The day you bring a new puppy home is one of the most joyful in a pet owner's life — and also, if we're honest, one of the most overwhelming. Puppies are remarkable little creatures: curious, resilient, and utterly dependent on you to give them the best possible start. Here's what we recommend in those vital first two weeks.
Day one: settle, don't overwhelm
Your puppy has just left their mother and littermates for the first time. Everything is new — the smells, the sounds, the faces. Resist the urge to invite friends round or let children rush at them. Give your puppy a quiet, warm space of their own (a crate or a puppy pen works brilliantly) and let them come to you on their terms.
Vet registration and first check-up
Book a new-patient appointment within the first few days. We'll check your puppy from nose to tail — confirming their microchip is in place and reading correctly, assessing their weight and body condition, and talking you through their vaccination schedule. Most puppies have already had their first vaccination from the breeder, but timing matters, so bring the vaccination card.
Vaccinations and socialisation timing
Puppies are typically fully vaccinated by around 13–14 weeks and can safely go out on the ground after that. In the meantime, they can still be carried, travel in the car, and meet vaccinated dogs in private gardens. These early weeks are the *critical socialisation window* — the more positive, gentle experiences they have now, the more confident they'll be as adults.
Food, sleep, and routine
Puppies need to eat three to four times a day and sleep a *lot* — often 16–18 hours in 24. Don't worry if yours sleeps through what you expected to be playtime; it's completely normal and essential for brain development. Keep feeding times consistent and use the same food the breeder used for at least the first week to avoid digestive upset.
What to watch for
A small amount of loose stool during the adjustment period is normal. But contact us immediately if you see: blood in the stool, repeated vomiting, lethargy (sleeping more than usual, hard to rouse), loss of appetite for more than 24 hours, or any breathing difficulty. Puppies can deteriorate quickly and early intervention makes an enormous difference.
Parasite prevention
Your puppy should already have had a worming treatment before leaving the breeder, but check the date on any paperwork. We'll set you up with an ongoing flea, tick, and worm prevention programme at your first visit — one less thing to remember.
The first two weeks are a whirlwind. Be patient with your puppy — and with yourself. We're always at the end of the phone on 01780 555 042 if you have questions.