and treatments. This will help you stay on top of their health and ensure they’re getting the right care at the right times.

Conclusion: A Happy, Healthy Start for Your Puppy

Bringing a new puppy home is a big responsibility, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have. With a little patience, love, and attention, you’ll set the stage for a lifetime of fun, adventures, and snuggles with your new best friend. Keep these tips in mind to help your puppy settle in and grow into a confident, happy dog.

So, get ready to enjoy those sweet puppy snuggles, the occasional toilet-training mishap, and all the joy that comes with raising a new puppy. Welcome to the world of wagging tails and puppy eyes—it’s going to be a wild ride!