By Boxer Dog HQKeep the first week simple: a safe resting place, a familiar routine, frequent opportunities to toilet and time to get to know each other.
Your puppy does not know that the new bed was chosen especially for them, or that the whole family has been looking forward to this day. They are arriving in an unfamiliar place. Make the first week about helping them feel comfortable rather than introducing every new experience at once.
Before collection day
Ask for the current food, meal routine, veterinary records and something carrying familiar smells. Arrange a safe way to travel and have water, cleaning supplies and a spare towel ready. Speak to your vet about the puppy’s vaccination status and safe travel stops.
At home, check the resting area, put hazards out of reach and agree who is responsible for the first evening and overnight care. Our interactive checklist keeps these preparations in one place.
The first afternoon and evening
Give your puppy a quiet introduction to a manageable part of the home. Keep visitors to a minimum and let the puppy rest when they choose. Have suitable toys available, but leave the grand house tour for later.
Offer opportunities to toilet and reward success after the puppy finishes. Accidents are part of learning; clean them without punishment. Follow the familiar feeding routine while you discuss any changes with your vet.
Your evening plan can be very simple: who provides the next meal, who watches for toileting signs, and where the puppy can sleep undisturbed. You do not need a minute-by-minute timetable.
Make room for an unsettled night
Plan for interrupted sleep. A puppy who is distressed needs a response, not a test of endurance. Check whether they need to toilet or need help feeling safe, and keep your response quiet and reassuring.
If you intend to use a crate, introduce it gradually. It should not become a place the puppy is suddenly shut in for the whole night. See crate training for a gentle starting point and alternatives.
Days two to seven
Keep a short log rather than aiming for a perfect schedule. Note when your puppy wakes, eats, toilets, plays and rests. After a few days, your notes can help you anticipate needs and share responsibilities.
Choose a small number of goals: learning where the resting place is, beginning toilet training and feeling comfortable around the people at home. Arrange a vet visit and take the records you received. Ask which introductions and outdoor experiences are appropriate for this puppy now.
Judge the week by comfort, not tricks
A useful end-of-week review asks: what helped the puppy settle, what surprised us, and what needs changing? If the morning routine is too rushed, adjust that routine. If you are worried about health or distress, contact your vet or a qualified trainer.
You can build the next stage from what you have learned together. Start with toilet training if that is the part of the day that needs the most support.
Sources & further reading
Source-led general information, not an individual assessment. This guide has not been independently reviewed by a vet or qualified trainer. Read our editorial approach.