🐶🏡 Bringing Home Your New Puppy: The Ultimate First Days Survival Guide

Written By Scottie Waldrep

Everything Home Sweet Home Doodles Families Need Before Puppy Pickup Day 💛🐾

There is nothing quite like the excitement of bringing home your new puppy. 🎉🐾 The tiny paws, the puppy kisses, the soft doodle curls, the first sleepy cuddle in your lap… it is one of the sweetest milestones for any family.

At Home Sweet Home Doodles LLC, we want every family to feel fully prepared, confident, and excited before their puppy ever walks through the front door. ✨🏡

The truth is, even the most loving and well-socialized puppy is still a baby. Your new puppy may cry at night 😢🌙, have a few potty accidents 🚽, chew on things they shouldn’t 🦴👟, and need lots of structure and reassurance the first few days.

That is completely normal. 💛

This complete guide will help your family know exactly what to expect:

  • 🛒 what to buy first

  • 🌙 how to survive nighttime crying

  • 🏠 crate training tips

  • 🚽 potty and pee pee problems

  • 🦴 chewing and teething solutions

  • 💉 first vet shots and medical care

  • 🐾 what to do the first couple of days

Let’s get your home puppy-ready! 🎉🐶

🐾 First, Understand What Your Puppy Is Feeling

Before your puppy comes home, remember this important truth:

Your puppy is leaving:

  • 👩‍👧 mom

  • 🐶 littermates

  • 🏡 the only home they have ever known

  • 👃 familiar smells

  • 🎵 familiar sounds

  • 💤 siblings they have slept beside every night

Even a confident puppy may feel unsure at first. The first few days should focus on:

This is why your puppy may seem sleepy, clingy, or a little confused the first 24–48 hours.

That is not bad behavior.
That is simply adjustment. ✨🐾

🛒 Puppy Supply Checklist: What to Buy BEFORE Pickup Day

Having everything ready ahead of time makes the transition so much easier. 🙌🐶

🏠 1. A Crate

This is one of the most important things you will buy.

A crate helps with:

Choose one large enough to stand, turn, and lay down comfortably.

🍗 2. Puppy Food

Have the same food your puppy is currently eating ready before pickup day.

⚠️ Sudden food changes can cause:

Slow transitions are always best.

🥣 3. Food + Water Bowls

Stainless steel bowls are a favorite because they are:

  • 🧼 easy to clean

  • 🦠 more sanitary

  • 💪 durable

🎾 4. Safe Chew Toys

Puppies NEED things to chew. 🦴

Best starter toys:

  • 🐾 puppy teething rings

  • 🦴 rubber chew toys

  • 🧸 soft comfort toys

  • 🐶 safe puppy chew bones

🧼 5. Enzyme Cleaner

This is a must-have. 🚨

Regular cleaner removes stains. ANGRY ORANGE Pet Odor Eliminator for Dogs

✅ Enzyme cleaner removes the odor your puppy can still smell, helping prevent repeat accidents.

🚪 6. Puppy Gates or Playpen

Too much freedom too fast = accidents and chewing problems. 😅

Use gates or a puppy playpen to keep them in a safe area.

🎁 7. Treats

Small training treats help with: Purina Puppy Chow Training Treats

  • 🚽 potty rewards

  • 🏠 crate success

  • 🐾 name recognition

  • 👏 basic commands

🛁 8. Grooming Supplies

For doodles, grooming starts early! ✨

Have ready:

🏡 Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Puppies are adorable little troublemakers. 😂🐾

Before puppy arrives, remove:

  • 🔌 cords

  • 👟 shoes

  • 🧸 kids’ toys

  • 🪴 toxic plants

  • 🧴 cleaning products

  • 💊 medication

  • 🗑️ trash access

  • 🧦 socks

  • 🎧 chargers

If they can reach it, they will probably chew it. 😅🦴

🌙 Why Puppies Cry at Night

This is the #1 concern for new families.

Night crying is NORMAL. 💛😢

Your puppy has likely never slept alone before.

They miss:

  • 🐶 littermates

  • 💕 warmth

  • 👂 familiar breathing sounds

  • 🏡 their old environment

This does not mean crate training is failing.

It simply means your puppy is adjusting. 🐾✨

🌙✨ How to Stop Puppy Crying at Night

🚽 1. Potty Before Bed

Always take puppy outside right before bedtime.

A full bladder causes lots of nighttime fussing.

🛏️ 2. Keep the Crate Near Your Bed

For the first few nights, this helps a LOT. 💛

Your voice and presence can be incredibly calming.

🧸 3. Use a Comfort Toy

A soft comfort plush or soothing sleep toy can help mimic litter comfort.

