Your First Week With Your New Goldendoodle Puppy

The day has finally arrived! And the excitement is beaming from your face. You’re finally bringing your new Goldendoodle puppy home! And we know the feeling, you just can’t wait to introduce your new pup to the place you call home. You have all the recommended items, you’ve prepared your home for their safety, and the family is waiting. But what exactly should you do first? What should you expect on your first day home with your new Goldendoodle? Read on for some important tips!

1. Take them to their 'potty place' before anything else

One of the most trying things for a new puppy owner is dealing with potty mistakes. In our Puppy Training Institute, we put countless hours into potty training each pup. But this does not mean your new Goldendoodle will come home and automatically know what to do!

So before you take your puppy on a tour of the house, introduce them to all your family members, or have a party in their name; before you do ANYTHING, show your new puppy the preferred location that you wish them to use for going potty.

Chances are, the ride home (whether it be by car or plane) will have them ready to go potty anyways. But when you mix in the excitement of a new place and new people, they shouldn’t have a problem going for the first time. And you absolutely want to make sure they start the right habits immediately!

Your pup will be far more likely to form correct location habits if you do this.

2. Give them space, and time to explore their new space without distractions

Once you’ve gotten past the first few minutes and potty-place introductions, it’s a good idea to let your new pup explore the space they will be living in.

Try to remove distractions such as other pets, or even smaller children (even if they have already met, just let them have this time without lots of hands directing them), and let them roam around the rooms they are allowed to be in.

Make sure to interact with them and get them used to the idea that this is a co-space that they don’t have to be nervous about.

You will also want their crate to be prominent and open, and encourage them to explore. Make it comfortable and let them enter and exit. Have some toys available, and encourage them to play. But ultimately, let them have some time to sniff around and get used to the area.

3. Be prepared for some interruptions, especially at night

Even the most well-trained Goldendoodle will have some moments of anxiety, and take a little time learning a new routine in your home.

One area of importance is with potty breaks, in particular during the night. If your puppy is one of our younger pups and has not fully developed a longer hold-time for their bladder, you will need to set a schedule that allows them to potty regularly. And while young, this might mean getting up from a deep sleep to take them out.

In addition, crate-trained puppies will still tend to become vocal during their first night or two. Imagine all their excitement of a new home, just to be left in the crate all alone when the sun goes down! This is normal, and it can break your heart. But stick with it and they will calm down (don’t take them out just because they cry!). You may just have to accept that your sleep will be disrupted for a night or two.

Just plan on providing a little extra attention during the first few days, and you’ll do great!

4. Their eating habits might appear problematic

As mentioned already, going to a new home and family is a huge change for your new Goldendoodle puppy. And because of this, you may notice what appears to be an unwillingness to eat enough.

This is normal, and it’s ok! As mentioned already, this is a big change for them. They might be on a slightly different schedule in their mind, or they might have a little uncertainty or nervousness, which can affect their appetite.

The important thing is to stick with the plan. Don’t change their food or schedule, as it could actually confuse them even further. Consistency is key. Your pup will come around. Just love them and things will improve!

5. Be prepared for some interruptions, especially at night

Even the most well-trained Goldendoodle will have some moments of anxiety, and take a little time learning a new routine in your home.

Just plan on providing a little extra attention during the first few days, and you’ll do great!

6. Be aware of allowing bad habits to form

It’s tempting to roll out the red carpet for your puppy and allow complete freedom during the first days at home. And in some ways, that’s ok! However, be thinking long-term, and know that your new Goldendoodle puppy is still young and forming new habits.

For example, if you allow the pup to sleep in your bed during the first nights, they will come to expect it as part of their normal routine!

During nighttime potty routines, don’t let it turn into playtime. Why? Because you want your pup to know that nighttime is not the time for playing or running around. Let them do their potty and go right back in the crate (if you are using a crate).

Apply this thinking to everything you do during the first couple of weeks. If you don’t want them doing it long-term, don’t let them do it at first. Puppies are creatures of habit, and the first couple of weeks are extremely important for forming the right ones.

7. Be patient and calm when accidents happen

Finally, you should be ready and expect things to happen that you don’t want. Your Goldendoodle puppy may just have an accident, or they might get caught up in the excitement of playing and accidentally destroy something.

If they go potty on the floor, clean it up and take them immediately outside if you see it happen (they won’t remember what they did if it’s been an hour). Don’t follow the terrible advice of rubbing their nose in it or anything extreme. Don’t yell or speak harshly to them.

If they grab a sandal during playtime and run off with it, putting bite marks in it or worse, just take a breath and calmly remind them that what they did was not ok.

But more important is to reward them when they do the RIGHT thing. Use treats and affirming talk to let them know they have made you happy. They WILL seek out actions that get these rewards, and they will figure out when they have done something they shouldn’t. But remain calm and roll with it!

These are just a few examples of things to expect, but we can’t possibly cover every scenario or piece of advice. But our goal is to make sure you start off on the right foot. We want you to have an amazing experience with your new Goldendoodle puppy! But we also know that it isn’t always easy at first, and the whole experience might be new for both you and your new puppy.

If you need additional advice or have specific worries, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Enjoy your new puppy, and don’t forget to send us pictures!

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