New puppy checklist: your first week, day by day
The first week with a new puppy is equal parts joyful and overwhelming. The good news: puppies do not need perfection, they need consistency. This day-by-day checklist keeps the essentials in order so you can spend less time worrying and more time bonding.
Before they come home: the supply list
- Crate and a soft, washable bed
- Age-appropriate puppy food (ideally the same brand the breeder or shelter used)
- Food and water bowls
- Collar, ID tag, and a lightweight lead
- Puppy pads or a clear toilet spot
- Safe chew toys and a couple of enrichment toys
- Enzymatic cleaner for the inevitable accidents
- A vet booked for a first check-up
Day 1 — arrival and the first night
Keep day one calm. Limit visitors, show your puppy where to toilet, and let them explore one or two rooms rather than the whole house. The first night is often the hardest — a crate near your bed, a warm blanket, and a soft toy help your puppy feel less alone. Expect some crying; quiet reassurance beats a big reaction.
Take your puppy to their toilet spot the moment they wake, after every meal, after play, and right before bed. Puppies can rarely hold it for more than an hour or two — frequent trips are the fastest route to a house-trained dog.
Days 2–3 — routine and house-training
Puppies thrive on predictability. Set consistent times for meals, toilet trips, play, and sleep. Reward every successful toilet outside the instant it happens. Begin gentle handling — paws, ears, mouth — so vet visits and grooming feel normal later.
Days 3–4 — the first vet visit
Book an early check-up even if your puppy seems perfectly healthy. Your vet will confirm weight, check for parasites, and map out the vaccination and worming schedule. Bring any paperwork from the breeder or shelter. This is also the moment to ask about microchipping and when it is safe to start walks in public.
A simple early vaccination timeline
- 6–8 weeks: first core vaccinations (often started by the breeder)
- 10–12 weeks: second round
- 14–16 weeks: final puppy round, plus rabies where required
- Then: annual or triennial boosters as your vet advises
Until your puppy’s vaccinations are complete, keep them away from unknown dogs and public ground where unvaccinated dogs may have been. Your vet will tell you when it is safe to socialise more widely.
Days 5–7 — feeding, socialising, and settling
Feed three to four small meals a day for young puppies, sticking to the food they arrived on and changing brands only gradually. Start gentle, positive socialisation at home — new sounds, surfaces, and calm visitors. Keep training sessions short and upbeat; two minutes of fun beats ten minutes of frustration.
Keep a record from day one
The single most useful habit in week one is writing things down: weight, meals, vaccination dates, the first vet visit, and those early milestones you will want to remember. A puppy’s first months move fast, and a clear record makes every future vet appointment easier — and gives you a keepsake of how small they once were.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do on the first night with a puppy?
Keep things calm, set up a cosy crate near your bed, and take your puppy out to toilet right before sleep and again if they wake. Expect some crying — quiet reassurance and a consistent routine settle most puppies within a few nights.
When should a new puppy see the vet?
Within the first few days of coming home, even if they seem healthy. The first visit confirms their weight and health and sets up the vaccination, worming, and microchipping plan.
How often should I feed a new puppy?
Young puppies usually eat three to four small meals a day. Stick to the food they arrived on and change brands gradually over a week or so to avoid stomach upset.
