Your First Week with a Puppy: A Simple Checklist

A new puppy brings a lot of joy, and a lot of new things at once. A calm, well-prepared first week helps your puppy feel safe and sets good habits for life [1][4].

How do I prepare my home for a puppy?

• Hide or unplug electrical cords, since puppies chew them [1].
• Lock away cleaning products in closed cupboards [1].
• Move plants off the floor (some are toxic), along with breakables and small or sharp objects a puppy could swallow [1].
• Never share table food. Chocolate, raisins and sugar-free gum (xylitol) are dangerous for dogs [1].
• Keep feeding and sleeping areas separate, use baby gates if needed, and check that any garden fence is secure [3].

What do I need before my puppy comes home?

• The same food the breeder or shelter was using, plus two bowls [4][5].
• A bed and a crate with washable bedding [4][5].
• A collar with an ID tag, and a lead [4][5].
• A blanket that smells of its litter to comfort it [4][5].
• Chew and comfort toys [4][5].
• Puppy pads and an enzyme cleaner for accidents [4][5].
• A grooming brush and a shampoo made for puppies [4][5].

What should I do on the first day and night?

• Keep the first 24 hours calm and simple [1][3].
• Introduce family members one at a time [3].
• Show your puppy its bed, crate, toilet spot and bowls [1][3].
• Your puppy may whimper at night in a new place. Stay close and keep an eye on it [3][4].
• A steady bedtime routine helps prevent separation worries later [3][4].
• In the first week, plan toilet trips about every 2 to 3 hours, more often for very young puppies [1]. Step-by-step help: how to house-train a puppy.

How often should a puppy eat?

Puppies typically eat 2 to 3 meals a day at regular times, with fresh water always available [1][3][4]. Keep the same food for the first days to avoid an upset stomach, and change slowly only if needed [4]. Needs vary with growth, size and allergies, so ask your vet or the breeder about the right food and amount [1][4].

Where should a puppy sleep?

In the same bed or crate, in the same spot, every night [1][3][4]. Choose a crate big enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around [1]. It becomes a safe retreat, and it helps house-training, because dogs avoid soiling where they sleep [1][3].

When is the first vet visit?

Register with a vet and book a health check in the first few days [1][5]. The vet will check your puppy's general health and plan vaccinations and parasite prevention (worms and fleas) [1][4]. Timing differs for every puppy, so ask your vet about the vaccination and deworming schedule, rather than following a fixed age from the internet [1][2].

Gentle handling at home, with calm praise and treats, helps your puppy feel easier when the vet examines it [6].

Does my puppy need a microchip?

A collar with an ID tag is a first-week essential [4][5]. A microchip is a standard part of responsible ownership. It is often done by the breeder or at an early vet visit, and owners keep the contact details up to date for life [5][6]. Rules differ by country, so ask your vet and check the local rules where you live.

How do I socialise my puppy safely?

Puppies have a sensitive learning window, roughly 4 to 12 weeks of age, when new people, animals, sounds and places feel less scary [2]. This window narrows as they grow [2].

• Keep new experiences short, gentle and positive, with treats, toys and praise [2].
• Spread them over several days, not all in one outing [2].
• Watch for tiredness or overwhelm, and give breaks [2].
• Wait until your vet says the vaccines protect your puppy before walks in public places or meeting unknown dogs. Young puppies are vulnerable to serious diseases such as parvovirus and distemper [2][6].

Puppies that miss good socialisation tend to be more anxious later on [2].

How do I keep a puppy safe in Saudi heat?

Puppies are at higher risk of heatstroke [7].

• Never leave a puppy alone in a car. The temperature rises fast [7].
• Avoid the hottest part of the day, and skip exercise in strong heat or humidity [7].
• Give shade and fresh water often, and keep your puppy indoors and cool in extreme heat [7].
• Heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, weakness, confusion or collapse are emergency signs. Go to a vet immediately [7]. Learn more in our heatstroke article.

First-week puppy checklist (save or share)

Before arrival

• Puppy-proofed room [1]
• Crate and washable bedding [4][5]
• Same food as before, and two bowls [4][5]
• Collar with ID tag, and a lead [4][5]
• Toys, grooming brush, puppy pads and cleaner [4][5]

Day 1

• Quiet introductions, one person at a time [1][3]
• Show the bed, toilet spot and bowls [1][3]
• Start a feeding and toilet routine [1]
• No big outings yet [1][3]

Week 1

• Book the first vet visit [1][5]
• Short, gentle socialisation at home [2]
• Same sleep routine every night [3][4]
• Ask about a microchip and ID [5][6]

Ongoing

• Ask your vet about vaccines and deworming before walks with other dogs [2][6]
• Heat care all year in Saudi Arabia, more in summer [7]

Did you know? A blanket that carries the smell of its litter can help a puppy feel at home in its new bed [4][5].

First week with a puppy: FAQ

Can I walk my puppy outside right away?

Not in public places or around unknown dogs yet. Wait until your vet says the vaccines protect your puppy [2][6].

Should I use a crate from day one?

A right-sized crate gives your puppy a safe place to rest and helps house-training [1][3].

How do I introduce my puppy to family and other pets?

Calmly, one at a time, in short and positive meetings [2][3].

When should my puppy be vaccinated and dewormed?

Your vet sets the schedule for your puppy. Ask at the first visit [1][2].