5 Ways New Puppy Parents Sabotage Their First Week at Home (And How to Avoid Them)
5 Ways New Puppy Parents Sabotage Their First Week at Home (And How to Avoid Them)
Bringing home a new puppy should be magical… but the first week can also shape your dog’s entire future. Many new puppy parents unintentionally make mistakes that create anxiety, potty-training setbacks, and long-term behavior issues.
The good news? With a little guidance, you can avoid these common pitfalls and start your puppy off with confidence, structure, and calm.
Here are the top five ways new families sabotage their puppy’s first week—without realizing it.
1. Letting the Puppy Roam the House Too Soon
A tiny puppy wandering through your whole home may look adorable, but it sets the stage for chaos.
Why it derails training:
Overwhelm (too much space = insecurity)
Accidents in hidden corners
Chewing or eating unsafe items
No understanding of boundaries
What to do instead:
Start Day One with a small, controlled area—an exercise pen, a gated room, or a puppy-proofed zone. Freedom should be earned gradually as your puppy shows progress with potty training and manners.
2. Switching Their Food During the First Month
Many families rush to swap foods because they want “the best” for their new puppy. But immediate diet changes are one of the fastest ways to create stress.
Problems caused by sudden food changes:
Diarrhea or soft stool
Nighttime whining
Loss of appetite
GI upset that can last for days
At the same time your puppy is adjusting to a new home, new people, and a new routine, their stomach should not be adjusting to new food.
What to do instead:
Keep your puppy on the breeder’s diet for 30 days.
If you choose to transition later, do it slowly over 7–10 days, increasing the amount of new food gradually.
3. Waiting Until They’re Fully Vaccinated Before Going Out
This is one of the most damaging myths in puppy raising. Many owners believe they must stay inside until the puppy’s vaccine series is finished — often 16 to 20 weeks old.
Why this hurts your puppy:
The socialization window (8–16 weeks) is when your puppy forms lifelong opinions about the world. Missing this window often results in:
Fearful behavior
Difficulty accepting new dogs, people, surfaces, and noises
Increased reactivity later
What to do instead:
Engage in safe, controlled socialization:
Carry your puppy into stores
Walk through parking lots
Visit friends’ homes with healthy dogs
Experience new sounds, textures, and environments
Take car rides, go to outdoor cafés, etc.
Avoid dog parks, public dog areas, and pet store floors until fully vaccinated.
4. Allowing Puppies to Invade Your Personal Space
It feels loving and innocent when your puppy climbs all over you… until it becomes jumping, pawing, demanding attention, or ignoring boundaries.
Why this becomes a long-term issue:
Puppies don’t automatically understand personal space. What feels cute at 9 weeks old becomes overwhelming at 9 months old.
What to do instead:
Teach intentional boundaries from the start:
Reward calm behavior
Invite them onto your lap — don’t let them claim the space
Redirect pawing or nipping
Use a “place” or “settle” mat to show where they can relax
A respectful puppy becomes a confident, well-mannered adult.
5. Using Puppy Pads Indoors
Puppy pads may seem convenient… but they create long-term confusion around potty training.
Why puppy pads sabotage success:
They teach that it’s okay to potty inside
Puppies develop a “soft-surface preference” for rugs or blankets
The transition from pad to outdoor pottying becomes harder
Potty training often takes twice as long
What to do instead:
Take your puppy outside from the very beginning.
If you must use an indoor option (apartment living, harsh winters), use a real grass pad or turf box, not disposable pads.
Final Thoughts
Your first week with your puppy sets the foundation for everything—confidence, training, bonding, and behavior. With clear structure, consistent routines, and intentional boundaries, your new family member will thrive.
Written by Lisa Jenkins, Australian Labradoodle breeder with over 16 years of experience.