The Crucial First Week
Calm Foundations for a Confident Future
The moment your puppy steps paw into your home, a powerful window of opportunity begins — not for obedience training just yet, but for creating a safe, calm, and predictable environment where your puppy can settle, observe, and begin to trust.
🏡 Set the Tone Before the Pawprints Begin
Before your puppy even arrives, the family should have already discussed and agreed upon:
Where the puppy’s sleeping area will be
Which rooms the puppy is and isn’t allowed in
What the daily routine will look like
How everyone will interact consistently with the puppy
Consistency from day one helps your puppy feel safe — and avoids confusion and stress that can lead to behavioural issues later.
🛑 Restrict Free Access (For Now!)
Your home is a big, overwhelming place. Give your puppy just a small section of the house to begin with — ideally near where the family spends time. Use baby gates, pens, or closed doors to set physical boundaries.
This isn’t punishment — it’s clarity and safety. As your puppy gains confidence and calmness, their access can be gradually expanded.
🛏️ Create a Safe Retreat Zone
Your puppy must have a dedicated space to retreat, rest, and observe the world without pressure. This can be:
A crate with soft bedding
A playpen set-up with enrichment toys
A quiet room away from traffic
Make this area off-limits to children and visitors, and never force interaction when the puppy retreats there. Respect their space — this builds trust.
🙅♂️ Limit Visitors in the First Week
Everyone wants to meet the new puppy — but too much, too soon can be overwhelming. Allow your puppy time to:
Smell, explore, and learn the rhythm of the household
Get to know their new family first
Begin to bond with their primary caregiver(s)
Socialisation is important, but calm exposure is far more valuable than frantic greetings and handling by a crowd of visitors. Focus first on feeling safe before expanding the social circle.
⏳ There’s Time for Training — But Not for Trust
Obedience cues like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” can wait. Right now, your focus should be:
Helping your puppy feel safe
Gently introducing the world
Establishing household routines
Acknowleding when your puppy looks at you, Every Time
Rewarding calm behaviour
Observing body language for stress signals
A puppy that feels safe learns faster, trusts deeper, and grows into a calm, confident adult dog.
🌱 Lay the Groundwork for a Lifetime of Success
That first week is your chance to start as you mean to go on. Keep things simple, predictable, and calm. Speak softly, move gently, and be present.
Remember — you’re not just raising a puppy; you’re raising your future adult dog. And the habits, boundaries, and expectations you establish now will last a lifetime.