1) Before your puppy arrives:  

A smooth first week starts with a few basics in place: 

• Safe space: Choose a quiet area for a bed or crate where your puppy can rest undisturbed. Puppies need lots of sleep (often 18–20 hours a day). 

• Puppy-proofing: Get down to puppy height and look for hazards, such as loose wires, plants that may be toxic, small objects, cleaning products, and accessible bins. 

• Supplies checklist: Puppy-appropriate food, bowls, lead and harness, ID tag, chew toys, poo bags, grooming tools, and a crate or playpen if you’re using one. 

• Family plan: Agree on house rules early, such as where the puppy sleeps, feeding routine, which furniture they are allowed on, so your puppy gets consistent messages from everyone. 

 

2) The first 48 hours:  

The first couple of days should focus on calm and predictable patterns rather than “doing everything.” 

• Keep introductions gentle: Limit visitors at first. Let your puppy explore one room at a time. 

• Start a toilet routine immediately: Take your puppy to a dog toilet training mat, after eating, after play, and every 1–2 hours in the beginning. Praise them calmly when they go in the right place. 

• Expect some stress: It’s normal for puppies to whine at night or seem unsettled, especially if they’ve just left their litter. Comfort and consistency help. If you’re crate training, place the crate near you, initially, so they feel secure. 

 

3) Book your first vet visit early 

Even if your puppy seems perfectly healthy, a new puppy health check is essential. Ideally, arrange this within the first week. 

At this appointment, we will: 

• Perform a full physical exam (heart, lungs, eyes, ears, skin, abdomen, joints) 

• Check body condition and growth 

• Discuss nutrition and a feeding plan 

• Talk through parasite prevention and vaccinations 

• Review any paperwork from the breeder/rescue (previous vaccines, worming history) 

This visit is also your chance to ask questions; no question is too small when you’re new to puppy parenting. 

 

4) Vaccinations: 

Puppy vaccination schedules vary, but the goal is the same: protecting your puppy during a vulnerable stage, to start giving them long-lasting protection. 

We will typically recommend vaccinating against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and, in some cases, kennel cough. 

Vaccines can usually be given from 8 weeks of age, 2 to 4 weeks apart. 

Until your puppy is fully protected, be mindful of high-risk areas like busy dog parks or engaging with dogs whose vaccination status you know nothing about. 

Socialisation is still crucial, but it should be done safely; we can advise you on how to balance both. 

 

5) Deworming and parasite prevention: 

Intestinal worms are extremely common in puppies, and some parasites can affect humans, too, making prevention a priority. 

 

Deworming 

Puppies are often dewormed frequently early on because they can pick up worms from their mother or the environment. We can provide a clear, easy schedule and the right product for your puppy’s weight and age. 

 

Fleas and ticks 

Even indoor puppies can get fleas (they hitch a ride on clothing, other pets, or visitors). Ticks are a concern once your puppy starts taking trips outside. Always use vet-recommended preventatives. 

 

6) Microchipping:  

Microchipping is quick, routine, and one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their families.  

In the UK, it is a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped and registered on a compliant database by the age of 8 weeks. 

We can: 

• Check for an existing chip. 

• Insert a chip if needed. 

• Remind you to register and update your contact details, since a microchip is only as useful as the information attached to it. 

You also need to get an ID tag for your puppy with your name and address on it.  

 

7) Nutrition and growth:  

Puppy bodies grow fast, and nutrition affects everything from immunity to bone development. 

Here are our tips: 

• Choose a complete puppy-formulated diet, matched to the expected adult size. 

• Measure meals rather than free-feeding. 

• Monitor weight gain. 

• Keep treats to a sensible amount, as they add up quickly, and use part of the daily food allowance for training treats. 

• Avoid sudden diet changes; if you are switching food, transition gradually over 5–7 days. 

 

8) Training and behaviour:  

Many adult behaviour problems start as adorable puppy habits that accidentally get reinforced. Early training is about guiding your puppy toward calm and safe behaviours. 

Focus on these basics early: 

• Name response and recall foundations: Reward your puppy for choosing to come back to you. 

• Toilet training consistency: Routine, supervision and rewards. 

• Handling practice: Gently touch paws, ears, mouth, and tail while giving treats; this helps future vet visits, grooming, and nail trims. 

• Bite inhibition: Puppies explore with their mouths. Redirect to toys and reward calm play. If biting escalates, pause play briefly to teach that teeth end the fun. 

• Alone-time training: Start small, seconds to minutes, so your puppy learns that being alone is safe. This helps prevent separation-related anxiety later. 

 

Socialisation 

Socialisation is about positive exposure to the world: surfaces, noises, people, calm dogs, car rides, grooming, and everyday life. The key is quality over quantity; gentle, positive experiences build confidence. 

If you’re unsure where to start, ask us about puppy classes and trainer recommendations. A good puppy class builds communication and prevents fear-based behaviours. 

 

9) When to call us 

Puppies can go downhill quickly, so trust your instincts. Contact us if you notice: 

• Vomiting or diarrhoea (especially if frequent, bloody, or with lethargy) 

• Not eating, weakness, or collapse 

• Persistent coughing, sneezing, or eye/nose discharge 

• Swollen belly, painful crying, or difficulty breathing 

• Suspected toxin ingestion or foreign object chewing/swallowing 

It’s always better to ask early than to wait and worry. 

 

A final word: partnership is the real puppy hack 

We aren’t just here for emergencies; we’re here to help you raise a healthy, well-adjusted dog. With timely health checks (vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping), smart prevention, and early training, you’ll give your puppy the best start possible. 

And yes, there will still be chewed slippers. But with the right foundations, you’ll also get the best part: a lifelong companion who feels safe, confident, and loved in your home.