You Brought Home Your New Puppy—Now What?Tips when bringing home a new puppy.

Doodle Puppy Crew
Jul 10
3 min read

Congratulations! You’ve just brought home your adorable new puppy, and your heart is bursting with excitement. But after the snuggles and first family selfies… reality starts to set in.“Now what?”

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Bringing a new puppy home is a big (and joyful!) responsibility. With a little planning, structure, and lots of love, your puppy will settle in beautifully. Let’s walk through what to do in those first few days and weeks to help your puppy thrive.

1. Create a Safe, Calm Space

Your puppy has just left the only home they’ve ever known. To help them feel secure:

Set up a quiet area with their crate, blanket, and a toy from their litter (bonus points if it smells like home).
Avoid overwhelming them with too many visitors or new experiences right away.
Let them explore at their own pace.
Keep their roaming to a minimal space.

Pro Tip: Keep their crate nearby so they can still see and hear you—it builds trust while giving them space.

2. Stick to a Schedule

Puppies thrive on structure. Try to mimic the schedule your breeder provided (like we do at Doodle Puppy Crew!) for:

Mealtimes
Potty breaks
Naps and play
Crate time and bedtime

A routine helps them understand what’s expected and builds confidence and calm behavior quickly.

3. Start Potty Training Right Away

Accidents will happen—but starting strong makes all the difference:

Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, naps, and play.
Use the same potty spot to reinforce habits.
Offer praise or a small treat every time they go in the right place.

Tip: Watch for circling or sniffing—those are signs it’s time to go!

4. Introduce Crate Training

Crate training is a game changer. It teaches your puppy to:

Sleep through the night
Feel secure in their own space
Hold their bladder appropriately

Make the crate cozy and positive with treats and a their snuggle puppy. Don’t use it as punishment—this should be their safe zone.

At Doodle Puppy Crew, we do the hard part by introducing them to their crate and getting them to crate train through the night before they come home to you. You just have to continue what we have started.

5. Begin Basic Training & Socialization

You don’t need to teach everything at once, but start with:

Name recognition
Simple commands like sit, come, and no bite
Handling paws, ears, and brushing to prep for grooming

Also, begin gentle socialization: new surfaces, safe people, car rides, and household noises. The earlier they experience these, the better!

6. Feed the Right Food

Stick with the food your breeder started, and make any changes gradually to avoid tummy trouble. Offer food 3x per day at first, and keep clean water available at all times.

7. Schedule a Vet Visit

Even if your breeder provides a vet clearance (as we do), it’s smart to:

Set up your own new puppy wellness check within the first week
Stay on track with vaccinations and deworming
Establish a relationship with your vet for long-term care

8. Set Realistic Expectations

Puppies are learning everything from scratch. You’ll have:

Chewed shoes
Early wakeups
Potty accidents
Moments of frustration

And it’s all completely normal. Stick with your training, keep your patience, and remember—this stage is short, and you’re building a lifelong bond.

9. Stay Connected with Your Breeder

At Doodle Puppy Crew, we offer lifetime support for every family that brings home one of our puppies. If you’re unsure, have a question, or just want to share cute updates—we’re here for you.

10. Stick to the Schedule - Yes, we've already said this.

I can't state this enough, but stick to that schedule for the first few weeks and be sure to let them expel all of that energy. A run around the yard, a run through the house (after they have gone potty) can help get all that pent up energy out. This is key!

You’ve Got This!

Bringing home a puppy is one of the most rewarding (and exhausting) adventures out there. But with love, structure, and a bit of grace, you’ll raise a happy, confident dog who fits perfectly into your family.

Welcome to the journey—you’re officially a puppy parent!