What Should You Expect in Your Vizsla Puppy’s First Week?

Pick-up day is one of my favorite parts of breeding Vizslas. Watching a family meet their puppy never gets old. The first week at home sets the tone for everything that follows, so here’s the plan I share with our families before they drive out to Ganado.

What should you buy before pick-up day?

Have the basics ready so you can focus on your puppy, not the store:

• A crate sized for an adult Vizsla, with a divider so it fits your puppy now.
• A collar, an ID tag and a 6-foot leash.
• Food and water bowls.
• The puppy food your vet recommends.
• Chew toys in a few textures, plus a soft toy for the crate.
• Enzyme cleaner for accidents.
• A towel or blanket for the ride home.

Puppy-proof before you leave: pick up shoes and cords, secure trash cans and block off rooms you don’t want explored yet.

What should you bring on pick-up day?

Bring your collar and leash, a crate or secure carrier, a towel, water and paper towels. If you’re driving a long way, plan short, safe potty breaks away from busy public areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been. Many of our families drive in from Houston, about an hour and a half away, and a second person to sit with the puppy makes the trip easier.

How do you handle the first night?

The first night is often the hardest. Your puppy has left its mother and littermates for the first time, so some crying is normal. A few things help:

• Put the crate in your bedroom so your puppy can hear and smell you.
• Tire your puppy out with gentle play before bed.
• Take it out to potty right before crate time.
• Expect a middle-of-the-night potty trip; keep it calm, quiet and brief.

Within a few nights, most puppies settle.

When should you see the vet?

Schedule a wellness visit within the first few days. Our puppies go home current on wormings and with their first vaccinations, and your vet will continue the vaccine series and set up heartworm and flea and tick prevention. Bring any records you received so your vet can plan the next steps.

How do you start house training?

Start the moment you get home. Take your puppy to the same spot outside after waking, after eating, after playing and at least every couple of hours. Praise and reward the moment it goes. Supervise closely indoors, and when you can’t, use the crate. Our house-training guide covers this step by step.

What routine should you set?

Puppies thrive on routine. A simple daily rhythm might look like this:

• Wake, potty, breakfast, potty.
• Short play or training session.
• Nap in the crate.
• Potty, lunch, play, nap.
• Afternoon play, dinner, potty.
• Calm evening, last potty, bedtime.

Young puppies sleep a lot — often 18 hours a day. Protect those naps; an overtired puppy is a bitey puppy.

When should you start training?

On day one, in tiny sessions of two or three minutes. Start with name recognition, sit and coming when called, all with treats and praise. Vizslas are intelligent and sensitive, so gentle, positive training works best.

How do you socialize your puppy safely?

The weeks after your puppy comes home are a key window for socialization. Introduce new people, gentle handling, household sounds and different surfaces in short, positive doses. Until vaccinations are complete, follow your vet’s advice about public places and unknown dogs. Carrying your puppy to watch the world is a great start.

What about exercise?

Puppies need play, not long runs. Short sessions of fetch, exploring the yard and training games are plenty. Save jogging for when your vet confirms your dog has finished growing. See how much exercise a Vizsla needs for more.

What if something seems wrong?

Call your vet right away if your puppy stops eating, has repeated vomiting or diarrhea, seems lethargic or has trouble breathing. Young puppies can go downhill quickly, so don’t wait and see.

How do you introduce your puppy to other pets?

If you have another dog, introduce them outside on neutral ground, with both on loose leashes, and keep the first meetings short and positive. Feed them separately and give each its own space to rest. With cats, let your puppy watch from a crate or behind a gate first, reward calm behavior and never let the puppy chase. Supervise every interaction during the first weeks. Most Vizslas become good friends with the family’s other pets once everyone learns the house rules.

We’re a phone call away

Every family has questions in the first week, and we’re always glad to hear from you. Call (361) 781-2663 any day from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm, or contact us by email. If you haven’t reserved yet, see our Available litters and our FAQ.