What to Expect the First Week With a New Puppy

By Homestead Acres team · November 10, 2026

The first week with a new puppy is joyful and exhausting. Your puppy is learning a new home while you're learning a new routine. Here is what to expect and how to help everyone settle in.

The ride home

Bring a secure carrier lined with a soft towel, and have a second person sit with the puppy if possible. Skip extra stops. Your puppy may whimper, drool or even get carsick. Stay calm and talk softly.

Arriving

Take your puppy to its potty spot first, then let it explore a small, safe area. Offer water and a small meal. Resist the urge to invite everyone over. Too much excitement on day one is overwhelming.

The first night

Expect some crying. Your puppy has just left its mother and littermates. Put the crate near your bed so your puppy can hear and smell you, add a warm, soft blanket and keep a consistent bedtime routine. Take your puppy out right before bed and once during the night if needed. It gets better quickly, often within a few days.

Day two and three: routines

Set a daily rhythm of meals, potty breaks, play, training and naps. Puppies sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day, so expect naps after every short burst of activity. Keep rules consistent among family members, and start simple cues like the puppy's name and "sit."

The first vet visit

Schedule a checkup within the first few days. Bring any records you were given. Your vet will check your puppy's weight, eyes, ears, teeth, heart and lungs and discuss vaccines, parasite prevention and spay or neuter timing. Ask any questions about food and care.

Feeding in the first week

Keep your puppy on the food it was eating before it came home. Feed small, regular meals and keep water available. A little loose stool or reduced appetite in the first day or two can be due to stress, but call your vet if it continues or if your puppy seems sick.

Potty training begins

Start right away. Take your puppy out after waking, eating, playing and every hour or two in between. Reward success right away and don't punish accidents. Our potty training guide has the full plan.

Gentle socialization

Introduce your puppy to a few calm people and everyday sounds. Keep visits short and let your puppy choose how close to get. Keep it positive.

Bonding

Spend time just being together. Gentle play, grooming, lap time and short training sessions build trust. A new puppy is learning that you are safe, and that matters more than any trick.

We're here to help

If you have questions in your first week, call or text us. We love hearing how our puppies are doing.

A sample first-week schedule

Morning: potty, breakfast, potty, short play. Mid-morning: nap. Midday: potty, lunch, play. Afternoon: nap, potty, light training. Evening: dinner, potty, calm time and a final potty trip before bed. Repeat every day and adjust gently as your puppy grows. Predictable routines are very calming for a young puppy.

Common first-week worries

Is my puppy eating enough? Puppies often eat less on the first day and then improve. Is the crying normal? Yes, and it usually fades within days. Is the sleepiness normal? Yes. Should I worry about loose stool? A little is common with stress, but call your vet if it persists or if your puppy seems ill. When in doubt, call your vet.

What to do on day seven

Take a photo and celebrate. Look back at what's worked, update your schedule, and book your next vet visit if needed. Start a few basic training lessons and keep adding positive new experiences. You've made it through the hardest part, and the bond you're building will last for years.

Taking care of yourself too

The first week is tiring for people as well as puppies. Share the night-time duties if you can, nap when your puppy naps and ask for help with meals or errands. A rested, patient owner is a better teacher. Remember that your puppy isn't being difficult on purpose. It's a baby in a new world, and every day will be a little easier than the last.

Small victories are worth celebrating: the first full night's sleep, the first outdoor potty, the first wag at the sight of you.

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