The first 30 days with a new puppy determine habits that last a lifetime. Here's the day-by-day guide every Indian pet parent needs.
Days 1-3: Settling in
Let them explore at their pace. Set up a quiet corner with bed, water, and a worn T-shirt (your scent calms them). No visitors for 48 hours. Feed the same food the breeder/shelter was using — switching food during stress causes diarrhoea.
Days 4-7: Routine begins
Feed 3-4 times daily (puppies under 4 months). Set meal times — don't free-feed. Start basic commands (sit, name recognition) in 5-minute sessions. Begin crate training if using one. First vet visit by day 5-7.
Week 2: Vaccinations start
DHPPi first dose at 6-8 weeks. Complete vaccination schedule here. No park visits until 2 weeks after final puppy vaccine. Socialisation happens at home — sounds, surfaces, handling, gentle visitors.
Week 3-4: Training foundations
Potty training takes 2-4 weeks of consistency. Take them out immediately after waking, eating, and playing. Praise success, ignore accidents. Biting is normal — redirect to toys, not punishment. Enroll in a puppy class if available in your city.
The cost of month one
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Vet visit + first vaccine | ₹1,000-2,000 |
| Food (month supply) | ₹1,500-3,000 |
| Bed, bowls, leash, toys | ₹2,000-5,000 |
| Deworming | ₹200-500 |
| Total | ₹4,700-10,500 |
Full cost breakdown in our cost of owning guide.
Leo's first 30 days
Leo destroyed two shoes, peed on the sofa three times, and slept on my face every night. The chaos is normal. It passes. The bond doesn't. — Ranjiesh, Leo's dad.
The one thing to do today
Book the first vet visit. Everything else can be figured out — but the vet visit anchors the first 30 days and gets vaccinations on track.
Your pet deserves better than scattered records
Petrāah keeps everything in one place — vaccination tracker, AI health companion, digital passport, and more. Founding members get it all at ₹3/day, locked for 3 years.
Reserve your founding spot →Sources & further reading
- WSAVA — Puppy socialisation guidelines. wsava.org
- IVRI — Puppy vaccination protocols. www.ivri.nic.in
- AKC — First month puppy care. www.akc.org
- Blue Cross India — Adoption aftercare. www.bluecrossofindia.org
- Merck Vet Manual — Neonatal puppy care. www.merckvetmanual.com