A New Puppy Guide

A downloadable PDF of this guide will be available here soon.

Welcome Home, Puppy!

Thank you for choosing Stony Point Doodles and welcoming one of our puppies into your family. Bringing home a puppy is an exciting time, and we want to help make the transition as smooth and happy as possible.

Your puppy has been raised in our home with love, attention, and plenty of interaction. Now it is your turn to continue that journey. These tips will help you establish a healthy routine, build confidence, and give your new family member the best possible start.

1. Feeding Your Puppy

Your puppy may be used to having food available throughout the day. When you bring them home, keep them on the same food and feeding routine initially to avoid unnecessary stomach upset.

As your puppy settles in, establish a consistent feeding schedule based on their age, size, and your veterinarian’s recommendations. Young puppies generally need several meals throughout the day. Follow the feeding guidelines on the food packaging and adjust portions as your puppy grows.

If you decide to change foods, make the transition gradually over approximately 7 to 10 days by mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the current food.

Always provide fresh, clean water. Avoid giving table scraps, rich foods, or too many treats, as these can upset your puppy’s stomach.

2. What If My Puppy Is Not Eating?

It is common for a puppy to eat a little less during the first day in a new home. Everything is new, and some puppies need time to settle in. Offer their familiar food in a quiet area and give them time to eat without distractions.

You can try hand feeding a few pieces of kibble or moistening their food with a little warm water. Avoid repeatedly changing foods or offering lots of treats to encourage eating.

Do not wait several days if your puppy is refusing food. Young puppies, especially smaller puppies, can become dehydrated or develop low blood sugar more quickly than adult dogs. If your puppy misses meals, refuses food, or seems unusually tired, contact your veterinarian promptly.

If your puppy becomes weak, shaky, lethargic, collapses, or shows other signs of illness, seek veterinary care immediately. Do not rely on corn syrup or other home remedies in place of veterinary treatment.

3. Potty Training

Your new puppy has a small bladder and is still learning where to go. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are the keys to success.

Take your puppy outside frequently, often every 1 to 2 hours while awake, and always after waking up, eating, drinking, playing, and before bedtime. Some puppies will need even more frequent breaks.

Choose a designated potty area and use the same spot whenever possible. When your puppy goes outside, praise them immediately and offer a small treat.

Accidents are normal. If one happens, clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and continue your routine. Never punish your puppy for an accident.

A young puppy may still need a potty break during the night. Keep bedtime routines consistent, but do not withhold water for long periods. Your veterinarian can help you determine an appropriate evening routine for your puppy.

4. Your Puppy’s First Veterinary Visit

Schedule a visit with your veterinarian shortly after bringing your puppy home, ideally within the timeframe outlined in your purchase agreement.

Bring any vaccination records, deworming information, and other paperwork provided by Stony Point Doodles. Your veterinarian will review your puppy’s health, establish a vaccination schedule, discuss parasite prevention, and answer questions about feeding and growth.

Keep all veterinary records in a safe place and follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for future visits.

5. Vaccinations and Safe Socialization

Your puppy is still developing immunity and may not have completed their full vaccination series. Until your veterinarian advises otherwise, avoid high risk areas where unfamiliar dogs frequently gather, such as dog parks and heavily used public dog areas.

Socialization is still very important. Introduce your puppy to new people, household sounds, gentle handling, car rides, and safe environments in a positive way. You can also arrange controlled visits with healthy, appropriately vaccinated dogs.

The goal is to help your puppy experience the world safely and build confidence.

6. Crate Training and Sleeping

A crate can become a comfortable, safe space for your puppy when introduced positively. Choose a crate that allows your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Start with short periods, offer treats or meals in the crate, and gradually increase the time your puppy spends inside. Never use the crate as punishment.

For the first few nights, placing the crate near your bed may help your puppy feel more secure. Expect some adjustment time and remember that young puppies may need nighttime potty breaks.

7. Chewing and Puppy Proofing

Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Provide safe, age appropriate chew toys and supervise your puppy closely.

Keep electrical cords, medications, cleaning products, small objects, and toxic foods out of reach. Be especially careful with chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, xylitol, and other foods that can be dangerous to dogs.

If your puppy begins chewing something inappropriate, calmly redirect them to an approved toy. Consistent redirection works better than punishment.

8. Grooming and Coat Care

Doodles require regular grooming to keep their coats healthy and comfortable. Begin brushing your puppy gently and frequently so they become accustomed to the process.

Pay special attention to areas that can mat easily, including behind the ears, under the collar, around the legs, and near the tail. Introduce your puppy to having their paws, ears, and mouth handled.

Your puppy will also need regular nail trims, ear checks, and professional grooming. Ask your groomer and veterinarian about the best schedule for your puppy’s coat type.

For a fuller walkthrough, read our grooming guide and our before your puppy comes home checklist.

9. Training and Building Good Habits

Start with simple commands such as “sit,” “come,” and “leave it.” Keep training sessions short, positive, and fun.

Reward the behaviors you want to encourage with praise, treats, and attention. Puppies learn best through repetition and consistency.

Make sure everyone in the household follows the same rules. A consistent routine will help your puppy understand what is expected and feel secure in their new home.

More detail lives in our guide to puppy behavior and good manners.

10. Exercise, Play, and Rest

Puppies need a balance of play, gentle exercise, and plenty of sleep. Short play sessions and age appropriate walks are better than long, strenuous activities.

Avoid forced running, excessive jumping, and other high impact exercise while your puppy is growing. Your veterinarian can recommend an appropriate activity level based on your puppy’s age and development.

Remember that an overtired puppy may become extra mouthy or restless. A quiet nap can often help.

11. Helping Your Puppy Adjust

The first few days are a big change for your puppy. Keep their environment calm and give them time to become familiar with their new home.

Establish a predictable routine for meals, potty breaks, playtime, and sleep. Introduce new people and experiences gradually rather than overwhelming your puppy all at once.

It is normal for a puppy to miss their littermates and need extra reassurance. With patience and consistency, they will begin to feel safe and comfortable with their new family. For a closer look at those first days, read your puppy’s first 48 hours at home.

12. When to Call Your Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian if your puppy is not eating normally, has repeated vomiting or diarrhea, seems unusually tired, or shows any other concerning changes.

Seek urgent veterinary care for difficulty breathing, collapse, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, or suspected ingestion of something toxic.

When in doubt, it is always better to call your veterinarian and ask.

A Few Final Thoughts

Every puppy is different, and there is no perfect schedule that works for every family. Be patient, celebrate the little milestones, and remember that your puppy is learning something new every day.

We are grateful that you have chosen Stony Point Doodles and are excited to see your puppy grow into a loved member of your family. Please keep in touch, share pictures, and reach out if you have questions about your puppy’s transition.

Welcome to the Stony Point Doodles family!

This guide is intended to provide general puppy care information and does not replace the advice of your veterinarian. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for your puppy’s individual health and needs.