A Guide for First-Time Puppy Owners: Tips for first 24 hours

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting but also nerve-wracking experience, especially if it’s your first time being a fur parent! I welcomed a Pomeranian puppy into my life last summer and it’s life-changing! So, if you’re about to bring home a new puppy, get ready for an adventure filled with love, joy, and lots of puppy kisses!

Lessons from a first-time puppy owner

As I reminisce about the day I brought home my Pomeranian puppy last summer, I can’t help but wish I had known then what I know now. In my eagerness to create the perfect environment for my new furry friend, I realize that I may have overwhelmed my puppy with my well-intentioned efforts. Looking back, I’ve come to understand that sometimes, less is more during those crucial first 24 hours.

Reflecting on my experience, I’ve learned that amidst the plethora of information available online, simplicity and patience are key when welcoming a new puppy into your home. As a first-time dog owner, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to do everything perfectly, but sometimes all your puppy needs is a little time, love, and understanding to adjust to their new surroundings.

Handling the transition with care and patience

As a first-time puppy owner, it’s essential to be prepared and know what to expect during the first day with your furry baby. It’s important to handle the transition with care and patience, remember you’re bringing home a new puppy who has just left their mother and littermates to join your family.

Here are some tips and a checklist to help you make the first day with your new furry friend as smooth and memorable as possible.

Tips for First-Time Puppy Owners

Prepare Your Home

Before your puppy’s arrival, make sure your space is puppy-proofed and cozy. Set up a comfy bed, food and water bowls, toys, and a crate to make them feel at home.

Introducing Your Puppy to Their Outdoor ‘Potty Spot’

Whether you arrived by car or took a leisurely stroll to pick up your new furry friend, there’s an essential step before stepping foot inside your home: introducing your puppy to their designated ‘potty spot’ outdoors. Whether it’s a patch of grass in your backyard or a nearby spot if you’re in an apartment, this initial outing lays the foundation for successful toilet training.

Introducing your puppy to his new forever home

During the first 24 hours, it’s crucial to give your puppy time to get used to their new surroundings. With everything being unfamiliar – new place, new faces, new scents – your puppy might feel a bit overwhelmed or anxious. Take it easy when showing your puppy around. Let them explore at their own pace, starting with just a room or two in the house. Keep an eye on them all the time, even if you’ve made your home safe and puppy-proof! Remember, puppies may not yet have full control over their bladder, so they might not be able to hold it in. To avoid messy surprises in different rooms, limit where they can go at first!

Establish a routine for your puppy

Dogs thrive on routine. Always keep your pup’s food and water bowls in the same spot. When it’s potty time, guide him to the same outdoor spot every time. Sticking to a consistent routine will help your puppy feel at ease, confident with the familiar smells and surroundings and adjust to their new home faster.

Puppy toilet training tips

Take them out after meals, playtime, naps, in the morning, and before bedtime. Younger puppies need more frequent potty breaks. Watch for their signals and adjust as needed.

*Note: not all dogs develop bladder control at the same pace*.

Puppy Feeding Advice for the First 14 Days

It’s important to check with the breeder what they have been feeding the puppy. It’s best and recommended to maintain a consistent diet in the first week to avoid tummy upsets. Moving to a new home and then being fed different food all adds to the stress for the pup. Trust me, this was something we learned the hard way during our first night with Mochi!

If you want to change their food on the second week, slowly introduce it by mixing their old food and new food. Start with 75% old food and 25% new food for a few days. Then, gradually increase the proportion of new food while decreasing the old food over the course of about a week until the transition is complete.

Puppies sleep 18 to 20 hours a day

Puppies don’t have set ‘bedtimes’ like we do. They kind of just crash whenever they need to recharge. So, if your furry friend takes a nap during the day, it’s best to let them snooze peacefully. Don’t wake them up thinking they’ll sleep better at night. If you have any kids in the house, make sure they know not to bother the puppy when it’s resting.

