What to Expect that First Week Home

Bringing your Doodle puppy home is one of the best feelings in the world. It’s exciting, a little emotional, and a little overwhelming all at once. You’re learning them, they’re learning you, and those first few days are all about building trust, starting routines, and soaking up the sweet chaos of puppy life.

Your sweet lil pup has just left their littermates and the only home they’ve ever known. That’s a big transition, even for a confident little Doodle. Keep things calm and simple in the beginning. Give them a cozy space of their own, and don’t worry about doing everything perfectly. Just focus on making them feel safe and loved.

A few basics will help right away:

• A crate where they can curl up and feel secure

• A soft blanket or toy that smells familiar. We usually have our families buy a Snuggle Puppy that we have rubbed on Mama and littermates.

• Chew toys to soothe teething gums

• Fresh water always within reach during feeding time and after play. Never have it out freely during potty training ages or you will go bananas

Nighttime might be a little rough those first few nights, and that’s completely normal. Your puppy may cry or whimper as they adjust to sleeping alone. Keeping their crate close to your bed can make a big difference. They just want to know they’re not alone. A white noise machine or a heartbeat toy can be comforting too. We usually play Classical music for them. With consistency and a gentle routine, most Doodles begin sleeping through the night within a week or two.

Potty training is a big part of that first week. The more consistent you are, the easier it will be for your pup to learn. Take them outside regularly, especially after eating, sleeping, or playing. Choose one potty spot in the yard and stick with it. Celebrate every success, even the small ones.Here’s what tends to work best:

• Head outside every one to two hours at first

• Use the same door and same potty area

• Offer big praise and a happy voice when they go

• Don’t stress over accidents, just clean up and keep going

Doodles are incredibly people-focused, so it’s smart to ease into alone time from the very beginning. Start with short moments, like leaving the room for a few minutes, and slowly build up to longer stretches. It teaches your puppy that being alone is okay and that you always come back. These small steps help grow their confidence early on.

One of the sweetest parts of the first week is watching your puppy’s personality start to shine. Some are outgoing right away, while others take a little more time to warm up. Let them explore at their own pace. You’ll start to notice signs they’re bonding with you, like following you from room to room, wagging their tail when they hear your voice, or relaxing completely when they’re close to you. These little things mean so much and are the beginning of something really special.

We know those early days come with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, but you’re doing better than you think. Every little step you take is helping your puppy feel safe, loved, and right where they belong. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away. Just love them through it, keep showing up, and know that you’re building your connection together!

And if you ever need a listening ear or some extra support, we’re just a message away. We’re here for all of it, from the first tail wags to (hopefully) a few naps!