Puppy Care Guide
Welcoming a Goldendoodle puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience, filled with new adventures and boundless joy.
However, the first days can also be a time of adjustment for both you and your new furry friend. This comprehensive care guide is designed to help you navigate the essential aspects of bringing your puppy home, ensuring a smooth transition into their new environment. From establishing a safe space to understanding grooming needs and nutrition, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to give your Goldendoodle the best start in their new life with you. Let’s ensure that your first day together is filled with love and positive experiences!
Prepare the Home
– Puppy-Proof the Space: Remove or secure items that could be harmful, such as electrical cords, small objects, and toxic plants. Ensure there are no open spaces where the puppy could escape or hidden dangers.
– Set Up a Safe Haven: Designate a specific area in your home for the Goldendoodle to feel safe. This could be a comfy crate or a small room with the essentials (bed, toys, water).
Essential Supplies
Make sure to have the following supplies ready before bringing the puppy home:
– Food and Water Bowls: Choose shallow, sturdy bowls to prevent tipping.
– Puppy Food: We use Purina Pro Plan Lamb and Rice puppy food. We feed our puppies three times a day, around one cup each time, at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. You can adjust the feeding times based on your schedule. As the puppies grow, you can find the suggested feeding amounts on the back of the puppy food bag.
– Bedding: Soft blankets or a puppy bed for comfort.
– Toys: Choose safe chew toys and interactive toys to keep the Goldendoodle mentally stimulated.
– Collar and Leash: Ensure the collar is the right size and comfortable for the puppy.
– Crate: For Goldendoodle puppies, the recommended crate size will depend on whether they are mini, medium, or standard Goldendoodles.
Here’s a breakdown:
– Toy or Mini Goldendoodles: A crate size of 24 to 30 inchesis typically recommended. Since mini Goldendoodles usually weigh between 15-30 pounds as adults, this size will be comfortable for them.
– Medium Goldendoodles: A crate size of 30 to 36 inches is usually suitable. This size accommodates adult weights typically ranging from 30-45 pounds.
– Standard Goldendoodles: If you have a standard Goldendoodle, you would need a larger crate of 36 to 48 inches in length, as they usually weigh between 45-90 pounds as adults.
Grooming
– Brushing Tips: Goldendoodles have wavy or curly fur that can mat easily. Brush your puppy’s coat at least 2-3 times a week to prevent tangles and mats. Use a slicker brush for the undercoat and a bristle brush for the outer coat.
– Bathing: Goldendoodles typically need to be bathed every 1 months unless they get particularly dirty. Use a gentle puppy shampoo specifically designed for their coat type, and rinse thoroughly to avoid any skin irritation.
Nutrition Transition
– Transition Food: If you plan to change the food from what the Goldendoodle is currently eating, make the switch gradually. Start by mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food, and gradually increase the new food to 100% over the course of 7-10 days.
– Transition from Puppy to Adult Food: Goldendoodles are typically transitioned from puppy food to adult food around 12 months of age, depending on their growth and development. Consult your veterinarian for the best timeline based on your puppy’s specific needs.
Bathroom Breaks
– Frequent Breaks: Take the puppy outside to the designated bathroom spot every two to three hours during the daytime, especially after eating, drinking, or playing. Be sure to offer praise when the puppy successfully goes potty outside! We generally crate train our puppies overnight from 10:45 PM to 6:45 AM. During the daytime, it’s important to note that we do not take the puppy outside for bathroom breaks at night, as this helps reinforce their crate training.