Puppy Schedule

I can’t believe that this time next week all of the puppies will be with each of you. Next weekend will definitely be an emotional weekend for me so please make sure you send lots of pictures and updates on how your new puppy is doing.

Now down to business…First we will start with food. Of course you know by now that all of the puppies are eating Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy Food. The puppies are still sharing a bowl as of right now and each one gets about ½ a cup each. You will need to soak their food in warm water- about ¼ cup of water- for about 10 minutes before feeding them. You will gradually reduce the amount of water over the next week or 2 until they are eating only the hard puppy food. The main goal is the keep them lean. You need to be able to feel your puppy’s ribs and when viewed from above you should be able to see a defined waist. This should be the case when they are adults too. Your puppies eat 3 times a day which is listed in the sample schedule below.

Crate Training- All of the puppies have started the crate training process. We place them in their own crate each night at bedtime. Let me just say it is not quiet at our house during this time. Your puppy is going to cry and at first you are going to think this may never stop but I promise that if you stick with the process it will pay off big time. Just remember no matter how much your puppy cries do not take them out of the crate. When you take your puppy out to potty at night it should be all business and no play. We are currently taking them out around 11:30pm and 3:30am…yes you will be sleep deprived for a little while but it will fly by. At night when you take your puppy out make sure they are on a leash- take them to the same place that you wish your puppy to always go…remember if you train them to go potty right by the door then this is where they are more than likely to go when they get older so make sure it is a place you want them to use. Take the puppy to the potty spot and use a command- we have been saying “Go Bathroom”. Continue to repeat this until your puppy uses the restroom. Once this happens praise your puppy then place them back in the crate. This is not a time to play but to use light praise so they know they have done the right thing. We set an alarm to take the puppies out at night- we do not wait for them to cry. You will continue to move the alarm back and you should be down to only one potty break within one month. Eventually your puppy will be able to hold it all night…this is when you will look back at your sleep deprived nights and feel proud- I promise it is worth it.

Here is a look at the schedule we have your puppy currently on. You do not have to stick to this exactly but your puppy will need a set schedule.

6:00am- Take all puppies out to their potty spot. Highly praise them for going to the bathroom.

6:15am- Feed all puppies and offer water. Play after then potty break followed by nap.

9:00am- Offer water, Potty break followed by lots of praise, play time, then nap

12:00pm- Feed all puppies and offer water, potty break followed by lots of praise and play time, nap

3:00pm- Offer water, Potty break followed by lots of praise, play time, then nap

6:00pm- Feed all puppies and offer water, potty break followed by lots of praise and play time

Before bed- Potty break at potty spot- light praise then place in crate

Middle of the night- Take puppy to potty spot- light praise then place back in crate.

And remember the most important thing is HAVE FUN with your puppy.