From our care to yours, with intention!

To support a smooth transition, your puppy should remain on their current food for at least 7–10 days after going home. A sudden change in diet can easily cause digestive upset, including loose stools or decreased appetite. If you plan to transition to a different food, do so slowly and gradually, mixing small amounts of the new food with the current food over a 7–10 day period.

Puppies thrive on routine and consistency. We recommend feeding measured portions at the same times each day to help regulate digestion and establish healthy habits. Free-feeding is not advised, as scheduled meals make it easier to monitor appetite and potty patterns.

Treats should be given sparingly and only be puppy-appropriate. Too many treats—or rich table foods—can quickly upset a sensitive puppy stomach. When introducing any new treat or supplement, start with very small amounts and watch for changes in stool or behavior.

Fresh, clean water should always be available.

What to expect during the transition:

• Temporary changes in appetite as your puppy adjusts to a new environment
• Mild digestive changes if routines shift too quickly
• Best success with patience, consistency, and a predictable schedule

Your puppy has already begun early socialization, but this important process continues well into puppyhood. Thoughtful, positive exposure to new people, environments, sounds, surfaces, and everyday situations helps build a confident, well-adjusted companion. Socialization should always be gentle, calm, and controlled—never forced or overwhelming.

Focus on quality over quantity. Short, positive experiences are far more effective than long or overstimulating outings. Allow your puppy to observe at their own pace, offering reassurance and encouragement while letting curiosity lead the way.

Socialization is not about interaction alone—it’s about teaching your puppy that the world is a safe place. Calm exposure without pressure helps prevent fear-based behaviors later in life.

Helpful socialization examples include:

• Meeting a variety of people in calm, controlled settings
• Exposure to everyday sounds (vacuum, doorbell, traffic, grooming tools)
• Walking on different surfaces (grass, concrete, rugs, gravel)
• Visiting new environments while remaining in your arms or a safe space until fully vaccinated

What to expect during this stage:

• Curiosity mixed with hesitation in new situations
• Temporary fear phases, which are normal and age-appropriate
• Confidence that grows through gentle, repeated exposure and positive reinforcement

Consistency, patience, and positive experiences will lay the foundation for a confident adult dog.

Your puppy has been introduced to the crate as a safe and comforting resting space. At home, crate time should continue daily, especially for naps and overnight sleep, to help establish routine and independence. The crate should always remain a calm, positive environment—never used as a form of punishment.

To build positive associations, place the crate in a quiet but connected area of your home, and consider offering a soft blanket or comfort item. Keeping a consistent routine around crate time helps your puppy feel secure and understand what to expect.

Some whining or crying during the adjustment period is completely normal as puppies learn to self-soothe and become comfortable being alone for short periods. Respond calmly and avoid reinforcing crying by letting your puppy settle before offering attention.

What to expect during crate training:

• Nighttime crying during the first few nights as your puppy adjusts
• Short, frequent crate sessions are most effective in the beginning
• Gradual increases in crate time as comfort and confidence grow
• Best results with consistency, patience, and a predictable routine

With time and consistency, the crate will become a familiar and reassuring space where your puppy can rest comfortably and feel secure.

Potty training has begun and will continue as your puppy settles into their new home. Success depends on routine, timing, and consistency. Puppies do best when potty breaks are predictable and frequent, as bladder control is still developing.

• Take your puppy outside immediately after waking, eating, drinking, playing, and before bedtime.
• Use the same potty area each time to help your puppy associate that space with going potty.
• Choose a consistent verbal cue (such as “go potty”) and use it calmly during each outing.
• Praise and reward your puppy right after they go potty outside so they connect the behavior with positive reinforcement.
• Supervise closely indoors and watch for signs your puppy needs to go, such as sniffing, circling, or restlessness.

Accidents are a normal part of the learning process. If one happens, clean the area thoroughly and continue your routine—never punish, as this can cause confusion or fear.

What to expect:

• Accidents, especially during schedule changes or new environments
• Noticeable improvement with a consistent routine
• Occasional regression during growth spurts, teething, or disruptions to routine

With patience and consistency, potty training becomes a habit—not a challenge—and progress builds quickly.

