Your puppy’s first week: settling in guide

Bringing your new puppy home is a joyful occasion for the whole family, but it can be a challenging transition for the puppy. Leaving their mother and siblings for the first time is stressful, so creating a calm, welcoming environment is vital to help them settle comfortably and start bonding with you.

Preparing your home in advance is important, with all the essentials ready so you can focus on making your new puppy feel secure and loved as they adapt to their new surroundings. The following detailed guide shares essential steps to ensure a happy and stress-free first week.

The basics of welcoming your new puppy

• Introduce your puppy individually to each family member, ensuring each interaction is positive and gentle.
• Limit visitors during the first week to avoid overwhelming your puppy before they have settled.
• Arrange a vet appointment promptly for a health check and vaccinations if not already done. This step is crucial for your puppy’s wellbeing.
• Maintain your puppy’s existing diet at first; any change should be made gradually as sudden changes can upset sensitive tummies.
• Dedicate plenty of time to bonding—ideally, someone should be home with your puppy for most of the first week to provide reassurance.
• If you have children, teach them to respect your puppy’s space and recognise when the puppy needs to be left alone.
• Supervise any introductions to other pets carefully to ensure everyone gets along safely.
• Provide your puppy with their own space and comfortable bedding to create a little sanctuary they can call their own.

Your puppy’s first nights: easing separation stress

Sleeping alone away from their canine family can be daunting for a new puppy. Expect some crying during the initial nights, which is normal behaviour. If possible, sleep in the same room or nearby to offer reassurance, but avoid creating a long-term dependence on this closeness to sleep.

• Once your puppy falls asleep, let them rest without excessive petting to avoid disturbing their routine.
• If your puppy wakes and cries, offer calm, quiet reassurance without encouraging them to become active or come to you.
• Be consistent so your puppy doesn’t learn to use crying to seek attention.
• Make sure their bedding is warm, cosy and inviting to encourage restful sleep.

Teaching your puppy to settle calmly in the home

Puppies are naturally curious and energetic, eager to explore everything in their new environment. Teaching them to relax and settle quietly is just as important as play and exercise.

• Ensure your puppy gets sufficient exercise to burn off energy, making quiet times easier to achieve.
• Create a calm, comfortable spot for your puppy in rooms where the family spends time, like the lounge. Encourage them to stay there calmly during quiet moments.
• Maintain a relaxed atmosphere among family members since puppies are sensitive to human emotions and energy levels.
• Allow quiet, independent play in their designated area, but avoid overly boisterous behaviour.
• Use a lead initially to keep your puppy within their area, then gradually reward them for sitting calmly off lead.
• Start with short periods of calm time—just a minute or two is enough for very young puppies.

Preparing your home: puppy-proofing and essentials

Before bringing your puppy home, puppy-proof your living space to keep them safe and minimise accidents. Remove or secure anything tempting or hazardous like electrical cables, shoes, plants, and small objects. Providing chew toys can redirect natural mouthing behaviour.

• Choose safe, comfortable bedding and a crate if used, to provide a secure sleeping space.
• Have food and water bowls accessible and filled with their usual food and fresh water.
• Prepare a calm, confined space or playpen to limit your puppy's roaming while they get used to the home.

Maintaining routine and early training basics

Keeping consistent routines will help your puppy feel secure and understand expectations. Regular feeding times, toilet breaks, and calm interactions are key.

• Stick to their familiar feeding schedule and introduce gradual diet changes if necessary.
• Take your puppy outside frequently for toilet training, rewarding them for going in the right place.
• Use positive reinforcement like treats and gentle praise to encourage good behaviour from the start.

Common questions about your puppy’s first week

When can a puppy leave its mother?

Quick Answer: Puppies should ideally stay with their mother and littermates until at least eight weeks old to ensure proper socialisation and health.

Leaving their mother too early can affect a puppy’s development and behaviour. The eight-week mark is recommended by vets and reputable breeders because by then puppies have received early social skills and usually had their first vaccinations, helping them adjust better to new homes.

How to stop my puppy from crying at night?

Quick Answer: Provide a warm, cosy sleeping area nearby and respond calmly but briefly to their cries, avoiding reinforcement of attention-seeking behaviour.

Giving your puppy a comforting bed and possibly a toy that smells like their mother can reduce anxiety. Limiting your response to quiet reassurance helps teach your pup to self-soothe and settle independently over time.

Conclusion: Building a strong foundation for your puppy

The first week with your new puppy sets the tone for a happy, well-adjusted life together. By carefully managing introductions, maintaining routines, and being patient when teaching calm behaviour, you create a loving environment that supports your puppy's confidence and wellbeing.

Remember to choose puppies responsibly from reputable breeders or trusted adoption sources, prioritising health, socialisation and lifelong commitment. With the right start, your puppy will flourish into a loyal, joyful companion.