Surviving Your First Week with a Puppy: Chaos, Cuddles, and Chewed-Up Shoes
So, you’ve brought home a puppy. Congratulations!
Or should I say, good luck?
Because while a puppy can be the most adorable little bundle of joy, your first week together is going to be a mix of heart-melting moments and absolute chaos. Buckle up.
Day 1: Welcome Home, Tiny Tornado
You walk through the door, and suddenly, you’re a proud puppy parent. Your new furry friend is looking up at you with those big, soulful eyes. Cute, right? Yeah, but don’t let the cuteness fool you. This tiny creature is a pint-sized hurricane of energy and curiosity.
- Exploration: Your pup will want to sniff, chew, and possibly pee on everything. If you didn’t puppy-proof your house, prepare for a crash course in regret.
- Introduce the Crate: Your puppy’s crate is their safe space, not a prison. Make it cozy with a soft blanket and a toy. If they cry (and they will), you’re not a monster for not immediately comforting them. They’re learning.
- Feeding Time: Stick to whatever food the breeder or shelter used. Switching it up immediately is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. (I’m talking about the kind of disaster you’ll be mopping up.)
Night 1: Sleep? What’s That?
Ready for a full night’s sleep? Well, too bad. Puppies don’t care about your REM cycle. They’ll whine, bark, or paw at the crate. It’s not because they’re planning a prison break—it’s because they’re adjusting.
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Start Training Today! 🐾- Nighttime Potty Breaks: Set an alarm. Yes, an actual alarm. Depending on your puppy’s age, they might need to go out every 2-3 hours. Exciting, right?
- Ignore the Drama (Kind Of): Your puppy might cry in the crate. As long as they’re safe and don’t actually need a potty break, it’s okay to let them learn that bedtime means bedtime.
- Comfort but Don’t Coddle: A ticking clock or a warm water bottle in the crate can mimic the feeling of their mom and littermates. Just don’t fall into the trap of letting them sleep in your bed… unless you want a full-time bed buddy forever.
Days 2-3: Chew Everything, Question Everything
Your puppy is a sponge, absorbing the world around them. Unfortunately, they’re also a shark—gnawing on everything in sight.
- Toys Galore: Save your shoes by introducing a variety of chew toys. And when they inevitably chew the wrong thing, calmly swap it out with an acceptable toy. Repeat. Repeat again.
- Basic Commands: Even this early, you can start teaching simple commands. “Sit” and “Come” are great starters, but don’t expect perfection. Your pup has the attention span of a goldfish.
- Potty Training: Get ready for a rollercoaster of successes and accidents. Take them out after every meal, nap, and play session. Praise like they just won an Olympic medal every time they get it right.
Day 4: Bite, Bark, Repeat
Puppies bite. They’re not being mean; they’re being… well, puppies. Those needle-sharp teeth are a problem, though.
- Redirect the Biting: When they nip at your fingers, yelp like a wounded animal (not too dramatic, or they’ll think it’s a game) and offer a toy instead.
- Don’t Encourage Rough Play: Wrestling with your hands may seem fun now, but in six months, your adorable fluff ball will have a jaw like a mini shark. Just say no.
- Introduce Gentle Socialization: If your puppy is vaccinated, let them meet a few calm, friendly dogs. If not, focus on household noises, new textures, and different people.
Days 5-6: Why Are You Like This?
You might be questioning your life choices around now. Puppies have a way of showing you just how un-puppy-proof your home really is.
- Energy Overload: Got a breed with boundless energy? Get ready for the zoomies. Run them around, play tug-of-war, or let them chase a toy. Tired puppies are less destructive puppies.
- Training Routines: Make training a part of playtime. Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and reward with treats. Praise works wonders, too. Who’s a good trainer? That’s right, you are.
- Accidents Happen: Despite your best efforts, your puppy will forget where the bathroom is. Just clean it up without a fuss. Rubbing their nose in it? Not only is it cruel, but it’s also completely useless.
Day 7: Are We Getting the Hang of This? Maybe?
Congratulations! You survived a whole week of puppydom, and you’re still standing. Your puppy is starting to recognize their name, maybe even following you around like a furry little shadow.
- Routine is Your Friend: Try to keep a consistent schedule for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, and sleep. Dogs thrive on routine, even if your puppy seems determined to create chaos.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Did they sit on command? Pee outside instead of on your rug? Actually sleep for four hours straight? Victory!
- Puppy Blues Are Real: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s normal. Puppies are a lot. But remember, this tiny tornado will eventually grow into a (slightly) calmer dog who will think you’re the greatest human alive.
The Reality Check: It Gets Better… Sort Of
Your first week with a puppy is a whirlwind of adorable moments, shredded furniture, and sleep deprivation. It’s a crash course in patience, perseverance, and discovering that your slippers are actually a “chew toy” in disguise.
But here’s the thing—every frustrating, exhausting moment is worth it. Because eventually, your puppy will learn, you’ll get the hang of things, and you’ll look back on this wild, sleep-deprived week with a smile. Or, you know, a laugh of disbelief.
So, hang in there. Hug your furry menace. And remember—one day, they’ll be your best friend. And you’ll be the one writing sarcastic puppy survival guides for other sleep-deprived humans. 🙂
I’ve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pup—no boring lectures, just practical results 😉
