The first few weeks
The first few days with a new puppy are exciting, sweet, and a little exhausting. Your puppy is leaving the only world they've known, and everything about your house is brand new to them. A bit of preparation and a calm, steady routine will make the adjustment a lot easier on everyone. Here's what we've found works best.
1. Before they come home
Pick a quiet corner of your house where your puppy can rest and set it up before pickup day. You'll want a crate with a soft bed, sturdy bowls that won't slide around, and the food we've been feeding so their stomach doesn't have to adjust to something new right away
. Add a few good chew toys, since puppies explore everything with their mouths, plus an enzyme cleaner for the accidents that will definitely happen. A collar, leash, and ID tag should be ready from day one, even if real walks are still a few weeks away.
2. The First Day
When you get home, carry your puppy straight to the spot outside where you want them to go potty. When they go, praise them and give a treat. That's their first lesson.
Inside, keep their world small. One or two rooms is plenty at first. Let them sniff around at their own pace, introduce family members one or two at a time, and save the visitors for later. It's tempting to show off your new puppy, but a few quiet days at home will help them settle much faster.
Show them their crate early in the day, with the door open and a treat or toy inside. Our puppies are used to eating meals in their crates, so feeding there right away gives them something familiar in a brand new place.
3. The first Night
Expect some crying. It's normal, and it usually gets better within a few nights.
Pick up water around 7:00 and feed dinner no later than 6:00 or 7:00. Take your puppy out for one last potty break, keep things quiet, and put them in their crate for the night. Keep the crate right next to your bed so they can hear and smell you. If they whimper, slide your fingers through the crate door and let them know you're there, but try not to take them out while they're crying. Wait for a quiet moment. A puppy who learns that crying opens the door will keep crying.
We send every puppy home with a blanket that smells like their littermates, which helps a lot those first nights. A worn t shirt of yours draped over the crate can help too. Some families also like a Snuggle Puppy, a plush toy with a heartbeat and a warm pack, and we have those available at pickup if you'd like one.
4. Building a routine
Puppies settle in faster when their days are predictable. It doesn't need to be strict, just consistent. Keep a crate in your main living area with the door open so your puppy can go in and out on their own. Feed meals at the same times each day. T
Take them outside every hour and a half to two hours, and always after eating, waking up, playing, or coming out of the crate. Puppies this age sleep 16 to 18 hours a day, so make sure they get real, quiet naps. Training sessions should be short and fun, just a few minutes at a time.
Sample day for an 8 week old puppy
Morning
Wake up and go straight outside
Breakfast in the crate (between 6:00 and 7:00), then potty again
Short play and a little training (name, sit, come)
Potty break, then nap in the crate
Midday
Wake up and potty
Lunch (between 12:00 and 1:00). Try using part of their kibble as rewards for a short training session. Hungry puppies are great students.
Some gentle exploring
Nap in the crate
Afternoon
Wake up and potty
Playtime
Dinner in the crate (between 5:00 and 6:00), then potty
Calm play or a few minutes of leash practice
Wind down nap
Evening
Water up around 7:00
Potty break and quiet time together (cuddles, brushing, a chew toy)
Last potty break
Into the crate for the night between 10:00 and 11:00, lights low
Overnight
Some puppies will need a quick trip outside. Keep it calm, quiet, and boring, then right back to bed.
4. Meeting other pets
Take introductions slowly. If you have another dog, let them meet outside first before bringing them into the house together. With cats, keep your puppy on a leash and let the cat watch from a safe distance. Supervise every interaction until you're confident they get along, and give your older pets a place to escape when they need a break from the puppy.
5.The first vet visit
Schedule a wellness visit within three business days of bringing your puppy home. Your vet will do a general checkup, go over vaccines and deworming, talk through flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and answer any questions you have. Bring treats and make it a good experience. You want your puppy to like that place.
6. Socialization at home
Your puppy comes home with a good start, but the next couple of months are a big learning window. Keep introducing new sounds, surfaces, people, and short car rides in small, calm doses.
Let new people say hi one at a time. Ask your vet how to socialize safely while your puppy finishes their vaccines.
Puppies often go through a fear period around 8 to 10 weeks, so if your puppy suddenly seems nervous about things that didn't bother them before, that's normal. Keep things positive and low pressure, and it'll pass.
7. Enjoy it
There will be accidents, chewed shoes, and a few rough nights. There will also be a lot of really good moments. Be patient with your puppy and with yourself. And if you have questions, I'm always just a text away.