Bringing a new puppy into your home requires commitment and structure
A realistic daily routine for your puppy includes age-appropriate rest, mental and physical stimulation, crate training, and basic obedience training.
Sample Daily Routine Outline
Here’s how to plan your day and ensure your puppy thrives:
Morning:
– Wake-up and Potty Break: Start the day with a potty trip to establish good habits.
– Breakfast and Rest: Feed your puppy, then enforce a rest period of at least 30 minutes to prevent bloating or digestive issues.
– Short Training Session: Use this time for crate games or basic obedience training (5–10 minutes) to mentally stimulate your puppy.
– Playtime and Potty Break: Offer age-appropriate play to tire them out before another potty trip.
Midday:
– Lunch and Rest: After feeding, ensure your puppy rests to avoid overexertion.
– Crate Time: Encourage crate games, like tossing treats inside to make the crate a positive space.
– Brief Walk or Play Session: Incorporate light, controlled physical activity to keep them engaged.
Afternoon:
– Training and Playtime: Focus on short training sessions to reinforce basic commands (5–10 minutes) and supervised play for stimulation.
– Potty Break: Regular breaks prevent accidents and strengthen their routine.
Evening:
– Dinner and Rest: Feed your puppy, followed by quiet crate time to rest.
– Leash Training or Walk: Use this time for a calm walk or leash training session, avoiding vigorous exercise.
– Socialization: Expose your puppy to new experiences, like meeting people or walking on different surfaces, to build confidence.
– Winding Down: Finish with crate games or quiet bonding time before bed.
Night:
– Last Potty Break: Ensure they go out one last time before bed.
– Overnight Crating: Create a calm environment for a good night’s rest in their crate.
Crate Training Tips
Use crate games to make the crate a positive space (e.g., toss treats in, feed meals inside the crate). Gradually increase the time your puppy spends in the crate during the day. Always associate the crate with positive experiences, never punishment.
Potty Training Tips:
- Always use the same spot for bathroom breaks to reinforce the habit.
- Reward your puppy with treats and praise immediately after they go in the right place to create positive associations.
- Supervise them indoors to prevent accidents, and use a crate when you can’t keep an eye on them to encourage control.
- Clean any accidents thoroughly to eliminate odors that might encourage repeat behavior.
With time and consistency, your puppy will learn where to go.