The first week home is all about one thing: helping your puppy feel safe. You don't need a perfect schedule — you just need a simple rhythm you can repeat.
The 5 anchors
If you keep these five things consistent, most puppies settle faster and learn quicker.
- • Potty breaks: after waking, after eating/drinking, after play, and every 30–60 minutes at first
- • Crate time: short, calm sessions throughout the day
- • Naps: puppies need lots of sleep (often 18–20 hours/day)
- • Meals: same times each day if possible
- • Tiny training: 2–3 minutes, a few times a day
A simple sample day
Use this as a starting point and adjust to your family's real life.
- • Wake up → potty → breakfast → potty
- • 5–10 minutes play → potty
- • Crate nap (30–90 minutes)
- • Potty → short leash walk in the yard → potty
- • Midday meal → potty → calm chew time
- • Afternoon nap → potty → short training (name + come)
- • Evening meal → potty → quiet family time
- • Last potty → bedtime in crate near you
Two quick rules that help a lot
- • If your puppy is wild and bitey, they probably need a nap — not more play.
- • If you're seeing accidents, add more potty trips and reduce freedom in the house.