Before They Arrive
Stock up on the essentials:
- Crate sized for adult weight (with divider for now)
- Food and water bowls (stainless steel or ceramic)
- The food the breeder/shelter has been using (switch slowly over 7–10 days)
- Flat collar and lightweight leash
- ID tag with your phone number
- Soft brush appropriate for the coat type
- Enzymatic cleaner for accidents
- Puppy-safe chew toys (not rawhide)
Day 1: Decompress, Don't Overwhelm
Skip the welcome party. Let your puppy explore one room at a time. Show them the crate, water, and potty spot. Keep voices low and movement slow.
Days 2–3: Establish a Rhythm
Puppies thrive on predictability:
- Potty breaks every 1–2 hours and after every meal, nap, and play session
- Three meals a day at the same times
- Naps — puppies need 16–20 hours of sleep
- Crate time in short, positive sessions
Within Week 1: First Vet Visit
Schedule a wellness exam in the first 3–7 days. Bring vaccination records and a stool sample. Discuss:
- Vaccine schedule (DHPP, rabies, bordetella)
- Deworming and parasite prevention
- Spay/neuter timing
- Microchipping
Start Handling Practice Now
Every day, gently touch:
- Paws and nails (one paw, 5 seconds, treat)
- Ears (lift the flap, look inside, treat)
- Mouth and teeth (lift the lip, treat)
- Tail and belly
This 60-second daily routine makes future grooming and vet visits dramatically easier.
Socialization Window: 8–16 Weeks
This is the most important developmental period of your puppy's life. Expose them safely (after first vaccines) to:
- Different surfaces (grass, tile, gravel, metal)
- Sounds (vacuum, blender, doorbell)
- People of different ages and appearances
- Calm, vaccinated dogs
- Car rides
Grooming Foundations
You don't need a full groom yet — but you do need to introduce the experience:
- Brush gently every day (even for 30 seconds)
- Run an electric toothbrush near them (off, then on)
- Touch a nail clipper to their paw, treat, repeat
- Book a "puppy intro" grooming visit around 12–16 weeks
What Not to Do
- Don't free-feed — set meals
- Don't skip the crate
- Don't punish accidents
- Don't isolate during the socialization window
- Don't wait until 6 months for the first grooming visit