Week 1: First-time pet parent’s guide: Caring for your new puppy in Australia

This post is part of our Bringing Home Your New Puppy: What to Expect series.

Jump to any chapter:

• Week 1: First-time pet parent guide (you are here)
• Week 2: Puppy vaccinations
• Week 3: Preparing for training
• Week 4: Puppy sleep troubles
• Week 5: Nutrition and growth
• Week 6: Behavioural challenges
• Week 7: Socialisation checklist

So you’ve done it. You’ve brought home a puppy.

Maybe you’ve been planning this for months, or maybe it all happened a little faster than expected. Either way, you’re now the proud parent of a fluffy, excitable, occasionally chaotic new family member — and it’s completely normal to feel equal parts thrilled and a little overwhelmed.

The good news? Every single puppy owner has been exactly where you are right now. And with a bit of guidance, the first few weeks can be less stressful and a whole lot more enjoyable.

This guide covers everything you need to know in the early days — from setting up your home and booking that first vet visit, to feeding schedules, sleep routines, and the basics of bonding with your pup.

On this page:

• Before anything else: Puppy-proof your home
• Your puppy’s first night at home
• Book your first vet visit — early
• What does a puppy actually need? The basics
• Food & water
• Sleep
• Warmth
• Toilet breaks
• The importance of bonding
• What to expect emotionally (yes, for you)
• A quick first-week checklist
• What’s next?

Before anything else: Puppy-proof your home

Puppies are curious. They will chew, sniff, and squeeze into absolutely everything. Before your pup has free run of the house, take a quick walk through each room with fresh eyes.

• Tuck away electrical cords and chargers
• Move toxic plants out of reach (common culprits include peace lilies, aloe vera, and philodendrons)
• Store cleaning products, medications, and chemicals in closed cupboards
• Block off any gaps behind furniture or under stairs where a puppy could get stuck
• Secure bins with lids — puppies are surprisingly good at getting into rubbish

It also helps to set up a dedicated puppy zone — a small, safe space where your pup can sleep, eat, and settle in without being overwhelmed by the whole house at once. A crate, a playpen, or even a gated corner of the kitchen works perfectly.

Your puppy’s first night at home

The first night is often the toughest — for your puppy and for you.

Your pup has just left their mum and littermates for the first time. Everything smells different, sounds different, and feels different. A little whining or crying at bedtime is completely normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Tips to help your puppy settle:

• Put a worn t-shirt or piece of your clothing in their bed so they can smell you
• A warm water bottle wrapped in a blanket can mimic the warmth of their littermates
• Keep the sleeping area calm and quiet — avoid too much stimulation before bed
• Try not to rush in every time they cry. It’s hard, but it helps them learn to self-settle
• If your puppy was given a small toy or blanket from the breeder, keep it close — familiar smells are comforting

For more on sleep routines and getting through those early nights, head to Week 4 of our series: Puppy Sleep Troubles.

Book your first vet visit — early

One of the most important things you can do in the first week is book a visit with your vet — ideally within the first two to three days of bringing your puppy home.

This first check-up isn’t just about vaccinations (though those matter too — more on that in Week 2). It’s a chance to:

• Get a full health check to make sure your puppy is well
• Ask every question you’ve been Googling at midnight
• Start building a relationship with a vet you trust
• Get personalised feeding, worming, and flea treatment advice for your specific breed and weight

If your puppy has already had their first vaccination from the breeder, bring that record with you. Your vet will use it to plan the rest of the vaccination schedule.

Tip: Consider taking out pet insurance before your first vet visit so you’re covered from the very start. If you’re considering pet insurance, Petcover policies can be set up quickly before your puppy’s first vet visit.

What does a puppy actually need? The basics

Food & water

Your puppy’s breeder or rescue centre should let you know what food they’ve been eating. Stick to that for the first week — sudden changes in diet can cause an upset stomach on top of an already stressful transition.

After the first week, if you want to switch foods, do it gradually over 7–10 days by mixing small amounts of the new food with the old.

How often should a puppy eat? Generally, puppies under 12 weeks need four small meals a day. From 12 weeks to 6 months, three meals a day. From 6 months onwards, two meals a day. Your vet can give you specific guidance based on your puppy’s breed and size.

Fresh water: Always available, always clean. Puppies drink more than you’d expect.

Sleep

Puppies sleep a lot — up to 18–20 hours a day in the early weeks. This isn’t laziness; it’s essential for healthy brain and body development. Don’t be alarmed if your pup seems to do nothing but eat, sleep, and have short bursts of wild energy.

A consistent sleep spot (crate, bed, or designated area) helps your puppy feel safe and builds good habits early.

Warmth

Young puppies can’t regulate their body temperature well, especially in the first few weeks. Make sure their sleeping area is warm and draught-free, particularly in Australian winters or in air-conditioned homes.

Toilet breaks

Expect to be taking your puppy outside a lot. A good rule of thumb: puppies need a toilet break after every meal, after every nap, after play, and roughly every 1–2 hours otherwise. We’ll cover toilet training in much more detail in Week 6.

The importance of bonding

The early weeks are a critical window for building trust between you and your puppy. You don’t need to do anything fancy — it’s the small, consistent moments that matter most.

• Get down to their level and let them come to you
• Use a calm, gentle voice — puppies are sensitive to tone
• Avoid shouting or punishment in the early days, even for accidents
• Short, positive play sessions are better than long, overwhelming ones
• Handle your puppy gently and regularly — touching their paws, ears, and mouth helps them get used to being examined (very useful for vet visits)

The relationship you build now sets the foundation for everything — training, socialisation, and a happy, confident adult dog.

What to expect emotionally (yes, for you)

Nobody talks about this enough: bringing home a puppy can be genuinely hard, even when it’s also wonderful.

Sleep deprivation, worry about doing everything right, and the sheer relentlessness of caring for a small animal can catch new puppy owners off guard. This is sometimes called the ‘puppy blues’ — and it’s real, and it’s normal.

Give yourself grace. You’re learning too. It gets easier, and it gets better.

A quick first-week checklist

• Home puppy-proofed
• Safe sleeping area set up
• Vet appointment booked
• Food sorted (same as breeder’s for now)
• Fresh water always available
• Pet insurance sorted
• Ready for very little sleep

What’s next?

Once you’ve got those first few days under your belt, it’s time to think about vaccinations — one of the most important things you can do for your puppy’s health. Head to Week 2 of our series to learn everything you need to know about the Australian puppy vaccination schedule.

Protect your pup from day one.

This post is part of our Bringing Home Your New Puppy: What to Expect series.

Jump to any chapter:

• Week 1: First-time pet parent guide (you are here)
• Week 2: Puppy vaccinations
• Week 3: Preparing for training
• Week 4: Puppy sleep troubles
• Week 5: Nutrition and growth
• Week 6: Behavioural challenges
• Week 7: Socialisation checklist