This series is your roadmap for raising a happy, well-adjusted pup. It complements our book, Help! I Got a Puppy, and offers step-by-step guidance by stage of puppy parenthood.
Bringing home a new puppy is a big milestone — one that comes with excitement, exhaustion, and more than a little uncertainty. Those first 48 hours are crucial. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about setting the tone for a healthy, happy bond between you and your new pup.
This guide is adapted from Chapter 4 of Help! I Got a Puppy! — a no-nonsense, judgment-free reference book for new puppy parents. If you’re wondering what to do, what to expect, and what to avoid in those early hours, you’re in the right place.
Your puppy is soaking in every sound, smell, and signal. Their first days shape their behavior, trust, and ability to adjust to life with you. The way you show up — calm, clear, consistent — will lay the groundwork for the rest of your journey.
From Help! I Got a Puppy!
By Joshua Stine
Bringing home a puppy is a big deal—for both of you. These first 48 hours set the stage for everything that follows. Your puppy is soaking in all the sights, smells, and sounds of their new world, their new home, while you’re figuring out how to keep up with a bundle of curiosity and boundless energy. This is the time to build trust, establish routines, and lay the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted pup.
This chapter is your hour-by-hour survival guide to making those first two days as smooth as possible (or at least slightly less chaotic).
Your puppy’s first experiences shape their behavior, so here’s the #1 rule for the first two days:
I learned that lesson the hard way with my first dog, Toronto. When he came home, I had every intention of crating him at night. But after about three minutes of those tiny puppy whimpers, I caved. He slept in my bed that night—and pretty much every night after. No judgment here. At the time, he was a 25-pound puppy, and even when he grew to 50 pounds, it wasn’t a big deal. But Toronto was a purebred Ridgeback who eventually hit 125 pounds—basically a whole other person in the bed. And he really liked to stretch out.
So yeah—it might feel cozy and cute at first, but ask yourself: how’s that going to feel when your “little” pup is full-grown?
If you let them sleep in your bed, make sure that’s your long-term plan, because they’ll expect to sleep there forever.
If you let them jump on people, they’ll keep doing it.
If you let them chew your shoes, well… you get the idea.
The goal is to start forming good habits immediately so you’re not undoing bad ones later.
You just brought your puppy home. Now what? Don’t just let them loose in the house like an unsupervised toddler in a candy store.
✅ Take your pup to their designated potty area as soon as you get home—but don’t panic if they don’t go right away. New surroundings can be distracting, and some puppies need extra time to feel comfortable enough to do their business. Be patient, give them time to sniff around, and reward them if they go. If nothing happens, don’t stress—just try again after a little break inside.
✅ Limit their space at first—a new home is overwhelming. Instead of giving them full access, start with a single, puppy proofed, room where they’ll spend most of their time.
✅ Let them sniff and explore—this is how they process new places. Keep things calm and quiet so they don’t get overstimulated.
✅ Introduce the crate immediately—even if you’re not crate training, your puppy needs a safe space. Toss some treats in the crate and let them explore it freely—don’t just shove them inside and close the door.
✅ Meet family members one at a time—too much excitement at once can be overwhelming. Keep introductions calm and low-key.
❌ Don’t invite the whole neighborhood over yet. Let them settle in first.
❌ Don’t let them roam free without supervision. Puppies = tiny destruction machines.
❌ Don’t immediately smother them with affection. Give them time to process everything.
Your puppy might not eat much at first—this is normal. New environments can make them a little nervous.
✅ Feed them the same food the breeder or shelter was giving them to prevent an upset stomach.
✅ Stick to a calm, quiet mealtime routine—no distractions, no excitement.
✅ If they don’t eat right away, don’t panic. Give them some time to adjust.
💡 Pro Tip: If they refuse to eat for more than 24 hours or have constant diarrhea, call your vet. Stress can cause stomach upset, but prolonged lack of appetite is a red flag.
