Puppy Care · Updated 2026-11-01

What to Do in the First Week With a New Puppy

The first week with a puppy is a blur of cuddles, accidents and late nights. A simple structure makes it much easier.

Keep the routine predictable

Feed, play, toilet and sleep at similar times each day. Puppies thrive on predictability.

Book the vet early

Arrange a health check within the first few days and ask about vaccines and parasite prevention.

Start training immediately

Short sessions teach name recognition, toilet habits and crate comfort.

Ready to get organised? Use our Puppy First Week Checklist or the Puppy Milestone Tracker.

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When is the next vet visit?

Enter your puppy's birthday or the day you brought them home and get a dated schedule of vaccines, vet visits and training milestones, ready to print.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

Are the puppy checklists really free?

Yes. Every checklist is free to read, print and download as a PDF. There is no sign-up and no email required.

Can I download these checklists from any country?

Yes. The checklists are free for puppy owners in every country. PDFs are print-ready on A4, and in the print window you can pick any paper size you have. Weights are shown in both pounds and kilograms.

How do I print a puppy checklist?

Open any checklist and choose Download PDF, or Print / Preview to look at it first and print it. In the print window you can pick your paper size. The PDF has tick boxes so you can mark items off by hand, or you can tick them on screen and your progress is saved in your browser.

What should I do first when I bring a puppy home?

Set up a safe puppy zone, take your puppy to the toilet spot straight away, offer water and a small meal, and book a vet check within the first few days. The New Puppy Checklist and the First Week Checklist walk you through it step by step.

What is the best checklist to start with?

Start with the New Puppy Checklist, then add the First Week, Potty Training and Vaccination Schedule checklists. Choose your breed on the breed guides page for tailored tips.

Are these checklists a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. They are general guides to help you stay organised. Vaccine schedules, feeding and health decisions depend on your puppy and your region, so always follow your own vet.

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