🐾 Surviving Your First Week with a Puppy: Chaos, Cuddles & Chewed-Up Shoes (Expert Edition)

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)

😵‍💫 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.”