🐾 So, You've Bought a Puppy… Now What?!

Congratulations! You've brought home your new puppy. 🎉🐶

You've bought the bed, the toys, the food, the tiny collar and probably enough puppy-related things to fill an entire room.

You've taken approximately 400 photographs already.

And then your puppy wees on the floor. 😂

Welcome to puppyhood!

Bringing a puppy home is incredibly exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. Suddenly, you have this tiny new family member relying on you to teach them about the world.

So where do you start?

Don't worry — you don't need to have everything figured out on day one.

The first few weeks are about building trust, creating routines and helping your puppy learn that the world is a safe and exciting place.

Let's start at the beginning.

🏡 The First Few Days

When your puppy first comes home, remember that this is a huge change for them.

They've suddenly left their mum and litter mates, travelled somewhere new and are now surrounded by unfamiliar sights, smells and people.

It's completely normal for them to be unsettled.

Some puppies will confidently explore everything immediately.

Others might hide, cry or seem unsure.

Give them time.

Try not to overwhelm them with lots of visitors and exciting adventures straight away. Let them explore their new home at their own pace and make sure they have somewhere quiet and comfortable where they can retreat when they need a break.

And remember...

Your puppy doesn't need to learn everything in the first week.

They have plenty of time.

🚽 Toilet Training

One of the first things you'll probably want to tackle is toilet training.

And here's the important bit:

Accidents are normal.

Your puppy isn't being naughty. They simply haven't developed the bladder control or understanding needed to reliably tell you when they need to go.

Take your puppy outside regularly, particularly:

• When they wake up

• After eating

• After drinking

• After playing

• After excitement

• Before bedtime

• Whenever they start sniffing, circling or looking for somewhere to go

• 
  

When they toilet in the right place, give them lots of calm praise and celebrate their success.

If they have an accident indoors, clean it thoroughly and move on.

There is no need for shouting, punishment or rubbing their nose in it.

Your puppy needs to learn where you want them to go, not become frightened of toileting in front of you.

And yes...

You may feel like you're spending your entire life standing outside waiting for a tiny puppy to wee.

You are not alone. 😂

🛏️ Crate Training

A crate can be a really useful tool when introduced positively.

But a crate should never be used as punishment.

Think of it as your puppy's safe little bedroom.

Start slowly and allow your puppy to investigate it in their own time. You can encourage them inside with treats, toys or food.

Keep the door open initially and let them learn that good things happen in their crate.

Gradually build up the amount of time they are comfortable spending inside.

It's important that puppies aren't left in crates for excessive periods. They need regular opportunities to toilet, move around, play, interact with you and explore their environment.

The goal is:

"I love my crate because this is my safe place."

Not:

"I'm being put in here because I've been naughty."

😴 Don't Forget the Naps!

This is one that new puppy owners often underestimate.

Puppies need a LOT of sleep.

They're learning constantly, and their little brains are processing an enormous amount of new information.

A puppy who hasn't had enough sleep can become:

🐾 Bitey

🐾 Hyperactive

🐾 Frustrated

🐾 Unable to settle

🐾 Overexcited

🐾 More likely to have zoomies

Sometimes when your puppy is acting completely bonkers, they don't need another game.

They need a nap. 😂

Give your puppy plenty of quiet opportunities throughout the day where they can sleep without being disturbed.

🎓 Puppy Classes

Puppy classes can be a fantastic way to start your training journey.

A good puppy class isn't about producing a perfectly obedient puppy.

It's about teaching you how to communicate with your puppy and helping your puppy learn important skills in a controlled environment.

You may work on things such as:

• Name recognition

• Recall

• Sit and down

• Loose lead walking

• Settling

• Handling

• Impulse control

• Focus around distractions

You'll also learn how to continue the training at home.

Look for a trainer who uses kind, reward-based training methods and creates a calm environment where puppies aren't simply allowed to run around together.

Which brings us nicely onto...

🐶 Socialisation Isn't Just Playing With Other Dogs

This is a really important one.

When people hear the word socialisation, they often think:

"My puppy needs to meet loads of dogs!"

But socialisation is so much more than that.

Your puppy needs to learn about the world.

That includes experiencing different:

🚗 Vehicles

👩‍🦰 People

🧔 People wearing different clothing

🐕 Dogs

🐱 Animals

🏠 Environments

🔊 Sounds

🌳 Surfaces

🏙️ Places

✂️ Grooming and handling

🩺 Veterinary visits

The aim isn't for your puppy to meet absolutely everyone and everything.

