The first week with a new puppy sets the tone for everything that follows. Your puppy has just left their mother and littermates for a strange new world, and a calm, predictable start helps them settle faster, sleep better, and trust you sooner. This checklist walks you through exactly what to prepare before they arrive and what to do across those crucial first seven days.
Before your puppy arrives: the supply checklist
Having everything ready before pick-up day means you can focus on your puppy instead of running to the shops. Here's the essentials list:
- A correctly sized crate — big enough to stand, turn and lie down, but not so large they can toilet in one corner and sleep in another.
- Food and water bowls, plus the exact same food your breeder or shelter was using.
- A collar, lead and ID tag sized for a puppy (you'll size up as they grow).
- Safe chew toys to soothe teething and redirect nipping.
- An enzymatic cleaner for the accidents that will happen.
- A soft, washable bed and puppy pads or a clear outdoor toilet plan.
A well-fitted crate is the single most useful item — it becomes your puppy's den, speeds up house-training and keeps them safe. You'll find crates and crate accessories alongside the rest of your starter kit in the MyFurtopia shop.
Day 1: arrival and first impressions
Keep the homecoming quiet. Skip the welcome party — a stream of excited visitors is overwhelming for a puppy who has just been separated from everything familiar. Instead:
- Take your puppy straight to the toilet spot when you get home, and praise any success warmly.
- Let them explore one or two rooms at their own pace, not the whole house at once.
- Introduce the crate as a positive place with treats and a chew — never as punishment.
- Keep the first day low-key so they can decompress.
Surviving the first night
The first night is famously hard. Your puppy will miss the warmth and heartbeat of their littermates, so expect some whining. Place the crate near your bed so they can hear and smell you — most puppies settle far quicker with company nearby. Take them out for a toilet break right before bed and once overnight. Respond to genuine toilet needs, but try not to reward every squeak with attention, or you may teach them that noise brings you running. Most puppies settle into a routine within three to five nights.
A cosy crate and the right early-learning gear make week one far smoother. Browse training essentials like clickers, treat pouches and puppy pads, plus crates and crate pads to build a comfortable den.
Shop training essentials →Feeding and house-training routine
Feeding
Stick to the food your puppy was already eating for at least the first week — a sudden diet change on top of a stressful move often causes an upset stomach. If you want to switch brands later, do it gradually over a week or more. Young puppies usually eat three to four small meals a day on a consistent schedule.
House-training
Puppies have tiny bladders and little control, so frequency is everything. Take yours out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps and play, and last thing at night. Reward the moment they go in the right spot. Accidents are learning, not misbehaviour — clean them thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner so no scent lingers to draw them back.
Sleep, socialisation and gentle handling
Puppies need a lot of sleep — often 16 to 20 hours a day. Overtiredness looks like hyperactivity and biting, so build in quiet crate naps. Begin gentle socialisation this week too: let your puppy experience household sounds, being handled around the paws and ears, and meeting calm, vaccinated adult dogs in safe settings. Early positive experiences shape a confident adult dog.
Book the vet and common first-week mistakes
Schedule a vet health check within the first few days. Your vet will confirm the vaccination and worming schedule and tell you when it's safe to walk in public — until then, keep your puppy away from unvaccinated dogs and shared ground. A few mistakes to avoid:
- Over-socialising or over-handling on day one instead of letting them settle.
- Changing food abruptly and triggering diarrhoea.
- Punishing accidents, which teaches fear rather than cleanliness.
- Skipping crate naps, leading to an overtired, nippy puppy.
Wondering whether a symptom is normal puppy stuff or worth a call? MyFurtopia's AI Pet Health Scanner can help you gauge how urgent something is, and our pet health blog has more new-owner guides.
Track your puppy's first milestones
MyFurtopia's AI Pet Health Scanner lets you log symptoms, growth and mood so you can spot problems early and keep every vet visit on schedule. It's free to try.
Download the MyFurtopia AppFrequently asked questions
How do I get through the first night with a new puppy?
Keep the crate near your bed so your puppy can hear and smell you, take them out for a toilet break right before bed and once overnight, and expect some whining. Respond to genuine toilet needs but don't reward every noise with attention. Most puppies settle within a few nights.
What supplies do I need before bringing a puppy home?
At minimum: a correctly sized crate, food and water bowls, the same food the breeder or shelter used, a collar and lead with ID tag, a toilet plan, safe chew toys, an enzymatic cleaner, and a soft bed. Buy the food they're already eating to avoid stomach upset.
When should a new puppy see the vet?
Book a health check within the first few days. Your vet will confirm the vaccination and worming schedule and advise when it's safe to walk in public. Keep your puppy away from unvaccinated dogs and public ground until you get the all-clear.
This guide is educational and not a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you're worried about your puppy, contact your vet.