Bringing Home Your Puppy

The First 48 Hours

The first two days are all about decompression. Your puppy has just left their littermates, mama, and the only home they've ever known — it's a big transition! Here's how to make it smooth:

• •Keep things calm and quiet — limit visitors for the first few days
• •Set up a cozy crate or pen in a central area of your home so your puppy feels included
• •Offer small, frequent meals (the same food they've been eating — we'll provide details in your Go-Home Bag)
• •Take your puppy outside to potty every 1–2 hours, after meals, after naps, and after play
• •Expect some whining at night — this is completely normal! A warm blanket and a heartbeat toy can help
• •Let your puppy explore at their own pace and offer lots of gentle praise

Potty Training

Consistency is the key to successful potty training. Most doodle puppies catch on quickly because they're so eager to please!

• •Take your puppy out frequently — every 1–2 hours, plus after meals, naps, and play
• •Choose one designated potty spot and use it consistently
• •Praise and reward immediately after they go outside — make it a party!
• •Never punish accidents — simply clean them up with an enzymatic cleaner and move on
• •Watch for sniffing, circling, or moving toward the door — these are potty signals
• •Most puppies are reliably housetrained by 4–6 months with consistent effort

Crate Training

A crate isn't a punishment — it's your puppy's safe space! Important to know: your puppy comes home introduced to the crate, not fully crate trained. Full crate training takes anywhere from several weeks to 6 months, depending on age, temperament, and how consistent you are. New smells, a new routine, and being away from littermates can make them more vocal at first — that's completely normal. Here's how to set up the crate and work toward full crate training:

• •Choose an appropriately sized crate — big enough to stand, turn, and lie down, but not so big they can potty in one corner
• •Make it cozy with a soft bed, a blanket that smells like home, and a safe chew toy
• •Use the Snuggle Puppy from your Go-Home Bag — the heartbeat and warmth help them feel less alone
• •Give some playtime or activity before crating so they go in a little tired
• •Keep daytime crate sessions short at first (even just a few minutes) and build up gradually
• •Don't put your puppy straight into the crate with zero interaction beforehand — that often makes whining worse
• •Some whining is normal at first — never let your puppy out while crying. Wait for even a few seconds of quiet, then open the door, so they learn that calmness (not noise) earns freedom
• •Feed meals in the crate to build positive associations and never use the crate as punishment
• •Cover the crate at night for a den-like feel — many puppies sleep better this way

Feeding & Nutrition

A high-quality diet is the foundation of your puppy's health. Here are our recommendations:

• •Feed a premium puppy food — we'll include our specific recommendations in your Go-Home Bag
• •Puppies under 4 months: 3–4 small meals per day
• •Puppies 4–12 months: 2–3 meals per day
• •Adults (12+ months): 2 meals per day
• •Always have fresh water available
• •Transition foods gradually over 7–10 days to avoid upset stomachs
• •Avoid human food, especially chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol (sugar-free sweetener)

Grooming Schedule

Doodles have beautiful coats that require regular maintenance. Starting grooming habits early is essential!

• •Brush daily or every other day to prevent matting — this is the #1 most important grooming habit
• •Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks (start around 12–16 weeks with a puppy intro groom)
• •Clean ears weekly — doodles are prone to ear infections due to floppy ears and hair growth in the canal
• •Trim nails every 2–3 weeks or as needed
• •Brush teeth regularly with dog-safe toothpaste
• •Get your puppy used to being handled — touch paws, ears, and mouth daily so grooming is stress-free
• •Invest in a quality slicker brush and metal comb — they'll be your best friends!

Socialization

The socialization window (3–16 weeks) is critical for raising a well-adjusted dog. We start this process, and it's your job to continue it!

• •Expose your puppy to new people, places, sounds, and surfaces — positively and gradually
• •Puppy classes are highly recommended starting after the second round of vaccines
• •Introduce your puppy to children, men, women, people wearing hats/sunglasses — variety matters!
• •Let them experience different surfaces: grass, tile, carpet, gravel, wood
• •Positive car rides, trips to pet-friendly stores, and outdoor adventures
• •Always make new experiences positive — bring treats and keep sessions short

Exercise Guidelines

Puppies need activity, but too much can harm developing joints. Follow this simple rule:

• •The 5-minute rule: 5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice a day
• •A 3-month-old puppy = 15 minutes of walking, twice a day
• •Free play in a safe area is great and doesn't need to be limited as strictly
• •Avoid repetitive high-impact activities (jumping, stairs, long runs) until fully grown (12–18 months)
• •Mental stimulation is just as important — puzzle toys, training sessions, and sniff walks

Common Challenges & Solutions

Every puppy goes through some challenging phases — it's all part of growing up! Here are the most common ones:

• •Biting/Nipping: Redirect to toys, say "ouch" and disengage briefly, never use physical punishment
• •Crying at Night: Keep the crate near your bed, use a heartbeat toy, and stay consistent — it gets better within a week
• •Chewing Everything: Puppy-proof your home, provide plenty of appropriate chew toys, and supervise closely
• •Zoomies: Totally normal! Give your puppy a safe space to burn off energy — enjoy the show 😄
• •Resource Guarding: Trade games (trade a sock for a treat) help prevent this — start early

Your Go-Home Bag

When you pick up your puppy, you'll receive a Go-Home Bag with everything you need to start off right: