Bringing Puppy Home Checklist: First 24–48 Hours

Bringing Puppy Home Checklist: First 24–48 Hours 

Bringing a puppy home is equal parts exciting and slightly terrifying. One minute you’re staring at their tiny face, the next you’re wondering if you’ve completely ruined your carpets and sleep schedule forever.

This guide walks you through the first 24–48 hours so you know what to set up, what to expect and how to use your crate and home layout to make things calmer for everyone.

Step 1: Set Up Your Puppy Zone Before They Arrive

Don’t wait until the puppy is in the house to start rearranging furniture. Ideally, have this ready:

• Crate set up with bed and a light cover
• Feeding station with bowls on a mat
• Toilet area planned (yard spot, or indoor pads for apartments)
• Toys and chews ready (nothing too intense for tiny mouths)

Your “puppy base camp” should include:

• A crate (or crate + pen)
• Easy access to the toilet area
• A quiet spot away from major drafts or constant foot traffic

If you’re using Paws & Willow furniture-style crates, choose the room they’ll spend the most time in—often the living room or bedroom for the first few weeks.

Step 2: The Car Ride Home

Keep it as low-stress as possible:

• Use a crate or carrier for travel if you can
• Line it with a towel or blanket (bonus points if it smells like their breeder/litter)
• Drive smoothly, talk softly, no loud music or detours to the shops

When you arrive home, go straight to…

Step 3: First Thing: Toilet Stop

Before you parade them through the house:

• Take puppy to the designated toilet spot
• Stand quietly, give them a few minutes
• If they go, calmly praise and offer a small treat

This is your very first “this is where we toilet” message—super important.

Step 4: Gentle House Introduction (Not the Grand Tour)

It’s tempting to show them every room, but that can be overwhelming.

Instead:

• Start in the main area where their crate and bed are
• Let them sniff around a small section of the house under supervision
• Keep voices calm and movements slow (especially with kids)

You can open up more of the house later. For now, less is more.

Step 5: First Crate Experience

Your first crate sessions are all about positive vibes:

• Have the crate door wide open
• Toss a few treats just inside the doorway
• Let puppy explore at their own pace
• You can place a toy or chew inside so it feels rewarding to go in

If they walk in and lie down—amazing. Praise softly. No door closing yet unless they’re extremely relaxed.

Step 6: First Meal at Home

For the first 24–48 hours, keep food simple:

• Feed the same food they were on at the breeder/shelter
• Use the feeding station you’ve set up (bowls or raised feeder)
• You can feed near or inside the crate to build positive association

After eating, it’s toilet time again, then gentle cuddles or play, followed by a short crate nap.

Step 7: Managing Visitors and Excitement

Everyone will want to meet the new baby. But your puppy also needs:

• Sleep (a lot of it)
• Calm, predictable routines
• Not being passed around like a footy

Tips:

• Limit visitors in the first 24–48 hours
• If people do come over, keep visits short and calm
• Use the crate or pen as a safe zone when puppy needs space

Step 8: The First Night

This is a big one.

Best setup for most pups:

• Crate or bedside crate in your bedroom
• Comfortable bed, maybe a soft toy and light cover
• Keep them close enough to hear you breathing

Plan for 1–2 toilet trips overnight:

• If they fuss, gently take them out for a quiet toilet
• Don’t turn it into playtime—no big chats, no zoomies
• Back into the crate with a calm “good night”

It might not be perfect. That’s okay. You’re setting foundations, not chasing perfection on night one.

Step 9: Day Two – Start a Gentle Routine

On day two, begin to introduce a loose pattern:

• Wake → toilet → breakfast → short play → crate nap
• Toilet → supervised play → explore a bit more of the house
• Calm time near you while you sit/work
• Repeat cycles of toilet, play/train, calm, crate/bed

Nothing needs to be exact yet, but your puppy will start learning that life follows a rhythm.

Step 10: Be Kind to Yourself Too

The first 24–48 hours are intense. You will:

• Question if you’re doing it right
• Worry about every whine
• Feel tired and a bit frazzled

That’s normal. Focus on:

• Safe environment
• Lots of toilet opportunities
• Positive crate experiences
• Short bursts of gentle training and play

The rest unfolds over the next days and weeks—and your crate, feeding stations and puppy setup will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.