Puppy's First Day at Home

Whether you're a seasoned puppy parent or bringing home your first furry friend, this guide will help ensure you're fully prepared to welcome your new puppy.

Puppies are Like Babies

Puppies need a schedule like a baby- they eat, poop, play and then need a nap. Repeat. Your puppy at 8 weeks old should be awake no more than a couple of hours at a time, and then should be placed in a crate or playpen for a nap.

Puppies and Children

If you want your puppy and your children to be happy and successful together, you must have a private area like a playpen and crate that is for puppy's naptime, so children can't wake up a sleeping puppy, or so a hyper puppy can't be jumping and nipping on your screaming toddler. Teach your children never to wake a sleeping puppy, and also teach them to "stand like a tree" if puppy is jumping on them. Screaming, running, and wild motions with their hands makes it a more exciting game for the puppy, who will only become more excited. Teach your children to be quiet and calm around the puppy.

Puppies and Other Dogs and Animals

Give both your dog and your puppy a way to "escape" the other, if either gets overwhelmed and needs space from the other. Be sure to still do things with both of them individually, give each attention and affection separately at times. Our puppies will have been exposed to cows, cats and chickens when they go home to you however you will still need to implement proper training to continue to teach correct behavior with other animals.

Puppy Proof Your Home

Have your home ready for a puppy like you would for a baby. Nothing on the floors that puppies shouldn't chew or eat. Keep things like shoes and clothes picked up at all times- you can't get mad at a puppy for chewing up something that smells like his favorite person, that you left lying on the floor. Bitter apple spray may help for things like furniture you don't want puppy chewing.

Keep a Schedule

Puppies will housetrain best and be on their best behavior with a schedule. Figure out for your family works best, and stick to it. Make a chart! Know what time your puppy needs to get up in the morning to potty, feed puppy, have 30 minutes of exercise and mental stimulation, potty again, nap, potty, repeat. Take food and water away 2-3 hrs before bedtime to help them hold it longer at nighttime.

Don't wait to Start Basic Obedience!

Bernedoodles and Goldendoodles are both incredibly smart and eager to please! Don't wait until they are 6 months old to start training! At 8-9 weeks old, after your puppy has had a few days to settle into his new environment, start teaching sit, down, and always reinforce coming with a high value treat. Within less than a week your puppy should know sit and down. Teach them to go into their crate on command! Start putting them on a leash and teach them not to pull. They can even learn to wait for their food until you give them a command to eat. Don't let jumping ever start! You will thank yourself and everyone will love your puppy if he is well behaved!

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Puppy Products

With so many options out there, choosing the right products for your new puppy can feel overwhelming — but don’t worry! Thanks to our years of hands-on experience with dogs and puppies, we've put together a trusted list of must-have items to help you get started with confidence. See BrewerDoodlse recommended product list for your new puppy!

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