Bringing Home a New Puppy in Crawley: First Weeks Advice

Quick Answer: The first few weeks with a new puppy should focus on settling them in gently, starting toilet training and routines, feeding a suitable diet, arranging a veterinary check, beginning vaccinations and parasite prevention, and supporting safe socialisation. At Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery, we recommend an early puppy health check to help your puppy get the best start.

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it can also feel like a lot to manage at once. The early days are all about helping your puppy feel safe, building good habits, and making sure their healthcare starts on the right footing. At Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery, we regularly help new puppy owners across Horsham and West Sussex with practical first-weeks advice, from feeding and behaviour to vaccinations and preventive care.

Even if you are collecting your puppy in Crawley, many local pet owners in Horsham, Southwater, Broadbridge Heath, Billingshurst, Cowfold, Warnham, Mannings Heath, Pulborough and West Grinstead choose our local veterinary team for ongoing support. If you have not yet joined us, you can register your pet with Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery before your puppy comes home.

What should you do in the first few days with a new puppy?

The first few days should be calm, consistent and predictable. Puppies are adjusting to a completely new environment, so simple routines make a big difference.

• Prepare a quiet sleeping area away from household noise
• Stick to the food your breeder or rehoming centre has been using at first
• Offer regular toilet breaks, especially after meals, naps and play
• Keep introductions to people and other pets gentle and supervised
• Start using the same cues and routines from day one

Our veterinary team often advises owners not to overwhelm puppies with too many visitors or outings in the first couple of days. Rest is important. A puppy that seems bitey, noisy or unsettled is often simply overtired.

Book your puppy’s first vet check early

One of the most helpful things you can do in the first week is arrange a veterinary appointment. A puppy check gives us the chance to assess your puppy’s general health, discuss vaccinations, parasite control, feeding, behaviour and microchipping, and answer any early questions you may have.

You can arrange one of our Free Puppy & Kitten Health Checks or book an appointment online if you would like your puppy seen soon after coming home.

At Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery we regularly help owners who are unsure whether their puppy is settling normally or whether something needs checking. In many cases, a simple examination and friendly advice can provide real reassurance.

Feeding your new puppy

Puppies need a complete, good-quality puppy diet matched to their age and expected size. Sudden food changes can upset the stomach, so it is usually best to continue the current diet to begin with, then change gradually over several days if needed.

Helpful feeding tips

• Feed measured meals rather than leaving food down all day
• Use the feeding guide as a starting point, then adjust with veterinary advice if needed
• Keep fresh water available at all times
• Avoid giving lots of rich treats in the first week
• Never feed foods known to be toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions or xylitol sweetener

If your puppy has vomiting, ongoing diarrhoea, a poor appetite, or seems unusually quiet, it is worth speaking to a vet. You can also explore our wider health checks and clinics if you would like continued support as your puppy grows.

Toilet training and early routines

Toilet training takes time, patience and consistency. Very young puppies cannot “hold on” for long, especially after sleeping, eating or getting excited.

1. Take your puppy out frequently to the same toilet area
2. Praise calmly when they get it right
3. Supervise closely indoors
4. Clean accidents thoroughly without punishment
5. Keep a regular daily routine for meals, naps and toilet trips

Many local pet owners ask us whether accidents mean their puppy is not learning. In our experience supporting pets across Horsham and West Sussex, accidents are a normal part of the process. Consistency matters more than speed.

Vaccinations, flea treatment and worming

Your puppy’s preventive healthcare should begin early. This usually includes vaccinations, flea control, worming and advice on when it is safe to start exploring more widely outdoors.

We commonly see confusion around what puppies can and cannot do before their vaccine course is complete. Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps owners plan safe socialisation while reducing unnecessary risk. Our preventative healthcare services cover the routine care puppies need as they grow.

For owners looking for a practical way to spread routine care, our VIP Health Plan can also be a helpful option for ongoing preventive support.

Socialisation: building confidence safely

Socialisation means gently introducing your puppy to new sights, sounds, people, handling and experiences in a positive way. The aim is not to do everything at once. It is to help your puppy feel secure and confident.

