A puppy is coming home. What gear do I need and what do I train in the first week?

Short answer: you need less than the shop shelves suggest. Get a bed, a safe resting space, a few toys and chews, bowls, a collar with an ID tag and a lead and harness. In week one, train three things only: toilet trips, settling in their space and answering to their name. Everything else can wait.

The gear that earns its place

Dogs Trust suggests a cosy bed, a den away from the busy parts of the house, a blanket, a mix of toys, a Kong or puzzle feeder, bowls, cleaning products for accidents, a collar and tag, and a lead and harness. Put the harness on for a minute at a time so it feels normal, even if you cannot walk outside yet. A pen or baby gate helps when you cannot watch. A crate is optional. Some puppies settle in one and some do better in a pen or a quiet corner, so watch what yours does.

Pick chews that suit the puppy's age and size, skip very hard ones, and stay close while they chew. Your vet can tell you what is safe for unsupervised rest.

Week one, in order

Days 1 and 2: keep it small. Offer a toilet trip after sleep, meals and play, and praise when it happens in the right place. Accidents are information, not a reason to scold. Keep visitors for later and let your puppy rest a lot. Our first night guide covers the 2 a.m. crying.

Days 2 to 4: teach the name game. Say the name once in a happy voice, and when your puppy looks at you, give a treat. Never use the name to scold. Build comfort in the sleeping space in daylight. Leave the door open, toss a treat inside, and feed a meal there. When little teeth find your hands, hand over a toy and play for a few seconds. If biting is the main struggle, the Landshark guide goes deeper.

Days 4 to 7: add gentle handling. Touch a paw, give a treat, and keep it to about 30 seconds, twice a day. Book a first vet visit and ask which outings and puppy classes are right for your area. Sudden changes in appetite, vomiting or tiredness are a vet question, not a training one.

Keep the days boring and the rewards tasty. Calm repetition now makes the harder months easier.

Sources: Dogs Trust, "How to help your puppy get settled into your home": https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/puppy/new-home.

General education only, not veterinary advice or a plan for your individual dog. See our legal page.