Bringing home a Havanese puppy is exciting, and the first week sets the tone for everything that follows. Here’s a day-by-day guide to help your puppy settle in.
Before you bring your puppy home
Set up a crate and a small puppy-safe area. Have food, training treats, bowls, a collar or harness, a leash, grooming tools, a few chew toys and a dog bed ready. Our Puppy Shopping List and Puppy Checklist cover everything. Book a vet appointment for the first few days, too.
Day 1: Going home
Keep the day calm. Your puppy has just left their mother, littermates and everything familiar. We send each puppy home with a blanket that smells of their family, and it really helps. Put it in the crate.
Let your puppy explore one small area, not the whole house. Take them outside to the same potty spot often, especially after eating, drinking, playing and waking up. Expect the first night to be a little unsettled. Keeping the crate beside your bed helps a lot for the first few nights.
Day 2: Routine
Start the routine you’ll keep: the same times for meals, potty breaks, play and naps. Puppies need to sleep a great deal, so let them. Keep visitors to a minimum for the first few days.
Day 3: The vet check
Take your puppy to your veterinarian within 72 hours of going home. This is part of our health guarantee, and it’s a chance to set up a vaccination schedule with your vet. Bring the health records we give you.
Day 4: Grooming and handling
Start short, gentle grooming sessions now: a minute or two of brushing, looking in ears, touching paws. Reward with treats. A puppy who learns that handling is pleasant will be much easier to groom for the rest of their life.
Day 5: Time alone
Even if someone is home all day, practise leaving your puppy in the crate for short periods, building to thirty minutes or more. Havanese love their people, and learning to be alone calmly helps prevent separation anxiety later.
Day 6: Gentle socialization
Introduce new sounds, surfaces and calm people a little at a time. Until your vet says your puppy is fully vaccinated, avoid dog parks and areas where unknown dogs go. Carrying your puppy on short outings is a good way to let them see the world safely.
Day 7: Training basics
Start short, upbeat training sessions: name, sit and coming when called. Use treats and praise and always end your training session on a high note. Havanese are clever and eager to please, and they learn quickly with positive reinforcement. Consider signing up for puppy classes.
Keep in touch
Questions in the first week are completely normal, and we’re always happy to help. Our Taking Your Puppy Home page has more detail on sleeping, house training, grooming and more. We also love updates, so please send photos!