Your First 30 Days With a New Dog: What to Expect

When you’re on a countdown to the day your four-legged new arrival joins the family, it’s always incredibly exciting. From puppy-proofing the home to picking out toys and setting up a crate, there’s a lot to prepare for. When you’re asking yourself how to prepare for a dog, here's everything you should do to nail the first 30 days with your new buddy.

Before they arrive: Set up for success

Before you bring your puppy home, here's what you need to do:

• Set up a crate with a cosy blanket.
  
  
• Wash their food and water bowls, and consider adding some lick mats into the rotation if you’re getting a food-centric dog breed to slow down meal times.
  
  
• Contact the shelter and have some dog food on hand that’s already a part of their diet. Consistency helps reduce tummy issues.
  
  
• You won’t be walking from day one, but having their collar, ID, and lead ready to go is a good idea.
  
  
• Have a few toys on hand ready for their arrival.

Week 1: The adjustment period

Arriving home

Getting your new puppy home is incredibly exciting, and those first few hours are important for setting the tone and helping your new addition settle in. Try to keep calm and low-key by giving them a gradual introduction to your space and its inhabitants.

Let them explore at their own pace, and don't force interaction. Keeping them in just one room (ideally with hard floors or puppy pads!) makes it easier for them to settle and adjust.

Adult dogs often relax a bit faster, but if you've adopted a puppy, they may whimper or cry when left alone. This is especially true at night. Think of it like their first sleepover away from home, some nerves are completely normal. Being without their mum and littermates will take a little getting used to, but by the end of the first week, most puppies sleep soundly.

Adult dogs, particularly from shelters, can take a little longer to come out of their shell. Time, patience, consistency, and care will help puppies and dogs alike adjust to their new environment in the first week.

Starting house training

Along with introducing them to the family, house training will need to start from day one. Consistency is key here, so make sure you’re taking them out every morning, lunch, and dinner, along with breaks after their meals. Hype them up when they do their business in the spot you prefer (i.e., not on the carpet), and offer some positive reinforcement with a little treat.

Accidents happen, so having a carpet cleaner or a disinfectant spray for hard floors is a good idea. Adult dogs may also have the occasional slip-up, but they’ll typically get into a good toileting routine faster than puppies.

Week 2: Building a routine

Just like humans, dogs are creatures of habit. Giving them some structure is great, and ideally, you’ll want to start that in week two. Keep routines consistent and predictable - it’ll help with behaviour and house training. You don’t need to run the house like the military, but a rough guide might look like:

• Morning: Toilet break outside, breakfast, short walk or play
  
  
• Midday: Toilet break, rest (puppies sleep a lot)
  
  
• Afternoon: Walk, playtime, toilet break
  
  
• Evening: Dinner, calm time on the sofa, final toilet break before bed

When it comes to walks, keep in mind that puppies will need all their shots before they’re safe to go to public dog parks. Keeping them in your garden until they’ve been vaccinated is the best way to ensure they’re safe, happy, and healthy.

Introducing the crate

When it comes to structure and creating a safe space, a crate is essential. To help make it a comfortable haven, include their dog bed and favourite toy. Leave the door open throughout the day so they have their own “bedroom” to retreat to when they need a break (or an extended nap that puppies need for rest and growth). Feed meals near the crate or just inside it to establish familiarity and positive associations, and gradually work up to closing the door for short periods while you're nearby.

Week 3: First adventures

Their first walks

At this point, your puppy may have had their initial vaccinations and be cleared for short outings, but make sure your vet has cleared you first. If you’ve adopted an adult dog, they’ll be more than ready to explore the neighbourhood.

Start off small and allow plenty of time for lots of sniffs, jumping about, and hopefully a well-timed wee break. Don’t expect perfection: lead-training is a journey, and in the early stages, they'll pull, sit down, and likely try to eat something revolting they found on the floor. A good tip is to pause for a moment if they pull, and wait for the lead to go slack before you get them moving again.

Week 4: Finding your rhythm

Come week four, you’re likely finding your stride, wiping up fewer accidents, and getting into the feel of being a pet parent. Puppies grow a lot in the early weeks and months, and while this is just the beginning, you’ll be seeing more of your puppy’s (or dog’s) personality and their quirks.

Some common behaviours new pet parents will need to navigate include mouthing and chewing, barking, and nerves. Every dog is different, but meeting them where they’re at and helping them through it can alleviate a lot of these concerns. Give them plenty of toys to play with to help redirect chewing.

When they do get nibbly, pulling away until they settle can give them the structure they need. If you’re noticing barking is becoming a habit, try and figure out what they’re responding to so you can learn the cause rather than just noticing the behaviour.

When it comes to nerves and separation anxiety, building up to longer stints of them being on their own is important. Start with 15 minutes, then gradually increase it. If it’s something that seems to really worry them, a dog trainer at puppy school can help.

Are you ready to set up your home to accommodate a new family member? Shop the range of dog food, accessories, and toys at Petstock today!