New Puppy — First 30 Days

The month that shapes the next decade: setup, vet care, potty training, socialization, and the foundations of a great dog.

Before Pickup

• Crate sized for adult dog with divider for puppy phase
• Puppy-proof every room: cords hidden, shoes up, trash secured, baby gates at stairs
• Pick a vet within 15 minutes of home; book first visit within 72 hours of pickup
• Find a positive-reinforcement puppy class (8-16 weeks is the magic socialization window) — fills up fast
• Pick a name everyone in the house agrees on and uses consistently
• Decide house rules in advance: furniture? bed? rooms allowed? — everyone enforces the same rules

Supplies

• Same food brand the breeder or shelter used (transition slowly over 7-10 days)
• Stainless steel food and water bowls
• Adjustable collar, ID tag with phone number, 6-foot flat leash (no retractable)
• Harness sized for current weight — re-check fit weekly as they grow
• Enzymatic cleaner (Nature's Miracle, Rocco & Roxie) for accidents — soap doesn't remove the marker
• Puppy pads if apartment-living until vaccines are done
• 3-4 chew toys of different textures; at least one frozen Kong
• High-value training treats: pea-sized, soft, smelly (string cheese, hot dog bits)
• Treat pouch you can clip to your belt — you'll wear it constantly

Day 1 — Pickup

• Bring a towel or blanket from the breeder/shelter to keep familiar smells
• Take them straight to the potty spot before going inside the house
• Keep introductions calm — one room, one or two people, no friends invited over
• Crate goes next to your bed for the first 1-2 weeks; expect crying the first nights

Days 1-3 — Survival Mode

• Take them out every 1-2 hours, after every meal, nap, play session, and before bed
• Praise and treat the second they pee or poop outside — every single time
• Set an alarm for one mid-night potty break for the first week
• Never punish accidents — clean with enzymatic cleaner and supervise more closely
• Limit visitors and household noise — they're processing a huge change
• Name + treat: say their name, give a treat the moment they look at you. Repeat 50x a day.

Week 1 — Vet Visit

• Bring fresh poop sample for parasite check
• Confirm vaccine schedule (DHPP, rabies, often Bordetella and lepto)
• Discuss spay/neuter timing — varies by breed and size, large breeds usually wait 12-18 months
• Microchip and register the chip number to your phone in the chip company database
• Start flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Sign up for pet insurance NOW, before any conditions get documented (Healthy Paws, Trupanion, Lemonade)
• Get the deworming protocol — most puppies need it even if a recent test is clean

Week 2 — Routine Locks In

• Establish predictable feeding times — 3 meals/day for puppies under 4 months
• Practice crate time during the day with frozen Kong — crate should mean good things
• Hand-feed part of every meal during the first 2 weeks to build trust and bite inhibition
• Start 'sit' with a treat lure — only takes 1-2 sessions
• Practice handling paws, ears, and mouth daily — your future vet and groomer will thank you
• Begin leaving them alone in the crate for 5-10 minutes while you're home — build up gradually
• Wear them out with brain games (snuffle mat, find-it) — mental tiredness beats physical exercise at this age

Weeks 3-4 — Socialization

• Carry them to 5-10 new places per week (until fully vaccinated, no ground contact in dog-heavy areas)
• Expose to: vacuums, hair dryers, doorbells, traffic, kids, men with beards, hats, umbrellas, wheelchairs
• Schedule playdates with vaccinated, friendly adult dogs — not random dog parks until shots are done
• Start the puppy class you booked — every week skipped is a developmental window closing
• Get them comfortable in the car with short, positive trips — not just to the vet
• Introduce baths, brushing, and nail handling — even if you don't trim yet, touch the clippers daily
• Practice 'come' inside the house with treats — never call them to something they hate (bath, crate at bedtime)

End of Month — Check Yourself

• Have they had their second round of vaccines? Schedule the third now.
• Are accidents trending down? If not, shorten the time between potty breaks and supervise more.
• Can they sit, come (in the house), and tolerate the crate calmly for 30 min?
• Have you logged 30+ different positive socialization experiences? If not, accelerate.
• Are you sleeping again? If puppy isn't sleeping through, talk to vet and trainer.
• Photo and weight check — first month with this dog goes faster than you'd believe.