Welcome Home. Your New Puppy Help Guide
This guide was created with love to help you and your new puppy start your journey together. May this be the beginning of many happy, tail‑wagging adventures! Monti🐾
🐾 Eating Guidelines
Establishing a consistent feeding schedule is crucial for your puppy’s health and effective potty training. Feed your puppy at the same times each day, and do not assume your puppy is eating. Actively monitor mealtimes for the first few days.
✨ Follow this Meal Plan:
- Meal #1: ¼ cup wet food + 2 Tbsp warm water
- Meal #2: ¼ cup wet food + handful dry + 4 Tbsp warm water
- Meal #3: ¼ cup wet food mixed with a handful dry food
- Transition to dry food gradually
🐾 Potty Training
There’s an overwhelming amount of information out there about potty training, but 💡 common sense and consistency go a long way.
✨ Be a helicopter parent! Watch your puppy 100 % of the time when they’re not in their crate or play area. If you’re not watching, you’re missing things—especially that quick potty signal.
- When not being held or played with, your puppy needs to be in their crate/play area.
- Before placing them in the crate area, take them potty.
- Every time you take them out—or before putting them back in—take them potty!
- Stay extra consistent that first week.
🐾 Introducing Your Puppy
Introduce your puppy to their new home one room at a time, then slowly let them explore more areas. Be extra careful with stairs.
Provide some quiet crate time so your puppy can settle and rest.
💡 Overstimulation can make your puppy forget to eat or drink—keep new experiences short and calm!
🐾 New Puppy Meets Current Pet
Keep introductions supervised and positive. 🐾
Don’t introduce your new puppy on your current pet’s home turf—choose a neutral space like a park, neighbor’s yard, or even a grandparent’s house.
✨ Give your current pet time to adjust—the goal is calm curiosity, not competition.
🐾 Detailed Puppy Schedule
(Single‑spaced for clarity)
7:00 AM Wake up & go potty, playtime
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Potty & playtime
9:30 AM Rest / nap
11:15 AM Potty & water
11:30 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Potty & playtime
12:30 PM Nap
3:00 PM Potty & playtime
4:15 PM Potty & water
4:30 PM Dinner
5:00 PM Potty & playtime
6:00 PM Rest / quiet time
7:30 PM Potty & playtime
8:30 PM Water break
9:00 PM Potty / bedtime wind‑down
11:00 PM Quick potty break before overnight
💡 Weeks 1–3: Take puppy potty every 2 hours during the day and always after meals, naps, or play.
💡 Week 4+: Gradually stretch potty trips to every 3–4″ hours; puppies under 12 weeks shouldn’t be left crated longer than 3 hours.
🐾 Helpful Tips
✨ Lay your puppy outside on a leash or supervised area after meals.
✨ Use crates for safety, not punishment—introduce crate time gradually.
💡 Enroll in a puppy class when your vet approves. Training together builds trust!
🐾 Spay / Neuter, Rabies & Parasite Prevention
- Spay/Neuter: Recommended at 5 to 6 months
- Rabies Vaccination: 4–6 months
- Heartworm, Flea & Tick Prevention: Begin at 16–18 weeks (consult your vet)
🐾 Frequently Asked Questions
Type & Size of Crate: 18×26″ wire crate fits perfectly for most small breeds—just enough room to stand & turn comfortably.
Socializing: Wait until puppy is fully vaccinated before playdates with outsider dogs.
Support: Email or call anytime for help and questions.
🐾 What We’re Sending Home With Your Puppy
- Acclimation blanket with familiar scent
- AKC microchip register info
- Puppy food & sample treats
- Medical records / contract for your vet
- Hyglycemia‑safety note (Nutrical)
💡 Keep the Nutrical handy for travel; offer 1 dose every 3–4 hours if your puppy refuses food due to stress.
🐾 Bathing, Grooming & Oral Health
Your puppy arrives freshly bathed and groomed. ✨
If they get dirty during travel, it’s safe to re‑bathe with dog shampoo and a low heat blow‑dryer.
- Bathe weekly (if needed) or monthly to keep coat clean.
- Start brushing early (and praise them for it!).
- Brush 1–2× per week to maintain a healthy coat.
- Introduce the toothbrush with patience and positive reinforcement.
– Monti 🐾 | montiwag1@gmail.com | (319) 752‑5331 | @monti‑wagenbach
