Preparing Before Your Puppy Arrives
The days before your puppy comes home are some of the most important. A little preparation goes a long way towards making the transition smooth and stress-free for both of you. Think of your home through the eyes of a curious, fearless, jaw-equipped small animal — and puppy-proof accordingly.
Remove trailing cables, secure cupboards containing cleaning products, move houseplants (many are toxic to dogs), and block off any areas that could trap or injure a young pup. Stairs, balconies, and gaps behind large appliances are particular hazards. Set up a designated puppy area before they arrive — a gated corner of a room or a crate with comfortable bedding gives them a safe base to retreat to when the world feels overwhelming.
Setting Up a Safe and Comfortable Space
Puppies need a space that is theirs alone — somewhere warm, draught-free, and away from heavy foot traffic. A crate can be an excellent tool when introduced positively; it mirrors the den instinct and gives your puppy a sense of security. Never use the crate as punishment. Line it with soft bedding and, in the early days, a warm (not hot) covered water bottle can help replicate the warmth of littermates.
Place the crate or bed in a room where the family spends time during the day, so the puppy feels included rather than isolated. At night, having the crate in or near your bedroom for the first few weeks can significantly reduce anxiety and help build trust.
The First Night: Separation Anxiety and Crate Training
The first night away from their mother and littermates is challenging for most puppies. Some will settle quickly; others will whimper for hours. This is entirely normal. Avoid the temptation to immediately let the puppy into your bed if you do not intend this to be a permanent arrangement — consistency from day one prevents a great deal of confusion later.
A piece of clothing with your scent placed in the crate, a ticking clock wrapped in a blanket, or a purpose-made anxiety aid can all help. Keep night-time toilet trips calm and quiet — take the puppy outside, wait for them to go, and return them to the crate with minimal fuss. Reward outdoor toileting every single time, even in the middle of the night.
Feeding Your Puppy: Schedule and EU Regulations
Young puppies need to eat frequently — three to four times a day up to around four months of age, then twice daily thereafter. Always use food that is specifically formulated for puppies, as their nutritional needs differ significantly from adult dogs. In the EU, pet food labelling is governed by Regulation (EC) No 767/2009, which requires manufacturers to list ingredients by weight and provide clear nutritional information. Look for foods where a named meat source features as the first ingredient.
Ask the rescue or breeder what food the puppy has been eating and continue with the same food for at least the first week, transitioning gradually to your chosen food over seven to ten days to avoid digestive upset. Fresh, clean water must be available at all times — puppies dehydrate quickly.
Zooplus stocks a wide range of high-quality puppy foods from brands trusted by European vets and breeders, with the convenience of home delivery across the EU.
The Socialisation Window: Three to Twelve Weeks
The single most important developmental period for a puppy is the socialisation window, which runs roughly from three to twelve weeks of age. Positive exposure to a wide variety of people, sounds, surfaces, animals, and environments during this period has a lasting impact on temperament and behaviour.
If your puppy is not yet fully vaccinated, socialisation should still continue — carefully. Carry them in public places, invite vaccinated, healthy dogs to visit at home, and expose them to different sounds and surfaces indoors. The risk of missing this window is greater than the risk of careful, managed exposure before vaccination is complete. Puppy classes run by qualified trainers are an excellent resource once the initial vaccine course is underway.
First Vet Visit: Timing and What to Expect
Aim to visit your vet within the first two or three days of bringing your puppy home, even if they have already been seen by the breeder's or rescue's vet. Your vet will:
- Carry out a full physical examination, including heart, eyes, ears, joints, and umbilical area
- Scan the microchip if already implanted, or arrange microchipping if not yet done (required in many EU countries before or at adoption)
- Review any existing vaccination records
- Start or continue the puppy vaccination course
- Discuss parasite prevention in line with ESCCAP European guidelines
- Advise on nutrition, neutering, and dental care
Vaccination Schedule in the EU
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) vaccination guidelines are widely followed across EU veterinary practice. Core vaccines for puppies include:
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Canine adenovirus (CAV)
- Canine parvovirus (CPV)
These are typically given as a combined vaccine, starting at six to eight weeks and repeated every two to four weeks until the puppy is at least sixteen weeks old. Leptospirosis vaccination is strongly recommended across Europe, particularly in areas with wildlife or standing water. Rabies vaccination is required in some EU countries and for any cross-border travel. Your vet will create a schedule appropriate for your location and lifestyle.
Starting Toilet Training
Consistency is the cornerstone of toilet training. Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after every meal, after every sleep, after play, and last thing at night. Watch for pre-toileting signals — sniffing, circling, squatting — and intervene promptly. Reward outdoor toileting immediately and enthusiastically. Accidents indoors should be cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the scent and reduce the chance of repeat offences in the same spot. Never punish accidents — puppies have limited bladder control and punishment only creates anxiety.
What Not to Do in the First Week
- Do not overwhelm your puppy with too many visitors at once
- Do not let unsupervised children handle the puppy roughly
- Do not use physical punishment of any kind
- Do not allow full access to the whole house immediately — build up gradually
- Do not skip vet visits even if the puppy seems healthy
The first week is about building trust and establishing routines. With the right supplies from Zooplus — crates, puppy pads, food, toys, and collar — and a little patience, you are laying the foundation for a wonderful, long relationship with your dog.