Ashby’s Poodles and Doodles
Puppy Information Sheet
Schedule
Upon waking in the morning, take the puppy straight outside to potty. This is also a good time to play for a bit so they can get some energy out after being kenneled all night. They are also highly motivated for treats at this time, since they are hungry, and would do well with some basic training if it fits your schedule.
Feed puppy in the morning, and then take outside to potty after they are finished. After they have a little bit of playtime they will potty again and then probably be ready to sleep. Puppies sleep A LOT while they are young. If they are misbehaving it may be a sign that they are overstimulated and tired.
While young, the puppy should be eating 3x a day. Morning, noon, and about 5pm. Split their daily requirement into 3 feedings to keep their belly from getting too full. Dinner should be early (5-6pm) to help the puppy from pooping in their kennel at night. This allows plenty of time to potty in the evening before bed. Having 5-6 hours in between feedings also helps the puppy’s poop to be firm as it allows time for proper digestion. Around 5 or 6 months you can try switching meals to 2x per day.
This schedule of wake, (potty), eat, (potty), play, (potty), sleep repeats throughout the day while pottying often, about every 30 minutes in the beginning.
Pottying
Puppies should go outside to potty about every 30 minutes in the beginning, and after they eat or drink, after they wake up, and after they play. An easy way to do this is to set a timer so you don’t get busy and forget. You can train your puppy to go to a certain spot in your yard, if you wish. While puppy is peeing and pooping you can teach commands such as, “Go potty”, “Go pee”, and “Go poop.” The idea is that they will be able to potty on command when you tell them to. Make sure to take your puppy outside right before bedtime to get all their potties out! It may be necessary to restrict their water 2-3 hours before bedtime if they are peeing in their kennel at night. Also, make sure they are eating dinner early, about 5pm to help them from pooping in their kennel at night.
Kenneling
The kennel should be a safe spot for your puppy. They will eventually get used to it at night and like going in there. Never use your kennel as a place of punishment while the puppy is young and is kennel training. To train your puppy to kennel, put your puppy in the kennel while saying “Kennel” and then reward them when they go in with a high value treat (yummy dog treat, cheese, peanut butter). Soon, your puppy will go into the kennel on command!
At night, your puppy should be able to make it 6-7 hours without pottying in the kennel. If puppy whines in the middle of the night, you can choose to get up with puppy. If you do, take the puppy right out to potty, and then put her back in the kennel. This is not playtime and you want puppy to learn this. Puppies are so smart and they will whine more if they know you’ll consistently get up with them! Placing a blanket over their kennel helps them to feel more cozy and safe.
The kennel can be used during the day when both you and puppy need a break! It can also be used anytime that you can’t watch the puppy. While potty training, puppy should not have run of the house so if you’re busy and can’t focus on puppy, put her in her kennel. It is ok to train your puppy to sleep in the kennel during the day. Leave the kennel door open during the day and they will start to go in on their own.
Playtime
Provide plenty of chew toys in the house to keep puppy occupied and from chewing household items. Puppies seem to love rope toys, but use them with supervision as the strings can be ingested and cause problems. It is ok to scold the puppy when biting. They need to learn that is not ok! Say “NO” but do not hit the puppy. Provide something different to chew on, move your hands away, take the puppy out to potty, or put the puppy back in an enclosure to rest. Sometimes puppies get crazy or have the zoomies when they have to potty, or are over stimulated and tired.
Training
Your puppy can start basic training as soon as you take her home. Sit, down, shake or high five, roll over are easy to start teaching. Stay and come take a bit longer. Use a 6 ft leash to keep puppy by you, especially when teaching stay and come. Your puppy’s food is a great treat to use for training in the first months. They are very motivated for their food and it helps to hold their attention without too many extra calories. Small puppy training treats are also ok when used sparingly.
Be patient with your puppy! They will make mistakes because they are just figuring things out. Puppy training sessions are short, 5-10 minutes at a time. Be consistent with training and you will reap the benefits.
There are also many resources and videos to help you along the way. Once a puppy is fully vaccinated by 3 or 4 months consider going to a training class with your puppy. Or you can always participate in an online training program.
Basic Grooming
Frequency of baths depends on a lot of factors. Bathe your puppy when she’s visibly soiled or about monthly. Use a gentle shampoo or one made for puppies. Take special care to avoid water in their nose and ears. You can keep the ear canal covered with the ear while rinsing the puppy’s head.
Trim puppy’s nails every few weeks if they are long. You can use clippers, or an electric/battery nail grinder. In the beginning, finger nail clippers will work on their little nails! Introduce the puppy to the clippers or let them hear the tool if it makes a sound to get them used to it. Alsok give treats while clipping to make it a positive experience. Be sure not to clip into the quick or it will bleed. Google videos on how to clip nails until you’re comfortable with it!
Doodle mixes and poodles will need regular trips to the groomers since they do not shed. A slicker brush is great on these curly coats to keep their fur from matting. There are many to choose from!
Vaccines
Your puppy had their first vaccine done at 8 weeks, before coming home. We use a limited vaccine schedule for puppy’s first 3 vaccines. The first vaccines should be given at 8, 12, and after 16 weeks. We recommend waiting until 6 months to give a rabies vaccine and avoiding the Lepto vaccine. There have been too many negative reactions to it. Always remember to keep your puppy away from other dogs and places where other dogs have been until they have had at least 2 Parvovirus vaccines. This is a deadly virus to young pups. Just be patient, there will be plenty of time for walks and play dates when the puppy is a bit older!