So, you brought home a puppy.
Congratulations!
Or, maybe… condolences?
Because this little fluff ball will fill your heart and destroy your slippers—all in the same 30 seconds. The first week is basically puppy bootcamp: overwhelming, hilarious, messy, and magical.
Let’s break it down day-by-day so you can stay sane, get some sleep, and start building a bond that’ll last a lifetime.
🔒 Day 1: Welcome Home, Chaos Commander
Your new puppy has arrived. Cue the zoomies. Everything is new, and your pup is operating at 300% excitement.
What to Do Immediately:
- Puppy-Proof Your Home
Hide wires, put up baby gates, remove choking hazards, secure trash cans, and keep toxic items (like chocolate or houseplants) out of reach. - Health First 🩺
🐶 Schedule a vet visit within 48 hours for a full checkup.
💉 Confirm vaccine records. Ask about deworming, flea/tick, and heartworm preventatives.
📋 Discuss microchipping and spaying/neutering timelines.
Crate = Safe Zone
Your puppy’s crate isn’t jail—it’s their den. Line it with a cozy blanket, add a plush toy, and start introducing it with treats and praise.
First Night Survival Kit:
- A ticking clock (mimics heartbeat)
- Warm water bottle (wrapped in a towel)
- Low-volume calming music
- Patience (copious amounts)
Sleep Reality Check:
Puppies don’t care if it’s 3 AM. Expect 2–3 potty breaks overnight. Set alarms. Wear slip-ons.
🧠 Days 2–3: The Teething Tornado + Brain Development Begins
By now, you’ve learned: if it fits in their mouth, it’s going in. Fingers? Check. Couch leg? Check. Charging cable? Double check.
Combat Chewing with Strategy:
- Use frozen carrots, puppy-safe teething toys, or frozen Kongs.
- Rotate toys daily so novelty stays high.
- Redirect biting every time. Consistency = clarity.
🧩 Want a Smarter, Calmer Pup?
Add mental stimulation early. Brain games improve focus and reduce destructive behavior.
👉 Try 21 Fun Brain Games – designed by professional trainers to boost your dog’s IQ (and your sanity).
- ✅ Boost obedience & impulse control
- ✅ Reduce barking & hyperactivity
- ✅ Easy, fun, step-by-step activities
🚽 Potty Training 101: Start Now, Not Later
- Take your pup out:
- After waking
- After eating
- After playing
- Every 1–2 hours in between
- Praise like they just won a gold medal 🏅 when they go in the right spot.
- Use enzyme cleaners to erase scent from accidents.
- Expect setbacks—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
📌 Pro Tip: Use a consistent command (like “Go potty”) and take them to the same spot each time.
🎓 Day 4: Bite, Bark, Repeat — Time for Social Skills 101
Your pup’s jaw is strong, and their curiosity stronger. Now’s the time to teach, not just survive.
Nipping Tips:
- Yelp lightly or say “Ouch!” then stop play.
- Offer a chew toy immediately as a replacement.
- Avoid rough hand-play—it teaches bad habits.
Critical Socialization Window:
From 8 to 16 weeks, your puppy’s brain is like a sponge. Missing this window can lead to long-term fear or aggression issues.
Expose them (gently and positively) to:
- Different people (ages, sizes, genders)
- Sounds (vacuum, blender, TV)
- Textures (carpet, grass, tile)
- Items (umbrellas, bags, hats)
If fully vaccinated: short visits with calm, healthy dogs are gold.
⚡ Days 5–6: The Zoomie Zone + Start of Structure
Your puppy now operates in short bursts of mayhem followed by face-plant naps. Use that energy wisely.
Build a Routine:
- 🕒 Feed same time daily (3–4 meals a day depending on age)
- 🚶 Short leash walks (no dragging—let them explore)
- 🧼 Grooming intro: brush, touch paws, gently look at teeth
Mini Training Sessions (5–10 min):
- “Sit,” “Come,” “Leave it”
- Use tiny soft treats or kibble
- Always end on a success note
Mental + Physical = Balanced Puppy
- Tug-of-war
- Fetch (yes, it’s possible at this age)
- Puzzle feeders & snuffle mats
📌 Tired puppies are better-behaved puppies.
🐾 Day 7: Survived… Kind Of?
One full week!
You’ve probably:
- Been peed on
- Lost sleep
- Questioned your sanity
- Taken 400 blurry puppy photos
But your puppy is starting to settle. Maybe they even follow you around. That’s bonding, baby.
Celebrate These Small Wins:
✅ Responds to name
✅ Cries less at night
✅ Goes potty outside most of the time
✅ Sits occasionally without bribery
✅ Steals fewer socks (but not zero)
📅 Sample Day Schedule (8–10 Week Old Puppy)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wake & potty |
| 7:15 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Play/training (10 mins) |
| 8:30 AM | Nap in crate |
| 10:00 AM | Potty + walk (5–10 mins) |
| 11:00 AM | Mental enrichment (puzzle toy) |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Nap |
| 3:00 PM | Potty + gentle play |
| 4:00 PM | Basic training session |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:00 PM | Quiet bonding time |
| 8:30 PM | Final potty |
| 9:00 PM | Crate bedtime |
😵💫 Feeling Puppy Blues? You’re Not Alone
It’s normal to feel exhausted, defeated—even regretful. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad pet parent. It means you’re human.
- Ask for help
- Take breaks
- Join puppy support groups
- Celebrate any win
This phase won’t last forever. You’re building the foundation for a loyal, loving companion.
❤️ Final Words: You’ve Got This!
That tiny terror gnawing on your toe? They’re learning. So are you. And in a few months, the crying, peeing, biting beast will become a best friend who trusts you completely.
So keep going.
One day, you’ll look at your well-behaved dog and think:
“I survived the first week. I can survive anything.”