What to Expect in Your Puppy’s First Year

Before deciding to rehome any animal, it’s important to be aware of your responsibilities. Our handy guide to your puppy’s first year makes it easy to know what to expect.

Most puppies are rehomed when they are between 7 and 12 weeks old. This is a key stage in their development, as they’re the equivalent of a human baby. When you first bring your puppy home, they may not want to be left alone. You can ease the transition by buying a large stuffed animal to keep them company, and by keeping their crate or kennel in your bedroom at night. You can also get them a comfortable dog bed for sleeping in. During this initial transition period, you’ll want to focus on ensuring your puppy is house trained, socialising them and establishing some basic house rules. Our new puppy checklist will give you a full list of what to buy and prepare to welcome your new puppy home.

You can also read our guide on how to take care of a puppy for more tips and advice.

Congratulations, your canine friend is now the equivalent of a toddler. As your puppy enters this stage, much like a human child, they’re likely to become more curious and independent. While this means they may not mind being left alone as much, they’re also likely to start testing boundaries. It’s important to discourage bad behaviour, such as chewing and biting. This is also the stage at which you’ll want to make sure you get your puppy spayed or neutered, so don’t forget that all-important call to the vet.

At this stage, your puppy is likely to start looking more like a dog. By the time your puppy is 9 months old, they may reach between 80 and 100% of their adult size and weight. Despite their physical appearance, though, mentally they’re still very much a puppy. It’s is a good stage to start lead training. Try taking your puppy on short walks around the neighbourhood, keeping an eye on how they act around other people and animals. If you’re finding training challenging, consider signing up for some puppy training classes.

You’re nearly at the end of your puppy’s first year! Once your puppy reaches this age, they can go for longer walks. They can even enjoy some off-lead time in safe environments. As your dog’s world expands and they spend more time out of the house, you can start teaching them new commands. You might feel ready to begin integrating commands like “sit”, “stay” and “come” into your daily vocabulary. It’s worth practising training at home or in a calm environment. It’s also a good idea to reward positive behaviour from your pup with treats or affection, showing they’ve done well. Some dogs may misbehave during this period. However, as long as you continue to offer them firm discipline and plenty of love and affection, your reward will be a loyal companion.

Owning a dog is a lifelong commitment. To help you with planning for your new pup, we’ve put together a guide on the cost of owning a dog.

You know what to expect from your puppy’s first year. All that’s left is to prepare your home for their arrival. Check out our huge selection of pet equipment and accessories – we’ve got everything from crates and kennels to chew toys.

If you’re considering rehoming a puppy or dog online, take a look at our safe buying guide for useful tips and advice.