Playtime isn’t just about fun—it’s how you start building trust and setting the tone for your relationship. But on Day 1, less is more. Puppies are processing a lot in their new environment, and overstimulation can lead to nervous energy or bad habits.
✅ Keep it Short & Sweet: Stick to brief, low-key play sessions that help your pup burn off nervous energy without overwhelming them.
✅ Choose Soft Over Rowdy: Soft toys, gentle tug, and light fetch games are perfect. Avoid roughhousing or intense play—they don’t need to go full tilt on Day 1.
✅ Watch for Overload: Pay attention to signals that your pup has had enough. Retreating, nipping more than usual, or struggling to focus likely indicate they need a break.
🚨 Brace yourself—your puppy will probably cry.
Puppies are used to sleeping with their littermates. Being alone for the first time is scary, so the first night might involve:
✅ Keep the crate near your bed. Your presence is comforting.
✅ Give them a warm blanket or a heartbeat toy (like the Snuggle Puppy). These simulate littermates and can help ease separation anxiety.
✅ Limit food & water right before bed. Helps reduce midnight accidents.
✅ Stick to a bedtime routine. Potty → Quiet time → Crate → Lights out.
💡 Pro Tip: If they cry in the crate, don’t rush to let them out—it teaches that whining earns freedom. Instead, wait for a moment of silence, then reward them.
Day 2 is all about creating structure and starting the habits that will make your life easier long-term.
Dogs thrive on routine, so start one immediately.
Here’s a basic schedule you can adjust as needed:
Puppy Daily Routine Example
🕕 6 AM – Wake up & potty break
🦴 6:15 AM – Breakfast & training session
🐾 7 AM – Playtime & socialization
🛏 8 AM – Nap time (puppies need A LOT of sleep)
🚽 10 AM – Potty break & quick training session
🥎 12 PM – Lunch & playtime
😴 2 PM – Nap time (again, yes, more naps!)
🚶♂️ 4 PM – Walk or structured play
🍽 6 PM – Dinner
🐕 7 PM – More play & training
🌙 9 PM – Final potty break & bedtime routine
💡 Pro Tip: Consistency is key! Keeping a predictable schedule helps potty training and reduces stress.
✅ Take them out frequently (every 1–2 hours at first).
✅ Praise immediately when they go outside (treats & excitement).
✅ Supervise closely indoors—watch for sniffing, circling, or sudden stopping.
✅ Use the crate to prevent accidents.
❌ Don’t punish accidents. Clean up & move on.
❌ Don’t assume they “get it” after one success. Puppies need repetition.
❌ Don’t get frustrated! Potty training takes time.
Even on Day 2, you can begin simple training sessions to build communication, trust, and attention. These early exercises lay the groundwork for everything to come.
✅ Name Recognition – Say your puppy’s name in a cheerful tone and immediately reward them when they look at you. This helps them learn that their name means “pay attention.” Do it often throughout the day.
✅ Sit – Hold a treat close to their nose, then slowly lift it up and slightly back over their head. As their head follows the treat, their butt will naturally lower into a sit. The moment they sit, praise and give the treat.
✅ Come – Crouch down, open your arms, and call them excitedly: “Ranger, come!” Use a happy voice and reward them the moment they reach you. Always make “come” a party—it should never lead to something they dislike (like getting crated or ending play).
💡 Pro Tip: Keep sessions short (2–5 minutes max) and upbeat. Puppies learn best in quick bursts with lots of praise. Always end on a win—even if it’s just them responding to their name.
The first 48 hours set the foundation for everything that follows.
Will it be perfect? No.
Will there be accidents, whining, and chaos? Absolutely.
But if you:
…you’ll set your puppy up for success and make your life way easier in the long run.
Now, grab some coffee, take a deep breath, and keep going—you got this!
If you found this helpful, there’s way more where that came from.
Grab your copy of 📘 Help! I Got a Puppy: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Raising a Happy, Well-Behaved Pup Without Losing Your Sanity→ Available now on Amazon
