Puppy's first night

From choosing a puppy to buying everything they need, there’s a lot to do to prepare for your new family member. But it’s also important to plan for their first day and night in their new home.

Knowing how to handle your puppy’s first few hours in their new home will help you – and them – to feel calm and confident. Here’s how to make sure everything goes to plan, from their journey home to their first toilet break and impressions of their new family.

Leaving their mother and littermates for the first time can be stressful for puppies. Try to make their journey home as calm as possible by keeping things quiet in the car. 

Young children will likely be very excited to meet their new friend, but explain to them that it’s important they stay calm for the journey home. Or, you might decide that just one person collects your puppy, before making introductions to the rest of the family.

The first thing you should do when you get home is take your puppy straight to their ‘potty spot’ outdoors and let them relieve themselves. This helps get toilet training started straight away – and ensures your life together doesn’t begin with cleaning up a puddle!

While everyone will be excited to welcome your new puppy, aim to keep things calm. Try not to overly fuss, pass your puppy around multiple times, or to be too loud. 

Once you’ve brought your puppy inside, restrict them to one or two rooms and let them explore. Giving them access to the whole house straight away may be confusing and scary. Supervise them at all times, even if you’ve puppy-proofed your house. 

Dogs thrive on routine, so get your puppy used to theirs as quickly as possible. Keep food and water bowls in the same place, and take your puppy to their designated potty spot regularly.

Your puppy’s first night at home can be overwhelming for both of you. Knowing what to expect can make it easier to help your puppy settle and keep things comfortable.

Most puppies will cry and whine a little during their first night. If possible, try to leave your puppy, rather than going straight to them. Only enter the room to check on them when they’ve stopped whimpering, otherwise they’ll start to learn that making noise results in attention.

Even though it might be tempting, don’t let a new puppy sleep in your bed on the first night. This will make it much harder when you want them to sleep in their own crate or bed. 

Placing a hot water bottle in their bed can mimic the effect of sleeping beside their mother’s warm body.

Your puppy will need to go to the toilet in the night, so be prepared for night time toilet breaks. Set your alarm every two to three hours and take your puppy outside to their designated potty spot so they can relieve themselves.

Your puppy might have a few accidents, so keep them in a room with a floor that can easily be cleaned, such as the kitchen.

Crate training is a good way to support toilet training, provide routine and help your puppy feel safe in their own space. But don’t expect your puppy to sleep in the crate with the door closed for their first night – you’ll need to train them to use it first.

Let your puppy explore their crate during the day. Put it in a quiet area and leave the door open. Placing a few blankets over the top can make the crate feel like a safe den, but make sure there’s enough ventilation. 

Encourage your puppy to explore their crate by placing a few treats or toys in it, and give them plenty of praise when they go inside. 

Then, follow our guide to crate training, which will gradually get your puppy used to their crate.

Crate training offers lots of benefits, including:

• A safe place for your puppy to rest 
• Helps settle a puppy into a new environment 
• Helps with toilet training 
• Makes travelling easier

If you’re planning on using a crate long-term, remember your puppy will need to be trained to stay in their crate with the door closed. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. 

If you’re using a crate, don’t close the door overnight until your puppy is used to staying in the crate for shorter periods during the day. First night crying is to be expected but try to wait until your puppy has settled before going in to comfort them.

From accidents to anxiety, here’s how to cope with some common first night challenges. 

Accidents happen, especially as your puppy is getting used to their new home and routine. Don’t make a fuss if your puppy has an accident indoors – simply clean it up with a dog-friendly cleaner so they’re not tempted to keep going in the same place.

Make sure you’re regularly taking your puppy for toilet breaks outside, and give them lots of positive reinforcement when they go in the right place.

The transition from being with their mother and littermates to being on their own is a lot for puppies to process. Signs of separation anxiety include whining, crying or scratching at their crate. Placing a hot water bottle in your puppy’s crate can help provide comfort and warmth.

Young puppies bite and chew things as a way of exploring their surroundings and may nip if they’re overexcited. Redirect any nipping or biting to chew toys. Teach children how to interact with your puppy calmly, and make sure there’s always an adult there to supervise.  

If you’re concerned about your puppy’s biting, reach out to your vet or a qualified behaviourist for advice. If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also use our Pet Expert Chat to connect with experts any time – simply log into your My Petplan account to get started.