AUBREE JOURNAL · Puppy care
Your Puppy’s First Week at Home: A Calm Start Checklist
The first week is a chance to learn about each other. Keep the plan simple: clear handover information, a comfortable space, consistent caregivers and a way to record questions as they come up.
Before homecoming: collect the details
Create a handover folder with the puppy’s date of birth, available veterinary records, current food details and a contact for follow-up questions. Ask the caregiver to write down the routine rather than relying on memory. Blue Cross advises checking vaccination records and arranging ongoing care with a veterinarian. Read Blue Cross puppy care advice.
Make a short shopping list from the actual handover information. Separate essential items for arrival from optional accessories you can choose later. Store your veterinarian’s daytime and after-hours contact details somewhere every caregiver can find them.
Arrival day: make room for a quiet start
Blue Cross recommends keeping early introductions calm, limiting visitors and using familiar bedding where possible. For the journey, use suitable secure transport and never leave the puppy alone in a car. Ask your veterinarian which outings are suitable while vaccinations are incomplete. Read Blue Cross homecoming advice.
Choose the resting space before pickup so that the family is not rearranging furniture after arrival. Put bowls and cleaning supplies where the designated caregiver can reach them. Give children a simple job that does not involve crowding or repeatedly picking up the puppy, such as helping prepare the supplies with an adult.
Days one to three: keep a shared care log
A small notebook can make handovers between family members easier. Use it to record what happened, without trying to diagnose anything yourself. Bring concerns to a veterinarian rather than changing food, medicines or supplements based on a social-media tip.
| Record | Useful notes |
|---|---|
| Food and water | What was offered and any change you want to discuss with the veterinarian. |
| Rest and activity | When the puppy settled and which surroundings seemed comfortable. |
| Toileting | Times and observations to help the family coordinate its routine. |
| Questions | The question, who will ask it and the answer received. |
Use the feeding plan agreed for your puppy’s age, food and health needs. This article does not prescribe portions or a universal meal timetable. Ask your veterinarian before making a significant change.
Days four to seven: review what is working
Set aside a few minutes each evening to compare notes. Is the caregiver schedule realistic? Are supplies easy to find? Does anyone need a reminder about the agreed routine? Change your household organisation where needed, and keep questions about the puppy’s health separate for the veterinarian.
Plan a veterinary appointment to review the records and ongoing care. Ask about vaccinations, parasite prevention, diet and safe social experiences for this individual puppy. If the puppy seems unwell, seek veterinary advice promptly rather than waiting for the end of the week.
Leave space for your family’s questions
There is no prize for buying every accessory or arranging every visitor immediately. Keep a list of things you want to learn: grooming tools, a suitable training approach, future travel arrangements and local care support. Our puppy care page and grooming enquiries can help you start the relevant conversations.
What should I ask at pickup?
Ask for the current routine, food details, available health records and a follow-up contact. Check that the information clearly relates to your puppy.
When should I arrange visitors?
Keep the first introductions calm and consider how the puppy is settling. Ask your veterinarian for guidance about contact with other animals and suitable outings.
Can Aubree help with handover questions?
Contact the Aubree team with the puppy’s listing name and your question. Medical concerns should go to your veterinarian.
General preparation guidance from Aubree Pets, with sources linked beside the relevant information. For advice about an individual puppy’s health, diet or treatment, consult your veterinarian.
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