• 7:00 am – Take puppy out. Don’t wait until you shower or have coffee.
• 7:15 am – Kitchen playtime.
• 7:30 am – Feed and water (allow 15–20 min, then remove dish).
• 8:00 am – Take puppy out. Crate if leaving, with safe chew toys; if home, supervise play and potty every 45–60 min.
• Noon – Take puppy out if home for lunch.
• 12:15 pm – Kitchen playtime.
• 12:30 pm – Feed and water.
• 12:45 pm – Take puppy out.
• 1:00 pm – Crate time if leaving; nap if home.
• 4:00 pm – Take puppy out if home.
• 5:00 pm – Take puppy out when arriving from work.
• 5:15 pm – Kitchen playtime.
• 5:30 pm – Feed and water.
• 5:45 pm – Take puppy out.
• 6:00 pm – Supervised playtime; potty every 45–60 min.
• 7:30 pm – Feed and water.
• 7:45 pm – Take puppy out.
• 8:00 pm – Keep puppy up and awake with supervised play; potty every 45–60 min.
• 11:00 pm – Take puppy out; crate overnight.

This is a sample schedule to show the time involved in house training. When home, your puppy should get supervised play, quality bonding time, and basic obedience practice instead of being crated.

Your puppy has begun learning early manners and structure, but formal training is still in the early stages. Training at this age should focus on building communication, trust, and routine, rather than perfection.

• Keep training sessions short and positive (5–10 minutes) to match your puppy’s attention span. Multiple brief sessions throughout the day are more effective than long ones.
• Use positive reinforcement, such as praise, gentle affection, or small treats, immediately after your puppy performs a desired behavior.
• Be consistent with cues, rules, and expectations so your puppy can clearly understand what is being asked.
• Incorporate training into everyday moments—mealtimes, leash walks, and play—to reinforce learning naturally.
• Avoid punishment-based methods, as they can cause confusion and slow progress.

Once age-appropriate, enrolling in a puppy training class is highly encouraged to support socialization, structure, and guided learning.

What to expect:

• Short attention spans and the need for frequent breaks
• Progress that comes through repetition and routine
• Best results with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement

Early training lays the foundation for lifelong manners and confidence, with steady improvement over time.

Your puppy has been gently introduced to grooming and handling. At home, regular brushing, paw handling, ear checks, and calm bathing experiences should continue. Early and consistent grooming helps prevent fear and stress as your puppy matures.

What to expect:

• Sensitivity during early grooming sessions – some puppies may squirm, lick, or resist. Keep sessions short (2–5 minutes) and positive.

• Improvement with routine and praise – reward your puppy with treats, gentle petting, and calm words after each step. Gradually increase the duration and thoroughness of grooming.

• Easier professional grooming in the future – puppies accustomed to brushing, nail trims, and ear cleaning will handle groomers with less stress.

Additional tips for at-home grooming:

• Brushing: Gently groom your puppy using a brush and comb to keep their coat smooth and tangle-free. Start slowly, letting them sniff and explore the brush. Brush in the direction of hair growth and avoid pulling mats.
• Paw handling: Gently massage paws and wiggle toes to get your puppy comfortable with nail trims and paw checks. Begin with a single paw per session if needed.
• Ear checks: Inspect ears regularly for wax buildup or signs of irritation. Reward your puppy for allowing gentle ear touches.
• Bathing: Use lukewarm water and a puppy-safe shampoo. Keep baths calm and brief, gradually introducing more of the process as your puppy grows.
• Positive reinforcement: Always pair grooming with treats, praise, and play. This builds a positive association and reduces fear.
• Routine: Consistency is key—grooming 2–3 times per week (brushing) and regular checks for ears, teeth, and nails will set lifelong habits.

Starting early and keeping experiences positive ensures your puppy grows into a well-groomed, confident adult dog.

Our puppies leave with a strong early foundation, but the home environment is where lifelong habits are formed. Time, patience, and consistency will help your puppy thrive and grow into a confident, well-mannered companion.