Bringing Home Your APBT Puppy: 10 Tips for a Smooth First Week

So you’ve chosen a beautiful new American Pit Bull Terrier puppy — congratulations! At Leland APBTS, we know how exciting (and a little overwhelming) that first week can be.

Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or a seasoned handler, these 10 proven tips will help you make the transition easy for both you and your pup.

🏡 1. Prepare Your Puppy Space in Advance

Before your puppy arrives, create a safe, quiet area with a crate, bedding, toys, and access to food and water. Avoid letting them roam freely at first — they need time to adjust slowly.

⸻

🐾 2. Stick to Their Feeding Schedule

Dogs and puppies alike need  a routine. Keep your APBT puppy on the same food and feeding routine we started at the kennel. Sudden diet changes can cause stomach upset. We’ll provide feeding instructions when you take your puppy home.

⸻

🧼 3. Expect Accidents — And Be Patient

Potty training takes time, especially in a new environment. Use positive reinforcement, and take your pup out after eating, sleeping, and playing. Crate training will help, too.

⸻

🩺 4. Schedule a Vet Visit Within 72 Hours

All of our puppies are health-checked before going home, but it’s important that your vet sees your new pup within the first few days to establish care and ensure everything looks good.

Every puppy from Leland APBTS comes with health documentation and vaccinations up to date.

⸻

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 5. Introduce Family Slowly

Your puppy is already socialized with people and siblings at our kennel, but the new environment can be overwhelming. Introduce them to family members calmly and with supervision.

⸻

🧸 6. Give Them Familiar Items from the Breeder

We send puppies home with familiar scents, such as a blanket or toy from their litter. This helps reduce stress during the first few nights.

⸻

🐶 7. Start Basic Training Early

Sit, stay, and leash walking can begin in small steps during the first week. APBTs are intelligent and eager to learn. Early success builds confidence and trust. After your pitbull puppy is fully vaccinated you can enroll them in puppy obedience classes.

⸻

🕓 8. Keep Visitors to a Minimum

Give your puppy time to bond with your household first. Too many new faces too soon can overwhelm them. Build a secure foundation before introducing strangers.

⸻

📸 9. Document Everything!

You’ll want to remember this stage forever. Take lots of photos and notes about your puppy’s personality — and feel free to share them with us for our Puppy Gallery!

⸻

🐕 10. Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out

At Leland APBTS, we’re always here for our puppy families. If you have any questions about food, training, or health, just contact us — we love staying in touch.

⸻

❤️ Final Thoughts

Bringing home a new APBT puppy is a big deal — and we’re honored to be part of your journey. With consistency, love, and support, your APBT pup will adjust beautifully and thrive in their forever home.

⸻

🔗 Ready to bring your next champion home?

Read about our Breeding Process.