Your 8 week old puppy
The first week with a new puppy will be exciting – and exhausting. If you’re a first time dog owner, then this will be as new to you as it is your puppy. Here’s what to expect with your 8-week-old puppy
Things to do this week:
First vaccinations
Your puppy will need to have their first round of injections to protect them from nasty diseases – if your puppy hasn’t already had their injections, this will need to be done when you take your puppy to their first appointment with the vet. This should be done within the first week of getting your puppy.
Toilet training
Start toilet training your puppy straight away – be prepared for accidents. Your 8 week puppy has a tiny bladder and will need to pee lots! This can be every few minutes when they are active and as soon as they wake up from a sleep. Keep a close eye on your puppy and you’ll soon learn to spot the signs that they need to go to the toilet.
Get some tips: We asked our community of dog owners who have been through the puppy toilet training experience to share their toilet training tips.
Crate training
If you are going to be using a crate for your puppy, start getting them used to it straight away so it soon becomes their safe go-to place for a relaxing rest.
Common questions you may ask this week:
My 8 week old puppy is crying at night
Your puppy has been used to living with their mum, brothers and sisters until now. They will need lots of love and reassurance while they get used to their new home.
How much should an 8 week old puppy sleep?
Just like babies, young puppies need lots of sleep, but won’t yet sleep through the night. Be prepared for sleepless nights in the first few weeks. There are things you can do to help your puppy to sleep.
My 8 week old puppy has diarrhoea
For an 8 week old puppy diarrhoea can be unpleasant. This may be due to the stress of moving to a new home or a change in diet. It’s best to stick to the food that your puppy has been used to and make changes gradually. If your puppy has very bad diarrhoea or you see signs of blood, this could be a sign of something more serious and you should take them to the vet.
Can you take an 8 week old puppy outside?
When a puppy can go outside will depend on whether you have a garden. Your puppy will need to be fully vaccinated before they can go out for a walk beyond the garden. However, if you would like to take them beyond the garden before they are fully vaccinated, you should carry them or use a pet carrier.
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Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“Alice was absolutely lovely and helped us with some issues that weren't covered in the syllabus, she was so knowledgeable about everything puppy behaviours and she taught the class well. The venue was great, there was plenty of space for each puppy and for exercises without it being too big and scary. Nelly loved attending puppy school and we learnt so much about dog training and behaviour.”— Mandy
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“Great class, enjoyed the group setting, good venue and friendly knowledgeable trainer. Taught puppy and owner loads, really enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone getting a puppy!”— Richard
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“Frankie is a natural puppy instructor with bags of energy and knowledge. The course was very informative and very enjoyable. Both Sassy and I have learned a great deal. I feel confident moving on with Sassy's training and look forward to future courses. Course was perfect and a huge thank you to Frankie, see you at the next course.”— Jenny
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“It was a small class of 4 puppies which was perfect. Caroline was always in control but the class was relaxed and most of all the puppies had fun. I enjoyed every week and the manual reflected the practice each week so we could practice at home. I genuinely felt sad when it came to an end after 6 weeks. I will absolutely recommend this class.”— Mark
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“We loved the training sessions ! Boyce loved seeing his puppy friends and the training really helped give us a bit of confidence with lots of support offered. ”— Terry