Bringing Home a New Puppy Guide, Checklist, First Night & First Week

Welcome home, little paws! Our Posh Poos puppyguide walks you through the essentials—from setting up a beautiful, calming den to nailing that first night and settling into a routine. It’s written for small/toy breeds and new puppy owners who love stylish, practical kit that actually works.

Quick Links to Essentials (Posh Poos)

• New Puppy Collection (all essentials in one place)
• Harness, Collar, Lead & Poo Bag Set (XS)
• Puppy Toys Collection
• Puppy Poos Probiotics

The Complete New Puppy Checklist

Crate & Bedding (your calming den)

• 24" or 30" crate (size depends on breed/expected adult size)
• Crate mattress (fits snugly; supportive, easy-clean)
• Crate cover with roll-down doors to manage light and create a secure bedtime routine
• Luxury blanket for added warmth and scent transfer.

Crate Sizing Quick Guide

 •24" Crate (Toy breeds): Ideal for Toy Maltipoo, Toy Cavapoo/Cavapoochon, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Maltese, and Toy Poodle. Usually suitable right through to adulthood.

•30" Crate (Miniature breeds): Best for Mini Cavapoo/Cavapoochon, Cockapoo, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Boston Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Gives growing pups comfortable room to stand, turn, and stretch.

Walking & Identification

•Puppy Carrier, to get out and about before the second vaccine

•Warm Puppy Coat for outdoors for Toy breeds is essential in colder months

•XS harness set (harness + lead + collar + poo bag holder)

•ID tag (UK law: surname + postcode + phone number)

•Poo bags

SHOP THE WHOLE RANGE OF PUPPY ACCESSORIES

Eating & Drinking

•Puppy food (small-breed kibble; consistent with breeder’s diet to avoid tummy upsets)

•Probiotics support gut health, digestion, immunity; may reduce tear staining in small breeds)

•Treats (soft, high-value, tiny pieces for training)

•Slow-feed or shallow bowls for small muzzles

SHOP SUPERFOOD SMALL BREED FOOD AND TREATS

Training & Enrichment

• Treat pouch
• Clicker (optional)
• Chews & puzzle toys (rotate to prevent boredom)
• Puppy pads (as a stepping-stone; aim for outdoor toilet training from day 1)

Grooming & Care

• Soft wire brush & comb
• Puppy-safe shampoo & microfibre towels
• Pet-safe wipes (faces, paws)
• Nail file/clipper (or plan for groomer)
• Toothbrush & enzymatic paste (start early, go slow) 

Why the Crate Is ESSENTIAL kit (and how to make it beautiful)

Benefits:

• Faster house-training (clear “bed vs toilet” distinction)
• Easier bedtime routine (lights-down = sleep cue)
• Safer downtime when you can’t supervise
• Travel-friendly familiar space for stress-free visits to family, hotels etc..

What You Need To Create This Cosy Den:

Crate:  Crate training a new puppy is one of the most important steps in establishing good behaviour, confidence and a calming bedtime routine. The Cozy Silver Dog Crate offers a secure, den-like environment — exactly what puppies need to learn they have a safe, restful space of their own. Our Crates are a little higher than the generic crates on the market, ensuring that the crate you buy for your puppy will take them right through to adult hood.

SHOP OUR 24, 30 & 36 INCH CRATES 

Crate Cover:

Why a Crate Cover is a Game-Changer ? A crate cover transforms crate training!  Puppies instinctively seek a den-like space to feel safe and relaxed — covering the crate creates that calm sanctuary. With roll-up and roll-down panels, you set a clear bedtime routine at night and a cozy nap nook by day. This helps puppies settle faster, learn quicker, and feel secure.

Our Heritage Stripe Crate Covers available in Grey, Taupe, and Duck Egg ticking stripe turn an unsightly wire crate into a stylish feature that complements your home while giving your puppy the den they crave. 

Crate Mattress:

Complete your puppy’s den with a coordinating crate mattress, designed to fit perfectly inside the crate for maximum comfort. Supportive yet soft, it creates a snug base that encourages your puppy to relax and rest in their new safe space.

Practical as well as stylish, each mattress is machine washable — making clean-up simple in case of accidents or muddy paws. Paired with your crate cover, it transforms the crate into a cozy retreat that’s both functional and beautiful in your home.  Available in our Heritage Stripe fabrics to coordinate seamlessly with your cover, the mattress is the finishing touch that makes your crate setup complete.

SHOP THE WHOLE CRATE BEDDING COLLECTION HERE

First Night: The Calm Start Plan

Calm is key here! Trying to keep excitement to a minimum is difficult with children, they just want to play with there long awaited pup, but ensuring the puppy gets enough quiet time and rest is important, puppies sleep a LOT, and even after 20-30 minutes of play, will often need a little nap or rest.

1. Arrival hour: Choose afternoon, so pup can explore, eat early dinner, and toilet before bed.
2. Scent bedding: Place breeder-scented cloth under the blanket for comfort.
3. Wind-down: Lights low, brief cuddle, last toilet break, then into the crate. Roll cover doors ¾ down.
4. Night wakings: Keep it boring: out for a quick toilet, no play, back to bed.
5. Morning: Consistent wake time. Straight to toilet, then calm praise and breakfast.

It is important to remember that consistency is key, just like with a toddler. Do NOT feed treats after dinner, this is important for house training. Any food should be removed after dinner time, so no grazing, this helps with toilet training.

Puppy Appetite In First Days Home:  Many pups can experience a decreased appetite when arriving at their new homes due to feeling overwhelmed and a little nervous, this is normal as long as the puppy is happy and playful, it should pass in a few days when the puppy feels more settled.  A little cooked chicken or high quality wet food should wet their appetite again. The puppy should still be drinking water, this is important. If your puppy appears extremely fatigued or not playful then you should contact your breeder immediately and seek advice. 

