Your Cockapoo Puppy’s First 7 Days at Home: What to Expect

Posted on 21st January 2026

 

A Cockapoo puppy lying on a dog bed

Bringing your Cockapoo puppy home is exciting — but the first few days can also feel overwhelming, emotional, and far harder than you expected.

If you’re wondering whether you’re doing things right, why your puppy seems unsettled, or why everything feels so intense already, you’re not alone. The first 7 days are the biggest adjustment period your puppy will go through — and they’re not about perfect training.

This guide explains what really matters in your Cockapoo puppy’s first week, what’s normal day by day, and how to set calm foundations without putting pressure on yourself or your puppy.

Want a calm, step‑by‑step plan for this first week? You can download the First 7 Days with Your Cockapoo Puppy guide here:

What Your Cockapoo Puppy Is Adjusting To in the First Week

In the first 7 days, your puppy isn’t trying to test boundaries or learn rules — they’re simply trying to feel safe.

Your Cockapoo puppy has just left:

  • their mum and littermates
  • familiar smells and routines
  • constant company

They’re now learning:

  • where they are
  • who you are
  • when food, sleep, and comfort happen

This level of change is huge for a young puppy. Many early behaviours — crying, biting, restlessness, accidents — are signs of adjustment, not failure.

Day 1–2: Settling In, Not Training Perfectly

The first couple of days should focus on calm and predictability, not achievement.

What matters most right now:

  • limiting how much freedom your puppy has
  • keeping routines simple and repeatable
  • supervising closely

Your puppy may:

  • cry or fuss at night
  • struggle to settle
  • need reassurance

This is normal.

If the first nights are hard, you’ll find this helpful:
➡️ Cockapoo Puppy Sleeping Guide

Day 3–4: When Tiredness and Frustration Appear

Around days 3–4, many owners notice a shift.

Your puppy may:

  • become nippy or mouthy
  • have bursts of frantic energy
  • struggle more with settling

This often happens because puppies are overtired. Short sleep cycles, excitement, and new experiences add up quickly.

This doesn’t mean things are getting worse — it means your puppy is starting to show how tired they really are.

If biting or nipping is becoming stressful, this explains why it happens:
➡️ Why Cockapoo Puppies Bite (And What To Do)

Day 5–7: When Patterns Start to Show (and Worries Kick In)

By the end of the first week, owners often start worrying:

  • “Shouldn’t they be getting it by now?”
  • “Am I creating bad habits?”
  • “Why are accidents still happening?”

In reality, routines are just beginning to form.

This is the stage where:

  • consistency matters more than intensity
  • repetition beats correction
  • calm responses build confidence

Toilet training, in particular, often feels messy at this stage — and that’s expected.

If accidents are worrying you, this will help put routines together:
➡️ Cockapoo Puppy Toilet Training: Complete Guide

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Owners Make in the First 7 Days

These mistakes are incredibly common — and completely understandable.

1. Trying to do everything at once

Too much training, too many visitors, too many new experiences can overwhelm puppies.

2. Expecting adult behaviour

Puppies don’t yet have the emotional regulation or bladder control you’re hoping for.

3. Changing the plan every day

Switching approaches constantly makes things harder for both of you.

Slow, steady, and predictable always wins in the first week.

What Actually Matters in Your Cockapoo Puppy’s First Week

If you focus on nothing else, focus on these foundations:

  • Sleep: plenty of rest throughout the day
  • Routine: repeating the same simple patterns
  • Supervision: preventing mistakes rather than correcting them
  • Calm responses: especially when things go wrong

These foundations make toilet training easier, reduce biting, and help your puppy settle faster.

How the First 7 Days Shape Everything That Comes Next

The habits you build in week one don’t need to be perfect — they just need to be consistent.

A calm first week helps:

  • reduce stress for your puppy
  • prevent escalation of problem behaviours
  • make training feel manageable rather than overwhelming

This is why support in the first 7 days can make such a big difference.

Next Steps: How to Feel More Confident This Week

If you’d like extra support during this early stage, here are your best next steps:

Free support

First 7 Days with Your Cockapoo Puppy Guide
A calm, practical plan to help you get through this first week with confidence.

➡️ Download the free First 7 Days guide 

Extra structure (optional)

The 7 Day Toolkit
If you want everything laid out day by day with clear routines and checklists, the paid 7 Day Toolkit gives you a done‑for‑you structure.

➡️ Learn more about the 7 Day Toolkit

What often comes next

As your puppy settles, these guides are commonly helpful:

A Final Reassuring Thought

If the first week feels harder than you expected, that doesn’t mean you’ve made a mistake — it means you care.

This stage passes. Calm routines, consistency, and the right support make it much easier. You and your puppy are learning together — and that’s exactly how it should be.