What should I expect in the first week with a new puppy?
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
Expect a puppy that sleeps a lot, up to 20 hours a day, cries in the first nights, has accidents indoors and mouths hands and furniture. All of that is normal. Keep a fixed routine for meals, toilet trips, play and rest, introduce one new thing a day, and see a vet within the week.
Some things are not normal: a puppy that is listless, stops eating, vomits or has diarrhoea needs a vet the same day, because young puppies can become seriously ill quickly and parvovirus starts this way.
What happens day by day in the first week?
A typical first week. Every puppy is different; follow your puppy's pace.
Day one
Straight to the toilet spot, then one quiet room. Show the bed, water and toys, and let the puppy explore and sleep. Keep visitors away. RSPCA (England and Wales)
The first night
Crying is common: the puppy has lost its mother and litter. A bed near you, a warm blanket and a calm, quiet response help. A toilet trip during the night may be needed. PDSA
Days two and three
Start the routine: meals, play, rest and toilet at the same times each day. Puppies like to know what happens next. RSPCA NSW
Days three to five
One new experience a day: a new person, the sound of the pressure cooker, the lift, a ride in the car. Watch for stress signs and let the puppy move away. RSPCA NSW
By day seven
The first vet visit, with every paper from the breeder or rescue, to plan vaccines, deworming and tick control. Merck Veterinary Manual
Through the week
A few minutes alone each day with a chew or stuffed toy, so the puppy learns being alone is safe. RSPCA NSW
What is normal for a new puppy?
- Sleeping a lot. RSPCA NSW says puppies sleep up to 20 hours a day; let them, and do not wake them. RSPCA NSW
- Accidents indoors. Take the puppy out when it wakes, after every meal, after play, before bed, and every 45 minutes to an hour in between. RSPCA (England and Wales)
- Mouthing and nipping. Dogs Trust says puppies use their mouths to explore and play, and teething makes chewing soothing. Dogs Trust
- Over-tired silliness. Dogs Trust notes overtired pups mouth more; a nap often fixes it. Dogs Trust
- Eating a little less at first. Texas A&M notes many animals do not eat for the first 12 to 24 hours somewhere new. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
- Following you everywhere. Short, positive times apart each day help prevent over-attachment. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
When should I call a vet in the first week?
Do not wait to see if it passes in a young puppy.
If Tiredness and poor appetite, then vomiting.
Call your vet today. Cornell says these are the earliest signs of parvovirus, and early treatment improves the chances. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
If Diarrhoea, especially with blood, or a puppy that seems weak or dull.
Call your vet the same day. PDSA says diarrhoea in a puppy can be more serious, and blood or low energy are reasons to call. PDSA
If Not eating at all after the first day, or not drinking.
Call your vet: the first-day dip in appetite should not last. Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
If Ticks on the puppy.
Remove them promptly and ask your vet about tick control and whether to check for tick-borne disease. Merck Veterinary Manual
If A puppy that seems stressed or scared most of the time.
RSPCA NSW says this is not normal. Talk to your vet. RSPCA NSW
How do I help my puppy sleep at night?
A settled night starts in the day: enough play and short walks around the home, a last toilet trip before bed, and a bed in a quiet place. PDSA advises taking a puppy out first thing in the morning and when it has just woken up, so expect an early start.
In the 2024 Generation Pup study, which followed puppies from early life, those that slept 9 hours or more a night when young, and those kept in an enclosed space overnight such as a crate or pen, had lower odds of separation-related behaviour at six months. The authors stress that these are links, not proof of cause, but a calm, safe sleeping space is a good start. A crate or pen must be a pleasant den, never a punishment.
What helps a puppy settle, and what makes it harder?
Do
- Go slowly: RSPCA NSW suggests just one new experience each day. RSPCA NSW
- Reward the behaviour you want with treats or kind words. RSPCA NSW
- Redirect mouthing onto a toy and pause the game if teeth touch skin. Dogs Trust
- Let the puppy rest in its safe place when it wants, undisturbed. RSPCA NSW
- Carry your puppy to see the street and the society before vaccines are complete; PDSA says this is fine if it stays off the ground in public places. PDSA
Don’t
- Shout or punish. RSPCA NSW says punishing a puppy usually makes behaviour worse. RSPCA NSW
- Punish accidents: the RSPCA warns the puppy may learn it is only safe to toilet when you are not there. RSPCA (England and Wales)
- Put your hands in its bowl or take food away while it eats. RSPCA NSW
- Ignore a growl. It is a warning; punished growls can become bites. RSPCA NSW
- Take it to dog parks or places used by dogs of unknown vaccination status. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Going away soon? Tell us your dates.
A checked local sitter feeds, walks and keeps your pet company at home, follows your care sheet to the letter and sends a photo every day. Petym is opening city by city: send your dates and we will tell you when a sitter can take them.
- Meet your sitter first, free
- PAN-checked, first-aid trained
- A photo every day
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Questions owners ask
How long does a new puppy cry at night?
- Most puppies cry for the first few nights as they adjust to life without their mother and litter. A bed close to you, a calm response, a last toilet trip before bed and a quiet, safe sleeping space help. If crying goes on for weeks, or comes with other signs, talk to your vet.
Should a puppy sleep in my bedroom?
- It can, and many puppies settle faster near their people at first. What matters most is a calm, safe space: the 2024 Generation Pup study found puppies kept in an enclosed space overnight had lower odds of separation-related behaviour later, though it showed a link, not proof.
How often should a new puppy go to the toilet?
- The RSPCA advises taking a puppy out when it wakes, after every meal, after play or excitement, before bed, before you leave and when you return, and every 45 minutes to an hour in between, depending on age. PDSA gives every 2 to 3 hours during the day.
Is it normal for a new puppy to not eat?
- A smaller appetite on the first day in a new home is common: Texas A&M notes many animals do not eat for 12 to 24 hours somewhere new. A puppy that will not eat after that, or that is also tired, vomiting or has diarrhoea, needs a vet the same day.
When can I leave my new puppy alone?
- Start with a few minutes a day from the first week, with a chew or stuffed toy and calm surroundings, so the puppy learns being alone is safe. Build up slowly. Puppies need frequent toilet trips, so long stretches alone are not possible yet; plan help if you work.
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Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources
- RSPCA NSW: Happy Healthy Puppies (2026) (opens in a new tab)
- RSPCA (England and Wales): How to toilet train your puppy or dog (opens in a new tab)
- PDSA: Toilet training your puppy (opens in a new tab)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Puppy care (opens in a new tab)
- Dogs Trust: Mouthing, nipping and puppy biting: causes and how to stop it safely (opens in a new tab)
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine: Planning ahead: reducing stress when boarding your pet (opens in a new tab)
Show all 12 sourcesShow fewer
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: Position statement on puppy socialization (opens in a new tab)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Parvovirus: transmission to treatment (Riney Canine Health Center) (opens in a new tab)
- PDSA: Diarrhoea in dogs (opens in a new tab)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Ticks of dogs (opens in a new tab)
- PDSA: Dog vaccines (opens in a new tab)
- Animal Welfare (2024): Canine separation-related behaviour at six months of age: risk factors from the Generation Pup longitudinal study (opens in a new tab)