The “ First 48 Hours” Checklist: How to Set Up Your Home for a New Dog.


So you’ve finally done it. You’ve got yourself a dog, think of a child, but very hairy. Whether you’ve picked up a wobbly-legged puppy or an older dog who's side-eyeing your sofa, the first 48 hours set the tone for everything that follows. Get it right, and you’ll have a settled, confident dog in no time. Get it wrong, and you’ll be googling “super strength poo bags”.


Here is a checklist to get you through it.


Before They Arrive


Do this bit while the house is still calm and you still have the mental capacity.


  • Puppy-proof the place- cables tucked away, plants moved (some are toxic, others are just tempting), shoes hidden, bins secured. Assume your new dog is part goat and part detective.
  • Set up a safe zone- a crate, a bed, water and food in one spot they can call their own. Somewhere quiet, not right in the middle of foot traffic; they don’t want to be hearing about your TikTok shopping hauls. A place that's out the road, free from human interaction.
  • Baby Gates- only if needed, especially useful if you’ve got other pets, stairs or a kitchen you’d like to keep dog hair-free for at least a week.
  • Stock Essentials- food, preferably the food that they're already on. This keeps them from any dodgy stomachs and keeps your carpet clean. Poo bags, collar and ID tags, lead, a couple of toys. You don’t need an entire pet aisle; you've got plenty of time to spoil them.


Hour One: Arriving Home


This is not the moment for a party. As much as everyone wants to meet the new arrival, keep it low-key.


  • Let them come into the house calmly - no crowds, no confetti and not your best friend’s auntie. Just them on their own accord.
  • Let them sniff around one room at a time rather than the whole house at once. It’s a lot to take in when everything smells new and slightly suspicious.
  • Take them straight to their toilet spot before anything else. First impressions matter, and so does your carpet.


Day One: What to Expect


  • Start the feeding routine early- same time, same spot, ideally the same food that they’re all ready on ( you can transition slowly later; a dog's stomach does not appreciate sudden change)
  • Introduce to other pets slowly and supervised- nobody wants to recreate the good, the bad and the ugly on day one. Let them get used to each other’s smell before the big meet and greet.
  • A short bit of garden time or a gentle walk- if age and vaccinations allow. Nothing strenuous, allow them to get their bearings and not force them to walk a marathon. I wouldn’t forgive you if I were a dog.
  • Decide where they sleep and stick with it- wherever you choose tonight is likely where you’ll choose for the next decade, so choose wisely.


Night One: What to Expect


Brace yourself, this bit’s honest.


  • Whining or crying is completely normal, especially for puppies away from their littermates for the first time.
  • If you’re crate training, keep it calm and consistent- a blanket that smells like their mother helps more than you think.
  • Try to resist the 2 am guilt cuddle. It feels kind in the moment, but you’re basically signing a contract for overnight afterwards.


Day Two: Building Structure


  • Start locking in a simple daily rhythm: feed, toilet, play, repeat. Dogs love routine roughly as much as they love food, which is to say, a great deal.
  • Book that first vet check if you haven’t already. Better to start the relationship early.
  • Begin basic house rules now rather than later. Whatever you allow on day two, you’re allowing forever. Choose your battles.


The Wobbly Bit Doesn’t Last


Here’s the thing nobody tells you enough: the chaos of the first 48 hours is not a preview of what life with your dog will be like. It’s just the settling-in fee. Give it a couple of weeks and that nervous, cute creature will be a dog who knows exactly where the biscuits are hidden. That adjustment period passes quickly. Which is exactly why it’s worth capturing the awkward ears, the too-big paws, the “ I have no idea what’s happening but love it here” expression. It doesn’t stick around. If you’d like a handful of natural, beautifully shit photos of your dog once they’ve found their feet at home, I’d love to help you capture it.


Get in touch and let’s plan a session.