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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“Definitely a great basis for puppy training and we will be attending more classes. Also liked the fact it was a small class.”— Jeff
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“Puppy School has been an all round excellent package from start to finish but the greatest asset to this training was Sally! Sally was calm, clear and responsive to us all so you feel you get the benefit from being in a group of handlers and puppies with all the benefits of that but also individual attention to support you and your puppies specific needs/issues. Banjo is a nervous puppy, Sally was very sensitive to this and managed situations so Banjo benefitted from all the training exercises and interaction in a very positive way. She also gave me lots of support in how to help him outside of class. It was also brilliant to have a booklet and online access at home to watch reminder supporting material videos of the things taught in each session. There were also a range of vouchers and free trial bags of different foods which has proven helpful in determining what works for Banjo. I have had several puppies over the years, and have been to several classes, this has been the best experience yet for both me and my puppy. Thanks especially to Sally! ”— Maria
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“I would, and have already, recommended Puppy School! I messaged Julie before signing up as I had some questions about how the sessions would be run. Julie got back to me quickly and I booked easily online. Julie is very friendly, approachable and has a great deal of knowledge and experience to share. The classes were all very well run and very enjoyable for both pups and owners. The exercises were good and well thought out. ”— Charles
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“Claire, is so knowledgeable, patient and very helpful. Amber and I thoroughly enjoyed the six week course. It has certainly helped Amber to understand simple commands. Even though I have owned dogs before, Claire has taught me a lot too. A big thank you Claire. ”— Thomas
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“Honestly, we loved it. Aside from the obvious benefits in terms of behaviour improvements, we found it really lovely bonding experience with our new family member ❤️”— Mia