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Ask anybody who’s ever gotten a puppy, and they’ll tell you: the first 24 hours can be rough, especially a puppy’s first night. There’s all the excitement of “OMG, A PUPPY!!!” tempered with the self-doubt of “OMG, do I know how to handle a puppy?!” Most new puppy parents go through a period of uncertainty, wondering whether or not they’re doing it right.
No matter how in love you are with your new furry friend, you’re going to face some challenges. Read on for a guide on how to survive the first 24 hours with your new puppy.
Puppy’s First Night: Prepare in Advance
When your puppy arrives, you won’t want to do anything but play with them and watch them sleep. So, it’s a good idea to set up everything they need before the first 24 hours even start.
Here’s a basic checklist of must-have puppy supplies for puppy’s first day and night:
- Adjustable collar and leash
- Collar tags with contact info
- Food and water bowls
- High-quality puppy food
- Poop bags and holder
- Dog bed and maybe a blanket
- Toys and treats (start simple—you’ll learn your puppy’s preferences the longer they’re with you)
- Playpen and gates
- Crate
See our comprehensive guide for puppy supplies and check out a few of our recommendations below:
Adjustable Collar
Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Nylon Dog Collar
This affordable and adjustable collar comes in a range of sizes and colors to suit your pooch.
Leash
ThunderLeash Nylon Dog Leash
Attaching around the torso, this sturdy training leash is great for pullers and made in the U.S.
ID Tags
GoTags Personalized ID Tag
Personalize up to four lines of text on this stainless steel ID tag.
Food and Water Bowls
Pet Fusion Elevated Dog Bowls
Elevated to aid digestion, this stainless steel bowl set comes in an anodized aluminum frame in two different heights.
High-Quality Puppy Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Dry Food
Formulated especially for puppies, with real chicken, brown rice, and wholesome fruits and veggies.
Poop Bags
The Original Poop Bags® Compostable Rolls
Available in a pack of four or 16 rolls, these bags are compostable and biodegradable.
Dog Bed for Puppy’s First Night
K9 Ballistics Tough Rectangle Dog Bed
This durable bed, made in the U.S., stands up well to digging and scratching, and features a removable waterproof cover in case of accidents.
Chew Toys
Nylabone Puppy Teething Dinosaur Chew Toy
This chew toy is made for massaging the gums of teething puppies and comes flavored with chicken.
Puppy Treats
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Made in the U.S., these grain-free salmon and lamb treats are the perfect size for puppy reward training.
Puppy Gates
Regalo Home Accents Extra Tall Walk-Through Gate
Made from cherrywood and steel, this extra-tall durable gate expands to fit different doorway widths.
Crate for Puppy’s First Night
MidWest LifeStages Double-Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate
This sturdy crate grows along with your pup with a movable wire divider.
Take the Day Off (Maybe Even Two)
Taking care of a new puppy takes lots of time and energy. Plus, you’ll want to spend every possible moment with your furry new bundle of joy!
If your work and life schedules allow, plan to take off at least one full day when you first bring your puppy home. In fact, work from home for a few days if you can.
Being there as much as possible in the beginning will help solidify your bond. You’ll be grateful for the time to help your puppy settle in. You’ll also appreciate the chance to recover from possible sleeplessness on your puppy’s first night. You’re both learning, after all!
Start Potty Training Right Away
As soon as you get your new puppy home, take them to their “potty spot.” When they eliminate, praise them right away with lots of positive vocalizations and a treat. Try to make sure they go potty outside before you take them indoors.
After your puppy is inside, plan on potty breaks every two hours. Accidents are bound to happen, but you can start your puppy off on the right paw by establishing a schedule right away.
Learn more on setting a puppy schedule.
Puppy’s First Night: Show Them Their “Puppy Zone”
The first day (and first night) with your puppy is a time to teach them that they’re part of the family. But you also want to establish a routine, as well as physical boundaries, to teach them proper in-home behavior.
You can establish boundaries and help your puppy get used to her new home on the very first day by setting up a “puppy zone.”
My puppy friend Clem, pictured above, has a deluxe suite in his family’s living room. It includes his bed, crate, favorite toys, and food and water bowls, all surrounded by an x-pen that keeps him from wandering away while no one’s looking.
Show your new puppy their home base as soon as they get home, and throw some kibble or treats in so they enter it of their own accord. The more fun you can make it, the more likely they are to settle in quietly.
Keep it Quiet on Day One
When you get a puppy, it’s tempting to invite all your friends over to meet her right away. Of course, you want to show off your new best friend to the world!
But remember, your puppy just went on a scary car ride and is in a brand new place with people she doesn’t know.
Make your puppy’s first day safe, quiet, and easy. There’s plenty of time for visitors later. For now, let your puppy settle into her new digs—and her new family—in peace. Besides, she’ll probably want to sleep. A lot.
Puppy’s First Night: Prepare for Naps (and a Potentially Sleepless Night)
Being a puppy is exhausting. Puppies sleep, on average, 15–20 hours a day! However, they also have near-hourly bathroom needs.
If your puppy is 8–12 weeks old, they will probably take lots of short naps during the day and need to go outside right away when they wake up.
On your puppy’s first night, they will probably wake you up a few times—like human babies, puppies wake up throughout the night. Establish a bedtime routine on your first day with a puppy and stick to it. While the first night may be challenging, a routine should help your puppy understand what’s expected when the household goes to sleep.
Some people like to have the puppy’s crate in their bedroom, others prefer for the puppy to be in their own room from the beginning. The important thing is to establish a specific sleeping place to help your puppy get the routine. You can make it a warm, inviting place with a nice bed and snuggly toy.
Puppy’s First Night: Remind Them of Mama
Scent is your puppy’s strongest sense, and on their first night away from mom, they’ll be overwhelmed by new smells. You can help make them feel at home by placing a mama-scented t-shirt or towel in their crate.
When you go to pick up your puppy to bring them home, take an old t-shirt or towel with you, and wipe it on the mama dog. Or, ask the breeder in advance if you can take some of the mama’s bedding home with your new pet.
Want another trick to soothe your new friend on puppy’s first night away from mom?
Hide a ticking clock under their bedding. The steady tick-tock will remind them of their mama’s heartbeat. Or, get a SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy, which mimics the sound of a beating heart and comes with a disposable heating pad for extra comfort.
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy
Give your puppy this soft friend, which comes with an insertable ticking heartbeat, to mimic mama’s heart, plus a disposable heat pad for added comfort.
Ask for Help When You Need it
Let’s be real: the first 24 hours with your puppy can be challenging. Puppies have a lot in common with human babies. They need company, activity, and lots of interaction. Sometimes they cry and have accidents as they learn how to be in the world.
Once you get through the first day, you and your puppy will settle into a routine together. But sometimes, you may need a little help. Hiring a loving pet sitter or in-home daycare provider provides worry-free care for your precious new pup.
Thanks to Clem the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon puppy and his family for sharing tips and pics from their first day together!
