What to expect in your first week with your new doodle puppy? I’ve welcomed a lot of doodles into my home over the years. That first week is a beautiful, messy, and sometimes sleep-deprived blur. Let me walk you through what those first seven days can look like.
The First Few Days Are an Adjustment for Everyone
Your puppy just left the only family they’ve ever known. Their littermates, their mama, the smells and sounds they grew up with here at Morning Glory Doodles. It’s a big deal for such a small pup, and it’s completely normal for them to feel a little unsure at first.
You might notice your doodle being clingy one moment and hiding under the coffee table the next. Some pups dive right in and act as if they’ve always lived with you. Others take a few days to find their footing. Both are perfectly okay. Give them time, keep things calm, and let them come to you when they’re ready. Trust builds one gentle moment at a time.
Sleep?
That first week, you may not sleep much-or you might do great! I’d rather you know that going in than feel blindsided at 2 a.m. Some puppies sleep great from the first night and some struggle (just like human babies)!
Your puppy is used to sleeping in a warm pile of siblings. Now they’re alone in a new place, and they will likely cry. See my blog on crate training!
We recommend keeping the crate right beside the bed those first nights so your pup can hear you breathing and know they’re not alone. A soft toy or a blanket that smells like home can help too. (Please read the crate training blog! )
Potty Training Starts on Day One
Here’s the thing about potty training. You’re really training yourself as much as the puppy those first days.
Take your doodle out often. And I mean often. First thing in the morning, after every nap, after eating and drinking, after play, and right before bed. When they go where they’re supposed to, throw a little party. Happy voice, a treat, lots of love. Puppies want to please you, and they learn quickly what earns that warm praise.
There will be accidents. Plenty of them. Just clean up calmly and keep going. Getting frustrated only confuses them. Progress isn’t a straight line, but it does come.
Potty Training Starts on Day One
Here’s the thing about potty training. You’re really training yourself as much as the puppy those first days.
Take your doodle out often. And I mean often. First thing in the morning, after every nap, after eating and drinking, after play, and right before bed. When they go where they’re supposed to, throw a little party. Happy voice, a treat, lots of love. Puppies want to please you, and they learn quickly what earns that warm praise. Please read my blog in crate training!
There will be accidents. Just clean up calmly and keep going. Getting frustrated only confuses them. Progress isn’t a straight line, but it does come.
Introducing the Crate
I know the crate can feel a bit like a cage at first glance, but done right, it becomes your puppy’s cozy little den. A safe spot that’s all their own.
Start slow. Toss a treat inside and let them wander in on their own. Feed meals near or inside it. Never use it as punishment. You want your doodle to think of that space as good news, not a time-out.
Keep those early crate sessions short and sweet, then gradually build up. Before long, you’ll find your pup trotting in on their own for a nap. That’s the moment you’ll know it clicked.
The Bonding Moments Make It All Worth It
For every messy accident and sleepless hour, there are these little pockets of pure magic.
The first time your puppy falls asleep in your lap and goes completely limp with trust. The way they scamper to greet you when you walk into the room. That soft puppy sigh they let out when they finally relax. These are the moments that stitch your hearts together.
Talk to your doodle. Sit on the floor with them. Let them sniff your hands and learn your smell. Bonding isn’t something you force. It just grows, quietly, in all these ordinary minutes.
Puppy Behaviors That Might Catch You Off Guard
Nobody warns you about a few things, so let me be that friend who does.
The biting. Those needle teeth are no joke. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and they nip when they play. It’s not aggression; it’s just puppy stuff. Redirect them to a chew toy every time, and they’ll learn what’s okay to gnaw on.
The zoomies. Out of nowhere, your doodle will tear around the house like their tail is on fire, ears flapping, eyes wild. It’s hilarious and completely normal. Just clear a path and enjoy the show.
The crying at night. We already talked about this one, but I’ll say it again because it’s the part that worries new puppy parents most. It gets better-read the blog I mentioned and start slooowwwww!
Setting a Routine Sooner Than Later
Puppies feel safest when they know what’s coming next. A simple, predictable rhythm helps your doodle settle in and takes a lot of guesswork off your plate too.
Try to feed at the same times each day. Keep potty breaks, playtime, and naps on a semi-strict schedule. Your pup’s little internal clock will start to sync up, and honestly, so will yours. You don’t need anything fancy or rigid. Just gentle consistency, day after day.
Give Yourself Grace, Too
Here’s something I wish someone had told me early on. You’re going to feel overwhelmed at some point that first week. You might even wonder, in a bleary-eyed 3 a.m. moment, what on earth you signed up for. That doesn’t make you a bad puppy parent. It makes you a normal one.
The Beginning of Something Wonderful
That first week may feel like a whirlwind, but there will also be belly rubs, first walks, sleepy cuddles, and a thousand small moments that remind you exactly why you brought this fuzzy little soul into your life.
Before you know it, this puppy will be woven right into the fabric of your family. The chaos fades. The love only grows. Welcome to one of the sweetest chapters you’ll ever live.
Check out more Doodle insights in our blog library.
As always feel free to explore our website at morningglorydoodles.com to see more blog posts, pictures of cute puppies, current litters looking for their forever homes and upcoming litters!