Puppy’s first night in a new home

One thing I thought I was fully prepared for was our puppy’s first night at home. I’ve watched countless of YouTube videos, TikToks, and read numerous blog articles—all strongly advocating for crate training and placing the crate in the living room to foster independence. However, this approach didn’t quite fit Mochi’s needs. It’s a reminder that every pup is unique, and we must adapt accordingly. With that in mind, here’s my advice and events that you can anticipate:

Set alarms for potty breaks at night

Expect your puppy to need bathroom breaks during the night. Be ready to set your alarm every two to three hours to take them outside to their designated spot for potty time. Depending on your puppy’s age and size, you can expect to wake up at 2 am or 4 am for that potty break. (Yes, it sounds tiring and almost like having a baby!) There will be a couple of restless nights in the first few days or weeks, but don’t worry—I promise it will get better as long as you stick to a routine. As they get older, they will gain better control over their bladder and bowel movements.

Crate training

I’m sure you’ve heard the term crate training multiple times from dog owners. Many recommend to crate train your puppy from the first day.

Your puppy should initially be sleeping in a crate. This limits their access to the whole house and keeps them out of trouble when unattended. Also, dogs usually don’t soil their sleeping area, so they’ll learn to wait until you take them outside.

If you’re thinking of letting your puppy sleep in your bed even if it’s ‘just once’ expect it goinging forward. It much hard to train them to sleep in their crate or basket.

How to create a comfortable crate for your puppy

Choose the right size crate: Select a crate that is large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not too spacious that they can designate an area for toileting.
Make it cosy: Add a few familiar items, such as a favorite toy or a piece of clothing with your scent, to make the crate feel like a safe and comforting space for your puppy.
Ensure proper ventilation: Make sure the crate has good airflow by placing it in a well-ventilated area of your home.
Consider covering the crate: It’s a good idea to cover the crate to give your dog privacy and create a den-like environment. This helps avoid distractions and prevents your puppy from seeing you leave the area, which can reduce anxiety. Avoiding covering it with heavy blankets or materials.

After setting up the crate and settling your puppy inside, it’s time to close the door and let them be. It can be tough to ignore their whimpers, but that’s what’s best for their training. However, it’s crucial not to overlook all the whimpering. On my first night with Mochi, I tried my best to ignore the barking, but it never stopped. When I finally checked, I found out Mochi had vomited and had a poo accident. Since I didn’t realize I needed to take him outside frequently (rookie mistake—I didn’t set any alarms!), it was a lesson learned the hard way. Only enter the room to check on them once they’ve stopped whimpering—giving attention when they’re noisy only encourages more of the same behavior.

Tip: Playing soft music in the background helped ease anxiety for Mochi. We made a playlist and still use it to this day: Mochi’s Spotify playlist

There will be plenty of challenging moments beyond the first few days. Yet, getting those initial 24 hours right is crucial. It sets the tone and lays a solid foundation for everything that follows.

Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

Navigating puppy parenthood can feel overwhelming at times, especially during those initial days. There will undoubtedly be plenty of challenges that extend beyond the first few days. There may be times where you doubt the decision you’ve made. It’s tough and you might experience puppy blues (yes it exists!) but hey you’ll receive unconditional love from your pup and there’s no better feeling in the world

It’s essential to remember that perfection isn’t the goal. While getting those first 24 hours right is crucial for setting the tone and building a solid foundation, it’s okay to stumble along the way. Each day presents new opportunities for growth and learning—for both you and your new family addition. So, don’t be too hard on yourself. Embrace the journey, celebrate the small victories, and remember that with patience and perseverance, you’ll navigate through the challenges and create beautiful memories together.

If you have any further questions about navigating the puppy stage or if you just want to chat about your new puppy, feel free to shoot me an email anytime. I’m here to help and share experiences. Let’s support each other on this exciting journey of puppy parenthood!

Becoming Carms