Bringing a puppy home during or after Christmas is magical… and overwhelming. One minute you’re taking photos and soaking up cuddles, the next you’re cleaning accidents at 3am and wondering if you’ve completely lost the plot.
If that sounds familiar, take a breath what you’re experiencing is completely normal. Puppies are babies, and the first few weeks are about survival, routine, and patience.
This guide walks you through what to expect step by step, and how to handle the chaos without burning out.
Week 1: The Honeymoon (and the Shock)
The first few days are full of excitement — photos, cuddles, introductions, and very little sleep.
What’s normal in Week 1:
Frequent toilet accidents
Crying at night
Following you everywhere
Chewing everything
👉 How to cope:
Start a very simple routine: wake → toilet → food → play → toilet → nap
Take your puppy out after every activity
Keep nights calm and boring (no play at 3am!)
💡 Tip: Puppies don’t know where to toilet yet accidents are not disobedience.
Week 2: Reality Hits
This is often the hardest stage. You’re tired, the novelty has worn off, and progress feels slow.
Common worries:
They still aren’t toilet trained
They bite all the time
I’m doing something wrong
👉 You’re not. This is the stage where consistency matters more than perfection.
What helps:
Supervised freedom only (use a play pen or baby gates)
Redirect biting to chew toys
Short naps every 1–2 hours
Helpful tools:
Puppy Chew Toys for Teething – Check on Amazon UK
Weeks 3–4: Small Wins & Bonding
This is when things slowly start to click. Accidents reduce, sleep improves, and your puppy begins to understand you.
You might notice:
Puppy sits or comes when called
Longer sleep stretches
Less frantic behaviour
👉 Keep reinforcing calm behaviour and praise every success even the tiny ones.
Support calm rest:
Soft Puppy Bed – Check on Amazon UK
Toilet Training: Keep It Simple
Take your puppy out every 30–60 minutes initially
Always go out after sleeping, eating, or playing
Praise calmly when they go outside
Accidents will happen clean thoroughly so smells don’t encourage repeat toileting.
Essential:
Enzyme Cleaner for Pet Accidents – Check on Amazon UK
Sleep Is Not Optional
Overtired puppies bite more, listen less, and act wild.
Signs your puppy needs a nap:
Zoomies
Excessive biting
Ignoring cues
Whining for no clear reason
👉 Puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep per day.
Use a crate or play pen to encourage calm downtime.
Useful setup:
Adjustable Puppy Play Pen – Check on Amazon UK
Training: Less Is More
Training in the early weeks should be:
Short (2–5 minutes)
Positive
Fun
Focus on:
Name recognition
Sit
Gentle handling
Motivation boost:
Puppy Training Treats – Check on Amazon UK
A Word for You
If you feel overwhelmed, tearful, or exhausted that doesn’t mean you made a mistake. Puppy blues are real, and they pass.
You’re learning together. Your puppy doesn’t need perfection they need patience, routine, and love.
Final Thoughts
The first weeks with a new puppy are messy, loud, and emotional but they are also the foundation of a lifelong bond.
💡 Remember: chaos now doesn’t mean chaos forever. Stick with the basics, ask for help when needed, and trust the process.
Our Own Real And Personal Experience.
When we brought home not one but two puppies from the same litter, brothers Bobby and Chase a fox red Labrador and a yellow Labrador routine quickly became our saving grace. I found they were actually very quick at learning to do wees and poos outside, and even now at 16 months old, that routine is still firmly in place. I can open the back door and say “go wee wees, boys” and they know exactly what to do. From the very beginning, they went straight outside as soon as they woke up, and again after eating, and that consistency made all the difference. Accidents did happen just like when a toddler is learning to go from nappies to the potty but that’s all part of learning, not failure. Both of my pups are real pleasers, so whenever they went outside and actually did a wee or poo, I made a huge fuss of them, lots of praise, and a small treat every time. That positive reinforcement really helped it click for them, and it’s something that’s stayed with us as part of their daily routine.
Quick Product Links
Puppy Training Pads – Check on Amazon UK
Adjustable Puppy Play Pen – Check on Amazon UK
Soft Puppy Bed – Check on Amazon UK
Puppy Chew Toys for Teething – Check on Amazon UK
