Puppies · 11 April 2026 · Sadie Okonjo
Your puppy's first week: what actually matters
Puppies need between 18 and 20 hours of sleep a day. Most 'behaviour problems' in week one are simply an overtired baby animal.
Take them outside after every sleep, every meal and every play session. Reward outdoors, ignore accidents indoors, and don't bother with puppy pads if you have a garden.
Handle paws, ears and mouths daily from day one. Your vet and your groomer will thank you for years.
Socialisation is about quality, not volume. One calm, gentle adult dog is worth twenty chaotic puppy parties.