Good early socialisation ideas

• Hearing everyday household sounds at a low level
• Meeting calm, friendly people of different ages
• Short car journeys
• Gentle handling of paws, ears and mouth
• Seeing the outside world from your arms or a clean, safe space before vaccinations are complete

Our veterinary team often advises owners to focus on positive exposure rather than intensity. One calm new experience is more useful than several stressful ones.

Sleep, play and puppy behaviour

Puppies need a surprising amount of sleep. Overtired puppies may nip more, zoom around, cry or struggle to settle. Short play sessions, chew toys, quiet rest breaks and predictable routines all help.

Common early behaviours include:

• Mouthing and nipping
• Chewing
• Whining at night
• Short bursts of high energy
• Wanting to stay close to people

This is usually part of normal development. However, if your puppy seems persistently lethargic, distressed, painful, or is not eating, it is sensible to seek advice. If you are ever worried, you can contact our veterinary team for guidance.

What We Commonly See at Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery

At Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery, we regularly help new puppy owners with a similar set of early concerns.

• “My puppy cries at night, is that normal?” Mild crying can be common while settling in, especially during the first few nights.
• “They have had one vaccine, can they go anywhere?” Owners are often unsure about safe socialisation before the full vaccination course is complete.
• “They are biting a lot, is that aggression?” In young puppies, biting is much more often linked to play, teething, excitement or tiredness.
• “Their stools are a bit loose since coming home.” Mild stomach upset can happen with stress, routine changes or food changes, but persistent signs should be checked.
• “Should I change their food straight away?” We usually advise avoiding sudden changes unless there is a clear reason.

We also commonly see misconceptions about exercise. More is not always better for a young puppy. Too much activity, too soon, can be overwhelming. In our experience supporting local pet owners across Horsham and West Sussex, a balanced routine of rest, short play, training and appropriate exercise tends to work best.

Practical advice for the first few weeks

• Puppy-proof your home by moving wires, shoes, cleaning products and small objects out of reach
• Use a secure collar or harness with identification once appropriate
• Start reward-based training early with simple cues and calm praise
• Weigh your puppy regularly so growth can be monitored
• Keep children’s interactions gentle and supervised
• Ask for advice early if you are struggling rather than waiting for problems to become habits

If your puppy needs more than routine first-opinion care as they grow, Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery also offers advanced surgery and medicine services as part of our wider clinical support.

Many owners also like to review practical costs in advance, so our veterinary prices page may be useful when planning your puppy’s healthcare.

When To Contact A Vet

Please contact a vet if your puppy:

• Is not eating or drinking
• Has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
• Seems very quiet, weak or difficult to wake
• Has a swollen tummy or signs of pain
• Is coughing a lot or struggling with breathing
• Has discharge from the eyes or nose with other signs of illness
• May have eaten something harmful

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has eaten something toxic, or is in severe pain, contact a vet immediately. If you need urgent support, please use our 24-hour emergency vetcare information.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a puppy have their first vet check?

Ideally within the first few days of coming home. Early checks help confirm your puppy is well and allow us to discuss vaccinations, feeding, worming and general care.

Can I take my puppy outside before vaccinations are complete?

This depends on your puppy’s vaccine status and the setting. Safe socialisation can still begin early, but it is best to discuss your puppy’s individual situation with a vet.

How often should I feed my puppy?

This varies with age and breed size, but puppies usually need several small meals a day. We can advise on a suitable feeding routine at your puppy check.

Is it normal for a puppy to bite?

Yes, mouthing and nipping are common puppy behaviours. Gentle guidance, appropriate chew toys, rest and consistent training usually help.

What happens at a puppy health check?

We examine your puppy from nose to tail, discuss growth, vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, feeding and behaviour, and answer any questions you may have. You can start by arranging one of our puppy health checks.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general guidance only. If your pet is unwell, showing concerning symptoms, or you are unsure what to do, please contact your vet for professional advice.

Need support with your new puppy?

If you are bringing home a puppy in Crawley and want ongoing support from a trusted local veterinary team serving Horsham and West Sussex, we would be pleased to help. You can book an appointment online, register your pet with Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery, or contact us to speak to our team about arranging a health check.

You can also visit the Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery homepage to explore our services and support for local pet owners across Horsham and West Sussex.