The first seven days with a new puppy set the tone for everything that follows — appetite, sleep, confidence and trust. Here is how to get them right.
Keep the first meals familiar
Ask the breeder or shelter what your puppy was eating and serve exactly that for the first three days. New home, new smells and new food all at once is a recipe for an upset stomach.
Book the vet visit early
Schedule a full checkup within the first week. Bring vaccination records, ask about a deworming schedule, and leave with a feeding plan matched to your puppy’s breed and weight.
Build a rhythm, not a regime
Same feeding times, same walking route, same bedtime. Puppies relax into predictable days far faster than into strict rules — consistency beats intensity.
A calm first week builds a confident adult dog. Go slow now, and everything later gets easier.