Start here: your first week with a new puppy
Brand-new owner? This is the short version — what to set up before pickup, the first-week routine, and the free checklist that keeps it all straight.
Set up the space first
A puppy does best with a small, safe world that grows as they earn trust. Before you bring them home, get these in place so day one is calm instead of frantic.
- A right-sized crate with a divider so it grows with your pup.
- A gated puppy zone — one easy-to-clean room or an exercise pen.
- Food and water bowls, plus the same food your breeder or shelter was using.
- A flat collar, ID tag, and a light leash.
- A couple of safe chew toys for teething relief.
- Enzyme cleaner for the accidents that will happen.
A simple day-one to day-seven plan
You don't need to do everything at once. Here's the order that keeps a puppy calm and learning.
Days 1–2: Settle in
Keep it quiet. Show them the potty spot, the crate, and where food and water live. Let them sleep — puppies need 18–20 hours a day. Start your potty routine immediately.
Days 3–5: Routine
Lock in a feeding, potty, play, nap rhythm. Begin gentle crate training and reward every potty outside. Introduce the name and a happy “come.”
Days 6–7: First lessons
Short, treat-based sessions for sit and come. Book the first vet visit and start safe, careful socialization.
Want it on one page?
Download the free New-Puppy Checklist — the supply list, the pre-pickup setup, and the week-one routine in a single printable sheet.
One page, free, no email required. Prefer to read it online? See the full checklist guide.
First-week questions
Ready for the next play?
Once the basics are set, the training and health guides take it from here. Start wherever your puppy needs the most help.
Open the training guides