Puppy's first day at home: a survival guide

Bringing a puppy home is one of those joys you never forget. For him, though, it's a huge change: he's left his mother, his littermates and every smell he knew. A few days of preparation will make the landing much softer.

Before he arrives

Go round the house as if you had a crawling baby: cables, cleaning products, plants that may be toxic, shoes and anything small enough to swallow. If it's at his height, it will get chewed.

• A comfy bed in a quiet corner, not in the middle of a thoroughfare.
• A stable food bowl and water bowl.
• The same food he was eating before, so his diet doesn't change all at once.
• A collar or harness in his size, a lead and an ID tag.
• Chew toys suitable for puppies.
• Puppy pads and cleaning products for accidents, because there will be some.

The first few hours

Let him explore at his own pace, without crowds. We know the whole family and half the neighbourhood want to meet him, but the first day is best kept quiet. Show him where his water, his bed and his toilet spot are.

Puppies need to go out often, especially after eating, playing and waking up. Every time he gets it right, praise him. When he gets it wrong, clean up without telling him off: he's still learning.

The first night

It's normal for him to cry. He's alone for the first time. It helps a lot if his bed is near you, at least for the first few days, and if he has something that smells of his litter or of you. Over time you can move it further away if you'd rather.

The first few weeks

Set routines for meals, walks and rest from the outset. Puppies sleep an awful lot and they need it: respect their naps.

Book an appointment with your vet in the first few days for a general check-up and so they can give you the vaccination schedule, sort out worming and tell you when he can start going outside and mixing with other dogs. And gradually introduce him to new noises, people and situations, always in a positive way.

At Petuki you'll find beds, bowls, puppy toys and everything you need to get ready for his arrival.