Tips For Your First Week with Your New Doodle Puppy

Tips For Your First Week with Your New Doodle Puppy

Congratulations on bringing home your new doodle! After much research, deliberation, and deciding which puppy you will get, you now have your doodle pup at home. The first week with your new is a very exciting time where you and your puppy can get to know each other and start building your lasting bond. 

As a puppy owner, you must be prepared for the things you need to do to properly care for your puppy during its first week. You don’t want to find yourself panicking in the middle of the night because your pup is crying and barking, right? 

Happy Pup Manor has prepared this comprehensive guide to help you prepare and navigate your first week with your doodle puppy. 

Prepare Your Home 

Being prepared when your puppy arrives would make your first week with your pup even more fun! Follow these tips so your doodle pup will feel at comfortable once he arrives!

Pick a suitable location

Choose a place in your home where your pup can feel safe and comfortable, making sure that there isn’t anything he can chew on that can hurt it. An area that gives privacy to your pup whenever it needs to rest or sleep but is easily accessible is a great choice so your pup can go there when it needs to. If you have a busy house with high foot traffic, you can opt to get a crate with a crate cover to keep your puppy from waking up at night. 

Find a comfortable bed

Considering your doodle’s breed and size, get a doggy bed that fits snuggly–not too big or small. Opt for a soft and cozy bed that provides proper support to prevent joint pain. Also, choose a dog bed that is durable, made with high-quality materials, and easily washable in case of accidents. 

Select appropriate toys

Choose a variety of toys for your puppy to explore. In addition to the usual puppy toys like balls and squeaky toys, get interactive toys meant for mental stimulation and toys that can help satisfy their chewing needs. You can get a lick mat or slow feeder, which will be a great treat activity for your pup while also making it mentally stimulating. 

Get puppy food and water bowls

Make sure that your puppy always has water available in a convenient location whenever he feels thirsty. Opt for dog bowls with a non-slip bottom that prevents them from slipping and sliding while your puppy eats or drinks. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are a top choice since they are hygienic and easier to clean than plastic bowls, which tend to get stained or greasy.  

Prepare Pee Pads and Poop Bags

Even if you plan to have your pup do his potty breaks outside, having pee pads and potty bags on hand is still best. This is especially essential if your puppy is not yet potty trained. You can place a pee pad in his crate at night in case of accidents and put it somewhere he can easily go. 

Designate a Play Area for Your Pup

Do you have a backyard where your pup can play and release its high energy? Ensure your backyard is fenced and there are no holes or gaps your puppy might accidentally get into. If you have limited space, you can consider getting a baby playpen that you can easily set up in a corner of your house so your pup can still have his playtime. Make sure to get the right size and height so your puppy has enough room to run and play. 

Consider Additional Comfort Items

Once you know your puppy’s behavior and character, you can get additional items like blankets, stuffed toys, cooling pads, or even a white noise machine if your puppy has difficulty adjusting to your home and sleeping. Since these additional comfort items are not essentials, you can hold off on getting them until you have identified the need. 

Schedule Your Pup’s Vet Visit 

When you get your pup from the breeder, make sure that you get all the health details, such as the vaccinations administered and your pup’s eating habits. During the first week of your pup’s life, you can look for a trustworthy vet who can accommodate your pup’s needs and answer all your questions, especially if you are a first-time puppy parent.

Read: What Shots Does My Puppy Need?

Create Your First Week Schedule

Day 1: Welcome Your Puppy Home

• Welcome your puppy with warmth and affection. Allow your pup to explore their new surroundings at their own pace.
• Introduce your pup to the designated area you have prepared: his bed, food and water bowls, potty area, and toys.
• Begin establishing a routine for feeding, potty breaks, and bedtime.

Day 2: Getting Acquainted

• Spend your second-day bonding and getting acquainted with your pup. You can do some gentle play or positive activities. 
• Start introducing basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, and come using treats and praise.
• Take your dog on a brief stroll around your area to introduce them to new sights and smells.

Day 3: Socialization

• Arrange supervised introductions between your new pet and any existing pets or family members in your household. This will ensure a safe and smooth transition for all involved.
• Invite a few close friends or family members over to meet your doodle and help it become accustomed to new faces.
• Continue doing activities and doing positive reinforcement through treats and praises to encourage good behavior and habit 

Read: Tips for Introducing Your New Puppy to Your Family

Day 4: Exploring Outdoors

• Take your doodle on short walks or outdoor adventures to explore their surroundings.
• Allow your pup to explore its environment while maintaining control on a leash.
• Begin practicing basic commands in outdoor settings to reinforce training.

Day 5: Establishing Routine

• Stick to a consistent schedule for feeding, potty breaks, training, exercise, and playtime.
• Incorporate mental stimulation activities such as puzzle toys or training sessions.
• Include people at home in your puppy’s routine so everyone has an active role in it.

Day 6: Veterinary Visit

• You should schedule a visit to the veterinarian for your puppy’s health check-up and vaccination schedules and to discuss its health care plan.
• Begin implementing any recommendations provided by the veterinarian to ensure your doodle stays happy and healthy.

Read: How to Find A Good Vet for Your Pup 

Day 7: Reflect and Strengthen Your Bond

• Reflect on the activities that you and your puppy spent together and celebrate the progress you’ve made.  
• Continue strengthening your bond with your doodle through daily activities, affection, and positive reinforcement.

Enroll in Puppy Training or Puppy Boarding

Training your pup early would make life easier for both of you. From potty training to obedience training and leash training, you can incorporate teaching commands to your pup in your daily routine. However, puppy training needs time and dedication since you need to be consistent when teaching commands and proper behavior. 

With this, you can get your puppy trained by a professional trainer or put him in a puppy boarding school. Just like in Happy Pup Manor, we make sure that each training plan is tailored to your puppy’s behavior and character, guiding each pup to learn in the best possible way. We know how busy puppy parents are and are here to help! You can contact us to learn more about the benefits of training courses offered at Happy Pup Manor!

Read: The Benefits of Dog Boarding 

Patience, consistency, and love are essential during your first week and beyond. Enjoy every moment with your doodle, and cherish the special bond you’ll share for years to come!