Most of us go through our daily activities without even thinking about it. You get up in the morning, shower, brush your teeth, eat breakfast and head out the door to work, the gym or to run errands. Many of those activities you don’t even think about… they’re just routine… as long as no one throws a wrench in the works! For a number of us, routine is what keeps us sane. Now it may seem strange, but your new puppy needs structure in their day too. Creating a routine for your puppy helps them settle into their new home faster making life easier for you!

You might be thinking… how do I create a routine for my puppy? It’s easier than it sounds. Let’s take a look at some of things you should take into consideration. Begin by thinking about such things as what time does your puppy start their day? What time to they eat? What about potty breaks, training, walks and playtime? Creating a daily schedule increases the likelihood you’ll be consistent, and consistency is crucial when it comes to puppy training! Now, this can, and should have some flexibility, as something may come up or you may need to take your puppy’s individual needs and progress into consideration and change things around. That’s okay… it’s all part of the process.

So, let’s take a look at a bit of an outline that you can use to build your own schedule.

MORNING ROUTINE:

• Rise and Shine: Wake your puppy at the same time each morning to begin the routine.
• Bathroom Break: Immediately after waking, take your puppy outside to their designated bathroom spot to encourage proper elimination habits.
• Breakfast Time & Bathroom Break: Breakfast time! Puppies generally need to go to the bathroom again after eating, so take them out for another potty break within 5 to 20 minutes of eating. This time will depend on your puppy and their age. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to timing in order to avoid accidents.
• Playtime, Training Time and/or a Walk: Dedicate some time for interactive play, or maybe a brief training session to work on some simple cues. Taking your puppy for a short walk, or engaging in a play session helps to break up the morning and provide some mental stimulation.
• Bathroom Break: Before a nap, take your puppy outside to their designated bathroom spot to eliminate.
• Nap Time: After all that activity allow your puppy time to relax and rest in their safe space (crate or X-pen works great). This promotes healthy nap habits… and puppies need a lot of sleep as they grow!

---

RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: FIVE TIPS FOR HOUSE TRAINING YOUR NEW PUPPY

---

AFTERNOON ROUTINE:

• Lunchtime and Bathroom Break: Give your puppy their lunch meal followed by a another bathroom break outdoors.
• Exploration Time: Spend some time introducing your puppy to new environments, sounds, and experiences to help with socialization and confidence-building.
• Interactive Play: Plan some interactive play or games to keep your puppy mentally stimulated and entertained. Throw in some training cues to practice if you like.
• Bathroom Break and Quiet Time: Take them out for another bathroom break before encouraging an afternoon nap.

---

RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: ENRICHMENT IDEAS FOR DOGS: TOYS, GAMES AND DIY

---

EVENING ROUTINE:

• Dinner and Bathroom Break: Time for dinner… followed by another outdoor bathroom break. Arranging their mealtime around yours may make it easier… but remember they need to go out when they’re done eating and not when you’re done eating.
• Family Time: Spend some quality family time with your puppy… try some interactive play or go for a calm walk.
• Short Training Session: Practice cues that you have been working on throughout the day. Keep this session a little more relaxed than you may with others.

BEDTIME AND NIGHT ROUTINE:

• Final Bathroom Break and Bedtime Routine: Take your puppy outside for their final bathroom break before bed. When you’re back indoors start a bedtime routine involving cuddles, calmness, and a comfortable sleeping area to signal the end of the day. If you have kids, let them read a story to your puppy… that benefits everyone! Keeping a set bedtime routine will make your puppy’s adjustment easier.
• Overnight: If your puppy can’t make it through the night you may want to try to set an alarm to get up ahead of them and take them out for a quick potty break. Getting up before they wake up means you don’t have a puppy that is whining to go out while you’re trying to get ready to do so. Once the bathroom break is done, you can both go back to bed… hopefully until you start your morning routine!

---

RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: NEW PUPPY? TIPS FOR PUPPY PROOFING YOUR HOME

---

ADDITONAL TIPS:

• Supervise: If you are unable to supervise your puppy – perhaps you are working from home, or busy around the house – keep them in their crate or X-pen to avoid accidents or them getting into trouble.
• Flexibility: While consistency is important when it comes to a new puppy, be open to adjusting the schedule based on your puppy’s individual needs and progress.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use praise, treats, and affection to reward any desirable behaviors as this helps to encourage learning.
• Seek Support If Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet, or a professional dog trainer, for assistance if you encounter challenges with your new puppy.