Runny Tummy:  Many puppies will get a case of loose bowls or runny tummy, again, this used by the anxiety of leaving their home, mother and litter and should pass in a few days. A temporary diet of cooked chicken and rice can help settle a puppies stomach.

Itchy Skin, Excessive Licking Or Bum Scooting?: Some pups can have a sensitivity to certain ingredients in foods or shampoos. Puppy Probiotics are a game changer when it comes to puppy digestion, and help balance the gut, eliminating food aversions and reactions, skin allergies, loose stools and help with digestive issues. Puppy Poos Probiotics was created with small breed pups in mind, simply added to food or dissolved in water, it helps balance your puppies gut flora, alleviate allergies and help with normal digestive function. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PUPPY PROBIOTICS BENEFITS

The First Week: Your Rhythm

Day 1–2: Set the micro-routine

• Toilet on wake, after food, after naps, after play, before bed
• We suggest starting outdoor toilet from day 1, start the way you mean to go on.
• Short, frequent naps in the covered crate to normalise calm rest
• Name recognition + recall indoors with tiny treats

Day 3–5: Gentle confidence building

• Alone-time reps: 2–5 mins in crate while you potter nearby
• Introduce 1–2 visitors only; keep interactions short and positive
• Start handling (ears, paws, mouth) with a treat-per-touch pattern

Day 6–7: Expand the world

• Car carrier practice: 3–5 minute drives, destination = fun (garden sniffaries count)
• Short lead habituation indoors with the XS harness set
• Low-distraction recall in the garden; reward with soft treats

House-Training: Fast-Track Method

• Schedule: Out on a timer + after every trigger (wake, eat, play, excitement)
• Outdoors: Always outdoors from day 1.
• Spot: Guide to the same outdoor area; calm wait; quiet “toilet” cue
• Patience: Putting in just a couple of days of time will have your pup trained fast.
• Reward: The instant they finish—quiet praise + treat
• Accidents: Clean with enzyme spray; no scolding (it teaches hiding, not learning)

Socialisation (the right way)

• Quality over quantity: 1–2 new experiences/day (sounds, textures, people with hats, umbrellas)
• Control distance: Keep below the “startle” threshold—curious is good, fearful is not.
  

Nutrition for Small Breeds

• Choose a small-breed-appropriate food (kibble size, balanced macros for growth).
• Introduce Puppy Poos Probiotics to support digestion, immunity, and potentially reduce tear staining in small breeds.
• Keep meals consistent; any change should be gradual over 5–7 days, using the food that the puppy has been weaned onto supplied by the breeder (breeder should always send a puppy home with a supply of there regular food). 
• Keep treats to a minimum, only high quality treats with no artificial colours or preservatives, or small pieces of cooked chicken.

Helpful links:

• Puppy Poos Probiotics
• Posh Poos Superfood & Treats for small breeds
• New Puppy Collection (food, bowls, treats, more)

First Outings

•A cosy puppy carrier is a great option for puppy parents that want to take there tiny pup out, there tiny paws don't need to touch the ground and they get to start there socialisation right away. Cafes and shops won't always allow pups on a lead but will always allow a gorgeous pup in a bag.

•Keep pup off of high traffic areas before the second vaccine.  Carrying your puppy is the safest option when they are tiny and not fully vaccinated, a bag will keep them feeling safe and secure. 

•Keep a puppy pad in your bag in case of toilet breaks, it provides clean area for your pup to use if caught short.

SHOP OUR PUPPY CARRIER BAGS, COATS, HARNESS AND ACCESSORIES

Harness, Collar & Lead

A well-fitting harness is one of the most important pieces of kit for first outings. Our Posh Poos Harness, Collar, Lead & Poo Bag Set is designed for toy and small breeds so early walks are safe, stylish, and stress-free.

Gentle control: Harness distributes pressure across the chest (kinder than a collar on delicate puppy necks).

Adjustable fit: Multiple adjustment points to grow with your pup and keep the fit secure.

Complete set: Matching lead, collar, and poo bag holder—everything you need from day one.

XS available: Ideal for Toy Maltipoos, Cavapoos/Cavapoochons, Pomeranians, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Toy Poodles.

Tip: Start with short indoor lead sessions, then practise calm “front-door sits” before stepping outside. Consistent sizing checks each week keep the harness comfy as your puppy grows.

Shop the Posh Poos Harness Set →

Grooming from Day One

• Brush 2–3 mins after calm time; treat each acceptance (ear, paw, teeth).
• Book groomer intro visit (gentle tidy) once vaccines allow, to normalise the salon environment.

Health & Vet Timeline (UK)

• Register with a vet in week one.
• Vaccinations & flea/worming per vet schedule (follow breeder’s plan to avoid overlap).
• Insurance: set up asap; small breeds can be mischievous and vet bills add up quickly.

Troubleshooting

• Crying at night: Re-set with a strict wind-down; cover mostly down; white-noise helps.
• Mouthiness: Offer a chew before play; swap hands for toys; end play if teeth touch skin.
• Separation: Practise micro-absences daily; return when pup is calm, not crying.

At-a-Glance Mini Checklist

• Crate (24"/30") + mattress + cover + blanket
• XS harness set + ID tag + lead + poo bags
• Small-breed puppy food + measuring scoop + probiotics
• Treats + toys + chews + enrichment
• Grooming kit (brush, wipes, shampoo)
  
• Carrier/car restraint + first-aid basics

Handy Product Links (Recap)

• All Essentials: New Puppy Collection
• Harness, Collar, Lead & Poo Bag Set (XS)
• Puppy Toys Collection
• Puppy Poos Probiotics