Puppy Schedule

Obviously, you'll alter this schedule to meet your needs, but here's a rough schedule of what we we recommend once a puppy is placed into their permanent single or multi dog home!

  • Early Risers: Take them out to pee, and put them right back into the crate. Don’t let them dictate your schedule!

  • 6/7am - POTTY TIME: Run to go outside to let them pee. Throw a toy around for a few minutes after to get them to poo.

  • 7am - BREAKFAST

  • POST-MEAL POTTY TIME: They will pee after a full belly, and if they didn't poo yet, they will now!

  • 7-8am

    • Morning SOLO Playtime (30 minutes):  They are usually pretty content to play by themselves here by running around the house!! Just make sure they have enough toys, otherwise your shoes, coffee table, anything will be the target. And keep in them your line of sight.

    • Morning WALK (15-30 minutes): When they are young, focus on teaching them to walk heel side on the leash. It’s less about exercise for the first few weeks, and more about learning boundaries. First few weeks, walks may only be 10-15 minutes and that is okay. As they age, they’ll need 30-40 minute morning walk.

    • POTTY TIME: Puppies are NOT great at peeing while on leash, so make sure you take them back to their "spot" in the yard after a walk for a pee break.

    • Zoomies (5 minutes): Walks are like school, playtime is recess. Dogs almost always have the zoomies after a walk/school, so play a quick game of fetch, chase them around the yard, whatever!

  • 8-10:30am

    • CRATE NAP: Should be a SOLID snoring crate nap. Like babies, puppies need to be forced to nap. Crate them for their naps, even if you are home, otherwise they sleep with one eye opened, and will jump at the first opportunity for fun. DO NOT GET THEM WHEN THEY CRY, you dictate the schedule, so you get them when it works for you. If they start to fuss, let them fuss.

  • 10:30-11am

    • POTTY TIME: As soon as they get out of the crate, take them straight out to pee.

    • Play: Short play session or short walk.

    • POTTY TIME: Another quick pee break.

  • 11am-12:30/1pm

    • CRATE NAP: Again, another crate nap or quiet time in the crate with a puppy chew.

    • POTTY TIME: As soon as they get out of the crate, take them straight out to potty.

  • 1pm - LUNCH

  • POST-MEAL POTTY TIME: They will pee after a full belly!

  • 1-2pm

    • SOLO Playtime (10 minutes):  They are usually pretty content to play by themselves here by running around the house!! Just make sure they have enough toys, otherwise your shoes, coffee table, anything will be the target. And keep in them your line of sight.

    • WALK or INTERACTIVE Playtime (20-40 minutes): Walk or playtime or both. Remember to finish each walk in the yard for an opportunity to go pottyl Play fetch, tug or teach them tricks like sit and paw.

    • POTTY TIME: Another quick pee break.

  • 2-5pm

    • CRATE NAP: This nap usually starts with a frozen kong or bone to settle them down because they aren’t as tired. Should be in a crate for at least part of this down time!

    • POTTY TIME: As soon as they get out of the crate, take them straight out to potty.

  • 5pm - DINNER

  • POST-MEAL POTTY TIME: As soon as they eat, take them out, fully bells means less room for pee.

  • 6pm: Restrict access to the water bowl (unless it’s a very hot day and you are outside in the evening hours).

  • 6-8pm - Puppy WITCHING Hour: They are usually full of energy, trouble. Plan a longer walk, interactive play, chew toys, anytime and everything to keep them out of trouble. Feel free to use the crate for quick 10-15 minute time outs as they get wound up. Be sure to take lots of potty breaks (every 20 minutes). Do not let the puppy out of your sight, this is the most common time for accidents to happen, furniture to get chewed, etc… It’s the end of the day, and puppy's brains are toast!

  • 7:30pm - PRE-BED POTTY TIME: Give them a longer opportunity to pee and poop here. Try not to get them excited, just let them sniff around the yard and take their time.

  • 7:30/8pm: CRATE BEDTIME: Puppies always wind down here. Don’t try to push the limits here, put them in their crate between 7:30-8:30pm. If you wait too long, you’ll have a very loud, sad puppy in the crate.

  • 10/11pm - LAST POTTY: Last potty break, they usually pee and poop here and straight back in the crate for bed for the rest of the night. You will likely have to carry them in and out, because they are SO tired.

Puppy Tips

ON-LEASH INTROS

Get into the habit of not allowing your puppy to meet other dogs while they are on-leash and on a walk. The leash creates a lot of anxiety for dogs as they have to meet face to face. Dogs naturally meet with their heads down, sniffing their butts, which is why meeting off-leash is much more natural, whereas on-leash meetings tend to lead to stress and anxiety, as well as getting tangled up. In addition, you don’t want to teach your puppy that they are allowed say hi to every dog, because it leads to the constant excited reaction every time they see a dog, and then you suddenly have a dog that pulls you like you are a dog sled! Does this mean you have to say NO every time. No, but make your puppy sit and be a in a calm state before going over the dog, not pulling you towards it! The general rule of thumb when people ask, “can my dog meet your dog?” is “no, we don’t do on-leash intros.” So how can my dog be social? Buy a long lead that you can give the puppy some slack and freedom at baseball diamonds, local parks, trails. Plenty of opportunity to say hello!

Other Dogs

Important to remember, most dogs HATE puppies. Even the nicest, most docile dog might hate a puppy. Puppies are frantic, don't know what to do with their limbs, have awful social manners (like rushing a dogs face which is bad, instead of sniffing his butt which is good). Always ask, “Does your dog like puppies?” Limit playtime to 5-10 minutes. That's usually the magic number before a puppy gets overstimulated and too mouthy and completely lose control. And never use the excuse “she/he is just a puppy.” Chances are, your puppy is out of line, and the adult dog is trying to teach them manners. If the puppy is being overly annoying, it is your job to help it with impulse control.

Eyes on Puppy

Do not let them out of your sight.  They will eat anything like socks, shoes, furniture, etc... and they will counter surf for food on the counter. Think of them like a one year old baby who just learned to walk, you need to keep your eyes on them as much as possible. 

Peeing 

Good rule of thumb, anytime they wakes up from a nap, suddenly stop playing, starts walking around aimless, take them out to pee!! They are still working on communicating when they need to pee.

Left Alone

They are young so really shouldn't be left home alone for more then 3-4 hours (IN THE CRATE), and when they are a year, 6 hours should really be his max but not on a daily basis!