New Puppy Guide
Bringing Your Puppy Home
Welcoming a new puppy is one of life’s sweetest adventures—and we’re here to help you feel confident every step of the way. Whether you’re a first-time puppy parent or an experienced dog owner, this guide is packed with helpful recommendations, tips, and resources designed to set you and your puppy up for success.
From the essentials you’ll need before pickup to nutrition, grooming, training, and health care, consider this your go-to hub for everything “new puppy.”
Before Your Puppy Comes Home
There’s a lot to think about before Gotcha Day, and that’s where preparation makes all the difference. We recommend:
Puppy-proofing your home (hide cords, move plants, secure shoes, etc.)
Setting up your crate and X-pen
Scheduling your puppy’s first vet visit
Ordering your food and supplements (PawTree Real Oatmeal & Chicken is what we use)
Preparing your travel plan (driving or flying? We’ve got tips!)
For a complete checklist of what to purchase ahead of time, visit our Puppy Essentials Recommendations Page.
The First Week Home
Your puppy will need time to decompress and adjust. The first 72 hours should be calm, quiet, and focused on bonding—not training or entertaining guests.
Remember, it’s totally normal for your puppy to cry, whine, or seem unsure in the early days. Trust the process and lean on us—we’re here for you.
Focus on cuddles, rest, and positive associations
Wait to begin formal crate training until after the first 2 nights
Begin gentle routine and small social exposures after 3 days
Crate & Confinement Training
A crate and an X-pen are your best friends during puppyhood. They create a safe, structured environment for your doodle to rest, learn, and grow.
We recommend:
A wire crate with a divider
The Regalo 192" Play Yard or Clearly Loved Pets X-Pen
A hanging water dish, comfy crate bed, and a Snuggle Puppy (provided!)
For tips on how to ease your puppy into crate training and daily routines, refer to our full Crate Training Guide or check out our favorite crate and pen products here.
Feeding & Nutrition
We feed and recommend PawTree Real Oatmeal & Chicken for a healthy start. Our puppies do best on minimally processed, high-quality foods and gentle supplements. We also support rotational feeding for variety and better gut health.
We suggest:
NuVet Vitamins for immune support
MaxiVet Probiotics for gut health and digestion
Occasional additions like raw marrow bones, pumpkin, or fresh veggies
Grooming & Care
Doodle coats require consistent care. Whether you go to a groomer or handle it at home, early exposure is key.
✔ First grooming visit: around 10–11 weeks (even just a bath and nail trim)
✔ Brush regularly with quality tools like the Pupwell Essentials Kit
✔ Bathe every 2–3 weeks during early months
✔ Use shampoo brands like Earthbath, iGroom, or Tropiclean
✔ Always fully dry with a dog blow dryer to prevent matting
Health, Vaccines & Vet Visits
We follow the Dr. Jean Dodds vaccine protocol and encourage holistic-minded care whenever possible.
Vaccines are staggered and carefully timed to ensure proper immune response. We provide full medical records and guidance on your puppy’s timeline.
Within 72 hours of pickup:
Schedule a wellness exam
Begin your 30 days of free Trupanion pet insurance
Avoid vet floors—carry your pup or keep them in your lap!
Training & Socialization
We recommend the Baxter & Bella Online Puppy School for simple, effective training from the comfort of home. Use code PNWdoodles for 25% off!
In the early weeks, focus on:
Building trust and rewarding calm behavior
Encouraging crate naps and gentle boundaries
Safe exposure to people, sounds, and environments
Training doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Short, consistent sessions and lots of love go a long way.
Parasite Prevention & Puppy Health
Your puppy will have received early deworming, but parasites are a normal part of puppy life.
We guide families on how to handle:
Roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm
Coccidia & Giardia
Fleas, ticks & holistic alternatives
Diarrhea due to stress, diet, or change
Spay & Neuter Guidelines
We require spay/neuter, but timing is important.
Males: 12–24 months depending on adult size
Females: 3–4 months after their first heat cycle
These timelines support healthy growth, hormone development, and long-term joint health.
We’re With You Every Step of the Way
This journey is one we take together. From Gotcha Day to the first birthday and beyond, we’re here for support, questions, and updates—we love hearing from our puppy families.
Have questions? Need help ordering food or setting up your crate?
Email us at info@pacificnorthwestdoodles.com or text (208) 272-0137 anytime.
*Although these products have been used, loved, tried, tested and played with by us and other doodle lovers, please keep in mind that every doodle is different. We do our best to update products regularly based on current recalls/issues, but it is also your responsibility as an owner to research and choose the products and companies/brands. We do get a small percentage on some of the recommendations found in this packet, but we believe strongly in these products and only recommend what we ourselves use.