Puppy Homecoming Timeline: What to Expect in the First Month & Beyond
Bringing your new Boxer puppy home is one of life's great joys — and a little preparation goes a long way. Here's our day-by-day roadmap for those crucial first weeks, so you can focus on what matters: bonding with your new best friend.
First 24 Hours
Arrival day — keep it calm, keep it simple
- Let them explore on their terms. Keep excitement low, let your puppy approach people rather than being crowded.
- Toilet break #1. Take them outside as soon as you arrive — and after every introduction.
- Crate introduction. Once they've done the rounds, guide them to their crate for their first nap.
- The hourly rule. Set a timer and take them out every hour for a toilet opportunity.
- Stick to familiar food. Feed Royal Canin Puppy kibble at usual times — no changes yet.
- First night reality. Some crying is normal. A comfy bed, soft toy, and chew in the crate will help settle them.
First Week
Building routines & trust
- Continue hourly toilet trips by day; use the crate when you can't supervise.
- Introduce the "busy busy" cue every time they go outside — this becomes your magic word for life.
- Gentle crate training: feed meals in there sometimes, toss in treats. Make it their happy place.
- Socialising starts now — but avoid dog parks and unknown dogs until fully vaccinated. Safe play with known, vaccinated dogs is fine.
- Sleep is normal. Puppies need 18–20 hours a day. If they're snoozing, let them sleep.
- Book puppy preschool — the socialisation window is already open, and it closes fast.
First Month
Growth, vet visits, and big milestones
- C5 vet visit at 10 weeks — book this in now if you haven't already.
- Worming: continue every two weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months.
- Exercise rule: roughly 5 minutes of walking or play per month of age, twice daily. No long runs or high-impact exercise on hard surfaces while joints are still developing.
- Keep socialising! New people, friendly dogs, sounds, environments — all positive experiences count.
- Teething is in full swing. Keep plenty of chew toys and treats on hand (and protect your furniture).
Ongoing Support & Key Steps
We're here for life — nothing is too silly to ask
- Monthly worming until 6 months, then every 3 months after
- Final vaccine booster at 14–16 weeks (vet will advise)
- Pedigree papers from DogsNSW arrive in 4–6 weeks — we'll post them on
- Decide on Knose insurance or switch providers before complimentary 2 months end
- Plan for desexing at 18–24 months — discuss timing with your vet
- Final balance due before or on collection day (we'll send details 5 days ahead)
- We'll need your puppy's forever name for microchip registration
- If you ever need to rehome, please bring them back to us first
A note from us: This timeline is a guide, not a rigid schedule. Every puppy is different, and you'll quickly learn your dog's rhythms. Trust your instincts, call us anytime, and enjoy these precious early weeks — they go faster than you think.
Fairytail Forest Boxers
A small, home-based breeding program raising purebred Boxer dogs with love, intention, and a deep respect for the breed.
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