It's about helping them have positive, age-appropriate experiences.

And this is where your puppy's individual personality matters.

If your puppy is nervous, forcing them into a situation because "they need socialisation" can actually make things worse.

Let them observe from a safe distance.

Give them the choice to move away.

Reward calm behaviour.

Build their confidence gradually.

🐕 What About Puppy Walks?

This is something you should discuss with your vet.

When your puppy can safely walk in public depends on their vaccination schedule and the infectious disease risks in your local area.

That doesn't mean your puppy has to stay completely isolated while you're waiting for their vaccinations.

Ask your vet about safe ways to expose your puppy to the outside world.

For example, depending on your vet's advice, you may be able to carry your puppy outside so they can experience different sights, sounds and smells without walking on potentially contaminated ground.

You can also introduce them to safe environments and appropriately vaccinated dogs.

The important thing is to follow your vet's guidance rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all rule.

🧠 Start With the Basics

You don't need to teach your puppy 25 commands.

Start with the things that will make everyday life easier.

Teach them:

Their name

You want your puppy to learn that hearing their name means something good is about to happen.

Recall

Start practising in safe, controlled environments and make coming back to you rewarding.

Leave it

A useful skill when your puppy discovers something they probably shouldn't be eating!

Settling

Teaching your puppy how to relax is just as important as teaching them how to sit.

Handling

Gently getting your puppy used to having their paws, ears, mouth and body handled can make future grooming and veterinary care much easier.

Keep training sessions short, fun and positive.

❤️ Build Your Relationship First

Perhaps the most important thing you can do with your puppy is simply get to know them.

Learn what makes them happy.

Learn what scares them.

Watch how they communicate.

Pay attention to their body language.

Give them choices where you can.

Build their confidence.

And remember that every puppy is different.

Your friend's puppy might be sleeping through the night while yours thinks 3am is an excellent time for a party.

One puppy might confidently charge into every new environment.

Another might need several attempts before they're comfortable.

That's okay.

Don't compare your puppy's journey to somebody else's.

🐾 Your Puppy Journey Is Just Beginning

Bringing home a puppy can sometimes feel like you've suddenly been handed a tiny furry tornado with very sharp teeth.

But amongst the toilet accidents, chewed slippers, sleepless nights and muddy paws are some incredibly special moments.

The first time they respond to their name.

The first successful toilet trip outside.

The first time they settle peacefully in their crate.

The first recall.

The first confident walk.

The first time they look at you because they're unsure and choose to trust you.

Those little moments are what puppyhood is all about. 💚

And remember...

You don't need to raise the perfect puppy.

You just need to give them patience, consistency, kindness and plenty of opportunities to learn.

🐶 Coming Up in Our Puppy Series

This is just the beginning!

Over the next few blogs, we'll be taking a closer look at some of the biggest parts of puppyhood, including:

🐾 Toilet Training — Helping Your Puppy Get It Right

🐾 Crate Training — Creating a Safe Space Your Puppy Loves

🐾 Puppy Socialisation — What It Really Means

🐾 Puppy Biting — Why Does My Puppy Want to Eat Me?!

🐾 Your Puppy's First Walk — Making It a Positive Experience

🐾 Recall Training — Teaching Your Puppy to Come Back

🐾 The Teenage Dog — When Your Sweet Puppy Suddenly Forgets Everything!

Because puppyhood can be chaotic, hilarious, exhausting and wonderful all at the same time.

And if you're currently sitting there wondering "What on earth have I done?!"

Don't worry.

We've all been there. 😂🐶💚

Welcome to the wonderful world of puppies!

🐾 Teddi's Take

Hello, it's Teddi! 🐶

So you've brought home a puppy? Congratulations! 🎉

Just a little warning from someone who knows...

We are adorable, but we are also tiny chaos machines. 😂

We will wee on your floor, chew things we're not supposed to, wake you up at ridiculous times and then look at you with our big puppy eyes so you forgive us immediately.

You're welcome. 😌

My advice?

Let us sleep, give us snacks, teach us lots of fun things and please understand that everything on the floor belongs to us.

Oh... and don't forget the cuddles.

Lots and lots of cuddles. ❤️🐾

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a very important nap to attend to.

Teddi out. 🐶💤