The first 48 hours with a new puppy: everything you need to know

By Charlotte Stiles

Whether it’s your first puppy, or you’re welcoming a new addition to your four-legged family, getting a puppy is extremely exciting! In this article, we’ll help you prepare for the first 48 hours, so you can focus on enjoying the time without worrying about forgetting something!

We’ll go through the most important topics in the first 48 hours such as:

New puppy checklist

In case you’re thinking ‘what do I need for a new puppy?’ we’ve created a handy list of things to buy before your puppy arrives home:

It’s also a good idea to think about getting health insurance for your puppy, to help cover the cost of any unexpected procedures (which are often costly!).

Lost pet protection is also worth thinking about, as it will help you to become reunited with your pet if you become separated.

Our Lifetime Protection Membership includes 24/7 access to both lost pet specialists and veterinarians, which means whatever the situation, you can quickly get the help you need.

Preparing your home

Once you’ve bought all the things you need, the next step is to set them up in your home! If you can, it’s a good idea to decide on one room that your puppy can use in the first few weeks. This can help them in terms of training and also safety.

You can prepare the designated area by removing, fencing off, and placing hazardous or chewable objects out of reach. Examples of these include electrical appliances and wires, plants, bins, water sources, and food.

You might also want to think about spraying dog pheromones in your home before their arrival, especially if you have other pets at home already. If you have other pets already at home, it’s also a good idea to set up your puppy’s belongings in the house a few days before they arrive, to help the other pets get used to them.

Bringing home your new puppy

The big moment has arrived! Although it may seem fun to cradle your puppy during its journey home, it’s much safer for everyone to put them in an appropriate box or crate which is sufficiently strapped in. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for cuddles later!

If possible, it’s best to bring someone with you, an extra pair of hands can be extremely helpful when it comes to carrying everything and making sure your puppy is as comfortable as possible during their first road trip!

Don’t forget to bring the following things with you:

When it comes to introducing your puppy to other family members, take it slow and gradual. Provide plenty of reassurance and rewards to other pets, to lessen the chances of them feeling left out or jealous of the new arrival.

If possible, introducing your puppy to pets and children in a neutral area, such as in front of your home is also a good idea. You can read more about this topic in our article Introducing New Pets.

Feeding your new puppy

Puppies have different nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs, so it’s important to stock up on food specially designed for puppies.

It’s a good idea to weigh them each week and feed them according to their weight and the instructions on the food package. If you’re using treats to help train them, be sure not to overdo it and use specially designed puppy treats only.

Check out our Ultimate guide to choosing the right food for more information.

Puppy training

All pets need to have a designated area just for them. When it comes to puppies, they’re no different! Providing them with a special place such as a bed or crate from day one, just for them, will help them to relax and will also aid with training.

It’s common knowledge that puppies use their mouth (and teeth) to learn about their environment. This behavior is normal, but it’s a good idea to set boundaries from day one when it comes to chewing and biting behavior. You can do this by making a noise when they are too rough, or spraying items you don’t want to be chewed with air freshener to make them less appealing.

Using their name from the first day is also a good way to begin training them and help them to feel part of the family.

Don’t hesitate to use guides such as our article How to train your puppy: benefits and tips, to help you get to grips with training your puppy.

New puppy tips

In the beginning, it’s very tempting to showcase your new arrival to the whole world. Although this may seem fun for you, in the early days this is likely too much for your puppy and could become a risk to their health.

It’s good to leave them plenty of time to rest, and not to tire them out too much. Don’t forget, it’s not a good idea to take them outside or introduce them to pets outside of the family group until they are fully vaccinated.

It’s best to save the playdates and visitors until they are a bit older, but don’t forget you can share the experiences with plenty of photos and videos!

Similarly, limiting their access to the house to one room helps them to learn about toilet training, as they can have constant access to a designated area to poop and pee. This could be inside using training pads or through constant access to a secure and puppy-safe garden.

Try to keep toilet breaks in a routine and reward them when they do it in the correct place! It’s best to take them out around 20 minutes after eating, playing, and sleeping. Don’t forget to use oral cues such as their name or ‘go out’ to help them learn about toilet training.

Don’t be surprised if they’re a little unsettled during the first few days and nights. It’s a big change for them, so keep calm, remember to take them for plenty of toilet breaks, and give them time to play with their toys during the day, so they are ready for sleep in the evening.

Conclusion

Bringing your new puppy home is a milestone event and extremely exciting! We hope this article has given you all the information you need to make this process as smooth as possible.