🌙 4. Keep Nighttime Boring

If puppy wakes:

  • 🚽 potty

  • 🤫 quiet voice

  • 🌙 straight back to crate

  • ❌ no playtime

This teaches nighttime = sleep time.

⏳ 5. Stay Consistent

The first 2–4 nights are usually the hardest.

Consistency is what gets you through. 🙌🐶

🏠 Crate Training = Your Secret Weapon

Crate training solves so many puppy problems:

  • 🚽 potty accidents

  • 🦴 chewing Squeaky Dog Chew Toy

  • 😴 overtired zoomies

  • 🏡 destructive roaming

  • 🐾 learning independence

A properly introduced crate becomes your puppy’s safe space, not punishment. 💛🐶

🚽 Pee Pee Issues: What to Expect

Let’s be real.

Your puppy WILL have accidents. 😂🚽

That is completely normal.

Common reasons:

  • ⏰ waiting too long

  • 😴 just woke up

  • 🍗 after eating

  • 💧 after drinking

  • 🎉 excitement

  • 🏃 after playtime

  • 🏡 too much house freedom

Take puppy out:

  • 🌅 first thing in morning

  • 😴 after naps

  • 🍗 after meals

  • 🎾 after play

  • 🌙 before bed

Consistency is everything. 🙌

🚽🏠 How Crate Training Helps Potty Training

Puppies naturally do not like to potty where they sleep.

This makes the crate one of the BEST potty training tools. 🏆🐶

A good cycle looks like this:

  • 🚽 potty outside

  • 🎾 supervised play

  • 🍗 meal

  • 🚽 potty again

  • 😴 nap in crate

  • 🔁 repeat

This creates structure FAST.

🦴 Why Puppies Chew Everything

Chewing is normal because puppies are:

  • 🦷 teething

  • 🌎 exploring the world

  • 😴 overtired

  • 😵 overstimulated

  • 🐶 naturally curious

They are not being bad.

They are being puppies. 😂💛

🦴 How to Solve Chewing Problems

👀 Supervise

If puppy is loose, someone needs eyes on them.

🎾 Redirect Fast

Swap:

  • 👟 shoe ❌

  • 🧸 chew toy ✅

Always redirect calmly.

😴 Watch for Tired Zoomies

Many puppies get extra bitey when tired.

Sometimes the solution is not another toy.

It is a nap. 😴🐾

💉 First Medical Care + Puppy Shots

Your puppy should visit your veterinarian shortly after coming home. 🏥🐶

Early care usually includes:

  • 🩺 wellness exam

  • 💉 continued vaccine boosters

  • 🪱 deworming

  • 🦟 flea/tick prevention

  • ❤️ heartworm prevention discussion

  • 🥣 nutrition guidance

💉 Core puppy shots often include:

  • 🛡️ Distemper

  • 🦠 Parvo

  • 🫁 Parainfluenza

  • 🩺 Adenovirus

  • 🐾 Rabies (age dependent)

Always continue the vaccine schedule your vet recommends. ✅🐶 Scottie has already gave you pup their 6 and 8 week shots.

🗓️ The First Couple of Days: Your Main Goals

The first few days are NOT about perfection.

Focus on:

  • 💛 trust

  • 🚽 potty routine

  • 🏠 crate confidence

  • 💤 naps

  • 🧘 calm environment

  • 🦴 safe chewing

  • 🐾 bonding

That is what sets the tone for long-term success. ✨🐶

💛 Final Encouragement for HSHD Families

The first few days may feel exciting, emotional, chaotic, and adorable all at once. 🥹🐾

There may be:

  • 🌙 sleepless nights

  • 🚽 potty accidents

  • 🦴 chewing moments

  • 💤 surprise naps

  • 🎉 zoomies

  • 💛 sweet cuddles

That is all part of puppyhood.

At Home Sweet Home Doodles LLC, we want every family to feel supported from day one. 🏡🐶✨

Remember:

Your puppy does not need perfection.
Your puppy needs:

  • 💛 love

  • 📅 consistency

  • 🏠 structure

  • 🐾 patience

  • 🙌 reassurance

Before long, your puppy will realize:

This is home now. 🏡🐶💛

✅ Quick Puppy Prep Checklist

  • 🏠 crate

  • 🍗 food

  • 🥣 bowls

  • 🎾 chew toys

  • 🚽 enzyme cleaner

  • 🚪 gates

  • 🧸 comfort toy

  • 🪮 grooming tools

  • 💉 vet appointment

  • 🐾 potty area ready

  • 💛 patience and excitement

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Scottie Waldrep
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