The first 72 hours with your puppy

Drive straight home without a stop at relatives. Show the puppy the garden or toilet area first, then a single quiet room.

Do without visitors on the first day. Two or three short waking phases with plenty of sleep in between are entirely sufficient.

Place the crate or basket next to your bed. Proximity prevents panic and you notice immediately when the puppy needs to go out.

Expect one or two toilet trips per night in the first nights. Calm, no play, no bright light — then the puppy falls asleep again quickly.

Outside after waking, after eating, after playing and every two hours. Praise right at the spot where the puppy relieves itself.

Accidents indoors are cleaned up without comment — telling the puppy off only teaches it to hide.