Bringing a puppy home is exciting and a little daunting. The first week is about settling in, building a routine and keeping everything calm and predictable.
Set up one safe space
Choose a quiet corner for a bed and a crate or pen, away from the busiest part of the house. A puppy that has somewhere to retreat will settle faster, and it also gives you somewhere safe to leave your puppy for short spells.
Keep water available at all times and offer the same food the breeder or rescue was using. Sudden changes to food are a common cause of an upset tummy in the first week.
Build a gentle routine
Feed little and often, three or four small meals a day, and take your puppy out to the garden after every meal, nap and play session. Praise quietly when it goes outside and clean up accidents indoors without any fuss.
Puppies need a lot of sleep, often eighteen hours a day, so let yours rest when it wants to. Short, calm play sessions are plenty at this age.
Book a vet check in the first few days and ask about flea and worm treatment and when the next vaccinations are due. If your puppy is quiet, off its food or has loose stools for more than a day, call your vet.
