New puppy: the first 30 days
From the day before your puppy comes home to the end of the first month: what to do, in order, to get off to a good start together.
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Time: 30 days
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Before your puppy comes home
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UK: in England, licensed breeders can’t sell a puppy under 8 weeks and must show it with its mother.
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UK: in England, a puppy under 6 months can only be bought directly from the breeder or adopted from a rescue (Lucy’s Law).
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UK: in public, your dog must wear a collar and tag with your name and address.
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Switch foods gradually, mixing old and new over about a week.
The first day
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Your puppy needs sleep and time to settle in.
The first week
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Bring all the paperwork you were given.
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Puppies usually get a dose every 2 to 4 weeks, from 6–8 weeks until 16 weeks or older. Rabies timing follows local law.
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A chip only helps if the registry has your current details. UK: every dog must be chipped and registered by 8 weeks old.
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The American Heartworm Society advises starting heartworm prevention by 8 weeks of age.
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Young puppies usually eat 3 or 4 small meals a day: follow the food label and your vet.
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They’re all on the FDA’s list of foods that can poison pets.
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Also last thing at night, and about every hour in between.
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If it does, keep the license and rabies tags on the collar.
Weeks two to four
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Puppies learn what’s normal fastest in their first 3 months of life. Ask your vet how to do it safely before vaccines are done.
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Vet visits and grooming will be much easier.
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The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based training only.
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Classes can start at 7 to 8 weeks, at least a week after the first vaccines and a first deworming.
At the end of the first month
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The best timing depends on breed, size and your dog’s health.
One month together
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Good to know
- Vaccines, parasite prevention and legal requirements vary by country, state and even city: your vet knows the local risks and rules.
- In the US, rabies vaccination is required by state or local law in many places. In the UK, dogs need a rabies shot only to travel abroad.
- If your puppy stops eating, vomits repeatedly, has diarrhea or seems unusually tired, call your vet the same day: young puppies can go downhill fast.
Frequently asked questions
When can my puppy meet other dogs?
Ask your vet: meeting healthy, vaccinated dogs you know is usually fine early on, while dog parks and places where unknown dogs gather are best avoided until the vaccine series is complete.
How many meals a day does a puppy need?
Young puppies usually eat 3 or 4 small meals a day, then fewer as they grow. The right amount depends on the food and the expected adult size: follow your vet’s advice and weigh your puppy regularly.
Crate or bed?
Either works. A crate, used kindly and never as punishment, can help with potty training and gives your puppy a safe den. What matters is a quiet spot and a routine.
Next step
I’m not a vet. This is general information only. For anything about your pet, always ask your own veterinarian.
- The checklistThe pet care calendar
- The short guideYour first month with a puppy
- The routeA dog or cat at home
Sources
- AAHA — Canine vaccination guidelines
- AVMA — Vaccinations for your pet
- CAPC — Roundworm guidelines: deworming puppies
- American Heartworm Society — Heartworm basics
- AVSAB — Position statements on puppy socialization and humane training
- FDA — Potentially dangerous items for your pet
- RSPCA — Toilet training your puppy
- GOV.UK — Get your dog or cat microchipped
- GOV.UK — Lucy’s Law: puppies and kittens sold by breeders or rescues
- GOV.UK — Taking your pet abroad
For vaccines, health questions and the rules where you live, your vet is the person to ask.