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First week with a new puppy: routine and puppy-proofing

Updated 2026-10-16. General information, not veterinary advice.

Ask your vet. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet can advise on feeding, vaccination, parasite prevention and anything about your puppy’s health. If your puppy seems unwell, call your vet promptly.

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, and also a big change for the puppy. Everything is new: smells, sounds, people and the loss of their litter. A calm, predictable routine in the first week helps them settle. Use this guide alongside our new puppy checklist.

Before your puppy arrives

Puppy-proof your home. Puppies investigate with their mouths and move quickly.

Cables and cords: Tuck them away or cover them.
Shoes, socks, kids’ toys and remote controls: Keep out of reach.
Bins: Use lidded or hidden bins, including bathroom and kitchen ones.
Plants: Some common garden and indoor plants are toxic to dogs. Check with your vet or a reputable source and remove risks.
Chemicals: Cleaning products, garden products, snail bait, rat bait and fertiliser must be stored securely. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your puppy has eaten something harmful.
Foods: Chocolate, grapes and sultanas, onions, macadamia nuts and the sweetener xylitol are well known to be dangerous. Ask your vet for a full list.
Gates and pens: Set up an area where your puppy can be safe when you cannot watch them.
The yard: Check fences for gaps, secure the gate, cover pools, and watch for hazards such as compost and pesticides. Provide shade and water.

Set up a safe base

Choose a quiet spot for a crate or pen with bedding, water and a chew. See our crate training guide and crates and beds listings (listed for convenience, not recommended or rated by us).

A simple daily rhythm

Puppies thrive on routine. Here is a sample structure to adapt:

Wake up: Straight outside to the toilet area. Reward success.
Breakfast: Feed the food the breeder or rescue recommends, in the amounts your vet advises.
Toilet break: Again after eating.
Short play or training: A few minutes of gentle games, then nap.
Nap: Puppies need plenty of rest. Put them in their safe space.
Repeat through the day, with toilet trips after waking, eating, playing and every so often in between.
Evening wind-down: Quiet time, last toilet trip, then bed.

Our toilet training guide explains the routine in more detail. Expect accidents. Clean calmly and never punish.

Day one and the first night

Let your puppy explore at their own pace, keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid overwhelming them with lots of people. On the first night:

Place the bed or crate near yours so your puppy can hear you.
Take them out last thing, and again if they wake and need the toilet.
Keep night-time visits calm, with no play.
A warm, safe bed in a draught-free place helps, particularly in cooler areas.

Some crying is normal. If your puppy is distressed, check the basics, then give calm reassurance. Practise short periods of alone time through the day. Our separation anxiety guide explains gradual practice.

Vet visit

Book a check early in the first week. Take any paperwork you have from the breeder or rescue. Ask about:

Vaccination schedule and when outings are safe
Worming, flea and tick prevention. See tick, heat and snake safety
Microchipping and registration, which is required in Australia and managed by your state or territory and council
Desexing timing
Diet and how much to feed
How much exercise is suitable

Start gentle training

Keep sessions short, a minute or two. Reward the behaviours you like:

Name recognition: say their name, reward when they look at you
Toilet in the right place
Settling calmly on their bed
Gentle handling of paws, ears and mouth
Walking a few steps on a lead around the house. See loose-lead walking

If your puppy mouths a lot, read our guide to puppy biting. For early experiences safely, see puppy socialisation. Recall games can start in the house with our reliable recall guide.

Heat and weather

Puppies overheat quickly. Provide shade, fresh water, and a cool indoor place on hot days. Avoid exercise in the heat of the day and never leave a puppy in a car.

Sleep matters

Overtired puppies are often grumpy, mouthy and silly. If your puppy is wild, it may be time for a nap. Quiet is more helpful than more play.

When to call for help

Contact your vet if your puppy vomits repeatedly, has diarrhoea, is lethargic, will not eat, or seems in pain. For behaviour concerns, ask a qualified trainer. Our training directory lists trainers (listed, not endorsed).

Be kind to yourself

The first week is tiring. Expect broken sleep, accidents and chewed things. Keep it simple, stay consistent, and enjoy the small moments. A relaxed routine now sets up your puppy for good habits later.

Free printable: grab our Puppy First-Week Checklist (PDF), with tick boxes for toilet training and a 7-day grid.

FAQs

How much should a new puppy sleep?

Young puppies need a lot of sleep, often more than owners expect. Plan regular rest in a quiet place. Ask your vet about what is normal for your puppy.

Should I change my puppy's food straight away?

Usually not. Ask the breeder or rescue what your puppy has been eating and keep it the same at first. Ask your vet before changing food.

When should I book a vet visit?

Book a check soon after you bring your puppy home. Your vet can advise on vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, desexing timing and feeding.

Is it normal for my puppy to cry the first night?

Yes, it is common. Keep the sleeping area close, warm and comfortable, take them out for toilet breaks, and stay calm and consistent.